Chipper vs. Chipper/Shredder

[s219]

I am close to pulling the trigger on either a chipper, or chipper/shredder. My near term use is to chip brush from land clearing, all of it under 3" and some of it fine twigs under 1".

I know for sure I need a chipping capability, but am not sure about a shredding capability. Generally, it costs about $500-700 more to get both in one unit. I figure if I am going to drop $1800-2000 minimum for a chipper, should I consider getting a combo chipper/shredder for a little bit more? What are some common uses of the shredder I'd be able to take advantage of down the road?

[greg_g]

Well, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. But my impression of a chipper/shredder is something small that you attach plastic bags to - to catch the shredded material. My 6" chipper would blow an empty plastic bag right off the discharge chute - before I even put anything into the feed chute.

//greg//

[DMW]

The smaller material ( under 1") usually doesn't like to self feed in Wallenstein BXM32. Take it out and pop it in the shredder portion and it gets sucked in instantly. Very little need to trim branches, makes clean up very quick. The shredder portion will pay for itself in saved cleanup time. Not having to go back and move brush again to pile and burn, or pushing branches into the chipper feed hopper are an added bonus.. JMO.

Dennis

[Jaylegger]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/a...ht=wallenstein

For what you're chipping if you don't get the shredder option you'll likely wish you had. The extra you'll have to pay will be forgotten the first time you use it.

[s219]

OK, so it's sounding like the shredder chute would be better for small branches and twigs. Since I have a bunch of those, the shredder would be worth having in addition to the chipper. Thanks!

[BethesdaEC]

I have always felt that a chipper/shreeder was poor chipper. Non seem to available with hydrofeed and the chipper capacity seems be reduced compared to the dedicated chipper. The hydrofeed with take anything in if you sprinkle it in with the bigger branches. It also mixes better in the pile.

[Jaylegger]

I have always felt that a chipper/shreeder was poor chipper. Non seem to available with hydrofeed and the chipper capacity seems be reduced compared to the dedicated chipper. The hydrofeed with take anything in if you sprinkle it in with the bigger branches. It also mixes better in the pile.

Just to take a look at what you own vs it's shredder counterpart, aside from the self feeding mechanism, what makes the BX42r a more capable chipper over the BX42. Spec's indicate the only chipper differences between the two units is the weight of the rotor and number of knives. The 42r's 25" rotor houses 4 knives and weighs 74 lbs whereas the shredders bxm42's 25 inch rotor houses 2 knives and weighs 180 lbs. Do the operational differences between the two different rotors styles classify the bxm42 as a poor chipper when compared to the BX42R? Out of curiosity what do the hydrofeed equipped units retail for?

[RalphVa]

For what you're doing a MacKissic or DR (MacKissic makes for them) chipper/shredder would work fine and be around $2,000 +/-. The TPH-122 is what I have. I use it on trunks up to 3 1/2" and down to about 3/4" in the chipper part. I shred smaller stuff and leaves. The big chute works great to dribble leaves into. Mac and DR offer ones with a directable chute that would reduce the need to scoop stuff out from underneath it every so often (or back up and use you FEL to put it onto your compost pile).

[RoyJackson]

I think S219 would be well served with a chipper/shredder...I think most folks who do that occasional (2-4 times a year, plus yard clean up) are better served with chipper/shredders.
As some of you wrote, that small stuff (<1" diameter) tend to clog up a chipper...leaves or other brush just don't chip.

S219 has a Kubota B2920 (per his profile). This machine produces 21 PTO HP per tractordata.com. 21 PTO HP will run a chipper, but it's capacity is going to be a bit limited. That's something to consider.

My chipper/shredder is a Woods 5000 (actually built by Bearcat) with a 5" capacity for chipping. I've ran this implement behind two tractors. One had 25 PTO HP (and would bog on occasion); the other tractor has 30 PTO HP (doesn't slow down at all).
This chipper/shredder does a great job. The shredder is almost scary to use (pulls that small stuff in FAST!!). The chipper will process an 8-10 foot branch nice and steady. Just load it in the hopper and stand back.
Only downside of the Woods 5000 is it dumps the chips below the unit. There is a blower option available and I would go for that, if buying new. I bought my chipper/shredder used, so if I want the blower, it's going to cost about $800.
Now, I just raise the chipper/shredder (while still running) and rake out the chips (fire rake works best, BTW). When I'm done chipping, I pick up the chips with the loader bucket. I will admit, I'd rather have a blower...but since I bought a low hour chipper for $1000, I'm not complaining.

For most residential/farmette owners, I think a chipper/shredder would better suit their needs. If they have a lot of land to clear, good planning and rental (standalone) chipper might be a better option.

[BethesdaEC]

Just to take a look at what you own vs it's shredder counterpart, aside from the self feeding mechanism, what makes the BX42r a more capable chipper over the BX42. Spec's indicate the only chipper differences between the two units is the weight of the rotor and number of knives. The 42r's 25" rotor houses 4 knives and weighs 74 lbs whereas the shredders bxm42's 25 inch rotor houses 2 knives and weighs 180 lbs. Do the operational differences between the two different rotors styles classify the bxm42 as a poor chipper when compared to the BX42R? Out of curiosity what do the hydrofeed equipped units retail for?

I got mine from Iowa farm equipment for $4900 including shipping. I think they wanted an extra $100 or so for liftgate service, pallet forks are nice.