Chipper Researching best qualitry wood chipper for a Kubota BX23S, suggestions please

[dragoneggs]

What I hate about chippers is the noise. I much prefer a burn pile. Less time, less noise, less work, and more satisfying to me. I don't miss my small gas engine chipper sold 10 years ago.

 

[bigtiller]

What I hate about chippers is the noise. I much prefer a burn pile. Less time, less noise, less work, and more satisfying to me. I don't miss my small gas engine chipper sold 10 years ago.

I usually insert some ear plugs and start chipping. But this last time I put on my new Stihl helmet/face shield and some leather gloves. I couldn't believe how much more enjoyable that task became. I have it sitting on the chipper just waiting for the next time. I wished I would have bought it years ago.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

What I hate about chippers is the noise. I much prefer a burn pile. Less time, less noise, less work, and more satisfying to me. I don't miss my small gas engine chipper sold 10 years ago.

More chance to start a forest fire, makes a mess, pollutes the air, kills all of the plants, beneficial bacteria and worms in the soil, is illegal for much of the year and you have no chips for mulching and composting.

 

[dragoneggs]

What I hate about chippers is the noise. I much prefer a burn pile. Less time, less noise, less work, and more satisfying to me. I don't miss my small gas engine chipper sold 10 years ago.

More chance to start a forest fire, makes a mess, pollutes the air, kills all of the plants, beneficial bacteria and worms in the soil, is illegal for much of the year and you have no chips for mulching and composting.

Ha ha... nice retort. Chippers take extensive resources to manufacture to sit most of the time, use fossil fuels, and pollute the air. One might argue they make a larger carbon footprint than an occasional personal burn pile. :confused3: :drink:

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Just as another data point, I have a Makissic PTO version. It only handles up to 3&1/2 inches - I use anything larger for firewood.
It is manual feed, which I personally consider far safer, and it is sufficient. I bought it used maybe 15 years ago. Anything under an inch or inch and a half goes in the shreader with the hammermills (sucks them in like lightening) the larger stuff gets fed into the chipper part. Feeding requires no real effort, but it doesn't pull the branch in, that is, you can't walk away while the branch is still chipping, but I'm not in that much of a hurry anyway.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

I'll be picking up a Salsco 627 PTO chipper on Thursday. Very heavy 6" unit I found used in great condition. Made right here in the USA down in CT. If I want to add the hydro feed to it down the road it's not a problem.
I hate burn piles because they are typically green wood and a pain to get going unless used motor oil and diesel fuel is used.
I only chip the tops and smaller branches as everything else will go into the stacks for the wood boiler to heat the house.

 

[scaredychicken]

I'm still in the market for a wood chipper - leaning towards the PTO driven Wallenstien that will best match up with my Kubota BX23S. I will bug the dealership to call me when they have stock.

The stand alone, own engine option is also there, but I think the PTO one is best for my needs.

Quoting oosik re Wallenstein, "Either the BX36S or the BX52S. The BX36S would be a better fit." I need to do a bit more research, but it sounds promising.

thanks all for the comments

 

[oosik]

Scaredychicken - your BX23S has 21.6 hp. This puts the tractor right in the middle of the recommended hp range for the Wally BX36S. It puts your tractor right at the very bottom of the recommended hp range for the Wally BX52S.

Wallenstein chippers are not cheap. Years from now you appreciate how it has performed for you and how very little maintenance is required. My two Wally chippers have NEVER failed on me nor needed ANY repairs.

 

[scaredychicken]

Thank you oosik, for the additional information, that's terrific. I like the wallenstein chippers and feel confident with that purchase plan particularly because my Kubota dealership carries them. To me, it would be a good investment. I hope to make the purchase over the summer.

 

[Erik M]

So, lots of chipper options.

my Kubota dealer carries LANDPRIDE (models WC1503, and WC1504); and WALLENSTEIN (models BX36S and BX52S) I'm leaning on the Wallensteins because they are excellent quality and are built here in Canada.

Woodland Mills (WC46, WC48) impress me from the online specs. But they are China built, no dealerships, and online sales only. The Woodmaxx (TM86H) is the same.

D R Chipper has always impressed me with their products, and they are an online order from Peavey Mart, an hour away. Possible, but not likely.

The Valdy models (LC400 HF / F, and LC600 HF / F) look good, but are not available out this way

I haven't found much on the Woods chippers; and the Vermeer chippers (available in BC) are basically professional construction type equipment, and way beyond my needs.

The USA built Mackissic brand (models TPH123, and TPH185) are impressive, but not available at Canadian dealerships, so, I think they are out.

Thanks for all of your input. For me, I think it comes down to Wallenstein, LandPride and possibly Woodland Mills. D R Chipper maybe.

cheers.

I wouldn’t let the Chinese manufacture of the Woodland Mills products scare you off a great product. I have a WC88 that I run off a 60 hp PTO but I got the larger 8” chipper just to handle the twisted bits better as anything over 4” becomes firewood. The assembly of the Woodland Mills chippers is simple, and operation is very simple. The hydraulic indeed is key as it provides control and the ability to reverse feed if required. The ability to slow the feed rate allows you to chip a larger stick than you could with gravity feed thus maximizing your capacity when needed. I ordered my chipper and 10 days later it was dropped in the yard. If you buy a Wallenstein in Canada you will pay a lot more money for no more capability. I looked at all the options in eastern Canada and the Woodland Mills made the most sense for me. I bought a set of spare blades and belts at the same time to minimize shipping, have not needed either yet. The ability to remove one bolt and hinge open the top and chute reduces the height so that I can bring the chipper into the standard height garage door easily which is a handy feature in my situation.