3pt or stand alone chipper/shredder ?

[Slackdaddy]

I have a Kioti ck20hs,
I will be doing some woods thinning around the property, anything over about 1.5" is firewood.
But I will have a lot of smaller branches (with leaves) to chip/grind up.
On our "work days" I am not sure I want to ty the tractor up with running the chipper??
Like I said, I wont be going over 1.5", but I do not want a light weight POS.

Any suggestions?

 

[Rustyiron]

I've been down that road!
Started with a very big pto powered chipper, I think it was made by Royer. It was probably 1000lbs.min but no power feed. Then stepped up to a tow behind Vermeer "real tree guy" disc chipper with a 6 cyl Ford industrial motor with hyd. feed. It did the job fine but worked the **** out of you. I rekindled my relationship with matches and fire! We've been getting along just fine! Cheap date to say the least:laughing:

 

[PapaPerk]

I've been down that road! Started with a very big pto powered chipper, I think it was made by Royer. It was probably 1000lbs.min but no power feed. Then stepped up to a tow behind Vermeer "real tree guy" disc chipper with a 6 cyl Ford industrial motor with hyd. feed. It did the job fine but worked the **** out of you. I rekindled my relationship with matches and fire! We've been getting along just fine! Cheap date to say the least:laughing:

What Rusty said!

 

[the8080]

If you really want the chips, that is work for a small stand alone chipper/shredder. Just burn it or run over it with a bush hog and let it rot.

 

[oldballs]

You could look at MacKissic Inc. for a commercial rated towable chipper/shredder. I have used their smallest towable model on my three acres for seven years and have been very pleased with its durability/reliability. Their biggest model probably isn't as heavy duty as the Vermeer models, nor as expensive. The shredded and chipped debris is handy for pathways and garden mulch. I use my smallest Case 448 tractor to tow it around the place; and have also towed it elsewhere with my truck to be used for some of the family chores.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[gwdixon]

Chipping is a "labor intensive" and time consuming task. More than you can imagine if you haven't done it. I noted that your signature has "No time" in it. Not a good situation for a hobbyist chipper.

I have a PTO chipper (BearCat) and my neighbor has a stand-alone chipper (DR). Mine does not have an exit chute and is a pain to constantly clear chips from underneath to make room for more. His stand-alone has a chute and make a nice pile somewhat away from the chipper. Most PTO chippers don't have enough oomph to keep a chute clear with green wood.

But I have three tractors so having one tied up with chipping is not a problem (the BX2200). This year I tried using the chipper as a counterweight and feeding the brush pile with the BX and forks. When the pile got large enough, then the tractor was backed up to the pile and it was chipped. Pile, chip, repeat...................gets old fast.

I burn what I can during the winter burn season and chip during the no-burn period. The chips are great for the garden so it is not an avoidance issue and I'm retired so can spend the time.

 

[TerryR]

Most PTO chippers don't have enough oomph to keep a chute clear with green wood.

Really? I've been using my BearCat PTO chipper with a chute for quite a few years, with both green and dry wood, and have never had a problem with the chute jamming.

Terry

 

[/pine]

IMO...save your $ for something with fewer alternatives... and burn baby burn...!

 

[s219]

Stand-alones are fine if they are big. But the little gas powered ones sold at Lowes/HD/TSC/etc are a waste of money. The chipper should be able to handle at least 4" diameter before I'd consider it usable. PTO or stand-alone is your preference at that point.

Also note that a chipper is meant for thicker woody material. If feeding in lots of twiggy leafy stuff, that is better left to a shredder or combo chipper/shredder.

 

[gwdixon]

Really? I've been using my BearCat PTO chipper with a chute for quite a few years, with both green and dry wood, and have never had a problem with the chute jamming.

Terry

You may have a different model than mine (70544). Here is one example of the discharge chute jamming issue. Google for more.

Blower option for Bearcat 70554 chipper -- Wood Chippers 3PH -- Page 1