Chipper Wallenstein constantly getting clogged

[jrclark]

I have a BX42s running off of my Kioti DS3510 (27hp PTO). The BX42 has absolutely no problem chipping anything, but has a ton of problems discharging most everything. I was really happy with it the first time I used it, but the last couple of times have been frustrating. Granted, the last time out it was mostly green birch going down the chute, but were incredibly small limbs. Even alternating with dry stuff doesn't help the situation. Is this normal, or am I missing something? The discharge on this thing necks down too far in my opinion which causes this issue.

 

[JRobyn]

Not sure of the Wallenstein design, but the "draft" on my Morbark is created by no more than 4 "vanes" which are simply 6" long pieces of about 3"x3" angle iron bolted to the main cutter wheel. They could possibly come loose or break off, although I bet you would have heard it had this happened. May be worth checking.
Oh, and be sure to run it at 540PTO RPM.

- Jay

 

[jeff9366]

Willow and Birch, which are often used for basket making because of their pliancy, are the two worst branches to chip.

There is nothing better than a battery powered Sawzall with a 9" pruning blade for cleaning out chute jams. A Sawzall will pull out the worst clog in a few seconds.

Even alternating with dry stuff doesn't help the situation. Is this normal, or am I missing something?

A BXM42 shredder/chipper would shred your "incredibly small limbs" without clogging.

A BX42s/chipper (only) is for chipping heavier debris. Light stuff does not provide enough resistance for the knives nor twig breaker to cut; it blows out of the rotor whole.

I think you working outside the design parameters of your BX42s with the small stuff.

There are many threads in the archive differentiating the material input of the BXM42 versus the BX42s.

 

[texas42]

I have a BX 42 also and know what you are experiencing. As Jeff9366 suggested let stuff dry until at least the leaves are brown and crisp. Stuff will then go thru without plugging, that has worked well for me. Might be with birch you need to let it dry even more.

 

[jrclark]

The unit is new, the knives are sharp. I can try spraying the inside of the chute. At one point, I had dragged some dried oak and hickory and still had the clogging issue. I am running it 540, but did run it @ 1000 for a quick laugh and it clogged as fast as it chewed. Too bad, because running it @ 1000 rpm would sure save some time, even with 27hp at the shaft!

Let's put it this way, if I had a sawzall with me the last time, the urge to trim the chute would have been overwhelming. What pisses me off the most is that I finally had help (bro-in-law) and couldn't take advantage.

 

[jeff9366]

I suggest sorting your material into >1" Birch for the BX42s and <1" Birch to be burned when dry.

 

[PapaPerk]

I suggest sorting your material into >1" Birch for the BX42s and <1" Birch to be burned when dry.

What's the point of a chipper then?! It should either chip the stuff or not.

OP does it have an auto feed?

 

[Piston]

What's the point of a chipper then?! It should either chip the stuff or not. OP does it have an auto feed?

By auto feed, do you mean hydraulic feed? I cannot begin to imagine that it does, because with hydro feed, you would not have this problem.

I see that the knives are sharp, but are they properly positioned? It seems that the manual feed chippers are pretty sensitive to sharp blades and proper adjustment.

I agree with papa perk, why have a chipper if you have to go through the trouble of sorting material?

 

[oosik]

Letting the material dry out is the answer. Green material will plug any chipper. I chip Ponderosa pine. When I had the BX42 the small limbs and green needles were constantly plugging the chute - pine pitch is just like glue. I chip 750-900 small pine trees( 6" and smaller) every spring - maintaining my pine stands. I changed my procedure - cut, stack and chip next year. You really don't have to wait a year but that schedule works for the way I operate. Now that I have a much larger tractor and a BX62 its not so critical. However, I still follow the wait a year to chip schedule. I NEVER have a plug up with this schedule.

The first time you chipped the inside of your chute was smooth, clean, pitch/sap free paint. When you chipped the next time the sap had built up in the chute and caused it to plug. And yes, when the chute necks down it is more subject to plugging. Running at 540 pto rpm will help - higher air flow.

If you start with a clean chute. are chipping truly dry material and still have consistent plug ups - check the "paddles" on your impeller. If they are OK then I would contact your dealer and have him check out the chipper.

 

[jrclark]

Letting the material dry out is the answer. Green material will plug any chipper. I chip Ponderosa pine. When I had the BX42 the small limbs and green needles were constantly plugging the chute - pine pitch is just like glue. I chip 750-900 small pine trees( 6" and smaller) every spring - maintaining my pine stands. I changed my procedure - cut, stack and chip next year. You really don't have to wait a year but that schedule works for the way I operate. Now that I have a much larger tractor and a BX62 its not so critical. However, I still follow the wait a year to chip schedule. I NEVER have a plug up with this schedule. The first time you chipped the inside of your chute was smooth, clean, pitch/sap free paint. When you chipped the next time the sap had built up in the chute and caused it to plug. And yes, when the chute necks down it is more subject to plugging. Running at 540 pto rpm will help - higher air flow. If you start with a clean chute. are chipping truly dry material and still have consistent plug ups - check the "paddles" on your impeller. If they are OK then I would contact your dealer and have him check out the chipper.

All great points oosik. Unfortunately, my schedule is a bit different in that I'm trying to prep my lot for our new home. The slightly dried out birch had absolutely zero issues going through.

I'll look to adjust the blades and adjust as suggested by Piston.

This unit was purchased second hand, but had very little use on it. I doubt any dealer would look at it out of the kindness of their hearts.

This is a manual feed chipper.