PTO driven WOOD CHIPPERS

[MFWD]

Hello,
I am thinking about buying a PTO driven wood chipper for my New Holland TC35D. I am wondering if anyone here uses a chipper and what are the best brands out there to purchase. Also, from your experience, what are some things to look for in the chipper. I have seen the ad at their website, Liberty chippers (they also make 3 point backhoes for tractors) and the 8" power feed model looks like it would get the job done. But what other brands are good ones? I need answers from someone with experience with this type of attachment....please give me the good scoop !!! Thanks !!!!




MFWD

 

[Knight9]

Hi MFWD,

Your best bet is to use the "Search" function on the site here. If you punch in "chipper" you will get a ton of great information. I purchased a Wallenstein and picked it up yesterday (which will be the topic of an upcoming thread).

 

[Furu]

It seems that Wallenstein is very popular back in your neck of the woods but in my opinion you can't do better than a Salsco. They are built in the US and are built very robustly. They come from your area as well. I have one that I got after looking at a bunch of different models and would buy the same again. Well worth looking at if you want a really good unit.
Can't comment on the Wallenstein as no one out here sells or carries them. There are a couple of brands that are made by the same company and branded as different names so look at that as well.

 

[TerryR]

I'm very satisfied with my Bear Cat. It's well built, and very importantly based on my past experience, requires removing only one bolt to access the knives for sharpening. Sharpening is a frequent task with any chipper, so easy access to the blades is important. Also, I think the blower is essential if you are planning on doing any volume at all. I think there are some other brands that are apparently made by the same manufacturer, so you may do just as well with another brand that's similar.

Mine is a chipper only, which isn't too happy with large quantities of of leaves on the branches, or with light brush. If you will have a lot of that sort of thing you might want to get a chipper-shredder.

 

[greg_g]

I think we should start with how much you're willing to spend, and how many hours per year you intend to put on the chipper..

//greg//

 

[Baby Grand]

If I ever had to replace my 4" Patu (no longer available new here), I'd get a Wallenstein BX42 . The price is reasonable, it has a 4x10" throat to help swallow branches and small trees that are crooked or branch out at high angles from the trunk. They are direct drive and have a chute that can be directed where you want the chips to go - like directly into a cart or wagon. The folks who own them seem to really like them. I almost bought one, but found my used Patu for very cheap. Anything over 3 or 4 inches goes on my wood pile for the stove, but they make larger chipper if you want/need one. Hyd feed is also available.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have a BearCat Model 554 5" chipper/shredder that I bought used about 6 years ago. I am very happy with it. I have never used anything else so I can't say how they compare. I have a mile of road to maintain and chip all the roadside trimmings. It is through the woods so I use it quite a bit.

As said above a search will get you tons of good info.

 

[trihounds]

My small Kubota BX25 (~17HP@PTO) handles the Wallenstein BX42 (4") surprisingly well. The Wallenstein is very basic, easy to clean / sharpen, and gets the job done incredibly well for its size. The 6" model is the BX62. Can't say enough good things about this brand/model.

 

[s219]

I shopped around seriously for a few months, and ended up getting a Wallenstein BX-42. What I liked about that model was the easy access to the blades, the heavy build quality, the 360-degree discharge chute, and the blower. The last two items are often optional, or not available, on many chipper models. As I found, it's very helpful to pinpoint where and how you want to throw the chips, and you only get that control with a chute and blower.

Note that chippers are meant to handle wood, and won't do well with leafy brush unless it is easily sucked in with larger material. If you have to deal with a lot of small material and leafy brush, you will want a chipper/shredder (more money of course).

There are a lot of good brands and models, and prices range from about $1800 on the low end to $4500 on the high end, for chippers in my size range meant for a Kubota B2920. Obviously, the bigger you go, the more expensive.

I'd suggest figuring out the largest stuff you'd need to chip, and then go from there. In my case, the 4" capacity of the BX-42 has been more than enough for my needs.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I shopped around with a budget of ~$1500 so that either got me a chinese brand or a used one. Wallenstein from all accounts are good but was over my budget. Jinma (chinese) makes an 8 inch chipper that when you hear from their owners and they are adjusted correctly work really nice and are about $1800 new. there is a place called Ranch Hand Supply (Jinma Dealer, Wood Chipper , Compact Jinma Tractors) that has an excellent reputation and modifies and sets up each Jinma they sell so that you do not have to do it. I thought very seriously about getting one from them..they are located in Virginia.

However, I bought a used one and its made by valby (CH 150) - it chips up to 6 inches but like many folks here...anything over 3 inches I burn. I like the fact that this chipper allows for aiming the wood chips and that the hopper where you put the branches in is more horizontal than vertical. I would think vertical is a lot harder on your body when dragging and raising braches for a few hours. Fly wheel size is important and mated to correect PTO hp...the heavier the flywheel, in my opinion the better. Check out costs of replacement belts and sharpening too. TSK (Tennesse saw and knife) sharpened my blades for ~10 bucks each.

 

[jeff9366]

I am also a satisfied Wallenstein owner. I have a Wallenstein BX42S, manual feed, NO HYDRAULICS, which is powered by a Kubota B3300SU (33-hp/25-hp PTO); a good match. I have never had the BX42S bog down when chipping. Sometimes I wish I had purchased the larger BX62 but then I wonder, why? Six inch wood should be firewood. But I think the Kubota B3300 would power the larger BX62 without a problem.

