Chipper DR Chipper

[patrickg]

Well, I think I digested a lot of what was posted here on TBN about chippers. Today I ordered an 18HP electric start roadable DR Chipper. It has 30 day satisfaction guaranteed money back return policy and they pay shipping both ways. Supposedly they are having a sale. Maybe the economy slump caught them with too much inventory, I didn't ask and they didn't tell. Anyway a few hundred off, free home/buisness delivery, free 3 yr waranty extension policy, and not too bad a reputation so I'll give it a try.



With two chipper knives mounted on a
14"-diameter, 3/4"-steel, 33-pound flywheel,
and a powerful 18 HP engine, our largest
chipper can devour small hardwood trees
and branches up to 4-1/2" in diameter 50%
faster than our 12 HP Model! Available as a
Road-Towable model -- with high-speed
bearings, axle and wheels, 2" ball coupler and
safety chains, steel fenders, 2" tubular steel
frame, and tailights installed.

ENGINE: 18 HP BRIGGS & STRATTON Industrial/Commercial, opposed-twin
cylinder, 4-cycle engine: 42.3 cubic inch displacement, cast-iron cylinder liner,
Magnetron® electronic ignition, mechanical governor, pleated paper air filter,
Low-Tone muffler, in-line fuel filter, 12-volt battery, fuel shut-off valve, 48-ounce oil
capacity, 4-quart fuel capacity. ENGINE WARRANTY: 2 years in consumer use, 1
year in commercial use.

I was looking for an affordable "mid sized" unit not a tree service industrial log eater. Was interested in a 3PH PTO driven unit and thought I had found one in my price range (cheaper than the DR) and with good specs BUT unfortunately when reading all the fine print I fond that although it would fit my PTO and work it was designed for 800-1000 RPM PTO for full design capacity. Darn darn darn. The flywheel effect that is so important is proportional to the square of the RPM so I would get a litle over 1/4 what I would have developed at 1000RPM. Would probably have lasted well with light stress from my 540 RPM PTO but it sure would have derated the throughput significantly.

So with the DR I get a real "FEEL GOOD" buying a "Made Proudly in America" product and if it turns out that they shouldn't be so proud of it they will pay the return shipping and I'm out a little time and hassle but no big bucks.

I'll post the results...

Thanks again to everyone for all the advice and comments re chippers, hope it wasn't wasted on me.

Patrick

P.S. If you see this Bird, best to you whatever you are up to. My vote for a new TBN title just for you is Tractor Ambassador Plenipotentiary or Senior Statesman, or Tractor Counselor Emeritus or ...

 

[Bird]

Patrick, apparently nearly everything the Country Home Products folks sell comes with a 30 day money back warranty. They send me all their catalogs and sales brochures and while I have no experience with their chipper/shredders, I'll bet it's a pretty nice machine.

Whew, what titles you suggest./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[MarkV]

Patrick,
In case you missed it, someone said that DR makes a 3pt PTO chipper---I believe based on the same one you ordered---that is not listed in there catalog. It was a call and they would give you the information type of item. Just thought I would mention it.

MarkV

 

[patrickg]

Hey thanks, MarkV. I wonder why they keep it a secret? How would you know to ask for it except by some coincidence? I would think that even if it were a low volume item not worthy of a regular full spread on their web site that they would at least mention it and solicit enquiries. Oh well, I'm not going to worry about it now. I have ordered what I ordered. There are pros and cons and everythig is tradeoffs. I get to maintain yet another little engine but it won't tie up the tractor and if I want to take it to a remote location I don't have to hitch up the trailer and load the tractor. Ask me again in 5 years!

