Finally got a PTO chipper

[fruitcakesa]

I have been searching for one for last few years and this one showed up on marketplace a couple of days ago. The price was right so I immediately went over and bought it. It’s a beast Woodland Mills WC88.
So far I have run up to 6 inch logs through it and it really does a great job.

 

[Torvy]

Good timing for me.

We treat out purchases like a business. Big purchases ($1000+) get a Capital Expenditure Plan and lots of research.

I'm putting together potential spending for next year and a PTO chipper is one under consideration.

Iirc, they make a twin flywheel version of some sizes.

Keep posting your thoughts, good and bad, as you break it in.

 

[fruitcakesa]

This machine was used when I got it but according to the last owner, it was used minimally. 2017 model year.
A little dusty and surface rusty but otherwise seems very solid. Worth the wait and price.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have been searching for one for last few years and this one showed up on marketplace a couple of days ago. The price was right so I immediately went over and bought it. It’s a beast Woodland Mills WC88.
So far I have run up to 6 inch logs through it and it really does a great job.

Congrats on finding a chipper that fit the bill for you I found one the same way 15 years ago. I have a lot of roadside with a young forest which makes for a lot of trimming. A chipper comes in handy. Good luck with your new to you WC88!!

gg

 

[fruitcakesa]

GG, I was fortunate to be able to find one relatively near by, 1hr+. I’ll never run out of small wood to chip

 

[fruitcakesa]

Well, after running a few loads of logs through it, the most important thing is to trim the stubs close before putting them into the machine. I’m using 4 to 6 inch logs that have been trimmed, but only enough to fit in the feed opening and most of them will get grabbed and feed smoothly.
But I have had 2 pieces on separate occasions get jammed under the feed head and stop the machine while the belts spin and smoke on the locked pulley until I could run around the machine, open the tractor door and disengage the PTO. It was a scary few seconds TWICE!!
A valuable lesson and thankfully no damage other than some life taken off the belts.
I did adjust belt tension afterwards as correct tension is essential for optimal feed performance and there was some room for adjustment.

 

[CalG]

Well, after running a few loads of logs through it, the most important thing is to trim the stubs close before putting them into the machine. I’m using 4 to 6 inch logs that have been trimmed, but only enough to fit in the feed opening and most of them will get grabbed and feed smoothly.
But I have had 2 pieces on separate occasions get jammed under the feed head and stop the machine while the belts spin and smoke on the locked pulley until I could run around the machine, open the tractor door and disengage the PTO. It was a scary few seconds TWICE!!
A valuable lesson and thankfully no damage other than some life taken off the belts.
I did adjust belt tension afterwards as correct tension is essential for optimal feed performance and there was some room for adjustment.

You can get the PURRRFect gas powered chainsaw for knocking off those limbs for around $100!

There is a thread about them on these forums.

"What was I thinking" .......

I use the little clown say every time I chip now!

 

[fruitcakesa]

I carry my 562 Husky on the provided saw mount on the chipper and my ax is now close to hand

 

[oosik]

OR you might be fortunate - like me - and only have Ponderosa pine. Every couple years I go out and thin a few more pine stands. Down the chute of my Wally BX62 S chipper. Limbs and all in one fell swoop. 800 to 1100 small trees - under six inch.

 

[ZiggyD]

Well, after running a few loads of logs through it, the most important thing is to trim the stubs close before putting them into the machine. I’m using 4 to 6 inch logs that have been trimmed, but only enough to fit in the feed opening and most of them will get grabbed and feed smoothly.
But I have had 2 pieces on separate occasions get jammed under the feed head and stop the machine while the belts spin and smoke on the locked pulley until I could run around the machine, open the tractor door and disengage the PTO. It was a scary few seconds TWICE!!
A valuable lesson and thankfully no damage other than some life taken off the belts.
I did adjust belt tension afterwards as correct tension is essential for optimal feed performance and there was some room for adjustment.

Hold on, isn’t there both a forward-reverse-disengage lever on the side, as well as an emergency shutoff on the entrance to the hopper? Or is yours a gravity fed chipper?