Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO?

   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO? #1  

ljplum12

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Plano, TX
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I recently picked up an old (pretty early, likely '80s though I'm not sure since the model number has worn off) Troybilt Super Tomahawk chipper. The motor runs ok, but the performance is underwhelming. Would the conversion to PTO be simple as taking off the motor, putting on one of these (PTO Adapter, 1-3/8" x 6 Spline x 1" Round), getting the right length PTO shaft, and welding up the 3 point link? Or is the PTO going to be too powerful and result in destroying the whole thing? It will go on a 25hp tractor.
 
   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO? #2  
Your engine probably turns 3500 RPM, tractor PTO is 540 so you will need some way to get it turning fast enough. Gearbox, pulleys, etc...
 
   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO? #3  
I would think that 25HP would eat that chipper for lunch. We had one of those and I think it was 8HP. Could you do it? Sure. Like the above post, you will have to do something to correct the RPM issue.
 
   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
I can run the PTO at 1000RPM as well. Is there a major difference in design between a chipper running at 3600RPM vs one at 540RPM?
 
   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO? #6  
I have an 8hp craftsman chipper shredder that will take a 3" dia. branch. Was given to me years ago and haven't used it. Always thought about trying to run it off a pto but was worried about twisting the shaft right off the cutting disk when forcing branches in since it would not be slowing down.(26hp pto)
I would guess there is a shear pin to protect the pto shaft. How would you plan to protect the gearbox and the chipper itself?
 
   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO? #7  
You could have the tractor PTO shaft direct driving a 1" jackshaft using the adapter that you linked to, then put a 12" pulley on the jackshaft and a 3" pulley on the chipper shaft. This would increase the speed 4X so you wouldn't have to run the tractor at full rpm (using the 1000 rpm PTO setting) and that would put the speed pretty close to the 3600 rpm the unit was designed to run at BUT- the belt would need to be tight to keep it from slipping- but maybe this would work out well as a safety to prevent overworking/destroying the chipper (the belt would slip if you overloaded it). How many hp is the chipper engine?
 
   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO?
  • Thread Starter
#8  
How would you plan to protect the gearbox and the chipper itself?
I hadn't thought that far ahead yet, but I do have a slip clutch laying around.

YBUT- the belt would need to be tight to keep it from slipping- but maybe this would work out well as a safety to prevent overworking/destroying the chipper (the belt would slip if you overloaded it). How many hp is the chipper engine?
It's either 5 or 8HP. It has an idler pulley on it right now that is used to engage the chipper. I could leave that on there to get the proper tension.
 
   / Convert Gas Powered Chipper To PTO? #10  
I recently picked up an old (pretty early, likely '80s though I'm not sure since the model number has worn off) Troybilt Super Tomahawk chipper. The motor runs ok, but the performance is underwhelming. Would the conversion to PTO be simple as taking off the motor, putting on one of these (PTO Adapter, 1-3/8" x 6 Spline x 1" Round), getting the right length PTO shaft, and welding up the 3 point link? Or is the PTO going to be too powerful and result in destroying the whole thing? It will go on a 25hp tractor.

What about the performance is underwhelming? Do you mean it chews up branches slowly or ... ?
 

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