BearCat Chipper/Shreader Any Good?
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RobertN
Super Member
I'll tell you tomorrow. I just got a really clean used one. But, I will be powering it with a TC40D; 40hp/35 pto/hp
I have a Goossen Chipper-shredder that looks very similar to the BearCat. I would not be surprised if one or the other company makes them both. I have been happy with mine although I don't push the chipping capacity much. I shred up small twigs but I mostly use it for leaves, as it makes them easier to compost and prevents them from matting up. i I mostly run cedar through it as it tends to hold up better as mulch. I never chipped much of any hardwood as that's mostly firewood unless they are twigs. It is a bit of a pain to get to the blades, but all told I think they are well built.
GreatWhitehunter
Veteran Member
Yes, these are real good chipper shredders. Lots of threads about that model. The Woods 5000 is the same unit made by Bearcat. Not sure on the model#'s andpto speed.
Matt
Matt
gwdixon
Elite Member
Do a search. Lots of threads on that model be it BearCat or Woods. You will find all of the operating techniques, blades, sharpening, and other answers to your questions.
I have that exact model. One of the best small chippers built in my experience and in the opinion of others.
Don't know about the different PTO speeds.
Roy should be here any moment to elaborate.
I have that exact model. One of the best small chippers built in my experience and in the opinion of others.
Don't know about the different PTO speeds.
Roy should be here any moment to elaborate.
s219
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They are real good. A possible downside to that model is the lack of a proper discharge chute, but I can't see that part from your picture to know. I wouldn't let that stop me from buying if it was a good deal. I seem to recall that a chute can be added separately, if desired.
RoyJackson
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Here's a link to the product manuals:
ECHO Bear Cat | Product Manuals
The model number is 73554.
My Woods 5000 (same as the 73554 and manufactured by Bearcat) operates at 540 RPM only...the manual is quite specific about that.
Your BX25 has 18 PTO HP...that's a little low (15 PTO HP is the recommended minimum) but you should do fine with branches up to 2.5" or so.
As others have written, these are great chipper/shredders for residential use. I found I use the shredder as much or more then the chipper.
Also, as others have written, there are numerous threads on these machines, including RobertN's current thread (so I'm not going to repeat what I wrote there).
BTW, have any of you folks modified your Bearcat or Woods for Quick Hitch compatibility? If so, can you post pics? I've got some ideas how to do it, but nothing wrong with seeing how others have.
ECHO Bear Cat | Product Manuals
The model number is 73554.
My Woods 5000 (same as the 73554 and manufactured by Bearcat) operates at 540 RPM only...the manual is quite specific about that.
Your BX25 has 18 PTO HP...that's a little low (15 PTO HP is the recommended minimum) but you should do fine with branches up to 2.5" or so.
As others have written, these are great chipper/shredders for residential use. I found I use the shredder as much or more then the chipper.
Also, as others have written, there are numerous threads on these machines, including RobertN's current thread (so I'm not going to repeat what I wrote there).
BTW, have any of you folks modified your Bearcat or Woods for Quick Hitch compatibility? If so, can you post pics? I've got some ideas how to do it, but nothing wrong with seeing how others have.
Last edited:
pennwalk
Veteran Member
Down sides.
Manual feed. If the blades are dull or the wood is dry or hard it will work you.
Chips discharge under chipper. If you chip a lot you will have to move the machine or shovel chips. If you want to use the chips you have to load them into a trailer.
Feeding debris to be shredded past the brush guards is a pain.
Blades need to be sharp for this unit to work well. You will need special equipment to get them really sharp or to take them to a good sharpening shop. When they are sharp they are razor sharp. They will shave you.
These are good heavy duty machines that are pretty trouble free.
Chris
Manual feed. If the blades are dull or the wood is dry or hard it will work you.
Chips discharge under chipper. If you chip a lot you will have to move the machine or shovel chips. If you want to use the chips you have to load them into a trailer.
Feeding debris to be shredded past the brush guards is a pain.
