Which forestry mulcher should you choose? K2T Environnement has made its choice, and the answer is the PLAISANCE forestry mulcher. For over 15 years, this Moselle-based company has been working with PLAISANCE EQUIPEMENTS for its forestry operations. K2T has more than one string to its bow and also offers road maintenance services and repairs on forestry machinery. We take a closer look at this rapidly growing company with François KIEFFER, co-manager, and Cyril, operations director.
Can you tell us about your company?
François: K2T Environnement was founded in 2004. Initially, the company was a small forestry operation consisting of a tractor equipped with a PLAISANCE forestry mulcher. The business expanded in 2015 with the acquisition of our first GALOTRAX 200, followed by the GALOTRAX 500 in 2017. This allowed us to enter increasingly larger markets. Today, our main activities are mulching and road maintenance. We undertake numerous projects involving soil preparation, open-field mulching, land clearing, and land partitioning. In terms of road maintenance, we offer road construction and renovation services, as well as roadside mowing. When K2T Environnement first started, my brother and I worked alone. In 2020, we hired our first employee, and today our team consists of seven people.
Which PLAISANCE forestry mulchers do you use?
François: We have several types of PLAISANCE mulchers: 3 BF 600 forestry mulchers, 1 BSL 602 soil mulcher, and 1 BFH 301 mulcher for our hydraulic excavator.
As for self-propelled machines, we have: 1 GALOTRAX 300, 1 GALOTRAX 500, 1 GALOTRAX 600B, and 1 GALOTRAX LCP-the first one to roll off the PLAISANCE production line.
How did you hear about PLAISANCE ÉQUIPEMENTS?
François: My brother had visited a local dealer he was working with to get the business off the ground. That dealer recommended a PLAISANCE forestry mulcher to help us get started with forest maintenance. Since then, we’ve been buying only PLAISANCE machines for our forestry operations.
What are our brand’s strengths?
François: Simplicity, reliability, performance, and affordability.
Today, we make our living thanks to PLAISANCE machines. They’re easy to use, sturdy, and their performance ensures excellent profitability for us. Plus, we’re based in Moselle, and the company has always been located in Meurthe-et-Moselle. This geographical proximity allows for quick communication with the PLAISANCE team, who are always available to answer our questions.
Which forestry mulcher do you prefer, and why?
François: I really like the GALOTRAX LCP. This new self-propelled machine is agile, innovative, and sleek.
Cyril: It’s hard to compare a GALOTRAX 600B with an LCP. Each self-propelled machine has its own purpose. But the GX LCP has a bright future because it meets a clear need for both forestry contractors and customers.
Do you plan to invest in new PLAISANCE machines in the future?
François: In the very near future, we’re going to purchase a second GALOTRAX LCP. Currently, this machine is replacing our tractor equipped with a forestry mulcher on a wide variety of jobs. In fact, to meet the demands of various projects, I’ve purchased a second 2,000-mm-wide forestry mulcher to attach to my GX LCP. The mulcher that came with the self-propelled unit is 1,500 mm wide. This will allow us to be more versatile and adapt the working width to each job site. The GALOTRAX LCP is truly economical and eco-friendly: there’s much less soil compaction, and its power delivers excellent productivity.
In the medium term, we’ll be replacing our current GX 300 with a GX 300H. This mid-range model remains versatile in terms of size and engine power. It can handle both maintenance work and full-scale mulching on average terrain while maintaining good productivity.
Cyril: Today, our job site requirements are better suited to a GX LCP than to a GX 300. But as François pointed out, medium-scale projects remain ideal for a Galotrax 300 to ensure profitability in every respect.
A big thank you to François and Cyril for their time. If you’d like to learn more about K2T Environnement, you can find details on all the company’s activities on their website and follow them on Facebook.
