Thanks for the input. There is nothing better than first hand experience. I am assuming you have been happy with the quality of the DR
chipper. I have stuff in the >4" range but I can burn it in winter. How do you like your
BX25?
Yes, been happy with the DR for what I use it for. I bought it used off of Craig's List for about half what a new one was going for a few years ago. It was a good match for my
BX1860. Most of what I chip is under 3" and a lot of it is dead fall from winter storms or high winds. Maybe 20% is green stuff from trees I've taken down.
From what I read on TBN, most guys with SCUTs go with the Wallenstein BX42, which is a nice unit but more than I wanted to spend, plus I wasn't sure if the
BX1860 would run it. I'm sure the
BX25 would run it. With any
chipper, it really comes down to what you need to run through it. The BX could run a 6"
chipper if you only use it for 3"-4" stuff, but that would be wasted money.
Back to the DR. It's manual feed and thicker, heavier stuff will self feed pretty good due to its weight, but spindley stuff needs to be pushed a little, especially if it has any wide crotches in it. Best to cut out the larger crotches during clearing time. Mine is older and has the chute on the bottom. I use the chips for mulch, so I chip into a large tin tub that I dump into the FEL when full so I can put the mulch where I want it. The newer versions have an option for an adjustable chute on top so you can shoot the chips where you want them. Don't think my older unit can be adapted, but that's OK for how I use it. In summary, a
BX25 will run a DR no problem, and can run a little bigger, heavier unit if you need it to.
As far as the
BX25 goes, I'm loving having a backhoe. I didn't realize how much use I have for one until I bought it. After 22 years in our current house, a lot of the landscaping was overgrown. I've been removing shrubs and small trees that I would never have attempted without the backhoe. I'm also rebuilding some old stone walls that were basically destroyed by the builder's site contractor. Digging out and moving some large rocks for that purpose. A thumb is a must for a lot of the work. Here's a few pics of the DR and
BX25, though not together - guess I didn't take any the last time I used the DR.