PTO Chipper Advice -- maneuverability and center of gravity concerns

[TxSteveS]

I had a woodmaxx wm8m and just upgraded to a vermeer bc906 9" pto chipper. I can't speak of hill stability, but there is absolutely no comparison between any of the homeowner units and a true commerical grade unit. I would strongly urge you to look for a used vermeer bc606 if you plan on doing lots of chipping. It is a 6" capacity pto chipper with hydraulic infeed. It's built like a battleship compared to the tin can woodmaxx. They weigh 1350lbs. Knife access is very easy, it's a clamshell design.

Here's one for sale Log into Facebook

While I'll agree that the Vermeer is a better unit, you're the first person I've heard that called the 8M (or 8H) units a 'tin can'. The 8H weighs in at over 900 lbs.

Plus, I think the Vermeer requires at least 28hp....

 

[ericm979]

Welcome, Ben.

I really can't speak to your stability issue hills, but do have a couple of thoughts about the two smaller machines.

I'd be very concerned about not being able to rotate the chute. I change mine all the time. If there is much of a breeze you want to put the input chute upwind so they don't blow chips all over you, so you aren't necessarily able to position the tractor to aim the output chute. When I'm blowing chips into the woods or a field, as I mostly do, I keep adjusting the chute to keep the chips from getting too deep in any one place.

Those very upright input chutes would be a pain lift anything very long into it. They would also make it very difficult to pull something back out if you find it's too big or tough for your tractor, which I occasionally find myself doing.

Being able to rotate the output chute and having a horizontal input chute are both vital. As is power feed.

I have two chippers, one's a gravity feed MacKissick with a near vertical chute and one is a Woodmaxx WM-8H power feed chipper with a horizontal input chute. The 8H is so much easier to use. The adjustable power feed is better and safer than gravity feed. With a horizontal chute I can get material into the chipper by lifting one end into the chute. I don't have to lift the whole piece up in the air. This means a lot less cutting when making piles and fewer pieces to move around to pile material where I can get the tractor to it.

I'm also on very steep land. I have no problem taking the tractor with the chipper to the same places I can get to with other implements. My tractor's set up with slightly smaller tires from a different model, rear spacers and Rimguard in the rear tires. All for better performance on slopes.

 

[nyone]

Your chipping sticks small enough that you where mowing them with a brush hog?

 

[oldballs]

I found that having the FEL mounted (low) when using my Woodland Mills WC68 on my B2620 or B2650 incheases the stability of moving the tracotr/chipper around from place to place.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[drumminj]

I just got the woodland mills wc68. Nice machine. Rotating chute. Weighs in at 900+ pounds.

Not to nitpick, just want OP to be properly informed -- the WC68 is 710lbs according to WM's website

 

[oldballs]

Maybe he was looking at the shipping weight???

Cheers,
Mike

 

[alexinPA]

Hi All --

Longtime lurker here finally making my first post! I have a Kubota L2550 tractor with 24hp at the PTO. I'm hoping to find a PTO chipper that fits my somewhat unusual needs. Help, please!

My Kubota is quite tippy on our steep piece of property -- a mish-mash of little twisting roads, gullies, slopes and a few flat sections. I've learned over the years where I can and cannot safely go, almost always with a brush hog on the back. I would very much like to have buy a PTO chipper that I can take to the material instead of hauling the material to the few flat spots that are big enough to pile it up and hit it with the brush hog. Bottom line: center of gravity and size are both big concerns.

Material: a lot is straight, soft and easily chipped. A ton of California pepper which is more bush like, but soft. Some acacia, which is a hard wood. I would like to easily chip to 4" if possible.

Looking solely online (no dealers in our area), potential candidates:

1. The Best PTO Wood Chipper on the Market. 20-80 PTO HP
Splitfire 4003. This one has a unique horizontal flywheel and looks like it would have a very lower center of gravity. It looks like the smallest for tight spaces. But, 100% gravity with no feed at all. $5,000 is very expensive compared to the other two (uncomfortably over budget, but I could swing it). Can't rotate the output chute (which would be really nice!). Very simple design and easy to maintain. Rated to 4". Minimum 20hp.

2. WoodMaxx MX-8500G+ - WoodMaxx
Woodmax MX-8500G+. Looks pretty small as well, but has a vertical flywheel, so a higher center of gravity I would assume...? Looks fairly small for tight spaces. Gravity feed, claims a unique flywheel that really pulls in the material. Way cheaper at $2,275.00 minus 10% on sale. Can't rotate chute. Very simple design and easy to maintain. Rated to 5" max. 15 HP minimum for 4" soft wood at a very low 15hp.

3. 6" PTO Wood Chipper Shredder | Made in the USA | 3pt. Wood Chipper Attachment -WoodMaxx? | Chipper for small tractor - WoodMaxx
Woodmax MX-8600. Vertical flywheel. About the same size as the 8500. Hydrostatic feed. Middle price at $3,645.00 minus 10%. Fully rotatable chute (bonus!). More complicated design looks like more maintenance. 15hp minimum. Claims it can chip up to 6" at higher horsepower.

So, balancing size, simplicity, ease of use and center of gravity, does anyone have feedback on these? Or suggestions for others? Thank you!

-Ben

I've been using Wallenstein BX42 3pt chipper with my Kubota B7800. Easily chips up to 4" wood and only 425 lbs. I like it, not sure if this model still available...

 

[Hughman]

Maybe he was looking at the shipping weight???

Maybe he was. Still very heavy to push around on a dolly in the garage. The fold up chute does give it a nice small footprint for storage.

 

[hosspuller]

IMHO... the less power the tractor has, the more important hydraulic feed is. The hydraulic feed allows one to adjust the infeed to the available power. A stalled tractor and plugged chipper is no fun.

 

[oosik]

I've had two Wallenstein chippers. BX42S on a 26hp Ford 1700 and now - BX62S on my 64hp Kubota M6040.

Both are manual feed. Excellent chippers. The ONLY trees here on my property - Ponderosa pines.

There are slopes on my property where NOTHING would prevent tractor rollover. It's a very simple solution.

I stay away from those areas.

You seem to know the dangerous areas on your property. My suggestion - don't look for solutions for areas where you wouldn't normally go. Sooner or later - it will come back to bite you.

These "dangerous areas" may require manual solutions - be satisfied with these answers.