New Woodland Mills WC68 Chipper on the way

[defranks]

This morning I ordered a new WC68 wood chipper from Woodland Mills. I looked at several similarly priced models, including the 8" version available on eBay for a little less money, but finally decided that the WM model is right for me.

The eBay model, out of California, has its hydraulic hoses dangling on the side, and that worried me since I'll be dragging limbs past it. The WC68 has a lighter flywheel than the competitor's model, but I like that the input chute folds for storage and the reviews are good. Also, the chipper is in-stock and delivery should occur in a week or ten days.

I figured that the 6" model is plenty for me, and the best match for my Branson 4220 tractor, which is rated at 36 PTO horsepower. According to the WM website, my tractor will drive their 8" chipper, but they say that my tractor will handle 6" material with the WC68, but only 5" material with the bigger chipper. I intend to use it on smaller stuff than that, as I have neighbors who will want anything much bigger than 4" for firewood.

More to come when the chipper gets here as I assemble it and test it.

One question for the group: Woodland Mills suggests ISO 32 Hydraulic Oil, or ISO 46 in warmer climates. I live in eastern Tennessee where it certainly gets warm in the summer and cold (like today) in the winter. So which weight oil is better for a wide variety of temperatures ranging from 30, say, to 85 degrees F. Outside those temps I'm unlikely to want to be chipping wood outdoors anyway!

 

[Peter 315]

I would use what ever hydraulic oil you use in the tractor , Keep it simple.....:2cents:

 

[hosspuller]

I've had the WC88 since, last March. The larger opening reduces the number of crotch cuts needed. Anything above 3 inches is firewood. I bought the spare blades set with the unit. Belts are local industrial supply. I'm totally pleased with it.

I used ISO 32 oil since the pump is above the reservoir. The thinner oil will flow better. In hot temp days, I won't be using it much. Too many bugs and I poop out in the heat. :cool2:


Couple of points. Read the manual... first
pay attention to these points:
Before attaching the PTO shaft REread the manual about trimming the shaft to your tractor. You can break some expensive parts in your tractor.
Before adjusting the base for height, loosen the hydraulic hose fittings to allow them swivel. When the base drops down, you don't want to pull on the hoses.

 

[oldballs]

I used ISO-46 weight here in Mid Kansas. It's hard to say what the temps may be even in the winter. This winter has been mild. We've had temps up to 60 deg F the past month...maybe 65 next week. The Woodland Mills customer service approved it. BTW.. the manual on the WC68 calls for 20 liters, but a 5 gallon pail is something less that 20 liters, but they approved that also.

My unit probably has around 30 hours on it and has performed up to my expectations......even on some small bush prunings.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I've had my WC68 for about 8 months now, around 40 hours chipping time. I wouldn't over think the oil concern; I simply used Woodland's suggestion and never had any problems.

I also bought a spare set of knives with my chipper, thinking that I'd go through those pretty quick. Not so. Still on my first edge of the original set, and its still cutting perfectly. Just keep out the dirt, rocks and nails. It does not do much for leaves and pine needles, but it'll feed those on through all the same. I don't do any limb trimming beforehand - just lay in the logs and let 'er rip.

Take your time with the assembly and you'll have many hours of smooth chipping. It'll chip a lot faster than you can cut, drag and load!

 

[defranks]

Thanks all. Yeah, I'm one who reads manuals, so I'll go through all that first. I've owned a Vermeer 6" chipper in the past, and it was powered with 20HP twin cylinder engine and did everything I wanted, so I'm pretty sure this chipper is going to be great.

 

[metalbender]

A little more about the 20 hp single please. Must have been a whopper of a cutter head on that machine.

 

[defranks]

It was a TWIN, not a single, a Kohler magnum 20hp. The engine was pretty tired and burned quite a bit of oil when I bought the chipper, but it continued to do what I needed for ten years or so. I'd still have it, but I moved cross country and didn't want to take it with me.
And yes, the flywheel was large and heavy, but I can't tell you what it weighed.

 

[ericm979]

I get about 20 hours per side on the blades on my Woodmaxx 8H. But I've chipped a lot of dead stuff and hardwood.

 

[defranks]

Do you sharpen the blades yourself, or do you take them to a pro? If you do it yourself, what's your process?