Patrick

 

[Big_Ern]

The DR 3PH unit is based on their chipper/shredder unit. I think you are probably better off with the unit you bought which I assume is the dedicated chipper, not chipper/shredder combination. Please provide more info on the 1000RPM PTO chipper you were considering. It sounds like something I might be interested in.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Patrick,

I reached the same conclusions that you did and ordered the same unit on Tuesday. We have had a DR Brush Mower for several years and have been extremely happy with it. I am confident that the chipper will be satisfactory as well. We have a ton of mesquite for it to eat. I was not particularly concerned about the chipper's digestive capacity, because anything bigger than three inch diameter goes into either the fireplace, grill, or smoker.

My only complaint had been the logistics difficulties of accomodating delivery while living in Dallas and San Antonio with a ranch in deep South Texas. Now DR has a network of dealers who will order, receive, and make-ready the equipment for pick-up at your convenience all for the same factory-direct price. I ordered from the John Deere dealer in Boerne who will load the serviced unit into my pick-up for transport to its new home.

Good luck to both of us on our purchases.

 

[patrickg]

Big_Ern, Gee, I'm sorry, I must have ben thnking ME instead of TEAM. I didn't take any notes or have the forethought to report the URL or anything. Well, I can assure you that it wasn't DR and that it was found with a common search engine and it was a site with plenty of other rural/ag related stuff. They had a considerable alphabetical listing of topics of things they sell. So... If you begin to browse hits from a search you may save some time by not exploring any that don't contain these features. They had a search capability to find stuff on their site, if I recall correctly. Again, I appologize for being so short sighted.

Patrick

 

[patrickg]

Gringo Viejo, Yo tambien, yo soy un gringo viejo, tambien. Well anyway, we are a couple smart/lucky guys or else we can evoke the misery-loves-company clause in our Life Contract. I never owned any DR before and had a slight negative impression going in due to my irritation with their TV adds for mowers. Well, I can say this, they seem to be strongly customer oriented and consider the details. After ordering, I began to have doubts that the "stand" for $19.95 was suitable for the road towable model. I called and a young gentleman (term used advisedly) confirmed my suspiscion and was able to intercept the order in their computer system and delete the stand.

He asked me about my delivery/unloading situation, giving me the dimensions and weight of the pallet. As I would be there with my 1300 lb capacity pallet forks to take it off the truck he allowed as how there was no problem with my free shipping choice of home delivery. Later I got a call from a lady to confirm my shipping choice and make sure I knew that the shipping weight was nearly 500 lbs. They didn't want there to be any problem getting the product unloaded and in use. They both reminded me that the units are shipped without oil in the engine and that I should be sure to put in oil before starting it up. Seems that they get a few customers every year that ignore the warning sticker that "seals" the gas cap and then they get a call telling them that it started right up but a little while later it just quit and won't start again. I have never landed wheels up or got close (yet). Hopefully, I will put oil in the crankcase prior to cranking it up.

From what they told me, the assembly required is minor. Hook up the battery and bolt on the tongue which is shipped disconnected to conserve space. But again, they wanted to be sure I felt comfortable with that, else I should have it delivered as you are doing to a cooperating dealer.

While I was up, I got the maint kit as well. That will buy be time in locating those items. I have quite a pile of trimmings to feed it and PLENTY more where they came from.

I expect delivery toward the end of the month, given their production schedule/backlog. I'm starting to get a little like a kid waiting for Christmas.

Patrick

 

[fractal]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

Please provide more info on the 1000RPM PTO chipper you were considering. It sounds like something I might be interested in.

<hr></blockquote>


Yes, please share with us. My kubota 7200hst pto lever can be set for 540 or 856 which makes that chipper somewhat interesting.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Patrick,
As previously stated, I am delighted with the 18 hp roadable DR Chipper and all aspects of the service they provided. Only recommendation is that you carefully inspect the device when it arrives. The shipper might not take the care you would like. I ended up with a loose ignition wire which prevented starting after following the directions provided with the chipper. DR took care of it with a local B&S dealer, however, I probably could have found it and saved some total elapsed time if I had spent more time looking, instead of becoming frustrated and getting on the phone. Good luck with your new toy.

Bill