{"id":467,"date":"2026-05-22T03:08:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T03:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/?post_type=product&p=467"},"modified":"2026-05-22T03:09:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T03:09:53","slug":"thor-flm-stone-crusher-silviculture-land-opening","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/product\/thor-flm-stone-crusher-silviculture-land-opening\/","title":{"rendered":"THOR FLM \u77f3\u7834\u7815\u6a5f \u2013 \u6797\u696d\u304a\u3088\u3073\u571f\u5730\u958b\u58be\u7528\u3001230 HP"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
Rock +
\nVegetation<\/div>\n
Dual-Material<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
230\u99ac\u529b<\/div>\n
+ CVT Required<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
1.68 m<\/div>\n
Working Width<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
0.6<\/div>\n
km\/h Min. Speed<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00d72<\/div>\n
Hammer Options<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Where Rock and Vegetation Meet \u2014 The THOR Built for Forestry Work<\/h2>\n

The THOR 2.4 and THOR 3.0 are rock crushers. They are optimised for stone \u2014 grinding boulders and surface rock into aggregate with maximum efficiency on cleared agricultural land. The Watanabe THOR FLM<\/strong> is a different machine for a different task. It is described by Watanabe as “the most versatile model within the Thor product line,” engineered specifically for silviculture and land opening<\/strong> \u2014 the conditions where surface stones and embedded rock exist alongside stumps, roots, brush, and other woody vegetation material that must all be processed in the same clearing operation.<\/p>\n

The defining characteristics of the THOR FLM follow directly from this application:<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\u25b6 Narrower \u2014 1.68 m<\/p>\n

Where the THOR 2.4 and 3.0 sweep wide to cover open agricultural terrain, the THOR FLM’s 1.68-meter working width fits forestry access tracks, plantation corridors, and the tight working spaces of post-forestry land clearing where wider machines cannot maneuver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u25b6 Two Hammer Configurations<\/p>\n

One hammer type is optimised for hard rock \u2014 carbide-tipped and geometry designed for maximum rock fragmentation impact. The second is optimised for soft materials \u2014 stumps, roots, brush, and green wood \u2014 where a different blade angle and edge profile produces clean cutting rather than hard impact. Switching between configurations allows the operator to match hammer type to the dominant material in each working area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u25b6 CVT + Ultra-Low Speed<\/p>\n

Working speed as low as 0.6 km\/h \u2014 a walking pace \u2014 is essential when the rotor encounters dense embedded material. CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) on the tractor allows the operator to reduce speed smoothly to any point between 0.6 and 2.5 km\/h without gear-step jumps that would disrupt the rotor’s engagement with the material being processed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The result is a machine that covers the clearing operation that falls between a forestry mulcher and a rock crusher \u2014 a category that field operations in post-forestry Korean highland land conversion encounter frequently. Most sites in Korea’s forest-to-agriculture conversion zones have both embedded rock and organic material (stumps, roots, brush) in proportions that vary across the same field \u2014 the THOR FLM handles both from the same machine, with a hammer change between zones where the dominant material type shifts.<\/p>\n

\"Rock<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Technical Specifications \u2013 THOR FLM Stone Crusher<\/h2>\n

All data sourced from Watanabe’s official partner site. The THOR FLM’s CVT tractor requirement is the most critical compatibility factor to verify before ordering \u2014 a standard gear-step tractor cannot safely or effectively operate this machine at its required working speeds.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
PARAMETER<\/th>\nTHOR FLM<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Dimensions & Weight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Working Width<\/strong><\/td>\n1.68 m<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Width<\/td>\n2.48 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u91cd\u3055<\/strong><\/td>\n2,300 Kg<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tractor Requirements<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Engine Power<\/strong><\/td>\n230\u99ac\u529b<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transmission<\/strong><\/td>\nCVT \u2014 Continuously Variable Transmission REQUIRED<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PTO Speed<\/strong><\/td>\n1000 RPM<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Working Speed<\/strong><\/td>\n0.6\u20132.5 km\/h<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rotor & Hammers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hammer Configurations<\/strong><\/td>\nTwo variations (rock \/ vegetation)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\u24d8 All data from Watanabe official partner site (soilstabilizermachine.com). CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission \u2014 this is a mandatory tractor specification, not an optional feature. A tractor without CVT cannot maintain the 0.6\u20132.5 km\/h working speed range that the THOR FLM requires for safe and effective operation. Verify your tractor’s transmission type before enquiring.<\/p>\n

