Chipper BX1850 vs DR PTO Chipper

[CHDinCT]

Posted this in the Kubota forum, but now I'm thinking this question fits better here. Just don't want to make a big mistake on a used DR PTO chipper.

"Well, I found a used DR PTO chipper near me for sale and I'm going to look at it on Saturday. The question is, what can I expect for performance from my 13.7 PTO hp BX1850?

The specs call for 19 -65 hp tractor to run it (actually not sure on the upper end hp, but that's not an issue for me). It will take up to 4.5" branches. I did an on-line chat session with DR and asked if the hp rating was engine or PTO and they said engine. So having 18 hp at the engine seemed close enough to 19 to me. I'm guessing the 1850 will run it but it may choke on anything over 3.5" or just take longer to chip through. Anybody think this chipper is a total no go for my machine? Thanks"

The guy who has it now has a 35 hp tractor and said he will demo it for me when I come. I'm sure I will be very impressed with it behind that much hp. I don't expect the same performance behind my BX1850, but should I be able to get productive use out of it?

 

[yankeerider]

I use one behind my 15-16 hp pto rated 755 and am very satisfied with it. It all depends, I think, on what you want to chip with it. Four inch dry hardwood stuff you likely won't be happy with, but under 3 inch and green I would think your engine won't hardly notice.

When I first got mine last year, the leaves were already off the trees and everything I threw at it it just chopped up. About a month ago I chipped up a bunch of tree tops and, although the leaves get shredded nicely, their bulk can require a little more operator attention to keep them feeding.

As noted, I am very satisfied with mine-it suits my needs and pocketbook perfectly-takes up little space, is American made, and quickly chews up all the stuff that's too small to bother with as firewood.

 

[CHDinCT]

I use one behind my 15-16 hp pto rated 755 and am very satisfied with it. It all depends, I think, on what you want to chip with it. Four inch dry hardwood stuff you likely won't be happy with, but under 3 inch and green I would think your engine won't hardly notice.

When I first got mine last year, the leaves were already off the trees and everything I threw at it it just chopped up. About a month ago I chipped up a bunch of tree tops and, although the leaves get shredded nicely, their bulk can require a little more operator attention to keep them feeding.

As noted, I am very satisfied with mine-it suits my needs and pocketbook perfectly-takes up little space, is American made, and quickly chews up all the stuff that's too small to bother with as firewood.

Thanks for the feedback. My plans vary a bit. First, I want to clean up my wooded areas from all the small deadwood that's fallen over the years. I'v been in the habbit of basically flinging the various dead fall stuff into my woods and over the years it's come to look like a strewn out brush pile. These limbs don't seem to rot as fast as they come down. So, for this part, it will be branches in various stages of decay. I've also had to take down some trees every year for various reasons and I'll use the chipper to mulch up the tree tops (rather than pile in my woods), then use the mulch in the few areas of my woodlands that are landscaped. How do these chipper handle deadwood or decayed stuff? Oh, I usually cut anything about 4" and up for firewood, so that stuff won't go through the chipper.

 

[yankeerider]

... How do these chipper handle deadwood or decayed stuff? Oh, I usually cut anything about 4" and up for firewood, so that stuff won't go through the chipper.

The chipper will handle dead/decayed stuff fine. I just pile the decayed stuff in my woods because it's typically been laying on the ground and i don't want to dull the knife with the dirt that's gonna be on it. Dead and dry stuff uses a few more hp than green wood, so that's where you might be unhappy if you're pushing the 4" size. What happens is your engine will begin to slow but the chipper keeps on pulling the wood in at about the same speed. If the piece you're chipping tapers quickly, recovery is quick as the chipper wheel on the DR's is a little lighter than some of the pricier competitors. If it's 4" for 6 to 8 feet, and especially dry hardwood, you might be disappointed with your hp, especially if the knife doesn't have a fresh edge. Of course, there's nothing stopping you from lifting the piece to let the speed recover, but that'd get old real quick.

 

[CHDinCT]

The chipper will handle dead/decayed stuff fine. I just pile the decayed stuff in my woods because it's typically been laying on the ground and i don't want to dull the knife with the dirt that's gonna be on it. Dead and dry stuff uses a few more hp than green wood, so that's where you might be unhappy if you're pushing the 4" size. What happens is your engine will begin to slow but the chipper keeps on pulling the wood in at about the same speed. If the piece you're chipping tapers quickly, recovery is quick as the chipper wheel on the DR's is a little lighter than some of the pricier competitors. If it's 4" for 6 to 8 feet, and especially dry hardwood, you might be disappointed with your hp, especially if the knife doesn't have a fresh edge. Of course, there's nothing stopping you from lifting the piece to let the speed recover, but that'd get old real quick.

Thanks. If the price is right, I'll probably give it a go and see how it runs. Maybe this will give me a reason to pitch my wife on an upgrade to the BX2360.

 

[dillo99]

Chris,

I have the Dr. Chipper and I run it on my 21 hp B7500 (21 engine hp, 16 pto). It works fine and I think you will have similar results. Large pieces will occasionally bog down the engine, but that is in the 4+ inch range and hard wood.

I think this is a good chipper for smaller tractors. I had considered the Jimna but I felt it was just too much for my tractor.

 

[RalphVa]

See my posting in the thread for someone with a BX2230.

I've NEVER bogged my 3" MacKissic TPH-122 with my 18.5 hp JD 4010.

Think hp requirement goes up by the square root. So, a 4.5" machine would only require 1.22 times the hp of a 3" machine. However, think my 4010 would drive a 4.5" machine.

