This year Rotochopper is celebrating an exciting milestone – 35 years of innovation, growth, and customer partnerships that have shaped the landscape of grinding and recycling equipment. From its small-town beginnings in St. Martin, Minnesota, to becoming a global leader in horizontal grinders and supporting equipment, Rotochopper has always had one mission at its core: to provide practical, efficient solutions that turn waste materials into profitable products.
This anniversary year is not only a reflection on the company’s past but also a bold leap forward into the future. With a new R&D Innovation Center completed in 2024, the launch of the all-new L II horizontal grinder, and continued advancements in material handling technology, Rotochopper is proving that its best work is still ahead.
A Legacy of Innovation
Since its founding in 1990, Rotochopper has been known for solving real-world challenges. Early innovations – like the Gen II colorizer – gave customers the ability to transform raw materials into finished landscape mulch with efficiency and consistency.
That pioneering spirit has carried through every decade of the company’s history. By listening closely to its customers, Rotochopper has continuously adapted to meet the demands in the waste recycling industry. Today, that spirit is alive and well as the company celebrates its 35th year with a new wave of product innovation.
“For 35 years, Rotochopper has been identifying unusual recycling problems and providing simple, user-friendly solutions,” said Lars Bergan, Rotochopper Great Lakes West sales manager. “I’ve seen many of these solutions in the field, and I’m confident we leave it better than we found it.”
The R&D Innovation Center, completed in 2024, stands as a symbol of that ongoing commitment. This state-of-the-art facility gives Rotochopper a dedicated space to test, refine, and bring new ideas to life – proof that its culture of listening and adapting continues to drive its product development. It was also instrumental in the development of the L II horizontal grinder, ensuring every innovation meets the real-world needs of customers.
The Launch of the L II Horizontal Grinder
The crown jewel of Rotochopper’s 35th anniversary is the debut of the L II horizontal grinder, unveiled at Demo Day 2025 in St. Martin, Minnesota. This machine marks the next evolution of grinding power and reliability, raising the bar for high-volume land-clearing and other demanding applications.
With horsepower up to 1,200, the L II is the most powerful grinder in Rotochopper’s lineup to date. From a reinforced infeed and thicker screens to a single-pivot powerfeed system, every detail of the L II was engineered to deliver durability where it counts most. Business owners and operators will also benefit from smarter diagnostics, upgraded controls and an impressive 18 inches of ground clearance, ensuring consistent productivity even in the toughest conditions. Simply put, the L II isn’t just another machine – it’s a milestone product designed to tackle the most challenging feedstocks and deliver results customers can count on.
Screener Conveyor Innovation
Beyond grinding, Rotochopper continues to advance material handling with its Screener Conveyor, designed to screen and convey material in a single step. This innovation reflects the company’s philosophy of delivering end-to-end solutions that maximize efficiency and product consistency.
By combining advancements like the L II grinder and Screener Conveyor, Rotochopper is empowering customers to boost productivity, reduce waste and expand profitability.
Electric Grinders: Power Meets Efficiency
Rotochopper has long been a leader in electric grinding solutions, offering machines that deliver the same durability and throughput as its diesel-powered models while providing cleaner, quieter, and more energy-efficient operation. Designed to fit the unique needs of each customer, these electric grinders can be customized for specific applications, helping operations reduce emissions, noise, and energy costs. This commitment reflects Rotochopper’s ongoing focus on innovation, sustainability and delivering solutions tailored to its customers.
Values That Drive the Future
As Rotochopper steps into its 35th year, its culture remains rooted in the values that defined the company since the beginning: harmony, fairness and generosity. These principles guide how Rotochopper treats its employees, supports its customers and partners with communities.
“Our greatest advantage is our direct connection with customers,” said Tosh Brinkerhoff, Rotochopper president & CEO. “Innovation has been in our DNA for 35 years – from being the first to grind and color to screening and conveying at the same time. We’ve built our reputation on solving problems for our customers.”
In 2025, Rotochopper added another core value to its foundation: innovation. While innovation has always been part of its DNA, the company is now elevating it as a guiding principle alongside its cultural cornerstones.
This addition reflects both the company’s history of innovative solutions and its future aspirations to keep shaping the industry and remain a trusted partner that customers can rely on.
Looking Ahead
The celebration of 35 years is more than just a milestone – it’s a building block for the future. With the launch of the L II horizontal grinder, the continued expansion of its product offerings, and a strengthened commitment to innovation, Rotochopper is ready for its next chapter of growth.
As industries face new challenges in waste management, sustainability and resource recovery, Rotochopper is ready to meet them head on – just as it has for the past three and a half decades.
Rotochopper has been manufacturing equipment to produce high-quality commodities like landscape mulch, boiler fuel and animal bedding for more than 35 years. Contact Rotochopper to see how its wide range of solutions can fit a variety of needs or ask about a custom solution.
For more information, call (320) 875-9950 or visit www.rotochopper.com.
