DR PTO Chipper

VH5150 · Jun 28, 2014

Forgive me if this has been brought up recently. I did a search and I must stink at searching because I didn't find what I was looking for.

I'm looking for opinions--good or bad--about the DR PTO Chipper. I have an opportunity to purchase one for $1000 (new they're $2799) so it's either a good deal or it's priced at $1000 because it's not a good product.

I have a BX2350 (23hp engine, not sure of PTO hp off the top of my head...18 maybe?) and I plan to use it to help clear my lot of small trees under 4.5", as that is the capacity of this chipper.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

jenkinsph · Jun 29, 2014

have one sort of inherited it and use it once in a while behind x749 deere. My brother bought it and never used it then gave it to me, I have put maybe 30 hrs on it in 9 years. It is okay for small jobs but nothing special. If it were me doing a one time project I would get everything piled up and rent a big chipper for a day and save the change.

s219 · Jun 29, 2014

At retail price, there are much better options for the same or less money. For $1000, it's probably not too bad. Look around to se if you can get a used Bearcat, Wallenstein, or Woodmax first.

k0ua · Jun 29, 2014

s219 said:
At retail price, there are much better options for the same or less money. For $1000, it's probably not too bad. Look around to se if you can get a used Bearcat, Wallenstein, or Woodmax first.

These are the comments I have seen here through the years also. They are not bad, but they are not exemplary chippers either. Just sort of middle of the road. But for $1000 I would be inclined to probably get it.

jrclark · Jun 29, 2014

Jenkinsph makes a great point about consolidating and renting a chipper. If you have the ability to do that, and have little need for the chipper in the future, it is sage advice. For our needs, it made greater sense to buy one for the immediate needs and the ongoing maintenance of our property. At the moment, we have piles stacked all over the 2000' driveway and around the edges of the lot. So far, we have cut down well over 100 trees of varying sizes, some are frickin huge. To consolidate and rent a chipper would take forever, making it advantageous to purchase a solid chipper and work at my own pace to get rid of the brush. In the future, we have 5 entirely wooded acres to maintain, so it will pay dividends later.

It took forever to find the right unit at the right price. Yesterday I picked up an almost new Wallenstein BX42 and couldn't be happier. I cannot wait to get out tomorrow and try it out! Good luck in your search!

yankeerider · Jun 29, 2014

I had one for a couple of years. It was great for small stuff without leaves, such as clean up in late fall and winter. When dealing with oaks and maples in the summer months, the leaves resisted easy feeding and required that you continue to push the branches in. The model I had also simply discharged down low, and with leaves you could quickly build up enough of a pile of chips to block the discharge and plug the whole machine up. I was not unhappy with mine, but I decided I wanted something bigger that wasn't powered by my tractor, and found a Brush Bandit 65.

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Deadman · Jul 2, 2014

Mine works good, but your tractor will work hard on 4 inch stuff. My 2520 snorts with it in 4.5 inch hardwood. Its a real pain to feed stuff with limbs into it, because the limbs stick out and catch on the chute and you need to bend them over to get them in. I would not buy it again if it were up to me but I have the old version of it.