Bearcat Chipper Users?

[Alan Davis]

I am going to look at a Bearcat Model SC3270 Chipper Shredder Crary - Outdoor Power - Chippers/Shredders - 3 inch Chipper/Shredder

at a dealer tomorrow morning. It's a demo and the dealer says it has around 4 hours on it where he has demonstrated at shows.

It will come with a new 2 year warranty and it lists for $2495. He has quoted me a price of $1400.

Does anyone use this chipper? Can you tell me about it's performance?

I deed a chipper shredder for cleaning up lawn garden debris and chipping up limbs from my many trees on my 15 acres.

I would like to make compost for the garden an mulch for my landscape.

Any advice would certainly be appreciated!
Thanks,
Alan

 

[Alan Davis]

Are there any Bearcat Chipper users out there?

 

[onetrackmind]

I have a Bear Cat 554 PTO driven chipper/shredder. I bought it used, and am busy getting it working.

S.

 

[JCB]

Allan,

Me and a buddy were looking at chippers a couple summers ago. Used PTO chippers were a hard to find. I think we run into a 6 or 8" Bearcat and he decided it was too small. He ended up with a 12" Morbark and it is a beast.

The Morbark had a hydro feed. After using that, I won't buy one w/o hydro feed. It's infinitely safer, because it slows and controls the feed and hydro is easier on your back because you can feed the limb and walk away. To each his own, but I'd recommend hydro feed.

Regarding price, I think the Bearcat we saw wasn't used too hard and in pretty good condition (not a lot of worn paint) and was priced around $12-14k used as well, so I think you're in the ballpark. Maybe better based on condition.

Joe

 

[studor]

I have a Bearcat 5540 PTO driven five inch and would never go back to a engine driven job that did not have a lot of horsepower. I do not have direct experience with the model you cite but have tried a number of brands such as Troy built and found them to be a PITA unless you are chipping green bamboo shoots and shredding leaves that are drier than a popcorn fart
JMHO but for that kinda of money I would look at a PTO model (Unless you do not have a tractor) -- I also think that the engine driven ones are discoutned substantially from listso while it seems like a great discount there may be more room --JMHO