BearCat Chipper/Shreader Any Good?

[Artisan]

: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...

 

[RobertN]

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).

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]

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.

 

[pennwalk]

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

 

[pennwalk]

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

 

[jshwhite]

TN Saw and Knife is a good place if you want to do it through the mail. Just had mine done there and it was well worth the approx $30 I spent.

 

[Artisan]

TN Saw and Knife is a good place if you want to do it through the mail. Just had mine done there and it was well worth the approx $30 I spent.

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]

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]

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.

 

[RobertN]

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.