Blades need to be sharp for this unit to work well. You will need special equipment to get them really sharp or to take them to a good sharpening shop. When they are sharp they are razor sharp. They will shave you.
These are good heavy duty machines that are pretty trouble free.
Chris
:confused2: Looks like I need pick this baby up from the most welcomed comments.
I chatted a bit w/ RobertN as well. I did not see his thread till after
I posted mine. I guess I need to go read it all as well.
I hope it is the 540RPM Model. It is
a model #554, not a 73554, if you go to the manuals page and scroll down
you will see a 554 Model. The manual says it runs on 15-30HP so my 17.7
should push it OK and yes, I read how to sharpen blades and there
is a nice video on You-Tube, I like sharp blades.
Yes, as I read it anywho, there are 3 different models of the 554, a 500, 1000, and 2000 RPM . Three distinct models as I read it anywho...Here is
a manual section.
WAIT! LOL, does that mean my tractor could be one of three models?
That is confusamabobulating.
I just woke up, I got a call to replace THREE TWO INCH Water Main valves
stolen last night by thieves. INSANE! NUTZ! THREE OF THEM IN A ROW at
a car dealer! They shut off the water and cut them out for scrap! So I
don't have time to read the whole manual. Coffe is done, I hit SUBMIT
REPLY and I am out-a-here. I might start a new thread on this when
I get home. I hope get the job. I always give fair numbers, some folks,
want it almost free...
I chatted a bit w/ RobertN as well. I did not see his thread till after
I posted mine. I guess I need to go read it all as well.
I hope it is the 540RPM Model. It is
a model #554, not a 73554, if you go to the manuals page and scroll down
you will see a 554 Model. The manual says it runs on 15-30HP so my 17.7
should push it OK and yes, I read how to sharpen blades and there
is a nice video on You-Tube, I like sharp blades.
Yes, as I read it anywho, there are 3 different models of the 554, a 500, 1000, and 2000 RPM . Three distinct models as I read it anywho...Here is
a manual section.
WAIT! LOL, does that mean my tractor could be one of three models?
That is confusamabobulating.
I just woke up, I got a call to replace THREE TWO INCH Water Main valves
stolen last night by thieves. INSANE! NUTZ! THREE OF THEM IN A ROW at
a car dealer! They shut off the water and cut them out for scrap! So I
don't have time to read the whole manual. Coffe is done, I hit SUBMIT
REPLY and I am out-a-here. I might start a new thread on this when
I get home. I hope get the job. I always give fair numbers, some folks,
want it almost free...
RobertN
Super Member
All I see in the manual section at Bearcat, is 540rpm.
ECHO Bear Cat | Product Manuals
1000 and 2000 may be for belly/mid mount mowers? My old Kub B8200 had two speed PTO, but it was like 540/740 rear pto or something like that; I do not recal the mid-pto rpm, but it was really high, for a belly mower.
On and edit, I just looked up the BX25. It has 540 rear pto, 2500 mid(for belly mower).
ECHO Bear Cat | Product Manuals
1000 and 2000 may be for belly/mid mount mowers? My old Kub B8200 had two speed PTO, but it was like 540/740 rear pto or something like that; I do not recal the mid-pto rpm, but it was really high, for a belly mower.
On and edit, I just looked up the BX25. It has 540 rear pto, 2500 mid(for belly mower).
Yes, as I read it anywho, there are 3 different models of the 554, a 500, 1000, and 2000 RPM . Three distinct models as I read it anywho...Here is
a manual section.
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
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I stand corrected on the model number. I'd assumed someone had abbreviated the number (as I've seen that before).
Artisan will definitely want to look at the manufacturer's information plate to ensure the unit is for 540 RPM.
I'm pretty sure it will be, though. The listing on the product manual page is "540 (PTO)" under the Description header.
It appears (and this is supposition on my part) the 540, 1000 and 2000 RPM machines are all unique (distinct, as Artisan wrote). I'm guessing the higher RPM machines may be for export sales.
Artisan will definitely want to look at the manufacturer's information plate to ensure the unit is for 540 RPM.
