Chipper PTO CHIPPER Suggestions

[Harv]

Re: PTO CHIPPER Suggestions By Vermeer

<font color=blue>honest, loyal, consistent, reliable, personal integrity and high morals</font color=blue>

oh, well... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[GlennT]

HarleyBob: hayden mentioned knife condition and this is something to consider. One of the reasons I purchased the smallest Valby is because the knives (2) were relatively large--about 4 x 8 inches. When you look at the specs for the smaller PTO-driven chippers, you'll see that the knives on some of them are quite small--2 x 4 inches or such. Knives need to be sharpened so ease of removal and replacement is another criterion. The dealer I worked with indicated that I would probably have to sharpen the knives each day and I had resigned myself to this but have found that I rarely have to do this. So far, I have removed the knives a couple of times and touched up the edges lightly and that's been enough. Although I sharpen lawn mower blades regularly and have no trouble doing so, I don't have the equipment to do a good job of sharpening chipper knives. Fortunately, there is a local person who does custom sharpening. By the way, I purchased two extra sets of knives so that I can change around and keep working if necessary and also to have sets on reserve in case I can't purchase any in the future (in case we declare war on Finland and stop importing stuff from them). Bearings are another consideration hayden brought up. The ball bearings on some chippers appear to be rather small. My Valby has massive roller bearings which probably never will have to be replaced. However, when it is time to clean them and apply new grease (every 200 hours), it's going to be a pain. You actually have to unbolt the top half of a cast iron bearing housing and remove it to get at the bearing. No zerks here! Another thing comes to mind--belts. Some belts look pretty flimsy. It would be nice to have standard V belts which could be acquired locally instead of having to special order unique and expensive ones. Before I purchased my chipper, I wondered if a direct-drive chipper would create greater stress on the tractor than a belt-driven one and I talked to the dealer about this. He pointed out that a shredder (Bush Hog) is direct driven, so there shouldn't be a problem. I have found that the momentum of a heavy chipper disk absorbs shock nicely. When my 220 pound disk is revolving at 540 rpm, it takes alot to slow it down; you can imagine what the same disk would do when belt drive and revolving at about 1,500 rpm (more or less; I don't remember the exact speed). One last item; some of the belt driven chippers have heavy, cast-iron pulleys that contribute to the momentum of the disk. When considering the weight of the chipper disk, you also need to add in the weight of the pulley.

 

[jinman]

Glenn, I just got a reply from Bushhog about their Chipper Shredders...they no longer manufacture/sell them, but they still support them for spare parts and accessories. If anyone is interested in buying a used Bushhog brand (CS100), then they need to be aware that it is technically "discontinued" and use that as a bargaining tool. Otherwise, I've been really happy with mine. It would be nice to have a feed system for the chipper, but the shredder self-feeds. Whatever you drop into it is sucked-in and shredded instantly. Don't get caught holding on to something too tightly or you might get a surprise./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Seriously, if you use your head it is very safe.

JimI

 

[Anonymous Poster]

OK... Given the price of new chippers... I had a crazy idea the other day... I would think that you could pick up an old PTO-driven silage chopper for next to nothing (it seems that all the farms around here are either selling out to housing developments, or just getting out of livestock). You would probably need to slow the feeder system down, and perhaps fabricate a chute for wood and brush, but I would think that the size and strength of the core chopper system might work well for "chipping".

Any thoughts?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Have used an old PTO driven chopper for about 6 years. Be sure to get a "flywheel" type machine and not one that has knives mounted like a reel lawn mower. There should be gearing or chain sprockets to adjust the length of cut. Paid $75 at public sale. Had talked to equipment dealers about the idea and was laughted at, said the brush would be to heavy. Friends and neighbors have borrowed the machine and run it with tractors in the 25HP range.

 

[AndyMA]

I have a Valby 150 and a Valby 160, The 160 has hydralic feed. They are both excellent chippers. The 150 is basically the same as the 140- It uses the same blades (as does the 160). BTW- Valby will "jig" sharpen the blades for $7.00 each if you UPS to them in New York- this is much cheaper than getting it done local where I am in Mass (about $18/ blade). I only sharpen blades about 2 -3 times per season, clearly not once a day (just keep the dirt and rocks out of it and you'll rarely have to sharpen it. My 150 (and 160) has the optional belt driven (3 belts in parallel) 1.7 speed stepup and this is quite an improvement both in terms of shock resistance and chipping performance. My 150 is for sale if anybody is interested. It has probably chipped about 100 hours and is in need of paint- Otherwise it is perfect. I am located in Central Mass and the unit could be shipped. The 150 has not been used in 2 years since I bought the 160 with the feed rollers. Granted the feed rollers are nice, but they both can chip the same amount- 6" round and 9" slab hardwood. Either will take a 30 foot tree with out delimbing it and chip it branches, leaves, trunk and all. Once you get the trunk into the 150, it self feeds, all you need to do is guide it. I bought Valvy because of the quality, and the fact that they are very easy to get parts for. In addition to being able to get parts from your dealer, you can buy parts direct from them in New York.

If any one is interested in the 150, drop me an email at andy@splusnet.com

Also if you have any other questions about my experience with the chippers, just ask.

 

[AndyMA]

Valby 150 for Sale

For info on Valby chippers, see
http://www.valbysales.com/newpage7.htm

The 150 is basically the same as the 140- maybe slightly heavier. It uses the same blades. Mine has the tall discharge shoot (throws chipsa about 20 feet to a pile or into the back of a truck or wagon).

This chipper also has a speed up option that uses 3 belts in parallel to speed up the 220lb rotor to 1.7 times PTO speed. This helps chipping a lot and also reduces "shock load" on your PTO.

Some of what I've said here is a repeat of my last post, but I wanted to post a picture of what a 150 looks like and give the Valby URL.

 

[jhburke]

My brother brought a used chipper from a tree trimming co. With it all you need is a power unit big enough to pull it to where you are going to work.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Re: PTO CHIPPER Suggestions By Vermeer

I'm with you John, the Vermeers are tops. Get a hydraulic feeder and you'll be a chipping fool. Vermeer makes some huge chippers, over 20" logs can be fed into the larger models. I regularly use a 9" model that I have yet to see a match for. Rat...

 

[MajMac392]

Re: Valby 150 for Sale

What are you asking for the chipper? I'm interested in one for the back of my Cub.