PTO chipper WoodMaxx new MX-9900

[Mikejeakins]

The Woodmax arrived properly crated without damage.

Shortened the PTO and went to work... I was not there but got a call saying the L3800 seat presence wouldn't let the PTO be engaged unless the operator was in the seat...

Not sure what the work around is other than to by-pass the switch but the tractor is used by employees at times...

When you get a chance can you make a video of it working?

 

[ultrarunner]

I can try... it is at my brother's tree farm...

Never uploaded anything but still pictures.

 

[firemech]

Just take ratchet strap or bungey cord and go from one side up over seat and down the other side. As long as there is enough tension to hold the seat down it works fine and doesn't compromise safety for your employees. Actually got the idea off the woodmaxx video from there backhoe section

 

[ultrarunner]

Plan to be out this weekend... not sure how much chipping will be done as it is the Christmas Tree season kickoff...

Weather was 81 at Santa Cruz yesterday... a couple of days before the temp was done in the 30's...

Just feels strange doing Christmas Trees in 70+ weather!

 

[ultrarunner]

Mixed results...

Had some green Christmas trees... Nordmann, Fraser and Fir and the chipper struggled and clogged more than chipped...

These are not huge trees... mostly 6-9' range

I was not there but it was very slow going slogging through.

Any users with suggestions?

 

[Glrret]

When you say 6-9 inches, is that the trunk size or trunk with trimed branches?

 

[aczlan]

When you say 6-9 inches, is that the trunk size or trunk with trimed branches?

IIRC, this was for a Christmas Tree farm, so it would be 6 to 9 feet tall.

Aaron Z

 

[ericm979]

I've been chipping fir branches 15-20' long, tree tops, everything. Also lots of stuff other than fir. My 8H hasn't clogged yet. But Christmas trees are a lot bushier than naturally growing fir so it's not a fair comparison.

 

[bob11x]

Not an easy thing- but you might try to chip some hardwood in between firs. I have read that it helps clear the chamber.

 

[ultrarunner]

Wondering if the problem is they are simply too green?

This is the first year with the small chipper... typically rent a small commercial mid January for a final clean up.

The thought was to use the PTO chipper as needed during the season when things are slow.

The feed peels more than grabs if this makes sense.

 

[disney]

Wondering if the problem is they are simply too green?

This is the first year with the small chipper... typically rent a small commercial mid January for a final clean up.

The thought was to use the PTO chipper as needed during the season when things are slow.

The feed peels more than grabs if this makes sense.

Like you said maybe they are too green, Try leaving them 'dry out' for a few days. If it takes say 5 days to dry, just make a pile for each day, and then the crew can shred the 1st pile on the 6th day. I know with my bearcat, chipping palm fronds, it does help to feed some real wood every so often. (not that you have any palm fronds around...)

 

[ericm979]

The feed peels more than grabs if this makes sense.

Sounds like it's just too much to go down the chute.
Try removing some of the large lower branches and feeding them separately from the tree.

 

[ultrarunner]

Will do... I think my brother might have expected too much?

I will need to investigate, maybe the knives need to be adjusted???

 

[Glrret]

Will do... I think my brother might have expected too much?

I will need to investigate, maybe the knives need to be adjusted???

What size PTO HP are you running it on? I use mine on my 2555 and run spruce tops along with some really thick green pine branches and I haven't has any problems clogging. If it starts to bog down I slow the feed to keep the RMPs up and it chews it right up.

 

[ultrarunner]

He has a Kubota L3800... the unit does not bog so I have been told... he runs it right at PTO speed... I was wondering it he could go a little higher?

 

[disney]

I had to google the specs, but it looks like the l3800 only has about 30hp at the pto, I know the larger flywheel of the wood max will help it through a tough section, but I wonder if the power is an issue. I dont know it the 110 is close by, but with only a few more ponies, I don't know if that would make a difference. Have you tried asking woodmaxx, I thought I had heard they have good customer service.

 

[Glrret]

I had to google the specs, but it looks like the l3800 only has about 30hp at the pto, I know the larger flywheel of the wood max will help it through a tough section, but I wonder if the power is an issue. I dont know it the 110 is close by, but with only a few more ponies, I don't know if that would make a difference. Have you tried asking woodmaxx, I thought I had heard they have good customer service.

Looking at the Woodmaxx 9900 spec and the minimum recommended PTO HP says: (25 Minimum PTO horsepower), Your running close to the bottom end so it might have something to do with your clogging. The only time I have eve had an issue with clogging or RPM's dropping is on a 7 or 8 inch half punky poplar with feed rate set to max. all I do is stop the feed let the RPM's build back up and continue at a slower feed rate.

I've used my MX9900 for 2 years now and I've chipped over 100 tons. Other than a bad hydraulic pump pulley in the very beginning (Woodmaxx replaced overnight) I've had no problems with the machine.

 

[RoyJackson]

Looking at the Woodmaxx 9900 spec and the minimum recommended PTO HP says: (25 Minimum PTO horsepower), Your running close to the bottom end so it might have something to do with your clogging. The only time I have eve had an issue with clogging or RPM's dropping is on a 7 or 8 inch half punky poplar with feed rate set to max. all I do is stop the feed let the RPM's build back up and continue at a slower feed rate.

I've used my MX9900 for 2 years now and I've chipped over 100 tons. Other than a bad hydraulic pump pulley in the very beginning (Woodmaxx replaced overnight) I've had no problems with the machine.

IIRC, that chipper has hydraulic feed. I haven't been following this thread to closely, but I'm thinking the feed rate might have to be slowed a bit.

 

[ultrarunner]

As suggested the clearance of the knives was many times wider than spec...

I was not there but that is what my brother found... he used the thickness of a credit card to adjust in the field and performance improved greatly... clogging just about disappeared.

Still not 100% on the feed... seems even smaller Christmas Trees are enough to overcome the feed... he was hoping the small stuff could be fed butt end first and would self feed while getting the next one... about 60 trees to chip from this season... about 1650 sold.

 

[hslogger]

Looking at your addresses, i assume in Olympia area you are trying to chip cultured firs,dugs and nobles, maybe. The limbs are small in diameter but very strong and it takes a bigger machine to chow down on that stuff, at least from my experience, running my own pro chipper and also many years of aborist grade pull behind the truck machines.