Ralph

 

[driver444]

My Mahindra 2015 (17.5 PTO HP) ran a Wallenstein BX-42 chipper like a champ. That's a 4-blade 4 inch chipper. Very heavy duty. I doubt you'll have any problem with the DR. I've found that the length of the log is more of a consideration than the width. You could probably chip 4.5 inch logs all day long if they were 2 feet long or less, as the longer the log, the more inertia you lose by the time you get to the end of it. (unless you more horsepower)

 

[CHDinCT]

Hey guys, thanks for the votes of confidence, if not in me, in my BX. I purchased the DR chipper this morning. The previous owner had it set up on his Kubota B3030 and we ran some 3"-4" logs as well as some smaller stuff. The B3030 didn't even grunt, but wow, that thing is loud. Definitely will be wearing hearing and eye protection when I run it.

When I got home I looked up the PTO hp of his B3030 and it's 23 vs my 14, but I don't think I'll be chipping anything much over 3". Unfortunately, I have a wedding to go to today, so the chipper didn't even make it out of my truck bed yet. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll have it set up on my BX and find out for sure how well they'll play together.

 

[GasNSteering]

CHDinCT

Care to share which model and the price paid? I saw one sitting and wondered what the going price would be.

 

[RalphVa]

I've ear muffs coupled with a screen shield. Think they're made for use with a chain saw, but they are also very valuable for use with a shredder/chipper. I usually shred up 100-150 bags of leaves every year. I do it with the shredder chute wide open and dribble the leaves in, looking down into the chute. Frequently, there is stuff that gets shot back at my face. The shield protects very well.

Just put the muffs on backward when you're running something else with the PTO and need just ear protection. I do, as I value my ears because I've had stapedectomies on both. They work very well. Want to keep them that way.

Ralph

 

[dillo99]

Definitely need ear protection. I also wear the helmet/ear unit that I use when chain sawing. Husqvarna Proforest Helmet - 505 67 55-15 by: Husqvarna - Southwest

The face shield is a good idea because you can get all kinds of scratches and such as you are feeding branches. I like the screen shield better than safety glasses - protects the whole face, doesn't slide off, doesn't fog, etc.

 

[CHDinCT]

CHDinCT

Care to share which model and the price paid? I saw one sitting and wondered what the going price would be.

The model is TPH-BD. I priced the equivalent new model which is a bit different at about $1,700. Picked the used one up for $1,000, so I think it's a decent deal. I did get a chance to set it up this morning, well almost. I had to shorten the PTO shafts to fit my BX. Followed the directions in the manual and figured I needed to take off one inch on each half. All was good until I realized that I had taken my measurements with the top link not at level. The front of my tractor was on the ramp to my shed, so even though the chipper looked level in the shed, when I move the tractor with chipper outside, oops, not so level. The shaft length is only an issue at full up, so I was able to run a few limbs through it just to see. I did some small stuff at about 2200 RPM with no noticeable engine bog, then I put a 3"-3.5" maple limb through it at full rpm and again, no engine bogging. At this point, I'm very happy with the unit. Just need to take another inch off each PTO shaft and do a visual check of the knife, which seems sharp. I'll post some pic's hopefully tomorrow.

 

[GasNSteering]

Chris,
Thanks for the info.... glad to hear its working well for you. I always hear good things about the DR products.

 

[RalphVa]

My 18.5 hp 4010 came close to bogging on Friday or Saturday when running okra and corn stalks through it. Those things are still a bit green and build up inside a bit. Usually have to run some limb material through between okra/corn loads to clear it out. Think it would chip larger (than 3" that'll fit) limbs but not larger loads of green material. The torque of the diesel engine and big flywheel on the Mac have kept things going so far.

Ralph

 

[CHDinCT]

Here are the pic's of the Dr chipper. As you can see in the photo with the chipper hooked up to the BX, the top link is a little long. Once I leveled it better, the PTO shaft is a little too long when the 3PH is full up, so more trimming is needed. You can also see some of the downed limbs in my woods that won't be around much longer -

 

[shrekbelly]

chris, old boy
you're starting to me, a brain cramp of sorts . . . adding all these attachments before me.
god bless you for that! many kudos for getting the dr chipper at your price.
you'll have to give us a thorough rating of the dr and your bx.
happily, (even, if no one cares), i just ordered the first half of my spyker 120 electric spreader set-up for my bx.
any chance you might post your thoughts on the brotek skid plates (i would benefit from them).
shrekbelly

 

[CHDinCT]

chris, old boy
you're starting to me, a brain cramp of sorts . . . adding all these attachments before me.
god bless you for that! many kudos for getting the dr chipper at your price.
you'll have to give us a thorough rating of the dr and your bx.
happily, (even, if no one cares), i just ordered the first half of my spyker 120 electric spreader set-up for my bx.
any chance you might post your thoughts on the brotek skid plates (i would benefit from them).
shrekbelly

shrekbelly, I haven't installed the bro-tek skid plate yet as I'm in negotiations with my dealer to trade my barely broken in BX1850 for an BX1860 for a nominal cost to "fix" the abrupt stopping in reverse. I'm waiting for them to get an 1860 in to test drive first. This was also a reason I wanted to set up the DR on the 1850. If the 1850 couldn't handle the chipper, I would have checked on a trade up price to the 2360. But, based on my trial, I think the BX1860 should be fine. My only reservation with the 18 hp version all along was PTO hp, but it seems enough for my needs. I'll spend the difference on attachments eventually Good luck with your spyker spreader.