I'm pretty sure it will be, though. The listing on the product manual page is "540 (PTO)" under the Description header.
It appears (and this is supposition on my part) the 540, 1000 and 2000 RPM machines are all unique (distinct, as Artisan wrote). I'm guessing the higher RPM machines may be for export sales.
pennwalk
Veteran Member
The 554 was just the early units which became the 73554. No difference that I can tell. Mine is 554 too according to the serial number plate.
My Yanmar 186D has a 2 speed pto 540/1000. On farm tractors the 1000 pto uses a different pto shaft connector.
I have never seen a 1000 rpm or a 2000 rpm C/S. I would guess that they are very rare. If they exist it would most likely just be a different pulley.
Chris
My Yanmar 186D has a 2 speed pto 540/1000. On farm tractors the 1000 pto uses a different pto shaft connector.
I have never seen a 1000 rpm or a 2000 rpm C/S. I would guess that they are very rare. If they exist it would most likely just be a different pulley.
Chris
pennwalk
Veteran Member
I wanted to mention that if you are sharpening your own that it is a good Idea to keep all the blades weighing the same so they don't throw the chipper out of balance. The guy that used to sharpen mine used a digital scale. Sadly the recession got him. I may start sharpening my own too.
Chris
Chris
Just got in to sit down , for a few minutes then I need to load up the tractor.
The comments are most welcome and Thank you All :thumbsup:
Yes, the weight of each blade and how they are sharpened at a 45* angle
is paramount. Please post up the link to the sharpening service! My local
sharpening place died too! I am knee deep into this bearcat, I have
offered a deposit and I hope my neighbor/the seller will work w/ me. He
wants $1600.00 and he says it is complete. If it is complete I think it
is a fair price yes? RobertN is grinning!
I think I would want all blades sharpened to the same dimensions as well
as weight. There is a YouTube on sharpening them but, I HATE sharpening
stuff. I just don't have that kind of patience...I guess it is mostly because
I know a pro will do such a better job then me!
I will end up buying the blower to lift the chips I am sure. looks like the way to go.
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 24,646
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
Just got in to sit down , for a few minutes then I need to load up the tractor.
The comments are most welcome and Thank you All :thumbsup:
Yes, the weight of each blade and how they are sharpened at a 45* angle
is paramount. Please post up the link to the sharpening service! My local
sharpening place died too! I am knee deep into this bearcat, I have
offered a deposit and I hope my neighbor/the seller will work w/ me. He
wants $1600.00 and he says it is complete. If it is complete I think it
is a fair price yes? RobertN is grinning!
I think I would want all blades sharpened to the same dimensions as well
as weight. There is a YouTube on sharpening them but, I HATE sharpening
stuff. I just don't have that kind of patience...I guess it is mostly because
I know a pro will do such a better job then me!
I will end up buying the blower to lift the chips I am sure. looks like the way to go.
$1600 seems a bit high (I paid $1000 and another TBNer bought one recently (with the blower) for $1200). However, although mine was in excellent condition...it wasn't "showroom" condition.
However, if you're OK with the price, so be it...new, that chipper is over $3000.
I priced the blower kit for my Woods...at Messicks, the price was just about $1000. I decided not to buy it at this time.
BTW, I can't sharpen blades to save my butt...
jshwhite
Gold Member
Here's the link for the sharpening service
Industrial Knives, machine knives; precision sharpening from TSK
I bought mine for $1500 and it wasn't in all that great of shape - functional, but somewhat rusted inside. So $1600 probably isn't bad if it's in good shape.
Industrial Knives, machine knives; precision sharpening from TSK
I bought mine for $1500 and it wasn't in all that great of shape - functional, but somewhat rusted inside. So $1600 probably isn't bad if it's in good shape.
RobertN
Super Member
If it is complete, then it is not bad, considering it is 1/2 the price of new.
Will they let you try it with you tractor? I think trying it with you tractor and PTO HP may help you decide.
Will they let you try it with you tractor? I think trying it with you tractor and PTO HP may help you decide.