\n

\u26a0 CVT Tractor is Mandatory \u2014 Not Optional<\/p>\n

The THOR FLM’s minimum working speed of 0.6 km\/h \u2014 approximately walking pace \u2014 cannot be achieved reliably with a standard gear-step tractor without significant risk of rotor overload and engine stall when the machine encounters dense material. CVT allows smooth, stepless speed reduction to any point between 0.6 and 2.5 km\/h in real time as material density changes. Korean CVT-equipped tractor models in the 230 HP range include the John Deere 6R 230 (AutoPowr transmission), Fendt 724 Vario, New Holland T7.230 (AutoCommand), and Valtra T174 SmartTouch. Confirm your tractor’s transmission type with its specification sheet or dealer before ordering.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Comparison within the THOR product family:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Spec<\/th>\n\u30c8\u30fc\u30eb 2.4<\/th>\n\u30bd\u30fc 3.0<\/th>\nTHOR FLM<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u4f5c\u696d\u5e45<\/td>\n2.4\u30e1\u30fc\u30c8\u30eb<\/td>\n3.0\u30e1\u30fc\u30c8\u30eb<\/td>\n1.68 m<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6700\u5c0f\u30c8\u30e9\u30af\u30bf\u30fc\u51fa\u529b<\/td>\n180\u99ac\u529b<\/td>\n230\u99ac\u529b<\/td>\n230 HP CVT<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PTO\u901f\u5ea6<\/td>\n1000 RPM<\/td>\n1000 RPM<\/td>\n1000 RPM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u4f5c\u696d\u901f\u5ea6<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n0.6\u20132.5 km\/h<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hammer type<\/td>\nRock<\/td>\nRock<\/td>\nRock OR Vegetation<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Primary application<\/td>\nRock crushing<\/td>\nHeavy rock<\/td>\nSilviculture, land opening<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

How the THOR FLM Works \u2014 Impact Processing of Mixed Material<\/h2>\n

The Rotor \u2014 High-Speed Impact at Ultra-Low Forward Speed<\/h3>\n

The THOR FLM’s operating principle is the same as all THOR models: a horizontal rotor driven by the tractor PTO at 1000 RPM sweeps the working zone, and the hammers mounted on the rotor strike the material \u2014 rock fragments, stumps, roots, brush \u2014 at high velocity, fracturing or shredding it into smaller pieces that are dispersed or left on the ground surface as mulch. The kinetic energy of the impact is what does the work; the rotor speed determines the energy available per hammer strike.<\/p>\n

What distinguishes the THOR FLM from the rock-specific THOR models is that the rotor and hammers are designed to handle the broader range of material properties encountered in silviculture and land opening \u2014 from hard granite surface rock that requires brittle fracture impact, to soft green wood that requires shear-cutting action, to dry stumps that require a combination of both. The two interchangeable hammer configurations address these different material properties by changing the hammer geometry and edge specification between working zones.<\/p>\n

Two Hammer Configurations \u2014 Adapting to the Material<\/h3>\n

The first hammer configuration is optimised for hard rock and stone<\/strong>. These hammers use carbide-tipped impact faces at an angle that maximises the fracturing energy delivered to the rock surface on contact. The geometry is similar to the hammer specification on the THOR 2.4 and THOR 3.0 \u2014 designed for the compressive fracture mode of hard brittle materials. This configuration is appropriate when working through areas where embedded rock and surface boulders dominate, with minimal organic material.<\/p>\n

\"Rock<\/p>\n

The second hammer configuration is optimised for soft materials \u2014 stumps, roots, brush, and green or dry wood<\/strong>. These hammers use a different blade angle and edge profile that produces a shear-cutting action on fibrous organic material rather than an impact-fracture action. When the rotor encounters a large stump root, this configuration shreds the fibrous wood into chips rather than bouncing off it \u2014 producing a more complete reduction of the organic material in fewer passes.<\/p>\n

