Chipper 3 PT chippers: Valby vs Wallenstein

[bgWI]

We are looking for a 3 pt chipper that will give landscape size chips, take small dead trees and brush. Our property is hilly and we are reluctant to drag a friend's Vermeer 20hp 6" chipper around the hills, thus the 3 pt.

Locally we have access to the Valby CH140 and the Wallenstein BX62, both with hydraulic feed. The Valby has two blades and gives chip size of 9/16" (mean size) and the Wallenstein has 4 blades and probably chops fine. (dealer won't comment) The Valby has a 26" - 220 pound rotor and the Wallenstein a 30" - 180 pound rotor. Both appear to open up easily for service. Our Kubota GL4330 can run either unit.

Does anyone have experience/comments on quality/durability/possible problems with either unit? The Valby dealer will demo on site, while the Wallenstein has to be ordered and accepted - no demo.

Gentlemen, your comments, please?

 

[gf5205]

My dealer sells Valby and Wallenstein. He says he sells 10" Valbys to commercial operators and Wallenstein BX62s to guys like me. He's had good luck with both brands, but has stopped selling Patu because of quality issues, like too many bolts falling off. I got the BX62 with the hydraulic feed. I only have a couple of hours on it, but so far so good. I believe the chip size will vary based on the kind of wood and the dryness.
Greg

 

[MA1920]

I have a Valby CH150, which morphed into the CH160 and finally today's Ch170. Totally satisfied with it. They're bullet proof. Last year I talked to the importer at Northeast Implement about upgrading to the CH170 and if I remember right, he said the only difference was the design or the number of belts to the rotor, and it wouldn't be worth it to upgrade. So now I'm saving to change over to the hydraulic infeed.

Complaint: Not hydraulic feed.

If it fits in your budget, you won't be disappointed.

Bob

 

[bgWI]

Thank you Bob for the input.

Question about chip size: Is the size of the "chip" produced decent for landscape use? The Vermeer I have been using creates "particles" which are not usable for landscaping nor covering paths through the woods.

Bill

 

[MA1920]

Bill, the chip size varies from "slender" to what you would see at a landscape supply yard. I haven't used my chips for paths yet. My wife thinks they're a tad too big for landscaping (I think they're fine). I've been letting them rot in piles...takes time, but nice additive to the compost pile when they get a little bit "mushy." Here's a pic from the Valby site: Woodchip Maker Hope that gives you some idea of the size.

Bob

 

[Mike_VT]

I have a the olde version BX 60 and the chips that It poduces are appx 2 inches depending on how large the wood being chipped is. I find the chips perfect for paths etc. I run the wallenstein off a l4330 and have no complaints at all. The unit is healvy duty and very durable. I do not't think you could go wrong either way. I chose the Wallestien because the price point was attractive and the unit was solid.

 

[BandDcabinet]

I have the manual feed Wallenstein BX62. You can vary the chip size to some extent by adjusting the fixed knife. I adjusted mine for a smaller chip trying to make it easier on the tractor when chipping larger trees. I have about 45 hours on the chipper. I can recommend the Wallenstein... even the manual feed.

 

[bgWI]

Thank you for the comments on the Wallenstein. It does sound like a very nice machine. Our Wallenstein dealer has no units on hand, is not interested in providing a demo and tells me all their sales are generally out the area...hmmmm!

In the next day or so the Vably dealer should be bringing by a new unit for us to "play" with. I appreciate a pro-active dealer and expect product support.

Bill

 

[4x4sche]

I have the Valby 160HF. It works great. You must be sure to get a model with the belt drive since the rotor turns at twice the PTO speed, which gives you four times the chipping power. Do not economize on any brand that is direct drive, the chipper will be far less effective and will clog the the delivery chute more readily. I have the hydraulic feed, it is worth every penny to watch the stuff feed in automatically. The only issue for me is that the pto shaft connection on the chipper is near the top, so you have to run with the chipper lowered all the way to the ground to avoid an excessive PTO shaft angle. This is more of a problem with my smaller diameter "golf course" type flotation tires. With the R1's on my L5030 it is not an issue. I have 95 hours of chipping pleasure on my Valby. The chips are perfect for trails, typically 1/2" by 1" or 1.5" in cedar, doug fir or alder. Maple makes longer chips.
John

 

[bgWI]

Thank you for the input John. We viewed the Valby 140 chipper yesterday at the dealer's location. The way my partner/wife smiled, I doubt it will leave the property after the demo scheduled for tomorrow. I understand that some users put 4x4 or 6x timbers under the base to bring the pto shaft near level. I believe the 140 is direct drive with the pto shaft. We opened the machine up and studied the power feed, knife access and the anvil setting process. For our needs it should not wear it out in the next decade.