I am a believer in the KISS principle and after considerable use, most recently cleaning up after Tropical Storm Debbie which laid 15" of rain on us, the Wallenstein does the job with a minimum of complexity. The four/double sided blades are great. I have yet to "turn" or sharpen the blades. The 4" X 10" throat is a "big deal," which really aids feeding. Be sure to consider the throat size carefully when making a purchase decision.

I bought my BX42S from Iowa Farm Supply via eBay. $2599 + $335 shipping to Florida. Excellent customer service. Arrived fourth day after order placed.

I have owned one other chipper. They can be frustrating. Buy the best you can afford.

JBS

 

[nickel plate]

I've had the BX42 for several years now and my only complaint is that the chute will jamb up every now and then when small dry twigs make up most of the mix-other BX42 owners have said the same thing. It seems to work better when I alternate big and small branches but I do need to check the blade settings before I use it again as that may be the problem. A big plus is the 360 degrees rotating chute-just aim it where you want the chips to fall. I did through bolt two 4x4 PT stringers on the base rails to give it a little more height so I don't bend over as much as I did without them. All in all, it's a well built chipper and worth the price.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a BearCat Model 554 5" chipper/shredder that I bought used about 6 years ago. I am very happy with it. I have never used anything else so I can't say how they compare. I have a mile of road to maintain and chip all the roadside trimmings. It is through the woods so I use it quite a bit.

As said above a search will get you tons of good info.

I have the same chipper/shredder as Gordon, except mine is a Woods (made by Crary Bearcat, sold by Woods). I don't have the blower, either (one of these days, maybe).
Great chipper/shredder...and I think many buyers would find out they use the shredder as much or more then the chipper.

 

[tree farmer]

I have had my Wallenstein BX42R (hydraulic feed) for a couple months now with no mechanical problems whatsoever. The only problem with it is that small stringy twigs, such as spruce limbs will occasionally plug the discharge chute. However, remove one bolt and the entire top of the unit hinges open to clear the chute and check or change the knives and you're back up and running in a minute or two. Very well designed and constructed and easy to service and maintain. The hyd. feed option at $2100. more was something I had to think about for awhile, but I'm glad I went with it now. I regularly feed 3"+ English Holly, Vine Maple, and other 'junk' trees into it that are 25-30' long limbs and all without even slowing it much. Pretty amazing since I usually use it on my 2740 Montana with 22 PTO hp. Yeah, I would by a Wallenstein again, without question. My big complaint with it and every other implement I own is: why can't the manufacturers put a decent paint job on anything. All my equipment is kept inside, but here on the coast, within a year, everything has rust on it. Anyone else have that problem, or am I too picky?....Dan.

 

[TerryR]

I had a very similar machine I bought 15 years ago branded as Bush Hog. I found the need to frequently rake the chips out from under it a major annoyance, and the difficulty of getting access to the blades to sharpen them even worse. I think the new design fixed this latter issue, and a blower would address the former.

I replaced it five years ago with a BearCat CH5540, which is a chipper only, much heavier construction, and with a great blower. I did have to cut down the discharge chute about 6" to get it in my shed, but that's not been an issue. I use it mainly to clear downed limbs and trimmings from along the driveway and the like, and love it. We have large piles of chips maturing their way toward garden use, so lately I've just blown the chips into the woods when I'm doing light cleanup - saves hauling brush to a pile. The discharge chute isn't tapered, so doesn't clog in my experience.

The issue with tangled light brush and limbs heavily loaded with leaves is real with the chipper only though. Just finished clearing some fresh-cut young populars and had to work it a bit to get the large loads of leaves through it. Still, I really like the heavier machine with a good blower, so wouldn't trade it for the smaller chipper-shredder.

Terry

 

[roman]

I had a wallenstien bx42 and if I needed it again would buy the same one. I chipped tons of soft and hardwood with the only complaint as mentioned previously the buildup of small leafy pieces that you can overcome by alternating big pieces to clear the chute. Wish I never sold it but used the cash to purchase a backhoe.

 

[Baby Grand]

<snip>

I like the fact that this chipper allows for aiming the wood chips and that the hopper where you put the branches in is more horizontal than vertical. I would think vertical is a lot harder on your body when dragging and raising braches for a few hours.

<snip>

That's a very important observation.
With the horizontal feed arrangement, there's very little manhandling required.
If if you can drag the butt end of the limb onto the hopper, you're good.
No need to lift the whole thing off the ground to feed it in.

Here's why I really like the rotatable chute:

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Count me as another satisfied bx42 owner. I don't have the hydro feeder and it has clogged up once or twice but as someone said earlier - remove a single bolt and the top flips over. Rotating chute is a big plus as I tend to aim to keep chips out of the way. When the pile gets too high, I raise the deflector a little and keep going. It's probably the best $2,500 I've spent yet. (Oh and the tool you use to change or tighten the chain on your chainsaw supposedly fits the bolt you remove to open it up.)

 

[Artisan]

I have a 554 BearCat as well, BUT, mine does NOT have the tall discharge tube and blower.
Mine NEEDS the tall discharge tube and blower! You have to shovel or move the unit
constantly. Your going to have to learn how to sharpen blades or remove them
and send them out for sharpening. The "Shreader" (thru the very top) will
stay good to go for a long time but the "Chipper" (the angle receiver tube
on the side) dulls blades. Sharp bladed work a LOT better. Dull blades
waste your time so having a set of sharp blades, a spare set is
recommended, IMO.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a 554 BearCat as well, BUT, mine does NOT have the tall discharge tube and blower.
Mine NEEDS the tall discharge tube and blower! You have to shovel or move the unit
constantly.

Have you priced the blower kit yet?