In practice, most silviculture and land opening sites in Korea have a spatial distribution of rock and organic material across the field \u2014 areas of higher stone density near rock outcrops and areas of heavier organic material in the zones where root systems are denser. The operator can change hammer configuration at the field margins between these zones, or select the configuration that best matches the dominant material type across the majority of the working area and accept reduced efficiency on the minority material type.<\/p>\n

CVT \u2014 Matching Speed to Material Density in Real Time<\/h3>\n

The requirement for CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) on the tractor is the most operationally critical specification of the THOR FLM \u2014 and the most commonly misunderstood by buyers approaching it from a standard THOR 2.4\/3.0 background.<\/p>\n

At 0.6 km\/h \u2014 the minimum working speed \u2014 the rotor is processing a high volume of material per unit of forward travel. This is the appropriate speed when the operator encounters a dense stump cluster, a rock concentration, or a particularly resistant embedded root system. If the tractor were equipped with a standard mechanical gearbox, the lowest available creep gear would likely produce a speed above 0.6 km\/h at the required engine RPM to maintain PTO speed \u2014 and more importantly, reducing speed below a gear step requires either stopping and changing down (losing momentum and disrupting the rotor engagement) or allowing the clutch to partially slip (generating heat and wear).<\/p>\n

CVT allows the operator to reduce ground speed smoothly and continuously while the engine and PTO maintain their required operating speeds. The operator can slow from 2.0 km\/h to 0.6 km\/h as they approach a dense material zone without any gear change or rotor speed disruption \u2014 the CVT continuously varies the transmission ratio to match the selected ground speed while the engine operates at its optimal load point. When the dense zone is cleared, speed can be increased smoothly back to 2.0 km\/h for open ground. This continuous real-time speed adaptation is what makes the THOR FLM effective in the variable-density material environment of silviculture and land opening work.<\/p>\n

What Happens to the Processed Material<\/h3>\n

Rock fragments are shattered into small pieces \u2014 typically less than 10 cm after a pass \u2014 that remain on the ground surface or are dispersed across the working zone. These fragments compact into the soil profile over the subsequent tillage operations, or are further reduced in a follow-up pass if sizes remain above the target for the next cultivation step. The rock processing result of the THOR FLM is similar to that of the THOR 2.4 on comparable rock sizes, though the narrower working width means more passes are required to cover the same area.<\/p>\n

Wood material \u2014 stumps, roots, brush \u2014 is reduced to chips and shreds that remain on the surface as organic mulch. These decompose over the following months or years, contributing organic matter to the soil profile. For sites where the organic material load is high, the mulch layer can be incorporated into the soil by rotary cultivation (with a machine such as the PSW-3200 Rotavator) after the THOR FLM clearing pass, accelerating decomposition and preparing a seedbed in the same season as the clearing operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Why the THOR FLM Is the Right Machine for Silviculture Work<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

\u25a0 Handles Both Rock and Vegetation<\/p>\n

The THOR 2.4 and 3.0 are rock-specific; a forestry mulcher is vegetation-specific. The THOR FLM with two interchangeable hammer configurations covers both material types from one machine. Post-forestry sites in Korea’s highland conversion zones regularly present both material types in adjacent working zones \u2014 the THOR FLM processes both without machine changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u25a0 1.68 m \u2014 Forestry Access Width<\/p>\n

Korea’s highland forestry access tracks and plantation corridors are typically 3\u20134 meters wide \u2014 adequate for a tractor with a 2.48-meter total-width (THOR FLM) implement, but not for a 3-meter wide THOR 3.0. The THOR FLM’s narrower working width allows it to enter and work within the access corridors that define the working geometry of plantation and managed forest land clearing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u25a0 CVT Enables Precision Speed Control<\/p>\n

