Vermeer model 606 PTO Chipper

[Agent Blue]

Never thought of a PTO powered link on the hydraulic pump. It would seem to me that it would be a direct hook to the wheel as it takes more power than one thinks to keep the momentem. I think my machine has a 185# wheel with four knives on the wheel and one on the edge of the intake that controls the length of the chips. If it can handle 6" material with 39 hp it is one fantastic machine. I think you got a great buy. I paid 2k for mine which, get this .... was used to chop up corn cobs. Not a hard life and he gave me an extra set of new knives. I put quite a bunch of pine branches through it already but the need for a power feed is on the horizon. Sure beats burning and the chips are useful when mixed with compost. Good luck with your new attachment and let us know how it handles the big stuff.

 

[Piston]

Hopefully this video works....

 

[Brant]

That chipper would have been a super buy at the asking price. You did great getting it for less. You will not wear it out in lifetime. Self-contained hydraulics are a premium feature.

 

[Piston]

Well my dad was able to use the chipper on a clean up job that he had the other day. He was quite pleased with it to say the least! He said that him and one other guy, were feeding the chipper about as fast as they were comfortable, and couldn't keep up with it. 3 guys seem like they could keep it busy full time as someone else mentioned.
Mostly he was chipping all under 3" material so not too much of a surprise that it did well, he said he chipped a few 5" limbs and the tractor/chipper didn't even hiccup! I know this is no big deal to you guys who own chippers already, but it's darn impressive to me :laughing:

I bought this mostly for personal use, but since my dad has already had one paying job, maybe we'll end up using it more than we thought, who knows...but even if not, I certainly have a lot of use for it on my own land, probably more than I want. :laughing:

Here are the before and after pics that he sent me.

 

[Piston]

It even fits on the trailer pretty good.... although I may find I need a bigger trailer pretty soon.

 

[pclausen]

You got a great deal Piston, just like you did on the stump grinder!

I'm looking at a used Woods 8100 on ebay as well as a Wallenstein BX92R (haven't found any used yet). Both are hydraulic feed, the Woods is self contained like your Vermeer and the Wallenstein uses a remote from the tractor. Woods is 9" capacity, the Wallenstein 10". I got a 6 acre lot that mom just bought that needs clearing and she wants all the chips for mulch. I told her if she gets me the chipper and pays for the fuel, I'll clear it for her. I might regret making her that offer, we'll see.

My only previous experience was with a circa 2000 MacKissic Mighty Mac cat0 3" manual feed chipper. No way I would try to chip up 6 acres of pine forest with something like that.

I wonder why Vermeer got out of the PTO chipper business, that looks like one seriously heavy duty chipper! It weigh the same at the Woods and Wallenstein models I'm looking at, yet is "only" rated for 6".

 

[RoyJackson]

I wonder why Vermeer got out of the PTO chipper business, that looks like one seriously heavy duty chipper! It weigh the same at the Woods and Wallenstein models I'm looking at, yet is "only" rated for 6".

I'd wager the market wasn't too good for a commercial grade PTO driven chipper. I'd also wager that Vermeer was a couple grand more money then Woods, Bearcat , Wallenstein and others.
Boy, that is definitely a nice chipper though!! Not only do I wish I had one like that, I wish I had the tractor big enough to give it a good run!

 

[Piston]

You got a great deal Piston, just like you did on the stump grinder!

I'm looking at a used Woods 8100 on ebay as well as a Wallenstein BX92R (haven't found any used yet). Both are hydraulic feed, the Woods is self contained like your Vermeer and the Wallenstein uses a remote from the tractor. Woods is 9" capacity, the Wallenstein 10". I got a 6 acre lot that mom just bought that needs clearing and she wants all the chips for mulch. I told her if she gets me the chipper and pays for the fuel, I'll clear it for her. I might regret making her that offer, we'll see.

I looked a LOT at the Wallenstein chippers! I kept wishing my tractor could handle the BX92R because that is one heck of a chipper. I was looking for a BX62R or Valby CH150. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for a long time for a decent used chipper. The thing I like most about the Wallenstein is the elongated opening. I will use my chipper to chip slabs off my sawmill and with the elongated opening 10" wide I'd be able to chip a much wider slab than the 6" of this chipper. I read a bit about the Woods 8100 (made my Bearcat right?) and people seem really happy with that. I really like the idea of the self contained hydraulics but I have zero experience with either model!

I couldn't be happier stumbling across this chipper though. I don't know why, but I have it in my head that I want the heaviest duty implements I can find. I think this is probably the most robust chipper that would work with my tractor. I'd like to put a fresh coat of paint on it to make it look like new, I'm hoping I can still get the decal kit from Vermeer for it.
That reminds me, what paint did you end up using for the blade that you reconditioned? I'm not sure what to use on heavy steel.

Have you been getting a lot of use from your stumpgrinder? I have been using mine a lot more than I thought I would. I've taken down all the stumps in my yard (except one big one) and quite a few in my father's and grandmothers yard. Two weeks ago, I cut down a large pine for my mill. I dropped the tree, cut it into the lengths I wanted, stacked it near the mill with the grapple, then went back and completely demolished that stump! Aside from a bunch of woodchips, you'd never know there was a tree there.

If you could get someone else to pay for your chipper, that is the best deal going! :thumbsup:

Now, the only thing I need to find a killer deal on, is a nicer, bigger, cabbed tractor like yours! I think I'm a ways from that though.

 

[Piston]

I'd wager the market wasn't too good for a commercial grade PTO driven chipper. I'd also wager that Vermeer was a couple grand more money then Woods, Bearcat , Wallenstein and others.
Boy, that is definitely a nice chipper though!! Not only do I wish I had one like that, I wish I had the tractor big enough to give it a good run!

Roy,
I imagine your right, I would think that most commercial operators that buy Vermeer are buying a tow behind unit that is self contained. I don't see too many landscapers/land clearers with tractors and chippers. Vermeer also made a model 609, same as mine but has a 9" capacity, I think the specs said it was close to 2,000lbs.
Thanks for the comments. I look forward to updating this thread with some action photos and hopefully videos! By the way, does that video I posted work for you guys?

 

[pclausen]

I have probably done about 200 stumps so far in this one concentrated area on my lot and about 75 on another lot close by, but I estimate having another 1000 to go easy!

I'm definitely leaning towards the Wallenstein, although the Woods has the electronic sensor that will slow down the hydraulic feeding when is senses the rpm drops.

Here's a shot from today of mom's new lot where the well driller just set up his rig in the woods. Noting but very mature pine and a few hardwoods. Trying to figure out how to best deal with the larger than 10" pines. I think some of the trees are close to 75' tall!

I think I got a really good deal on the well drilling. $2700 for the whole job, including casing and grout for up to 300'.