PTO driven WOOD CHIPPERS

[jeff9366]

I am also a satisfied Wallenstein owner. I have a Wallenstein BX42S, manual feed, NO HYDRAULICS, which is powered by a Kubota B3300SU (33-hp/25-hp PTO); a good match. I have never had the BX42S bog down when chipping. Sometimes I wish I had purchased the larger BX62 but then I wonder, why? Six inch wood should be firewood. But I think the Kubota B3300 would power the larger BX62 without a problem.

I am a believer in the KISS principle and after considerable use, most recently cleaning up after Tropical Storm Debbie which laid 15" of rain on us, the Wallenstein does the job with a minimum of complexity. The four/double sided blades are great. I have yet to "turn" or sharpen the blades. The 4" X 10" throat is a "big deal," which really aids feeding. Be sure to consider the throat size carefully when making a purchase decision.

I bought my BX42S from Iowa Farm Supply via eBay. $2599 + $335 shipping to Florida. Excellent customer service. Arrived fourth day after order placed.

I have owned one other chipper. They can be frustrating. Buy the best you can afford.

JBS

 

[nickel plate]

I've had the BX42 for several years now and my only complaint is that the chute will jamb up every now and then when small dry twigs make up most of the mix-other BX42 owners have said the same thing. It seems to work better when I alternate big and small branches but I do need to check the blade settings before I use it again as that may be the problem. A big plus is the 360 degrees rotating chute-just aim it where you want the chips to fall. I did through bolt two 4x4 PT stringers on the base rails to give it a little more height so I don't bend over as much as I did without them. All in all, it's a well built chipper and worth the price.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a BearCat Model 554 5" chipper/shredder that I bought used about 6 years ago. I am very happy with it. I have never used anything else so I can't say how they compare. I have a mile of road to maintain and chip all the roadside trimmings. It is through the woods so I use it quite a bit.

As said above a search will get you tons of good info.

I have the same chipper/shredder as Gordon, except mine is a Woods (made by Crary Bearcat, sold by Woods). I don't have the blower, either (one of these days, maybe).
Great chipper/shredder...and I think many buyers would find out they use the shredder as much or more then the chipper.

 

[tree farmer]

I have had my Wallenstein BX42R (hydraulic feed) for a couple months now with no mechanical problems whatsoever. The only problem with it is that small stringy twigs, such as spruce limbs will occasionally plug the discharge chute. However, remove one bolt and the entire top of the unit hinges open to clear the chute and check or change the knives and you're back up and running in a minute or two. Very well designed and constructed and easy to service and maintain. The hyd. feed option at $2100. more was something I had to think about for awhile, but I'm glad I went with it now. I regularly feed 3"+ English Holly, Vine Maple, and other 'junk' trees into it that are 25-30' long limbs and all without even slowing it much. Pretty amazing since I usually use it on my 2740 Montana with 22 PTO hp. Yeah, I would by a Wallenstein again, without question. My big complaint with it and every other implement I own is: why can't the manufacturers put a decent paint job on anything. All my equipment is kept inside, but here on the coast, within a year, everything has rust on it. Anyone else have that problem, or am I too picky?....Dan.

 

[TerryR]

I had a very similar machine I bought 15 years ago branded as Bush Hog. I found the need to frequently rake the chips out from under it a major annoyance, and the difficulty of getting access to the blades to sharpen them even worse. I think the new design fixed this latter issue, and a blower would address the former.

I replaced it five years ago with a BearCat CH5540, which is a chipper only, much heavier construction, and with a great blower. I did have to cut down the discharge chute about 6" to get it in my shed, but that's not been an issue. I use it mainly to clear downed limbs and trimmings from along the driveway and the like, and love it. We have large piles of chips maturing their way toward garden use, so lately I've just blown the chips into the woods when I'm doing light cleanup - saves hauling brush to a pile. The discharge chute isn't tapered, so doesn't clog in my experience.

The issue with tangled light brush and limbs heavily loaded with leaves is real with the chipper only though. Just finished clearing some fresh-cut young populars and had to work it a bit to get the large loads of leaves through it. Still, I really like the heavier machine with a good blower, so wouldn't trade it for the smaller chipper-shredder.

Terry

 

[roman]

I had a wallenstien bx42 and if I needed it again would buy the same one. I chipped tons of soft and hardwood with the only complaint as mentioned previously the buildup of small leafy pieces that you can overcome by alternating big pieces to clear the chute. Wish I never sold it but used the cash to purchase a backhoe.

 

[Baby Grand]

<snip>

I like the fact that this chipper allows for aiming the wood chips and that the hopper where you put the branches in is more horizontal than vertical. I would think vertical is a lot harder on your body when dragging and raising braches for a few hours.

<snip>

That's a very important observation.
With the horizontal feed arrangement, there's very little manhandling required.
If if you can drag the butt end of the limb onto the hopper, you're good.
No need to lift the whole thing off the ground to feed it in.

Here's why I really like the rotatable chute:

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Count me as another satisfied bx42 owner. I don't have the hydro feeder and it has clogged up once or twice but as someone said earlier - remove a single bolt and the top flips over. Rotating chute is a big plus as I tend to aim to keep chips out of the way. When the pile gets too high, I raise the deflector a little and keep going. It's probably the best $2,500 I've spent yet. (Oh and the tool you use to change or tighten the chain on your chainsaw supposedly fits the bolt you remove to open it up.)

 

[Artisan]

I have a 554 BearCat as well, BUT, mine does NOT have the tall discharge tube and blower.
Mine NEEDS the tall discharge tube and blower! You have to shovel or move the unit
constantly. Your going to have to learn how to sharpen blades or remove them
and send them out for sharpening. The "Shreader" (thru the very top) will
stay good to go for a long time but the "Chipper" (the angle receiver tube
on the side) dulls blades. Sharp bladed work a LOT better. Dull blades
waste your time so having a set of sharp blades, a spare set is
recommended, IMO.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a 554 BearCat as well, BUT, mine does NOT have the tall discharge tube and blower.
Mine NEEDS the tall discharge tube and blower! You have to shovel or move the unit
constantly.

Have you priced the blower kit yet?