The 0.6\u20132.5 km\/h speed range \u2014 achievable only with CVT \u2014 gives the operator precise real-time control over material processing rate. Slow through dense embedded material; fast over cleared zones. This continuous adaptation produces a more consistent processing result than fixed-gear creep operation, and protects the rotor and drive system from overload spikes that occur when hard material is encountered at above-optimal speed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u25a0 No Separate Stump Removal Step<\/p>\n

Conventional post-forestry land preparation requires separate stump pulling or grinding, root raking, and stone clearance operations \u2014 three machine types and three separate field passes. The THOR FLM with the vegetation hammer configuration reduces stumps and roots to ground-level chips in the same pass as rock processing, eliminating the dedicated stump removal step and the machine mobilisation costs associated with it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u25a0 Organic Mulch \u2014 Soil Improvement<\/p>\n

The wood chips and vegetation shreds produced by the THOR FLM’s vegetation hammer operation constitute a significant organic matter input to the cleared land. Unlike stump removal and disposal \u2014 which removes this organic material from the site \u2014 THOR FLM processing leaves the organic content in place, where it decomposes into the soil profile and contributes to the long-term soil organic matter balance of the newly opened agricultural land.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Where the THOR FLM Gets Used in Korea<\/h2>\n

\ud83c\udf3f Post-Forestry Land Conversion \u2014 Highland Agriculture Opening<\/h3>\n

Korea’s highland zones \u2014 particularly Gangwon-do and the central mountain belt of North Gyeongsang and North Chungcheong \u2014 have significant areas of former plantation forestry that are being progressively retired and assessed for conversion to agricultural use. These are primarily Japanese cedar (\uc0bc\ub098\ubb34, Cryptomeria japonica) and pine (\uc18c\ub098\ubb34) plantations that reached rotation age and whose economics as timber have declined relative to the land’s potential value as highland agricultural production area.<\/p>\n

After the standing timber is harvested, the land presents the characteristic mix of post-forestry challenges: stumps at ground level, a mat of surface roots extending from each stump, residual slash (branches and tops left after harvest), and the exposed surface rock and boulders that were previously concealed by the forest floor material. A conventional stump grinder can address the stumps; a rock crusher can address the stone; but neither addresses both. The THOR FLM with its two hammer configurations processes all of these material types in a coordinated clearing sequence \u2014 vegetation hammer for the stump-and-root zones, rock hammer for the stone-concentration zones \u2014 without requiring a second machine type.<\/p>\n

\"Rock<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfd9 Plantation Management and Silvicultural Operations<\/h3>\n

In active commercial forestry in Korea \u2014 primarily the managed softwood plantations in Gangwon-do and Gyeongbuk \u2014 periodic silvicultural operations require access track maintenance, understory clearing, and boundary management. Access tracks in plantation forestry accumulate rock debris, blow-down timber, and invasive vegetation over the years between clearing cycles. The THOR FLM’s 1.68-meter working width \u2014 matching standard forestry track widths \u2014 allows it to operate within active plantation infrastructure without damage to standing crop trees, processing track obstructions and maintaining clear access for harvest and management operations.<\/p>\n

The vegetation hammer configuration is particularly suited to the understory clearing application, where the material is predominantly woody scrub and brush rather than rock. Korean forest management regulations increasingly require clearing of the high-fire-risk understory in managed plantations \u2014 particularly the dense flammable brush layer that develops in neglected plantation corridors. The THOR FLM with vegetation hammer configuration processes this material efficiently without damaging the plantation trees above.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf4b Mixed Rocky-Vegetated Land Opening for Large Farms<\/h3>\n

Some of Korea’s most productive highland potato and vegetable growing areas were themselves originally forested land that was cleared for agricultural use over the past 40\u201350 years. Farms that are now expanding into adjacent uncultivated land \u2014 former grazing land that has reverted to scrub, or marginal forest margins that were never formally cultivated \u2014 encounter the same mixed rock-and-vegetation challenge as post-forestry conversion sites, but on a smaller scale and with a higher proportion of shrub vegetation relative to timber-grade stumps.<\/p>\n

