BearCat Chipper/Shreader Any Good?

[gwdixon]

Yep, that is what they look like inside. I'd say it was in very good condition and not used much.

Sharp blades will make the chips fly and your head spin! That appears to be all it needs.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Good luck with your chipper! :thumbsup:

Like others said, dull vs sharp blades make all the difference.

 

[RoyJackson]

The seller is much more accomodating then most, I think...you're lucky on that!

Shame about the dull blades...but I expect a good sharpening will do the trick.

Good looking chipper! I expect you'll be quite happy with it!

 

[pennwalk]

I just wanted to make sure you knew that there are two kinds of blades in that machine there are shredder blades and chipper blades. The chipper blades are bolted and locktited to the outside of the flywheel. there are 4 of them and they are the ones I think work best if they are really sharp.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

Can the chipper blades be flipped over? I thought they were double edge so you could flip them once before sharpening?

I just wanted to make sure you knew that there are two kinds of blades in that machine there are shredder blades and chipper blades. The chipper blades are bolted and locktited to the outside of the flywheel. there are 4 of them and they are the ones I think work best if they are really sharp.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

Here are a couple I checked out before buying mine last week.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJzAAdXy2Z8]Echo BearCat Chipper/Shredder - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMJP780wYvQ]Bearcat SC5540 5" PTO chipper shredder - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNmE7H-sKsA]Bearcat SC5540 Wood Chipper in Action - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuK2hEtSGE]Sharpening the blades on the Bearcat chipper - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h18d_ID_6wo]Making compost with shredder - YouTube[/ame]

That will keep you busy for a couple minutes

I need to find a U Tube of a 70554 or 554 or 73554 working properly to see what "proper" is perhaps...well, sorta. Gosh I wish I were wealthy
and could just buy everything new....

 

[RoyJackson]

Here are a couple I checked out before buying mine last week.

Echo BearCat Chipper/Shredder - YouTube

Bearcat SC5540 5" PTO chipper shredder - YouTube

Bearcat SC5540 Wood Chipper in Action - YouTube

Sharpening the blades on the Bearcat chipper - YouTube

Making compost with shredder - YouTube

That will keep you busy for a couple minutes

That first video (chipper behind the old Ford)...that one had dull blades on the chipper. He was working too hard...a lot harder then I have to!!
The third video is more typical of how these chippers work. Even he had to work the limb at first...blades are OK, but due for sharpening soon.

Did you notice how skittish all these folks were when using the shredder? Me too!!

 

[Artisan]

The seller is on his way here this minute to get his money. In the end
I found chipper blades on the machine that were sharpened wrong / they were overheated and the shreader blades are worn out, although reversable, this was stored close to the beach so all blades and spacers and shafts were rusted beyond repair. I ordered all new blades, shreader and chipper, the price came off the top, I will do the work. I actually perfer to do the work, I know it will be done right so although he did not get what he wanted he really didn't do bad considering. I spent 3 full hours just cutting the old shreader blades and spacers and shafts out. Oh man, THAT was hard. All rusted up they were.

There is a "Kit" you buy that has all new shreader blades, spacers, tiny bolts and nuts and shafts. I'll get er all lubed up and throw new blades in it, don a facemask and shread away...

Oh, I saw ALL those You Tube Videos prior! :thumbsup:

 

[Artisan]

The little I did use it dictates that I would be wise to get a Forestry
Style helmet and Visor w/ Ear Muffs. I see Stihl has 2 models, is one' better that the other or is there another brand even better?

Any one have any input here on this?

 

[RobertN]

I have an older Husky version. I use it all the time, for weedeating, chipping, chainsaw work, and even while mowing with the tractor.

The little I did use it dictates that I would be wise to get a Forestry
Style helmet and Visor w/ Ear Muffs. I see Stihl has 2 models, is one' better that the other or is there another brand even better?

Any one have any input here on this?

 

[J_J]

That first video (chipper behind the old Ford)...that one had dull blades on the chipper. He was working too hard...a lot harder then I have to!!
The third video is more typical of how these chippers work. Even he had to work the limb at first...blades are OK, but due for sharpening soon.

Did you notice how skittish all these folks were when using the shredder? Me too!!

I have the 3pt BearCat, and there is a correct way to use the machine and particular to shredding.

The blades are rotating in a certain direction, and if you try and jam the material into the upcoming blades, they try to kick out the material, and you better have eye protection on.

