Looking for a chipper

[fixitlane]

Our Disaster Recovery / Handyman team is looking for a chipper to use after tree removals and storm cleanups. We'd like to find one to take roughly 8-10" limbs. Anything bigger than that we use for a firewood ministry. Doesn't have to be running, we have some first class mechanics in the church.

Anyone know of one sitting in the weeds wasting away that could be donated (tax deductible) or sold cheap?

Lane

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Is this for free removals and clean up?

 

[fixitlane]

Yes it is. We respond to hurricanes, tornadoes stroms etc with the NC Baptist men and Samaritan's Purse Disaster relief teams as volunteers. We also work for those in our church and the community that have problems and can't afford a tree service to come in. Had a widow yesterday where a big pine was blown down over the weekend, cleaned it up for her and a chipper would have been great to grind the brush with. We never ask for payment, sometimes they may make a donation but it is never required.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

what you are doing sounds admirable. I would suggest, however, that you set up a rental agreement with a vendor where you can get a chipper when you need one (first priority after a storm or disaster). I wouldn't get an old junker for 8-10" limbs or storm cleanup. It'll likely break down when you are needing it most and parts will be hard to come by after a disaster.

 

[fixitlane]

We've rented one in the past, but for 250 per day for a 4" we can't afford a lot of that.

 

[Rhino59]

You ought to be able to rent a 12" chipper for $250 per day at most rental stores.... And I agree with the previous poster....anything you might get donated may be a complete piece of junk.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

We've rented one in the past, but for 250 per day for a 4" we can't afford a lot of that.

You can do better than that for $250. Find a Christian-principled business and work out a first right to rent after or before an impending storm when you know you will need the machine. If you are going to have severe weather, rent it. If you don't use it, you can at least do a dry run on some congregation member's brush or grind up some firewood pieces for mulch.

If you were paying me for an opinion, I'd say the last thing you want is a cheap or "in need of major repairs" chipper. Not only could it be dangerous to operate, it may fail when you need it most.

Are you a 501c? Can you get a grant or come up with enough money to buy a good machine? If so, what is the max you could come up with? You might be able to supplement some of the cost by renting it to members with an operator for a nominal fee. Since you aren't really competing with pros, you might find a pro who is willing to help out or work for peanuts to help the ministry. Blades can be expensive to keep up with. I like a bigger machine (big blades) that can handle storm debris with nails and crap imbedded in the wood. I have chipped my fair share of flood debris and it's all dirty. Smaller machines will amplify damage that much more. A bigger machine may not be as susceptible to damage from the errant nail or piece of metal. Something to consider...
Even the larger machines are towable with a 1 ton or 3/4 ton truck.. Oh, and if you do find a machine, carry spare blades and blade bolts for sure!

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Oh, and what part of the country are you located? NC mean North Carolina? Type of trees is a decision in type of chipper. Depending on where you are, you might have access to used county or Asplundh type companies that are selling off tired or depreciated machines.

 

[pennwalk]

I see them at the local monthly machinery auction pretty regularly. Sorry to say I never paid attention to be able to tell you what they go for. Sometimes there are bargains at the auction or people wouldn't keep coming back.

Chris

 

[fixitlane]

Whoa! Don't sign on for a couple of days and get all kinds of replies to respond to. Thanks for all the replies and I hear what you are saying. The closest rental yard does charge 250 per day for a 4", the next closest yards are all about 30 miles away. I hear you on the first rent plan, that would work but with a limited budget and a storm response sometimes being for a week at a time, we could easily shoot the whole years funding even with a lower rental rate. We have talked with some local services, we have one guy who does climbing who has gone with us and helped out but he doesn't have a chipper either. The folks that have chippers may be willing to work with us but last time we checked on a bucket truck from one, he would let us use the truck but he wanted to supply an "operator" for 100 per hour. Not to work, just to keep an eye on equipment. When we have a local response that needs chipper work it is often after a storm and they are very busy then making a living as well.

Grant money may be a possibility, we are 501C. We normally try to avoid taking anything from the government though.

Lot of good suggestions and things to think about. Thanks for the replies.