For these expansion clearing operations, the THOR FLM’s combination of rock and vegetation capability in one machine, with narrow enough width to work in the irregular margins of existing agricultural fields, makes it the practical clearing tool. A separate forestry mulcher (for the shrub vegetation) and a rock crusher (for the stone) would require two separate passes with two machine setups; the THOR FLM handles both from one machine, with a hammer change when the dominant material type requires it.<\/p>\n

\"THOR<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Which THOR Is Right for Your Operation<\/h2>\n

The three THOR models serve different primary applications. Use the table below to identify the right match \u2014 the most common mistake is selecting the THOR FLM when the THOR 2.4 or 3.0 is the right tool, or vice versa:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Your Situation<\/th>\nBest THOR<\/th>\nWhy<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Open agricultural land, surface rocks only, 180 HP tractor<\/td>\n\u30c8\u30fc\u30eb 2.4<\/a><\/td>\nLower power, wider than FLM, rock-only application<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open land, heavy boulder load, maximum rock crushing, 230+ HP<\/td>\n\u30bd\u30fc 3.0<\/a><\/td>\nMaximum rock capacity and working width for open land<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Post-forestry land, mixed rock + stumps\/roots, 230 HP CVT<\/strong><\/td>\nTHOR FLM<\/td>\nTwo hammer types, narrow for forestry access, CVT speed control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plantation access tracks, understory clearing (no significant rock)<\/td>\nTHOR FLM<\/td>\nVegetation hammer, narrow width for track work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open farmland, large rocks, 300 HP tractor, highest throughput<\/td>\nBlackBird<\/a> + THOR 3.0<\/td>\nRake-and-crush system for maximum open-land throughput<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\u26a0 If your tractor does not have CVT, the THOR 2.4 or THOR 3.0 is your THOR<\/p>\n

The THOR 2.4 and THOR 3.0 can both operate effectively with standard gear-step tractors in their respective power classes. The THOR FLM’s CVT requirement is non-negotiable. If your application is post-forestry land clearing but your tractor is a standard gear-step model, discuss the specific material conditions with us \u2014 in some cases, the THOR 3.0 with careful speed management can handle mixed material, depending on the stump size and density.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

The Full Watanabe Land Clearing Product Family<\/h2>\n

The THOR FLM operates within a complete Watanabe land clearance and soil preparation range. Here is where each product fits in the typical sequence for large-scale post-forestry land opening:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
STAGE 1<\/div>\n
\n

THOR FLM \u2014 Mixed Material Clearing YOU ARE HERE<\/span><\/p>\n

Process stumps, roots, brush, and surface rock simultaneously. Two hammer configurations adapt to material type. 1.68 m width for forestry access corridors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
STAGE 2<\/div>\n
\n

EP-EW-4000 Rock Rake<\/a> or BlackBird Rock Rake<\/a><\/p>\n

Surface stone windrow formation after THOR FLM clearing pass. EW-4000 for smaller areas; BlackBird for large open fields after forestry corridors are cleared.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
STAGE 3<\/div>\n
\n

THOR 3.0 \u2014 Residual Rock Processing<\/p>\n

Crush stone windrows formed by the rake into aggregate. Or couple the \u30bd\u30fc 3.0<\/a> directly behind the BlackBird on the rear hitch for simultaneous rake-and-crush on open cleared land.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
STAGE 4<\/div>\n
\n

Primary Tillage \u2014 PSW-3200 Rotavator<\/p>\n

Once the land is cleared and surface stone is processed, primary tillage prepares the seedbed for the first agricultural crop. The PSW-3200 (3.0\u20133.6 m, 140 HP) incorporates remaining surface material and builds the cultivation profile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Watanabe THOR Engineering \u2014 Built for Heavy Silviculture Work<\/h2>\n
\n
\"Watanabe<\/div>\n
\n

The THOR product line grew out of Watanabe’s experience in the Brazilian agricultural land opening sector \u2014 particularly in the cerrado and Amazon transition zones where large areas of native vegetation are progressively cleared for agricultural use. The conditions in these Brazilian zones \u2014 embedded rock, deep root systems, hard laterite soil, and thick woody vegetation \u2014 are among the most demanding land clearing environments in the world, and they are the design reference that shaped the THOR series’ robustness specification.<\/p>\n

