Chipper Chippers - Are they worth it?

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks in advance. I have been reading the past threads on the Salsco Chippers and wonder if you guys think they are worth buying and how much they cost.

I have about 10acres of woods that I would love to clean up. I am getting tired of burning brush piles. I would probably use it 4 or 5 times a year, at least. I have a 30hp Kubota 7800. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Frank

 

[RoyJackson]

Figuring $135 per day (that's what one rents for around here), you'd amortize your costs (less any maintenance or repairs) in about 4½ years. This assumes $3000 for for the chipper. You might find a used unit for < $2000.
With the 7800's ~25 PTO HP, you've got plenty of power. Really depends if you've got the available funds. I think you can justify the purchase.

Me...I've got 16 HP @ the PTO and about 3 acres. I calculated the amortization at 12 years, so purchasing isn't really practical for me. And, I really don't have quite enough tractor to do the job efficiently.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[Chipperman]

Roy
That is one way to look at it. With no disrespect intended another way which I believe many people look at it is convenience. Having a tractor and or implements when you want to use them is priceless. Obviously they need to be able to afford them in the first place. And the sooner the pay back the better.
Chipperman

 

[RoyJackson]

"With no disrespect intended another way "

No offense taken, of course! We all have our opinions and circumstances.
Granted, having a chipper on hand would be mighty fine...I just can't justify it to myself, let alone the CFO. I did go through the searches, pricing and comparisons. I just don't have enough use to make it a worthwhile addition to my implements. Of course, if I see one at an auction (guy I know did buy one...Valby 150, I think) for less then 2 grand, I'd be sorely tempted.
But, I think a newer tractor is more of a priority for me. That'll probably be next year...late Winter or thereabouts.

 

[B7500]

Buy it!!! Another reason to use your tractor. I debated forever on buying one. I just could not justify the price. I put an ad in the paper and luckily found a perfect used one for half the price. I use it all the time and simply could not imagine the hassle of rental.
Good luck!
-Terry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks Roy and Chipperman, you know I am not bad with the finances, so I am kind of surprised I didn't go through the numbers too. Thanks for the wake up. With your numbers it does make sense + the convenience and not to mention becoming popular with the neighbors once they realize it's up on my hill. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks,

Frank /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

"becoming popular with the neighbors once they realize it's up on my hill."

It's nice to be popular with the neighbors. Just remember a chipper can be an extremely dangerous piece of equipment. Some of the stories I've read of Chipper accidents flat chill me to the bone just recalling them (worst: 14 yr old boy helping his father...got pulled in. The autopsy results were "Death by Fragmentation". You'll note, I remember that phrase verbatim). Wow, that is horrifying!

Be careful..no kids around and dress appropriately!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Chipperman,
What is your opinion of the safety of drum versus disc chippers? A buddy of mine had a chunk of tree whiz by his head after a drum chipper belched it back out. He said he wouldn't own a drum chipper after that and just bought a used 6 cyl. ford disc chipper.
I'm interested in hearing what you think.
DaveL

 

[normde2001]

I found that if you have a lot of brush to get rid of, a burning brushpile is the only way to go. Picked up this 4'x8' trailer kit from TSC for $230. Pulling this thing around with your chainsaw on board, you can get rid of a lot more brush, a lot faster than with a chipper/shredder.

 

[fractal]

I think it comes down to personal perference on how you want to do things. When I had 6000 sq ft of yard and one tree that pissed leaves every year, the electric weed whacker dropped in a plastic trash barrel and filled with leaves worked well. Turn the whacker on and it reduces the leaves by 80%. Pour the resulting mulch in the garden.

I then started actaully taking care of the property and dealing with the trimmings. A 5hp chipper/shreader did wonders for reducing normal yard waste to cost effective volumes.

Then I moved to our current 1 acre property, half filled with avocado trees. I do have a half dozen trees that give offereings every year, but more importantly, I have tons, literally tons, of weeds, as well as trimmings. I did the research and came to the conclusion that ... ya know. I can haul a full truck load of stuff to the county yard every week for much longer than I will live for half the price of a chipper big enough to do the job. Now I don't need to take a trip every week. Maybe every 2-3 weeks on average. Still, don't like keeping the truck occupied. So... I decided to buy a trailer. Fill it over time and haul it to the county yard. Of course, the best laid plans of mice and men are often afowled by women, so instead I bought a bigger truck that I fill and drive the car to work /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, I am 99% of the opinion that there are those jobs that a 5-10 hp standalone chipper/shreder handle and those jobs that require one of those monster 50-150 hp full tree chippers, and most of the stuff in between is not cost effective if you value labor at minimum wage.

Things may be different on your property, but my use can not justify the initial purchase as well as continued maintence of a large chipper. Only you can decide how much material you produce that is "chippable" and how much you will need to deal with in its original form, and whether that justifies buying a piece of midrange equipment.

For me, it did not.