Chipper Need a chipper

[Herkypilot]

+1 on the Woodmaxx 8H. Price on line includes tailgate shipping

HP

 

[MrWhippy]

Another vote for the WoodMaxx. Good for everything up to 5 inches in diameter. At 6 inches, the branch has to be the right shape. Extremely happy with mine.

 

[The Deerslayer]

All those noted are excellent. You may also want to check out the Bear Cat line. Been very pleased with mine.

 

[texas42]

Check out a Wallenstein. Very well made, simple design, direct drive.
I have one and I'm very happy with it.
Woodward Crossings in PA will ship one about anywhere and has great customer service.

 

[pinetree10]

If you get desperate enough to drive to VA, I have a lightly used Wallenstein BX-42S in Kubota Orange that I have been contemplating selling -- probably in the $2300 price range (new they go for $2800-3200). It does up to 4" material (has a 4" x 10" throat) and self feeds for the most part. Direct drive (no belts) with a heavy flywheel.

View attachment 421969

Great machine. Some of the best money I've ever spent.

 

[RoyJackson]

I suggest you consider your chipping needs...

I have a chipper/shredder (Woods 5000 which is actually manufactured by Bearcat). The chipper is good for 5" material as long as it's relatively straight. The shredder is more for brush and such...anything < 1"....something chippers aren't particularly good at.
As a residential user, I found I use the shredder at least as much as the chipper.
The Woods is belt driven...something I prefer. If a branch does clog the the chipper, the belts might smoke, but that's about it...no shear pins or broken gear boxes.
As far as purchasing...do look on Craigslist and also use Search Tempest to expand your Craigslist search.

 

[newbury]

I was going to go with Liberty, but what I read here changed my mind. I have 32hp at the pto and most say 20 so I think I am good there. What I don't have is a lot of money, s there a chipper that I can use clearing my land (5" and tops),( root balls and logs I will burn) that is around $2500? It will get a work out this summer, but after that it would be very occasional. I have about 10 acres of "Turkey Oak" (around here they call em "Black Jack") to chip.

Lot's of discussions on TBN. There's two classes of chippers - cheap chinese (cc) and better built American. With the cheap chinese you often have some poor looking welds, some bolt holes don't line up, poor paint job. This seems less frequent in the American BUILT (not just assembled) offerings.

Some "manufacturers" try to pass off cc as American Built by taking the core cc and adding on some bits.

You have to decide the value of your dollar versus your time. With the cc you might have to wait weeks for parts IF you need them. The full American built are generally very well supported. If your running a business that depends on the chipper go with the better support.

I bought the 8" Jinma model with upgraded belts/changed oil and used it fairly heavily for one spring/summer. Between my son and myself we probably put 30 hours on it (2 oilings plus) while clearing a lot in Virginia in 2013.

I had 1 problem when a chip popped the belt off the roller pulley, 10 minute fix. After we were done with it at the lot I moved it down to Mississippi and have used it twice since early 2014. I don't anticipate heavy usage in the future.

My reasoning behind buying a chipper versus renting was a rental would cost me about $250 a weekend and I'd probably need it at least 6 times just while clearing the lot. So instead I bought the Jinma for about $1800 and have it forever. Sure I would have liked a brand new Wally, but I also had plenty of other uses for the cash.

 

[KevT]

Thanks guys, looks like I am driving to PA in a couple of weeks to pick up my "Champion 550". Does Cat yellow go with Kubota orange???

 

[TerryR]

I agree with Deerslayer - I'm very happy with my Bearcat, which looks just like his. It's belt driven to you don't break anything in case of a jam, and it's dead simple to access the blades for sharpening.

Terry

 

[KevT]

I agree with Deerslayer - I'm very happy with my Bearcat, which looks just like his. It's belt driven to you don't break anything in case of a jam, and it's dead simple to access the blades for sharpening.

Terry

Did I miss something? He too is very happy with his