The THOR FLM’s particular design challenge is the two-material processing requirement \u2014 the rotor and drive system must handle the sharp instantaneous load spikes of hard rock impact and the sustained, high-torque drag of fibrous stump and root processing in the same operating session. The drive system specification, rotor shaft dimensioning, and hammer mounting geometry all reflect this dual-demand requirement. The CVT requirement is not an add-on specification \u2014 it is fundamental to protecting the drive system from the overload spikes that would occur if the tractor attempted creep-speed operation in dense material on a standard gear-step transmission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Watanabe<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\u2713 CVT Compatibility Verified<\/p>\n

We confirm CVT availability on your specific tractor model before the order is placed. Not all tractors marketed as “variable speed” have true CVT \u2014 stepless transmission systems vary significantly in their low-speed capability. We review your tractor specification sheet to confirm suitability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u2713 Hammer Configuration Guidance<\/p>\n

We provide guidance on which hammer configuration to start with based on your site’s dominant material type \u2014 rock-heavy or vegetation-heavy \u2014 and how to read the rotor load indicators to decide when to switch configurations on a mixed site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u2713 Wear Parts Supply<\/p>\n

Both hammer configurations are wear-limited items \u2014 hard rock operation wears the carbide tips; dense stump processing wears the cutting edges. We maintain supply chain contact with Watanabe Brazil for replacement hammer sets, with typical order-to-Korea delivery timelines provided at purchase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Frequently Asked Questions \u2013 THOR FLM Stone Crusher<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

What does “FLM” stand for?<\/p>\n

FLM is Watanabe’s designation for the forestry and land-opening variant of the THOR product line. In Portuguese, the application is described as silvicultura<\/em> (silviculture\/forestry) and abertura de \u00e1reas<\/em> (land opening\/clearing) \u2014 the two primary use cases the FLM was designed for. The designation distinguishes this model from the agricultural rock-specific THOR 2.4 and THOR 3.0, which share the THOR name but serve a different primary application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Why is CVT mandatory \u2014 can I use a standard tractor with a very low creep gear?<\/p>\n

Standard gear-step tractors have discrete gear steps \u2014 moving from one gear to the next produces an abrupt change in ground speed. In dense material (a large stump root, a rock cluster), the operator may need to reduce speed below the lowest available creep gear, at which point the options are: stop and reverse (disrupting the clearing sequence), or allow the clutch to slip at the current gear (generating heat and accelerating clutch wear). CVT allows continuous speed reduction to 0.6 km\/h without either compromise. Additionally, the low-speed torque multiplication of CVT at the ground wheel provides additional traction and momentum in dense material situations that standard gear-step tractors cannot replicate at equivalent ground speed. We do not recommend the THOR FLM with non-CVT tractors \u2014 the risk of rotor overload and drive train damage in demanding material is significant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

When should I use the rock hammer vs the vegetation hammer?<\/p>\n

Use the rock hammer when the working zone is dominated by embedded stone, boulders, and minimal organic material \u2014 such as the rocky outcrops and stone-concentration zones common on Korean highland clearing sites. Use the vegetation hammer when working through stump-dense zones, brush-covered areas, or sections with heavy root mat where organic material significantly outnumbers rock. On a typical mixed site, you may change configurations once or twice during the day as you move between material-type zones. With experience, operators develop a feel for the rotor load sound and behavior that indicates when a hammer change would improve processing quality on the current material.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Can the THOR FLM process large stumps?<\/p>\n

The THOR FLM with the vegetation hammer is designed for stump processing at ground level \u2014 stumps that have been cut flush with the ground surface after timber harvest. It is most effective on stumps up to approximately 30\u201340 cm diameter. For larger stumps \u2014 plantation trees of above 30 cm trunk diameter at cutting height \u2014 the THOR FLM may require multiple passes over the same stump, or the stump may need prior reduction by a dedicated stump grinder or excavator before the THOR FLM pass. Provide information on your expected stump diameters when contacting us for a suitability assessment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

