MacKissic PTH-184 or PTH-122

[rayray]

I have a Kubota L3400. I am in need of a chipper/shredder to mainly process pine limbs and pine cones. I need recommendations on which machine would be best for my needs. I think I want the PTH-184 but not sure I need that much machine. I perfer the beater bars as opposed to the knives. If there is a better machine, I am open to suggestions also. Let me hear your opinions please. Thanks

[Ductape]

Both are a relatively small chipper. I'd go with the 184...... you certainly have plenty of tractor for it. The flail shredder will make short work of anything under an inch in diameter.

[professor]

I have owned a PTH-122 for two years and I really like the machine. I am powering it with a 16 hp Yanmar 1401. I chop and shred primary clippings from fruit trees. It runs circles around the 5 hp Troy Bilt Tomahawk that I used for 20 years. If you have the power I feel the PTH-184 is the ticket.

[rayray]

Have you had any major or common operating problems when using or is your PTH-122 working well without any difficulties. I don't want to invest in a machine that is going to be problematic from the beginning. All I wanna do is chip and shred!

[rayray]

Ductape I also am looking at the Wallenstein BXM42 for a few hundred dollars more. I am thinking the hammermill style shredder of the MacKissic is a better choice over the shredder knives of the Wallenstein. What you think?

[Ductape]

I have only seen pictures of the Wallenstein........ I haven't got any experience with their shredders. I did used to own a Wallenstein BX-62 with hydraulic feed, and it was a brush eating monster. Wallenstein makes nice products for sure. I own a MacKissick TPH12 now which is the older version of the 122. It works well for a small chipper/shredder. I bought mine well used, and ended up making all new hammers for the shredder. I could have bought a set, but figured I could make my own for about a third of what I'd have paid for hammers from MacKissick. Chippers are pretty simple, so I wouldn't worry about having much trouble with either unit. Both companies have been good to deal with if you need parts. I do think that if you are leaning toward the MacKissick, get the 184 since you have more than enough tractor for it (money not being an object).

[RalphVa]

Think it's "TPH" 122. That's the MacKissis I have that I use off my 18.5 hp 4010 3 ph.

It's GREAT and so easy to work on (compared to a beastly TroyBilt I had for a few years). Removing the chipper blade is a breeze, as is rotation or changout of the beaters. The spacers on this machine between the beaters don't get beat up like they did on the TroyBilt.

I use mine a lot, especially to grind up about 100-150 bags of leaves every year for my garden. Also use it for all the fallen brush, up to 3 to 3.5" OD. Keep anything bigger than about an inch out of the shredder hopper. Bigger stuff will put dents in the lightweight housing.

Ralph

[rayray]

Thanks for the reply, I am still searching and evaluating. I think the TPH-184 will probably be my choice. I also am considering Wallenstein BMX. My main concern is the shredder having hammers as opposed to knives that have to be sharpened. The pics of the Wallenstein appear to be hammers in one pic but then look to be knives in another pic. I really don't want anything that has to be sharpened other than the chipper blade.