Raptor V5 Skid Steer Boom Arm — 14-Foot Side-Reach Mowing System for Skid Steers & Compact Track Loaders
The V5 Raptor Boom Arm is an industrial-grade side-reach attachment engineered for skid steers and compact track loaders, delivering 14 feet of horizontal reach with additional vertical extension available through the machine's arm lift. Built from plate steel modeled after an excavator arm, it provides a lighter yet stronger structure suited for use on lighter machines. The system is designed to accept multiple mower head configurations—including flail, brush cutter, and sickle mower options—making it a versatile platform for professional vegetation management operations. A hydraulic rotary actuator break-away mechanism and German-made control valve ensure long-term reliability in demanding field conditions.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Generation | V5 |
| Horizontal Reach | 14 feet |
| Compatible Machines | Skid steers and compact track loaders |
| Arm Construction | Plate steel modeled after an excavator arm |
| Control Power Source | Single 12-volt source |
| Optional Control Box | JCB-400 |
| Break-Away Mechanism | Hydraulic rotary actuator (auto-reset via switch) |
| Control Valve Origin | German-made |
| Hose Routing | Enhanced external routing with fully wrapped hoses |
| Rotation | Full-angle rotation |
| Stick Lift Cylinder | Enlarged for full extension capability |
| Boom Cylinder Fitting Guard | Included (protects bottom fitting from impact) |
| Control Panel | Fully enclosed |
| Controller Options | New super controller; optional JCB-400 control box |
| Additional Features | Case drain |
Compatible Mower Head Options & Specifications
| Specification | Sidewinder | Cyclone 48" | 5' Sickle | 7' Sickle | 9' Sickle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 392 lb | 600 lb | 225 lb | 350 lb | 400 lb |
| Recommended Machine Flow | 19–45 GPM | 18–45 GPM | 15–20 GPM | 15–20 GPM | 15–20 GPM |
| Motor | Permco Gear | Gear/Piston | Parker Gear | Parker Gear | Parker Gear |
| Blade Type | 1 lb Y-Knife | 10.5 lb Forged | Top Serrated 2" | Top Serrated 2" | Top Serrated 2" |
| Blade Count | 20 | 2 | 22 | 28 | 36 |
| Cut Capacity | 4" | 10" | 2" | 2" | 2" |
| Cut Width | 30" | 48" | 5' | 7' | 9' |
| Recommended Application | Grass, light brush | Brush, saplings | Grass, light brush | Grass, light brush | Grass, light brush |
| Aquatic Approved | NO | NO | YES | NO | NO |
The Raptor V5 is described as the only industrial-grade side-work attachment system for skid steers, offering more reach, flexibility, and mower head options than competing products in its category. The revised V5 arm construction addresses previous tuning challenges with an enlarged stick lift cylinder that enables full extension, and the modular control system allows operators to switch between different machine brands without reconfiguration. The fully enclosed control panel and enhanced hose routing represent direct engineering improvements over prior generations.
Key Features & Benefits
Plate Steel Excavator-Style Arm Construction
The V5 arm is built from plate steel using a design modeled after an excavator arm, resulting in a structure that is lighter yet stronger than previous iterations. This is particularly advantageous on lighter skid steers and compact track loaders where attachment weight directly affects machine stability and handling.
14-Foot Horizontal Reach with Full-Angle Rotation
With 14 feet of horizontal reach and additional vertical extension available through the host machine's arm lift, the Raptor can cover large areas efficiently in a single pass. Full-angle rotation allows the operator to cut flat overhead or angle the head deep into ditches, expanding the range of terrain and vegetation scenarios the system can address.
Hydraulic Rotary Actuator Break-Away Mechanism
The hydraulic rotary actuator serves as an automatic break-away system that protects both the boom arm and the attached mower head from accidental impacts with obstacles. It resets automatically with a simple switch, minimizing downtime and reducing the risk of costly damage in the field.
Enhanced External Hose Routing with Fully Wrapped Hoses
Fully wrapped external hoses help dissipate heat and shield hydraulic lines from contact with sharp edges or debris. This design reduces the likelihood of hose failure, which is a common maintenance concern on side-reach mowing attachments operating in rough vegetation environments.
