Is there a Difference in these chippers? Worth the $?

[FxdGrMind]

BX42S Wallenstien for under 3K delivered or a 4540 BearCat for 4K ish delivered.

Is the BearCat worth the extra $? Both are 4" chippers and my B7800 should have no issues with either.

I'm debating as I can get a BC62S Wallenstien for the price of the BearCat, but it would be more chipper than my tractor would use. 6" lumber is Fire wood. Most of my stuff is 3" or smaller.

So I'm in a quandry.

The 42 Wallenstien is a 74lb wheel 25" Direct drive/sheer pin (RPM 540) and the 4" BearCat is 140lb wheel 20" belt drive (assumed) RPM 1675.


The 62S Wallenstien is a 197lb wheel 30" Direct drive....

What to get????? I've seen the videos out there. They all seem to do very well. But as part of me thinking the more "Mass" and greater Diameter, would be better... That would be easy if they all were DD, but the Geared BearCat throws me, the higher RPM and mass would in effect give better "Stored energy" for cutting....??

OHHH man I just don't know.

Anyone out there with use knowledge of these chippers that can help me?
I would rent if that was an option, but it's not. All the rentals are self powered units not PTO.
I don't want to spend this kind of money and be dissapointed...

 

[texas42]

I can't comment on the Bearcat but can on the Wallenstein.
I have a Wallenstein BX42 and run it with a JD 2320 - 18 PTO HP.
I does a good job and not to tough on the tractor even chipping 3 to 3 1/2 inch pecan branches which are a very hard wood. (Pecan is a relative of the Hickory tree)
Just keep the blades sharp and adjusted per the manual.
The Wallenstein is a simple direct drive design, well made, easy to maintain with no belts than need adjusting, aligning or replacing.

 

[ayelvington]

I have the Wallenstein BX42 and love its simplicity and enthusiasm! I cannot think of a good reason to spend more money on a more complex machine than you need.

Wally rules!

 

[Gittyup]

I haven't used either of these. From what I've read, they are both quality products.

I have a Bush Hog brand 610p chipper/shredder (rebadged Goossen). One thing I was looking for was a good and fast shredder. Most of my depris is small enough for the shredder. Anything 1" or less goes in there. Because of the size of the shredder hopper, it is much faster than the chipper. And if you have two people working, once can feed the shredder while the other feeds the chipper.

One thing I don't like about mine is how hard it is to service. You have to remove a lot of nuts and bolts to get at the chipper blades, and the grease fittings are not conveniently accessible. These are things you should look at when making your choice.

On the bigger Wallenstein...Even if you don't chip firewood sized chunks, the bigger hopper will be an asset when trying to feed heavily branched cuttings into the hopper. Is that worth the extra money for just that reason? Probably not.

 

[FxdGrMind]

Ok, went to the local dealers yesterday. Looked at a BearCat, not the one I wanted, but did take a look at the quality and belt drive. The cost is just too much as the one I would want would be over 4200 (localy).
The other dealer had a different model, the price was the same as the BX42S, but didn't have the swivel option on the shute.

Looks like I'll have to order online, to get what I want for a "Reasonable" price point.
I'm not interested in a chipper made outside of the US. I'll pay the "Premium" for it, but there is a limit.

Thanks for the feed back on the BX42's! Much appreciated to know "Realworld" results.

Cheers

 

[Happyman]

I use the Wallenstein 62. It's a hungry monster! Very simple direct drive. No problems, no issues and the price was right. Blades are still sharp after 3 years of use! Blades are reversible as well which saves sharpening costs. I considered the Bearcat but could not justify the extra cost. If you go with the Wallenstein, stick with the 42. The 62 is too big for your machine.
Good luck and happy chipping!

 

[FxdGrMind]

Thanks "Happyman".

Yup, ordered the 42 this morning. I just couldn't see the price difference myself and the other local offerings weren't in the same ball park.

Now I'm just waiting for confirmation on shipment. Then schedule pick up at the dock, as they wouldn't like driving an 18 wheeler down my country back road.... now that they re-dug the ditches... (DEEEP).

Can't wait to get it and put it to work on the piles I've already got stacked!

Cheers and thanks for the thoughtfull replies here.

 

[Happyman]

Great! :thumbsup:
You will love the 42. Be aware that when you feed the material in it grabs the branches and sucks them right in. I've been beat up a few times from the branches whipping around while being pulled in. Wear safety glasses and ear protection :confused2:.
I don't know why anyone would purchase the hydraulic feed with these chippers. No need for it.
Enjoy

 

[JCB]

Happyman,

I'm pretty sure hydraulic feed is for safety as much as anything else. It controls the speed of the branches whipping by and on bigger units when one of those branches grabs you, you can hit that big crash bar on your way into the chipper to reverses the feed and keep YOU out of the chipper.

Hydro feed is pretty nice!

Joe

 

[Happyman]

Happyman,

I'm pretty sure hydraulic feed is for safety as much as anything else. It controls the speed of the branches whipping by and on bigger units when one of those branches grabs you, you can hit that big crash bar on your way into the chipper to reverses the feed and keep YOU out of the chipper.

Hydro feed is pretty nice!

Joe

Good point. You are probably right when it comes to the bigger chippers. Wallenstein makes a hydro feed for the my 62 and I think for the smaller 42. With the way it feeds itself I just didn't think it was necessary. But than again, there were times it would have been handy trying to get long wide branches started down the feed chute.