Chipper Which wood chipper to buy?

[jacuba]

Looking to purchase a new heavy duty Cat 2, 3pt Quick Hitch, PTO driven wood chipper that will handle 85 PTO HP. Be used to chip Ash, Cottonwood, Mulberry, and Cedar. I have not researched any and would like some advice from people that own one and what I need to look for based on their experiences.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I run a WOODMAXX on my 52 hp Kubota. 8 inch hydraulic fed. Really nice machine and easy to use.

 

[Herkypilot]

I have the same chipper (with the same tractor) as Steppenwolfe. It works well. For an 8" chipper, 85 hp would be more than tripple the PTO hp you'd need. Mine hasn't slowed down regardless what I feed it. The hydro feed is adjustable on this unit anyway. If you need to slow the feed speed, it's easy to do, but I haven't needed to do it.
If money isn't really a consideration, then the Wallenstein chippers are highly thought of by many on here.

HP

 

[Stonehaller]

I have a Wallenstein BX62. With your size tractor, you could go with their larger BX92. I like the Wallenstein. It makes nice chips, throws the chips well and self feeds very well. Their chippers are very rugged and easy to maintain.

 

[oosik]

I went from a Wallenstein BX42 to current BX62. Wally's have always been a minimal maintenance piece of equipment for me. I chip almost 100% ponderosa pines so its an easy job for the chipper. I've always wondered how a person handles the trees that a larger chipper can chip. I mean - a pine that is 6" on the butt and 25 feet tall is more tree than I can manhandle. I got the larger chipper because the larger chipping flywheel makes operation a lot smoother.

Also - I have NEVER found that either of the Wally's need the hydraulic in-feed system. Trees feed into the chipper very easily without any need for limb trimming - at least for pines.

 

[s219]

I have had great luck with my Wallenstein. The design, quality, and construction are top notch. For the money, it was the best option when I was shopping around. I have the BX-42 (up to 4" material) on a 29HP tractor, so you'd want to go much bigger of course.

 

[Jack Yuan]

My suggestion is, no matter what brand you choose, you should need a hydraulic self-feeding system anyhow. :laughing:

 

[tree farmer]

My suggestion is, no matter what brand you choose, you should need a hydraulic self-feeding system anyhow. :laughing:

I'll agree with a hyd. feed as necessary. I have a Wallenstein BX42R, and it will not only pull in forked limbs etc, but the feed rollers keep stuff in the chute instead of throwing it back at you at 250MPH...An option well worth a couple grand extra....Dan.

 

[TerryR]

I don't have a power feed on my chipper, and have never been able to figure out why a homeowner would need one. If you are using it professionally, day after day, yes. But for occasional use cleaning up the homestead I think it's totally a luxury. OK if you have money to burn, otherwise really a waste in my view.

Terry

 

[Jack Yuan]

this thread starter said he want a heavy duty chipper, so I think it should be with hydraulic feeding. For hobby farmers, if want to save money, then hydraulic feeding is not necessary I think.