Chipper or Shredder for Grapevine Prunings

[Riddler]

I am looking to process/dispose of prunings in place from 20 acres of grapevines. One option is a specialized flail mower/mulcher designed to pulverize prunings while mowing a permanent cover crop between the vine rows. As another possible option, I'd like to experiment with a chipping/shredding option. The prunings aren't large (much less than an 1", for the most part), but the operator needs to be able to pick up multiple prunings from the ground and have the unit process them without much operator assistance (i.e., high degree of self feeding).

Is a good quality shredder the best tool for the job? I am thinking that a handful of prunings dumped into a large opening, horizontal shredding chute will get processed on its own while the operator is grabbing another handful of material for processing. If so, then I was thinking about trying out the Wallenstein BXM42 (PTO drive) or the BXMT4224-38 (Various gas drive options).

On the other hand, would a dedicated chipper, like a Wallenstien BX42 or BX42R, work just as well (or perhaps better)? In other words, is there any disadvantage to using a dedicated chipper to process a large volume of relatively small diameter dormant grapevine shoots?

Thanks in advance for any experience or advice you have to offer.

 

[sixdogs]

I don't know the answer but I'll bet Robert in NY does. He grows grapes in New York State and is familiar with grape clippings. If he doesn't find this thread, look him up.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a Wallenstein BX42s chipper. I chip a lot of wild grape vines pulled from trees. The BX42s is fine for 3/4+" vines. Running a 30' section of 3" vine through, which self-feeds, is fun!

BX42s tends to plug with thinner cuttings, like green, flexible, annual pruning material, which does not have enough mass/inertia/resistance for the knives to cut and therefore wrap around the rotor trunnions and load the rotor chamber before plugging the chute. Chipper (only) is not the tool for you.

For processing annual pruning waste get a Wallenstein BXM42 CHIPPER/SHREDDER.


Pictures show the Wallenstein mounted on my Kubota B3300SU (25 PTO horsepower) which had enough power to run the BX42s chipper satisfactorily.


LINK TO WALLENSTEIN WEB SITE: Wallenstein BXM Series PTO Wood Chipper / Shredder Specs - Wallenstein Outdoor Power Equipment Made in Canada

 

[newbury]

I would think the flail mower would be a LOT more effective for a business. I had a lot of wild grapevines to chip when I got my Jinma. I agree it's nice to see a long line of clippings go thru the chipper BUT it takes a lot more time than running them over with a mower.

If you could rake them up then pick them up with a grapple and dump them into a chute to feed the chipper/shredder it might work

 

[s219]

Chippers are great for thick material, say 1" or more. For thinner, twiggier stuff, they are fairly lousy. I have a Wallenstein BX-42, and it's been great, but I know not to try and feed twiggy material through unless it's attached to something thicker so it can properly feed. For what you describe, a chipper/shredder would be the best choice. I bet the BXM-42 would be great.

 

[silvertramp]

I have a BX-42. Trying to chip small twiggy stuff is frustrating and labor intensive.

 

[escavader]

I have alot of wild grape vines i chip on my hydraulic feed salsco little big it doesnt matter its all clinged togeather it all gets suck in its fun and easy

 

[sixdogs]

As I read your post again, loading all that small stuff into a chipper, even a self-feed one seems like it would be enormously labor intensive.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a LINK to 114 Wallensteim BXM Chipper Shredder threads in the T-B-N archive:

LINK: https://www.google.com/search?clien...tractorbynet.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl

 

[Riddler]

Good thoughts all.

I had a hunch that a chipper/shredder, like the BXM, was the way to go. I have 20 acres of woodland to care for too, so while eliminating the prunings from the vineyard is a big priority, I have need for a chipper as well. Seems like everyone is happy with their BXM-42, but does someone have experience with a more powerful chipper/shredder (gas powered or PTO drive) that they can recommend?

Not hard to imagine that a flail mower/shredder would be much faster. Never seen one in action on prunings, so I don't know how effective they are at collecting the prunings that have been laying on the ground for a few weeks and grinding them throughly. As compared to chippers, which are easy to rent, finding a properly set up flail mower shredder of precisely the right width (needs to have a total width of 60"-64) to rent is impossible. Would like to try it out before committing to purchase one.

Of course, a sure solution to my problem is to have both. It only money, right?