Chipper wood chipper...again

[RPK]

I found a used Patu DC 40 manual feed chipper for sale. The owner fired it up on his Ford 7N. The tractor was just above idle and it chipped a dry 3" piece pretty well. The thing that was odd was that the hopper was low and parallel to the ground. I thought most manual feed chippers' hoppers' were set more on a steeper angle to help feed the brush in. This one didn't feed in real well, maybe sharpening the knives or more rpm's or both would make a difference. I would like to hear from anyone outh there that has one and how it has worked out. Thanks for the help

 

[daveinnh]

I don't know about the Patu, but we have a Salso 627 XT (6" capacity) that has a hydraulic feed and an almost level feed chute. We're happy.

Maybe Patu offers and optional hyd. feed for that model?? But you might not need - not having dealt with that model.

Before purchase, I tried a Wallenstein and noted that the tray was higher, entry angle was steeper, and much harder to lift tray into travel mode.

It's much easier to feed larger (3-6") limbs into the 627 xt than having to lift brush & limbs up, then feed downwards.

 

[ddaacc]

RPK,
I live in central CT and I bought a used Patu DC-40 manual feed two years ago. I run it with my JD 3320 and have been very satisfied, plenty of power for this chipper. It certainly loves the big branches, much more than the fine and leafy which I shred with it also. Leafy stuff occasionally blocks the discarge but clearing it is easy.

The Scandanavian chippers ( PATU and Valby) have the low flat tray because there is just no need for a sloped infeed if you are chipping say 2" and up material. The chipper whell gently pill in any straight branch. But trust me with an intake that is about 4" by 7" you will soon learn how wide a crotch will fit and you will be pushing unless you break it down to staights.

The machine is easy to service and adjust. The manual can be downloaded if lost. I had my knives sharpened by Tennessee Saw & Knife to the angle in the book, and with the clearance to the bed knife carefully set, it does a quite respectable job shredding those nasty vines too. It is really a beast with green wood- but dry wood is mch tougher and so chip it while it is fresh.

As I prune lots of apples with the crotches, and I now wish I had a 6" machine to reduce prep cutting due to the gnarly trimmings I cut. I would get a Valby or Patu ( used) in either case, precisely for the design.


Good Luck, Dave

 

[RPK]

Thanks Dave. I was hoping that the chipper was designed like that for a reason. Again I am assuming that sharp knives and more rpm's may increase its efficiency.