How does the THOR FLM compare to a dedicated forestry mulcher?<\/p>\n

A dedicated forestry mulcher is optimised for vegetation \u2014 brush, scrub, and young trees \u2014 typically using fixed or swinging blades rather than impact hammers, and is highly effective on biomass material but typically cannot process embedded rock without significant blade damage. The THOR FLM occupies the overlap zone: it handles both vegetation (with the vegetation hammer) and rock (with the rock hammer), making it more versatile on mixed sites at the cost of being less optimised than a dedicated mulcher on pure-vegetation sites. For sites with negligible rock content, a forestry mulcher may produce cleaner processing results. For sites with significant rock content mixed through the organic material \u2014 the typical post-forestry highland Korean clearing site \u2014 the THOR FLM’s dual capability is more practical than running a mulcher (that would be damaged by rock) and a separate THOR rock crusher.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

What is the daily area coverage for the THOR FLM?<\/p>\n

At 2.5 km\/h maximum speed and 1.68 m working width, the theoretical maximum coverage rate is approximately 0.42 ha\/h. In practical post-forestry clearing, where the machine frequently slows to 0.6\u20131.0 km\/h on dense material and requires headland turns at corridor ends, daily coverage of 1.5\u20132.5 hectares is realistic depending on material density and site layout. Heavily stumped sites with large root systems will produce lower daily output than lightly stumped or brush-dominated sites. The THOR FLM is not a high-throughput machine \u2014 it is a precision-clearing machine for demanding mixed-material sites where throughput is constrained by the material rather than by machine capability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Is the THOR FLM suitable for slope work in Korean highland forestry?<\/p>\n

The THOR FLM at 2,300 Kg is lighter than the THOR 3.0 (which is heavier) and the same power class as the THOR 2.4, allowing it to work on moderate slopes. Korean highland forestry generally operates on slopes of 15\u201325%, which is within the range for careful tractor operation with a rear-mounted implement. Working up-and-down slope (not across the face) is the safe approach on steeper terrain, and the CVT tractor’s smooth speed control is an advantage on slope work where abrupt gear changes create stability risks. For slopes above approximately 20%, discuss your specific site conditions and planned working direction with us before confirming the THOR FLM for the application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Korean CVT tractor models \u2014 which are compatible?<\/p>\n

CVT-equipped tractors in the 230 HP class available in the Korean market include: John Deere 6R 230 (AutoPowr or DirectDrive transmission), Fendt 724 Vario (Vario CVT), New Holland T7.230 (AutoCommand transmission), Valtra T174 (SmartTouch CVT), and CLAAS Arion 650 (CMATIC CVT). Note that the domestic Korean tractor brands (Daedong, LS, TYM) primarily manufacture gear-step and power shuttle transmissions in the 200+ HP class \u2014 most do not currently offer true CVT in this power range. If your existing fleet consists entirely of Korean domestic-brand tractors, confirm with the dealer whether any CVT option is available in the 230 HP range before enquiring about the THOR FLM.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What Our Customers Say<\/h2>\n
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Im Seong-tae \u2014 Post-Forestry Land Development Contractor, Gangwon-do (2024)<\/p>\n

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“We cleared 35 hectares of former cedar plantation land in Gangwon-do for conversion to potato production \u2014 mixed stone and stump content throughout. The THOR FLM was the right machine because we had both problems on the same site. The Korea Watanabe team was very clear about the CVT requirement before we purchased \u2014 we had a John Deere 6R 230 AutoPowr in the fleet which met the specification. Working at 0.8\u20131.2 km\/h on the stump-dense sections and 2.0 km\/h on the more open rocky sections, we covered about 2 hectares per day. The vegetation hammer handled the cedar stumps cleanly; the rock hammer processed the surface granite. Land was ready for tillage within 25 working days.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bae Gwang-jin \u2014 Plantation Forestry Manager, North Gyeongsang (2024\u20132025)<\/p>\n

