BearCat Chipper/Shreader Any Good?

[jshwhite]

I believe mine are triangular, and possible serrated. Will double check later.

The blower is worth the money to put those chips where you want them.

I believe there are three different grates. lg = 3/4 in

This pic is from another TBN member.

Just wanted to mention that these are not as they should be in this pic (I took it ). They should all be hanging and spin freely - these were rusted and this photo was before I got them all freed up. Also wanted that they are reversible, so they will last a long time.

I've also considered whether you could make some out of sickle bar blades...metal might be too hard though.

 

[J_J]

I think a plasma cutter could cut out the proper holes in a short time.

Yes, I already knew my blades swung freely.

 

[RobertN]

You would have to replace them all. Otherwise the balance would be totally off, and the thing would shake itself apart, damage the bearing, or both.

I've also considered whether you could make some out of sickle bar blades...metal might be too hard though.

 

[Artisan]

Well, it will be today or tomorrow I thunk when I meet up w/ the current
owner. I have looked and looked and looked and looked and looked and
looked and looked and looked and looked and looked I do not think this is
priced too high, providing, it is as represented. The seller said he had 2
different "companies" look at the unit and both said it was in great shape.
The seller does not own a tractor...they have never run it and yes,
condition of sale is I can hook it up and test it.

I hope the pictures are not hiding anything, I guess I will find out. It has
to be all good at that money. I priced the blades, the new style
rectangulars are $265 for the "kit", and the blower attachment is
$869.00, both are in stock. Not sure if I want either, just covering bases,
well, I am sure I would want the blower, I will have to check things out
first and make sure I really don't only need the lower business end and
fab my own tubes...

I need to find a U Tube of a 70554 or 554 or 73554 working properly to
see what "proper" is perhaps...well, sorta. Gosh I wish I were wealthy
and could just buy everything new....

 

[bigtiller]

It's been 5 days since the original post and it hasn't sold yet. I am beginning to think there is something wrong with the Bearcat. Good ones don't stay for sale this long.

 

[RoyJackson]

It's been 5 days since the original post and it hasn't sold yet. I am beginning to think there is something wrong with the Bearcat. Good ones don't stay for sale this long.

It may not even be advertised. IIRC (from a previous post), the chipper belongs to Artisan's (the OP) neighbor.

 

[Artisan]

I gave the guy a 100 buck refundable deposit pending me finishing a large
job, no time to do the deed. I just now got caught up, removed the BH
and threw on the 3PT hitch assembly, now I attempt to get ahold of him.
Thought I would check my thread again and here we go!

 

[Artisan]

Wow, these things are substancial pieces of machinery! So the gent
arrived and we got it unloaded and I could see the blades were rusted,
we strated to hook it up and found the PTO shaft was too long, pulled the
shaft and shortened it. The tractor keep dieing when I go to engage the
PTO. I gave it a lil more gas and gently eased into the PTO and she
started spinning. I Threw a few small limbs thru the top and shut it down
to look and see if the knives were all now free, and they were, so I lubed
them again.

I Started it again and I grabbed a 3.5" diameter piece of Green Mulberry
and put it in the lower chipper end and it just bounced around. The edges
of the blades are VERY dull. It did not perform. It was agreed that I will
bring the unit to a BearCat service center in the AM for opinion and see
what it will take to make her do her deeds w/o issue. Whatever that costs
comes off the top of the price of the unit...

I pulled off the shroud over the belts and the belts are good. Nothing
visually seems wrong anywhere. I did find that there are 2 PTO Set
Screw holes at the unit end of the PTO shaft, one screw hole is right over
the key and the key has a screw divot in it, and the other is missing a
set screw.

The guy seems to be up and up, he is a bit bummed it did not perform
and it is going to cost him a little, I will do what I can to keep it real,
I would have anyways but he is a vet. We'll be sure to do him right.

I am going to go take a few pics...

 

[Artisan]

Pics...Some left larger format..

 

[Artisan]

More pics...

I left the PTO Covers and the Shroud cover off on purpose...