Bolens MC3540 3pt. Chipper

jhgnag · Mar 9, 2003

Considering an inexpensive chipper purchase vs. renting. My local dealer has a used Bolens for $400 that I'm considering. Does anyone know anything about these?

Corm · Mar 10, 2003

I have one. It's the PTO powered version. Bought it used 3 years ago, and it has given me good service. My only problem with it has been when changing the blades. They use allen head bolts to hold the blades in place. They are a bugger to get out, and heaven help you if you don't get an allen wrench seated all the way into the head, and you round off the faces of the socket.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. If you decide to buy the one you are looking at, my suggestion would be to replace all those bolts with new ones using anti-sieze compound on them. Other than this, it's a nice machine, and you can't beat it for the price. I bought mine for $100. It'll do 3 inch stuff no problem.

Oh, one more thing. Having an extra set of blades is real handy. They are also pretty expensive ($60 for a set). That was tough to swallow when I only gave $100 for the whole thing! Good luck with yours if you decide to buy it!

Corm

jhgnag · Mar 10, 2003

Corm,

How difficult is it to get parts (blades)? That's my biggest worry. $60 for a set of blades isn't too bad to me if I consider something new would cost quite a bit more.

Thanks.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 10, 2003

My Bolens chipper was made by Amerind-MacKissic and is brand named by them a Mighty Mac. I think the company is just called MacKissic now. They also make Merry-Tillers and Johnson big wheel mowers. I would not think parts would be a problem, you could call them to check and see...

jhgnag · Mar 10, 2003

Well, I went down & purchased it today. Anyone now where I can get a set of spare blades?

Corm · Mar 12, 2003

The Bolens Co was bought out, by whom I can't remember right now. Give me a couple of days, and I'll send you the info I used to get the blades. I should even have the updated part number for you.

Corm

Anonymous Poster · Mar 12, 2003

Bolens is now under the umbrella of MTD.

Bolens can be found at www.mtdproducts.com

Corm · Mar 14, 2003

To order new chipper knives, the new part number is 1901824. If you need it for reference, the old part number was 1816079. If you want to order an owners manual, call RBI at 1-800-888-7149. RBI is an outfit that handles parts and such for MTD, Agway, and Bolens.

All of the above info is about 18 months old, so use at your own risk /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I've had good luck with my Bolens chipper, hope you have the same with yours.

Corm

DINK · Jul 17, 2008

I see this thread is old... any idea if the info is still good?

Thanks

Corm · Oct 2, 2008

As far as I know it is still valid. If you really need to know, give 'em a call and let us know. I haven't needed any parts for mine since I bought the extra set of knives a few years ago. It has been a real good machine. It's got lots of hours on it.

Corm