Chipper Bearcat chipper review

nedly05 · Oct 3, 2007

I have 72854 that I got as part of a package with a 5410 JD. I am very pleased with the unit. I had only used vermeer and morbark chippers in the past, so I was leary of what it might do. It was great. I think it may even feed as well if not better than my buddys 9" tow behind vermeer. I am very pleased with it so far.

BigE_ · Oct 3, 2007

Doug_Norman said:
We also put some brush through the brush hopper. The manual said to put nothing larger than 3/4", but we probably exceeded that.

On my smaller chipper I learned the hard way what happens when you put too large of brush through the hopper. Manual said not to exceed 1/2". Well, that's pretty easy to do unintentionally, and eventually I was throwing 1 inch stuff in there if it was short.

Took it apart to sharpen the hammers, and found that a couple of the pins had been bent slightly. Was a bear to get them out, but I'm certain it was because I was putting too big of stuff in there -- never had it happen to me before.

On my new chipper, hydraulic feed is a very nice thing.

texbaylea · Oct 3, 2007

I have a Woods 5000 which is a look alike for the Bearcat 70554. I added blower which is a single speed for the Woods. I thought I saw a single speed blower somewhere in the documnetation on the Bearcat site.

I found out that you can jam up the shredder, and stall the tractor, by stuffing too much green brush into it. I let a helper do that by not supervising close enough.

After looking at the parts list I think a leaf vacuum attachment could be built reasonably but I won't try any time soon.

All in all, it is a good unit.

Vernon

hazmat · Oct 4, 2007

ddivinia said:
I talked to a dealer today about the 73554. He said he could get me one for $3325. That sure seems reasonable after hearing the prices on here.

Does it pull the trees in? I do not want to have to sit there and push them in the whole time. They dont have one to look at. Tell me how it works on the feeding part.

Thanks,
D.

It doesn't have hydraulic feed, but will pull the branches in on it's own if the knives are sharp. My review here chipzilla

If you desire shredding ability, there is not a better unit on the market. It is my favorite implement (even more so than my backhoe). If you are doing lots of chipping, you may want to look at a hydraulic feed (it will pull material in faster than the "gravity" feed units).

Buy it before the dealer figures out that he is $700 below MSRP.

Gittyup · Oct 5, 2007

Also look for a Goosen (model 5400 I think) or Bush hog brand of the same. Very similar to the Bearcat. There are a few used ones around for much much less than new. I picked one up that was practically new for less that 1/4 of the new price.

ddivinia · Oct 7, 2007

hazmat said:
It doesn't have hydraulic feed, but will pull the branches in on it's own if the knives are sharp. My review here chipzilla

If you desire shredding ability, there is not a better unit on the market. It is my favorite implement (even more so than my backhoe). If you are doing lots of chipping, you may want to look at a hydraulic feed (it will pull material in faster than the "gravity" feed units).

Buy it before the dealer figures out that he is $700 below MSRP.

Yeah, I am thinking of pulling the trigger on the deal. I am going to work a deal on a ne Stihl chainsaw too.

D.

ddivinia · Oct 8, 2007

My bad - they quoted me a 73454 for $3325. I have them checking on a 73554.

D.

ddivinia · Oct 16, 2007

I have my new 73554 sitting here. I can't wait to make a mess with it.

D.

ddivinia · Oct 17, 2007

What is the min and max PTO HP I can use on this chipper. I was going to use my 4720, but it is muddy and it has R4s and it is clean. The 5525 gets around better but has 75hp PTO.

Thanks,
D.