BearCat Chipper/Shreader Any Good?

[gwdixon]

Yep, that is what they look like inside. I'd say it was in very good condition and not used much.

Sharp blades will make the chips fly and your head spin! That appears to be all it needs.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Good luck with your chipper! :thumbsup:

Like others said, dull vs sharp blades make all the difference.

 

[RoyJackson]

The seller is much more accomodating then most, I think...you're lucky on that!

Shame about the dull blades...but I expect a good sharpening will do the trick.

Good looking chipper! I expect you'll be quite happy with it!

 

[pennwalk]

I just wanted to make sure you knew that there are two kinds of blades in that machine there are shredder blades and chipper blades. The chipper blades are bolted and locktited to the outside of the flywheel. there are 4 of them and they are the ones I think work best if they are really sharp.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

Can the chipper blades be flipped over? I thought they were double edge so you could flip them once before sharpening?

I just wanted to make sure you knew that there are two kinds of blades in that machine there are shredder blades and chipper blades. The chipper blades are bolted and locktited to the outside of the flywheel. there are 4 of them and they are the ones I think work best if they are really sharp.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

Here are a couple I checked out before buying mine last week.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJzAAdXy2Z8]Echo BearCat Chipper/Shredder - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMJP780wYvQ]Bearcat SC5540 5" PTO chipper shredder - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNmE7H-sKsA]Bearcat SC5540 Wood Chipper in Action - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuK2hEtSGE]Sharpening the blades on the Bearcat chipper - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h18d_ID_6wo]Making compost with shredder - YouTube[/ame]

That will keep you busy for a couple minutes

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....

 

[RoyJackson]

Here are a couple I checked out before buying mine last week.

Echo BearCat Chipper/Shredder - YouTube

Bearcat SC5540 5" PTO chipper shredder - YouTube

Bearcat SC5540 Wood Chipper in Action - YouTube

Sharpening the blades on the Bearcat chipper - YouTube

Making compost with shredder - YouTube

That will keep you busy for a couple minutes

That first video (chipper behind the old Ford)...that one had dull blades on the chipper. He was working too hard...a lot harder then I have to!!
The third video is more typical of how these chippers work. Even he had to work the limb at first...blades are OK, but due for sharpening soon.

Did you notice how skittish all these folks were when using the shredder? Me too!!

 

[Artisan]

The seller is on his way here this minute to get his money. In the end
I found chipper blades on the machine that were sharpened wrong / they were overheated and the shreader blades are worn out, although reversable, this was stored close to the beach so all blades and spacers and shafts were rusted beyond repair. I ordered all new blades, shreader and chipper, the price came off the top, I will do the work. I actually perfer to do the work, I know it will be done right so although he did not get what he wanted he really didn't do bad considering. I spent 3 full hours just cutting the old shreader blades and spacers and shafts out. Oh man, THAT was hard. All rusted up they were.

There is a "Kit" you buy that has all new shreader blades, spacers, tiny bolts and nuts and shafts. I'll get er all lubed up and throw new blades in it, don a facemask and shread away...

Oh, I saw ALL those You Tube Videos prior! :thumbsup:

 

[Artisan]

The little I did use it dictates that I would be wise to get a Forestry
Style helmet and Visor w/ Ear Muffs. I see Stihl has 2 models, is one' better that the other or is there another brand even better?

Any one have any input here on this?

 

[RobertN]

I have an older Husky version. I use it all the time, for weedeating, chipping, chainsaw work, and even while mowing with the tractor.

The little I did use it dictates that I would be wise to get a Forestry
Style helmet and Visor w/ Ear Muffs. I see Stihl has 2 models, is one' better that the other or is there another brand even better?

Any one have any input here on this?