Chipper pto driven wood chippers

FatTire · May 22, 2016

Code54 said:
Sure are right there! IF it is a Echo 5540 the MSRP on the website shows it at 2,995 - he is trying to make people think it is worth a LOT more than it is....

Correct, the price he mentions is probably for the 5540H with the hydraulic feed, which this one is clearly NOT -- so you'd want to be careful dealing with this seller.

I have an older version of the Bearcat's 5" model SC5540B (has a chute) and lists around $4500, which I bought off CL for $2000 in "like new" condition, but it took almost a year to find it and I had to travel a couple hundred miles to get it. The version in this CL listing has no chute, but with the shredder could be a nice unit for someone at $2k or below.

RoyJackson · May 22, 2016

Code54 said:
Sure are right there! IF it is a Echo 5540 the MSRP on the website shows it at 2,995 - he is trying to make people think it is worth a LOT more than it is....

The poster is definitely exaggerating the price of a new chipper/shredder...by about 80%-100%!!
I paid $1000 for mine (the Woods version) which was in excellent condition.

TurtleCreekFarm · May 22, 2016

Glrret said:
The pulley that went bad on mine was the one on the pump, I can 't see it in the picture you provided. Here is a picture of mine when I discovered the problem. This is looking lower between the drive and the idler pulleys.

View attachment 469379

Okay thanks, for some reason I though it was the upper pulley. I'll take a closer look at it when the replacement belt gets in.

daugen · Feb 28, 2017

my new woodmaxx 8800 with hydrostatic feed has worked flawlessly since I just got it. Nice to have a digital rpm counter to set the speed just right, turns out to be about 1900 rpm on the engine, good all around. Could not install on my Kubota due to oem adjustable lift ends (without buying a new extra long top link), but it did fit fine on the Massey. I really went back and forth about spending 1200 bucks more on the made in New York model vs Chinese, and in the end bought the US made one. Very well made, thick metal, very noisy, definitely need hearing protection. Adjustable speed infeed works great, I set it on low and it ate everything. I have a lot of pine trees dropping branches I can't use for firewood and this will get rid of them quickly.

RoyJackson · Feb 28, 2017

daugen said:
my new woodmaxx 8800 with hydrostatic feed has worked flawlessly since I just got it. Nice to have a digital rpm counter to set the speed just right, turns out to be about 1900 rpm on the engine, good all around. Could not install on my Kubota due to oem adjustable lift ends (without buying a new extra long top link), but it did fit fine on the Massey. I really went back and forth about spending 1200 bucks more on the made in New York model vs Chinese, and in the end bought the US made one. Very well made, thick metal, very noisy, definitely need hearing protection. Adjustable speed infeed works great, I set it on low and it ate everything. I have a lot of pine trees dropping branches I can't use for firewood and this will get rid of them quickly.

Very nice...do you think you need suitcase weights on the front of the M-F?

As far as the bolded, red font...I suggest you buy a forester's helmet rather then just muffs or ear plugs. Every now and then, that chipper will kick back a piece of wood. A forester's helmet consists of a helmet (obviously), muffs and a mesh face shield. I use one when ever I'm chipping or using a chainsaw. I'd had more then a few pieces of wood fly into the face shield when using the saw.
And, of course, when using the chipper, always stand to the side when feeding in limbs and such. That chipper may not be as quick as a big commercial unit, but it can still do you harm. Gloves with elastic wrists are advisable too.

gravelman · Feb 28, 2017

i am not a part of this conversation...don't know why im getting this...thanks

daugen · Feb 28, 2017

RoyJackson said:
Very nice...do you think you need suitcase weights on the front of the M-F?

As far as the bolded, red font...I suggest you buy a forester's helmet
That chipper may not be as quick as a big commercial unit, but it can still do you harm.

Roy, all really good suggestions, thanks. Yeah, I was wondering if I was going to do a teeter totter when I lifted that chipper
up the first time and put 950 pounds on the back. Previously I have mowed with a fairly heavy LP finish mower and had no issues with
a light front, but honestly, I really did not know what would happen. And it doesn't even budge the tractor.
Maybe the made in India iron really does pay off. Just ask Mahindra...except this is a Massey/Simpson tractor, about the same weight as my
Kubota cab tractor. But the Kubota has loaded tires and a FEL, the Massey doesn't. I was on flat land, which I usually will try to be when operating the chipper. Luckily in this regard everything here is very flat.

and I just smiled at your suggestion, yeah dummy you have a Husqvarna forestry helmet in by the chainsaws. Get it out and leave it on the chipper...great idea Roy. Eyes usually don't grow back. And I was wearing glasses of course, and gloves.
And no loose clothes, which I've read is a description that offends some. Hard to stay PC.

Glrret · Feb 28, 2017

I have a WoodMaxx 9900 and I love it, it is simply a beast. I do what Roy suggests and use my forester's helmet it helps prevent being slapped in the face by limbs along with good hearing protection.