The material should go in the downward side of the rotation, whether it is on the left or right. Should mark the good side with maybe green paint, and the bad side with red paint.

Those brushes at the top are on there for a reason.

Ask me how I know all this.

 

[RoyJackson]

The blades are rotating in a certain direction, and if you try and jam the material into the upcoming blades, they try to kick out the material, and you better have eye protection on.

The material should go in the downward side of the rotation, whether it is on the left or right. Should mark the good side with maybe green paint, and the bad side with red paint.

Those brushes at the top are on there for a reason.

Ask me how I know all this.

I can't say I have any problem with how I put the material in the shredder, other then real leafy stuff getting held back by the brushes.

Definitely eye and ear protection...and a face mask to protect my lungs from out the dust from chipping.

 

[Gordon Gould]

The man I bought my chipper from had made a paddle with a handle on it for use with the shredder. It works real good for pushing in loose stuff like leaves and garden debris. I also tried a broom but it disappeared in a hurry the first time I got it in to far

 

[RoyJackson]

The man I bought my chipper from had made a paddle with a handle on it for use with the shredder. It works real good for pushing in loose stuff like leaves and garden debris. I also tried a broom but it disappeared in a hurry the first time I got it in to far

I'd want a longer handle on that paddle!!

Woods sells a similar item...I'd guess Bearcat does too. I've never seen them, but I'd guess they have more of a broom type handle then what's shown in the picture.

If anyone decides to make a pusher, use dowels and glue to assemble. No nails, screws or or metallic fasteners...

 

[Baby Grand]

I have an older Husky version. I use it all the time, for weedeating, chipping, chainsaw work, and even while mowing with the tractor.

I have a Husky that I got at TSC on sale. Mandatory for me when using the chipper, to prevent getting a twig in the eye and reduce the eardrum load if for nothing else. Plus, there's still a disturbing amount of dead stuff, way up in the canopy, left over from our August & October storms, so having a brain bucket on is, well, a no brainer.

After almost getting my ear taken off by a piece of stick ricocheting off of a tree trunk while shredding, I wear it when I'm doing that now, too. Looks a little retarded, but better than losing a chunk of an ear, or worse.

I also strongly recommend wearing a shirt with long sleves, even if it's hot out - you'll find out. People at work asked me if I'd spent the weekend fighting with a cat.

 

[pennwalk]

I have the regular Stihl forestry helmet. The couple of times I forgot it I regretted it. After my vision cleared and the cussing stopped I went back to the house and got it. Amazing how much getting slapped on the side of the head hurts. One nice thing about the Stihl helmets is that if something breaks you can order parts from the dealer. Another nice thing is the service you will provide to your family and neighbors when they see you riding around with the earmuffs and visor up looking like the orange flying nun :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Chris

 

[pennwalk]

Can the chipper blades be flipped over

The blades can be swapped inside and outside to move the less uses edge to the center of the cut.

There must be a serial number break because some guys have double sided chipper blades that can be turned over. Mine are single sided. I guess I have one of the older machines.

Chris

 

[pennwalk]

Maybe I should mention that my chipper will sometimes kick the last piece of a branch back out of the chipper chute. It isn't flying super fast but you still wouldn't want to be in the way.

Chris

 

[RoyJackson]

Maybe I should mention that my chipper will sometimes kick the last piece of a branch back out of the chipper chute. It isn't flying super fast but you still wouldn't want to be in the way.

Chris

Every chipper manual I've read warns the operator to not stand in line with the chute...

 

[Artisan]

I will go to the Shihl Store when the blades come in and have a looksie
at their Head gear. Yes, long sleeves are a must as well. The rotational
direction of the drum and insertion point consideration will be looked at.
The pusher for leaves etc looks like a good idea, built w/o metal works too!
I have not seen this broom pusher thing you guys speak of, I will look for it.


No one has said it, I may have touched on it but the shreader blade assembly,
when it is time for all new blades, I found out there is a "kit"
that you buy that has all new spacers, blades, small 10-24 nuts and bolts AND shafts,
so, when it is time, you can just cut away/ hack at the spacers and shafts at will
and destroy it all, which makes removal a LOT easier. I tried to punch them out
using almost a full can of PPBlaster and got no farther than 4" on one shaft.
I went looking to see if you can buy new shafts, sure enough, I guess it happens a lot,
there is a complete kit FYI.