Fully Enclosed Control Panel with Single 12-Volt Power Source
The enclosed control panel protects electronics from dust, moisture, and impact damage encountered in outdoor mowing operations. Modular controller options—including the optional JCB-400 control box—operate from a single 12-volt source, enabling straightforward installation and compatibility across multiple machine brands.
German-Made Control Valve and Case Drain
The German-made control valve is specified for reliable, long-term hydraulic performance under continuous commercial use. The inclusion of a case drain supports proper motor lubrication and longevity for the attached mower head motors.
Boom Cylinder Fitting Guard
A dedicated guard protects the boom cylinder's bottom fitting from ground-level impacts, reducing the risk of fitting breakage during operation in uneven or obstacle-laden terrain. This is a targeted durability improvement introduced in the V5 generation.
Common Applications
Roadside and Right-of-Way Mowing
The 14-foot horizontal reach allows contractors to mow roadsides and utility rights-of-way from a safe operating distance, keeping the host machine on stable ground while the boom arm extends over slopes and ditches.
Ditch and Slope Vegetation Management
Full-angle rotation enables the mower head to be angled deep into ditches or tilted for steep slope cutting, making the system effective for drainage channel maintenance and embankment vegetation control.
Overhead and Flat-Plane Cutting
The system's rotation range allows the mower head to be positioned flat for overhead cutting, suitable for trimming vegetation beneath structures or along elevated surfaces.
Heavy Brush and Sapling Clearing
When paired with the Cyclone 48" Brush Cutter head, the Raptor boom arm can handle brush and saplings up to 10 inches in cut capacity, making it appropriate for land clearing and site preparation work.
Aquatic and Wetland Vegetation Control
The 5-foot Razor Sickle Mower head is aquatic-approved, enabling the boom arm system to be used for vegetation management in and around water features, drainage ponds, and wetland areas.
Grass and Light Brush Maintenance
The Sidewinder Flail Mower and Razor Sickle Mower heads (5', 7', and 9' sizes) are suited for routine grass and light brush cutting across large areas, offering cut widths up to 9 feet per pass.
Compatible Materials
- Grass and turf
- Light brush
- Heavy brush and saplings (up to 10" diameter with Cyclone head)
- Vegetation up to 2" diameter (Razor Sickle Mower heads)
- Vegetation up to 4" diameter (Sidewinder Flail Mower)
- Aquatic vegetation (5' Sickle Mower head only)
Product Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the horizontal reach of the V5 Raptor Boom Arm?
A: The V5 Raptor Boom Arm delivers 14 feet of horizontal reach. Additional vertical extension is available through the host machine's arm lift.
Q: What machines is the Raptor Boom Arm compatible with?
A: The system is designed for skid steers and compact track loaders. The modular control system operates from a single 12-volt source and is compatible across different machine brands, allowing operators to switch machines without reconfiguration.
Q: What mower heads can be paired with the Raptor Boom Arm?
A: Compatible mower heads include the Sidewinder Flail Mower, the Cyclone 48" Brush Cutter, and the Razor Sickle Mower in 5-foot, 7-foot, and 9-foot sizes.
Q: How does the break-away mechanism work?
A: A hydraulic rotary actuator acts as the break-away mechanism. If the boom arm or mower head contacts an obstacle, the actuator absorbs the impact and protects the equipment. It resets automatically with a simple switch, minimizing downtime.
Q: Is the Raptor system approved for aquatic use?
A: The 5-foot Razor Sickle Mower head is aquatic-approved. The Sidewinder, Cyclone 48", 7-foot Sickle, and 9-foot Sickle heads are not rated for aquatic use.
Q: What improvements does the V5 generation offer over previous versions?
A: The V5 features a revised plate steel excavator-style arm for improved strength-to-weight ratio, an enlarged stick lift cylinder for full extension, enhanced external hose routing with fully wrapped hoses, a boom cylinder fitting guard, a fully enclosed control panel, and updated modular controller options including the optional JCB-400 control box.