HomeBrew2:
I used regular window screen material. Lowe's had it in rolls 3 feet wide and 25 feet long. The front end and the top are left over barn siding. I used burlap the first time around, but it didn't hold up too well. I am hoping the window screen does, because the next step looks like it could get salty. If the window screen holds up a couple of years, I'll be happy -- it was 20 bucks.
BenderKC and JohnK:
I got the
chipper second hand off eBay about 18 months ago. It is a Bush Hog, which was private labeled for them by a company called Goossen. Bush Hog dropped it, but Goossen still makes them. They're in Kansas and make straw shooters, chippers and shredders for crop residue. Jinman has one just like it, but I don't know if he has the blower on his.
I like it just fine. It does not have power feed, but if the blades are sharp, it will self feed at a very controlled pace. When I start having to force material into it, I know I need to take a break and sharpen the blades. It is rated for 5 inches, but I burn anything over 3, so I haven't put it to any torture test yet. With sharp blades, a 3 inch cedar limb, 10 or 12 feet long, complete with tons of needles, will disappear in the trailer in about 10 seconds and the tractor (30 PTO HP) won't even blink. The shredder handles anything 1-1/4 or smaller, and does it pretty darn fast. Just toss it in, and it is gone.
I know some folks here with Goossen's and Bear Cat's (which are very similar, but not the same) who do not have the blower unit and regret not getting it. The area where the chips fall without the blower fills up fast and you have to move the
chipper or shovel the chips. Also, whereever you set the
chipper, you're going to have a spot of chips that you won't be able to get completely up. I passed on a couple Bear Cat's on eBay because they didn't have blowers. I was looking for a Bear Cat or a Goossen, and was surprised when I saw the Bush Hog that looked just like a Goossen. A little research here on TBN, and I discovered the private label deal and was lucky enough to win the auction.