Chipper Question From Newbie

Mike K2 · Apr 19, 2012

Hello all, I am a newcomer to tractoring and have a question about a used Wallenstein BX 40 chipper that I've been trying to use. There is of course no manual.

When chipping branches up to around 2" everything is OK. But when I try something near it's rated capacity of 4" the shear pin shears. I've gone through 3 pins in less than an hour's work.

The first question that I have is what are the shear pins supposed to be made of? I've been trying to play it safe by using grade 3 (no lines) 5/16-18 bolts that are mild steel.

The second question is what is the procedure for setting the blade clearance? I read that it should be 1/32 to 1/16" but I don't know where that is to be measured at. The chipper seems very aggressive and whacks off about 1/2" per blade. Could that be too much? Does blade clearance effect chip thickness or is it determined by the amount that the blades protrude through the disc?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

tractchores · Apr 19, 2012

I have the bx42 and love it. I also got it used. I found the manual online at Parts Books, Manuals & Instructions - Wallenstein

You can by the proper sheer pins there too. I have put some very big stuff trough mine, even manging to stall the tractor without sheering it.

Zebrafive · Apr 19, 2012

My BX62 uses 10mm shear bolts marked 10.9

Mike K2 · Apr 20, 2012

tractchores- Thanks for the suggestion, but after looking at the manual I don't think that the BX42 is much like the BX 40. The 40 is direct drive and it seems that the 42 is belt driven for increased speed.

Zebrafive- Wow! A grade 10.9 bolt is really strong. About 2 1/2 times as strong as a grade 3 according to this link- American Fastener - ASTM, SAE, and ISO Grade Markings

That sounds like the answer to my problem. I'm about 90% sure, but that other 10% could be expensive! Does anyone have a BX40 that you would be willing to check? I would sure hate to break something expensive.

jshwhite · Apr 20, 2012

I would also recommend adjusting the blade clearance. If it is taking 1/2" thick chips as you are saying, that could shear a pin when doing a big branch. Not familiar with that particular model though, so I can't tell you how to do it exactly. Hope you get it figured out!

tractchores · Apr 20, 2012

Mike K2 said:
tractchores- Thanks for the suggestion, but after looking at the manual I don't think that the BX42 is much like the BX 40. The 40 is direct drive and it seems that the 42 is belt driven for increased speed.

Zebrafive- Wow! A grade 10.9 bolt is really strong. About 2 1/2 times as strong as a grade 3 according to this link- American Fastener - ASTM, SAE, and ISO Grade Markings

That sounds like the answer to my problem. I'm about 90% sure, but that other 10% could be expensive! Does anyone have a BX40 that you would be willing to check? I would sure hate to break something expensive.

Not sure if you maybe read the wrong manual? My BX42 is direct drive with a sheer pin. I think the shredders (bxm42) might have a belt, but none of the chippers do. When reviewing I think there's some minor differences with the BX40 and BX42, but shouldn't be any to the drive train (basically the 42 now has something called a twig breaker, which is a piece of metal that the plate the blades are in goes through to break up any twigs that could cause jams).

Here is the link to that manual, which shows the adjustment procedure for the blades etc (I believe that should be the same between the models). http://www.embmfg.com/File.aspx?id=0f3a2527-274a-44d9-aa90-51e2e49d61ea&display=full

Mike K2 · Apr 20, 2012

tractchores- You're right, I was looking at the chipper/shredder images.

Would you be so kind as to check the shear bolt head and let me know what is stamped on it? Maybe 10.9 or 3 or 6 lines?

Thanks.

tractchores · Apr 20, 2012

Mike K2 said:
tractchores- You're right, I was looking at the chipper/shredder images.

Would you be so kind as to check the shear bolt head and let me know what is stamped on it? Maybe 10.9 or 3 or 6 lines?

Thanks.

Yup, I'll take a look when I get home this evening.

Stewie1 · Apr 20, 2012

I also bought a used BX40 this summer. I have a kubota B3200 and I can bog down and stall out with full capacity spruce. No shear pin issues.

I also have a wallenstein manual and what looks like the original shear pin in the PTO shaft. Is the PTO shaft original to the unit - no idea!

The manual seems to suggest the shear pin is Gr 8.8 M8 x 45mm.

Two photos attached that may help, one of the manual and one of my possibly original bolt that has no markings.

Craig

Stewie1 · Apr 20, 2012

Mike

Just noticed the rest of your question and realized I should read my manual properly. Attached are 2 more pages that should help...

Soon I'll have photographed the whole manual....

Craig

jeff9366 · Apr 22, 2012

I have had a Wallenstein BX42s direct drive chipper, NO drive belt, NO hydraulic feed, for three months. I have used it quite a lot, maybe 50 hours?
I run it behind my Kubota B3300SU 33 engine hp/ 25 PTO hp with no issues.

This is really basic, but have you inspected the chipper blades? There are four blades on the drum and one stationary blade that is adjustable for chip thickness....my manual recommends 1/32" clearance.

I think it is likely your blades are dull, chipped and or rusty and that is where your chipper stress is coming from. On my current model you only have to remove one bolt and loosen two nuts on the rotor housing to get a good look at the four chipping blades. Another possibility is that the chipping blade to stationary blade gap is too wide.

The four chipper blades have two usable edges. The stationary blade has four cutting corners. If any of the blades do not look really good, see if the other end is better. In a used chipper, all the blade edges could be dull. Your local machine shop should have the equipment to sharpen chipper blades. But if the blades are banged up do not try to sharpen them.....buy new blades and attachment hardware together. You may find the existing blades are not from Wallenstein or for another model of Wallenstein......and the basis of your frustration.

One last thing....chainsaw manuals warn against cutting dirt, because it dulls the chain almost immediately. Nothing in the current Wallenstein manual warns against chipping dirt but I usually cut off roots with dirt clinging to them with my battery powered Sawzall and pile roots for the burn pile. Amputating roots also makes the trunks a straight shot for the chipper. My Wallenstein blades are still on their first edges.