? about MTD 5hp. Chipper/shredders

Anonymous Poster · Jun 8, 2003

Well you got a good thing to mulch up garden stuff,[cornstalks, sunflower stalks,etc], but don't try any 2" tree limbs with it. RICHARD GAUTHIER, EXPERIENCE

Von · Jun 8, 2003

Richard, I just tried it on some stuff that was at least 2 1/2" and it ate it right up with no problems! The blades on this thing look like they were never used. I'm impressed on how fine it shreads and how fast it will chip. But it is loud /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Just have to wear some muffs when using it.

Spencer · Jun 8, 2003

Von, I hate to tell you this but you got ripped off. I feel bad for you and if I get over your way I will reimburse you the 62 dollars and take it off your hands for you, just because I am a nice guy.

s1120 · Jun 8, 2003

WOW, the thing looks like its brand new. You got a good buy there. Happy chipping.

BTW, I HATED the bag that holds the chips. You just get on a roll chipping, then the bag fills, and you have to shut it off, and empty it. PITA. I now just chip on the ground.

rrw1238 · Jul 6, 2003

You did real welll on it. I have an 8 hp tecumsa MTD that I got a good buy on about 10 years ago. I was in Costco and as I walked past I over heard the manager talking with another employee about what to do with it. The large tray had been lost . Other than that it was brand new . I asked them what they were going to mark it down to 300 and I said how about $275. The manager said ok. I have used it every year and it does a good Jub. As others mentioned its noisy when working and throws the chips a long ways. I eventually sey up a small section of chicken wire fence about 15 feet away andit does a pretty good job of catching the chips. I then shovel them into a wheel barrow and take them to where I want them. It will eat anything that will fit down its throat. Just dont let any one get in the path of the discharge. It will hurt

johnbilt · Aug 21, 2003

I have a 10HP MTD with the newer plastic chute. It worked OK from the store, but felt the chute was too restrictive for most of the branches. I was getting a workout trying to force the branches down the chute. I guess I'm just all out of straight perfect branches at my place !!

I decided to experiment and see if I could make it work better.

1) I sharpened the "new" blades. I removed them and filed them to a razor sharp edge. I used a hand file, as a power tool would probably heat the steel too much and lose the heat treating temper.

2) I hogged out the entry hole at the end of the metal chute. The factory chute is welded to the metal plate and sticks out past the bracket. I ground off at least 1/4" around the top and sides to allow larger or crooked branches to get to the blade. This 1/4" inch makes quite a difference since the metal is tapered into a cone. It adds more usable diameter into the blade.

3) I removed the plastic chute and installed the metal entry chute by itself. This leaves a chute about 10" tall.

This is a new machine !! It will eat everytihg I throw in and right now. It hardly slows down for a 3" branch. I feed them in as fast as I can move my arm. The chute is not any more dangerous than the DR style I have seen. Of course, utmost care and safety must be used at all times with these nasty machines.

I always wear ear muffs. It's a racket to behold. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

chrisjbell · Aug 21, 2003

Hey, that sounds like a couple of really good ideas. I have a similar chipper, and getting branches in that $!#@ plastic chute is a real chore. I think I may just take mine apart and see what kind of modifications it could use...thanks!

Bob85355 · Sep 6, 2003

Von,

I've got one looks like yours, about 10 years old, but is 8 hp. Keep the blades sharp and it will eat anything you put in it.

Bob

karinier · Oct 11, 2009

Von said:
Picked up a MTD 5hp. chipper/ shredder today at a garage sale for $60.00. It states that it will chip up to 3" and the shredder will work on stuff up to 1/2". The guy who owned it was moving down south and everything had to go! It had not been used for 3 years and looks like new. I was wondering if anyone had one and is it any good? Or is there anything I should look out for in using it. I guess I can sell it if it's not up to the task. I sure could have used it a few months ago after the ice storm we had! (lost about 30 trees here at the antique shop) Thanks for the help.

I have the same one. I chipped up a small pile of branches too small to burn in the fireplace, and made a 4 foot high pile go away, in an hour. It worked quite well. The first thing I did is sharpen all three blades with a grinder.
The "short lawnmower" style blade, and the two conventional looking axe style cutting blades. That took about an hour also. I like the fact the engine is small enough I can start it the two or three times a year I will use it.
I will still rent a big 14 hp unit self feeding for large 4" logs and such. This unit says up to 3 inches in the smaller drop in chute, but it chews the 3 inch, slowly. I just put it in and started raking some more branches up.
I will limit its use to getting rid of piles of branches and creating compost from the leaves, which is what I do mostly. They work wonders in the garden, and must be sliced up this way to create good compost, by next summer.
Its is a solid unit. I am satisfied with MTD 5 hp chipper/ shredder.

Ledgemere Farm · Oct 14, 2009

I have got one that is about 10 years old also. It has chipped alot of hard and soft wood and been really faithful. Like others said, keep your blades sharp and you will be good to go.