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“We manage approximately 800 hectares of mixed conifer plantation and use the THOR FLM for access track maintenance and periodic understory clearing in the fire-risk zones. The 1.68-meter working width is exactly right for our plantation track standard \u2014 we work within the track without any risk to the adjacent standing crop trees. Two seasons of regular use: vegetation hammer for the understory work, rock hammer for the track surface maintenance where granite surface stones accumulate. No rotor or drive issues. The CVT on our Fendt 724 Vario is the specific reason this machine works so well in the track environment where we constantly vary speed around obstacles.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Song Min-ho \u2014 Highland Farm Expansion Project, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do (spring 2025)<\/p>\n

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“We added 22 hectares of former scrubland adjacent to our existing potato fields \u2014 mixed alder scrub and surface rock on volcanic highland soil. The THOR FLM on our New Holland T7.230 AutoCommand cleared the vegetation and surface rock in 12 working days. The vegetation hammer handled the alder root systems well; we switched to the rock hammer on the sections with higher stone density near the former field boundary. The Korea team’s pre-sale material assessment was accurate \u2014 they reviewed photos I sent and correctly predicted the hammer change zones on our site.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hwang Jae-won \u2014 Agricultural Land Development Contractor, Chuncheon region (2025)<\/p>\n

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“I specifically chose the THOR FLM over the THOR 3.0 for forestry work because of the hammer flexibility \u2014 the THOR 3.0 is a rock machine and the vegetation hammer on the FLM is what lets me take stump-heavy contracts that a rock-only crusher can’t handle without rotor damage. My FLM is on a John Deere 6R 250 DirectDrive \u2014 the CVT requirement was the deciding factor for which tractor I paired it with. Two seasons, multiple sites, no rotor issues. The narrower width means more passes to cover the same area than a THOR 3.0 would on open ground, but for the forestry work environment that width is the correct specification \u2014 you can’t use a wider machine in plantation corridors anyway.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Oh Jae-hoon \u2014 Forest-to-Agriculture Conversion Contractor, Gyeongbuk highlands (2024)<\/p>\n

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“I was running a separate forestry mulcher and a THOR 2.4 on two different tractors for post-forestry clearing work \u2014 one machine for the vegetation, one for the rock, two operators, two fuel bills. The THOR FLM consolidated those into one machine and one operator. Not every post-forestry site needs both configurations equally, but on the mixed sites in Gyeongbuk where rock and organic material are distributed unpredictably across the same clearing area, having both available from one machine with a 30-minute hammer change is considerably more practical than logistics of two machines. The Korea Watanabe team helped me work through the economics before I switched \u2014 the numbers were clear.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Shin Dong-woo \u2014 Livestock and Forestry Farm, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do (spring 2025)<\/p>\n

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“Our farm has a mix of agricultural land and managed forest area. We use the THOR FLM for three different tasks across the season: post-harvest timber track clearing in February\u2013March before spring agricultural work begins, summer fire-risk understory clearing in the plantation zones, and autumn land expansion clearing on scrubby margins adjacent to our cattle pasture. The three different applications all work within the THOR FLM’s capability \u2014 vegetation hammer for the understory and scrub work, rock hammer for the track surface maintenance. One machine, three applications, one CVT Fendt tractor. Good combination for a diversified farm operation.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Handle Rock and Vegetation \u2014 From One Machine<\/p>\n

Tell us your site’s dominant material type (rock \/ vegetation \/ mixed), estimated area, tractor model and transmission type, and slope conditions \u2014 we will confirm THOR FLM suitability, hammer configuration recommendation, and delivery timeline within one business day.<\/p>\n

Not sure whether the THOR FLM, THOR 2.4, or THOR 3.0 is right for your clearing operation? Contact us with your site photos and we will recommend the correct machine before you make any commitment.<\/p>\n

Contact Us Now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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The THOR FLM is the most versatile model in the THOR line \u2014 purpose-built for silviculture and land opening where both stumps, roots, and rock<\/strong> must be processed in the same pass. Two interchangeable hammer configurations adapt to hard rock or soft vegetation material.<\/p>\n

230 HP + CVT transmission<\/strong> required. 1000 RPM PTO. 1.68 m working width. Narrow enough for forestry access tracks where wider THOR models cannot operate.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":469,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[22],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-467","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-rock-crusher","first","instock","shipping-taxable","product-type-simple"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=467"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=467"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=467"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rock-crusher-tractor.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}