Finally got a PTO chipper

[fruitcakesa]

It does have a F N R control and I did try it during the event but the log hopelessly jammed and required disconnecting the tension springs that keep the feed roller tight to the log and using a lever to pry the roller away from the stuck log so it could be pulled back out.
No emergency shut off.

 

[Hughman]

I have the smaller WC68. I found the feeder tension springs set way too tight from the factory. It works much better once I loosened the up a bit.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I have the smaller WC68. I found the feeder tension springs set way too tight from the factory. It works much better once I loosened the up a bit.

That’s interesting. I just tightened mine per the troubleshooting guide which indicated when chipping slows down it may mean the belts are slipping so I increased tension closer to the 1/4” adjustment spec.
I must say that occasionally the log won’t feed and the feed roller will jump and not grab. I have to rotate the log or end for end it to get a surface it will grab. I suppose heavier tension could be a factor.

 

[Chanceywd]

I have the WC68. I found that the jams happened enough I didn't care for the spring detail.

I spotted the original jack from my 1993 ford ranger sitting on a shelf. I was able to adapt a crank from a trailer jack and then with the PTO shut down this jack would fit between the housing and the feed roller frame. I could crank it up and easily remove the jam. I added a little metal to a snow brush so I can pull small chunks out too.

Probably you could use a small hydraulic jack on its side there.

I since then added a hydraulic ram to take the place of the jack and run that off a rear remote.

Bill

 

[TGM5040]

Got a used older 9" Crary Bearcat pto driven chipper not too long ago. The paint wasn't even worn off the chute. I think the previous owner gave up on it because it wouldn't chip that well. The knives were very dull, but on one side only, so I just flipped them around and then it worked great.
Took about 2 days to chip up a brush pile of Russian Olives about 7' H X 9' wide and 80' long, mostly because I made the mistake of smashing the pile down as I stacked it which tangled it up. Shot the chips into a dump truck for several loads. After chipping that dried out pile which had sat around in the dirt for a few years, the blades were dull again. Local place charged $46 to resharpen them. I expect that they will last awhile longer on clean green wood.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I have the WC68. I found that the jams happened enough I didn't care for the spring detail.

I spotted the original jack from my 1993 ford ranger sitting on a shelf. I was able to adapt a crank from a trailer jack and then with the PTO shut down this jack would fit between the housing and the feed roller frame. I could crank it up and easily remove the jam. I added a little metal to a snow brush so I can pull small chunks out too.

Probably you could use a small hydraulic jack on its side there.

I since then added a hydraulic ram to take the place of the jack and run that off a rear remote.

Bill

Smart setup. It sure beats slacking off the springs and levering the roller up.
I might have a jack kicking around