Bearcat 554 Chipper & i-Match top link

[bigtiller]

I just bought this chipper/shredder and I would like to be able to pick it up without removing the i-match hitch from the tractor. The lift arms are fine but the top link needs to be about 3.5 inches lower.

I remember seeing here, that someone had a pretty ingenious way of doing that but now I can't remember what or who it was. I could just drill a hole in some flat stock and weld it on but I would like to see what you did.

Also, the shredder has a 1.5 inch screen. I had another one years ago with a .75 inch screen and had a devil of a time with the fan plugging up.

What size screen do you have and does the fan plug up much? I ask this because I am thinking of selling the fan unless they work better than the old one I had. The only difference I can see between the two is the shredder knives are different.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have the same problem with my Woods 5000...lower hooks are fine, top hook too low.
Initially, I was going to replace my Deere QH (which has a welded top hook, thus, not adjustable) with one of the quick hitches with an adjustable top hook. I'm not sure if there is enough adjustability in those type quick hitches...never followed through with the research.
Also, some chippers have very short PTO drive shafts...something you want to consider and investigate. Using a QH may require a longer PTO drive shaft (or a PTO extender).
Anyway, I end up building dollies for the chipper and the QH...makes it much easier to remove and install both implements. Since I only use my chipper occasionally, this made more economic sense for me.

 

[bigtiller]

I have looked at the drive shaft with the hitch on and measured 3.5 inches overlap. I am hoping that is enough for my 23.5 PTO hp 2720, or do you think that is just a pipe dream?

I have an adjustable top hook on my i-Match and it fits good enough although the highest setting could be .5 inch higher for a perfect fit... But their isn't much quick about a quick hitch if you need to find some wrenches and adjust it when attachments are changed. That is why I would like to lower the top link.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have looked at the drive shaft with the hitch on and measured 3.5 inches overlap. I am hoping that is enough for my 23.5 PTO hp 2720, or do you think that is just a pipe dream?

I have an adjustable top hook on my i-Match and it fits good enough although the highest setting could be .5 inch higher for a perfect fit... But their isn't much quick about a quick hitch if you need to find some wrenches and adjust it when attachments are changed. That is why I would like to lower the top link.

With a bit of fabrication (using the chipper's top link bracket and hole), it shouldn't take too much ingenuity to solve the problem.
However, with 3.5" overlap (and I'm assuming that's without the extra extension of a QH), I think you'll need a PTO extender.

 

[kennyd]

Perhaps it was my thread you remember, I made an adapter to lower the top pin on my Goossen chipper. Here is the thread:

New-to-Me Goossen Chipper/Shredder

There some better pics in my Picasa albums, but I forget to add any captions. Let me know if you need any more info:

https://picasaweb.google.com/kdeckster/Chipper

 

[bigtiller]

Yep Kennyd, that's the one I was thinking about, thanks for posting. But I was suprised that was 5.5 years ago! Your Goossen looks like a beefed up Bear Cat 554. It has the same hitch, driveline and main body.

How much does your driveshaft overlap?

 

[bigtiller]

With a bit of fabrication (using the chipper's top link bracket and hole), it shouldn't take too much ingenuity to solve the problem.
However, with 3.5" overlap (and I'm assuming that's without the extra extension of a QH), I think you'll need a PTO extender.

The 3.5 overlap is with the i-Match on..... I think it may be enough but I don't know enough about it to be sure.

 

[kennyd]

Sorry BT, no clue on the overlap.

 

[RoyJackson]

The 3.5 overlap is with the i-Match on..... I think it may be enough but I don't know enough about it to be sure.

Is that 3.5" at the maximum extension (i.e. chipper on the ground)? Or at the minimum (chipper raised about halfway up the 3PH travel)?
If that's the overlap when the chipper is on the ground (operating position), I think you're fine...
An extender, if you determine you need one, will add 4" to the tractor's PTO stub shaft....and that might be too much overlap.

 

[bigtiller]

The 3.5" overlap is with the chipper on the ground and connected to the i-Match.

Thanks for jumping in Roy and Kenny, this gathering place for tractor fans is the best!