Chipper Recommendations for a large PTO chipper

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We're looking for a larger PTO driven chipper to run on one of our three tractors, a JD 4400 (28 PTO hp), JD 2550 (65 PTO hp) or Kubota M9540 (85 PTO hp). Would like hydraulic feed, and something between 6" to 10" capacity, with a discharge chute, since we will be blowing the chips into a dump truck. Looking to spend less than $10K, but we want something good.

We have an Echo/Bear Cat dealer here, and I've heard good things about their chippers, but I'd like some input from the experts. Any recommendation on chippers to fit any of the aforementioned tractors would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

[amigauser]

I am partial to SALSCO since they are made here in CT.

The model 6210XT would fit the bill.
http://www.salsco.com/products/6210XT%20WEB.pdf

Not sure what retail price is on one though.

If you really have $10k to spend, you might be better off finding a good used commercial towable chipper. I have seen lots in my area for less than that price, some that will take up to an 18" tree.

 

[daveinnh]

We have a Salsco 627XT mounted from a Kubuta L4310HST - 35HP PTO.

You should contact them for a dealer and demonstration. Valby is also a good brand.

 

[RickB]

Valby and Patu. I've never seen a Salsco, so I can't comment on that brand. Champions don't impress me.

 

[Dead Horse]

I have a Valby two stage that will take up to 8" logs. I run it behind two tractors. One has 90 PTO HP and the other has 35 PTO hp.

The 90 hp is prolly a bit much for it so I am careful to not over load the rotor, the 35 hp tractor is just perfect for it as the engin rpms will indicate when I am pushing it too hard.

I have chopped a lot of slash with this unit and it has held up very well over a 10 year period to literally tons of chipping work for me.

I care for a 40 acre apple orchard and log my forest for firewood, chipping all the slash and tops. I work this thing like a rented mule and it has held up quite well.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Thanks for the input, I'll take a look at those. Let me clarify that our budget is $10K max, and I'd much rather spend $5K or less. Has anyone had any experience with the Echo/Bear Cat chippers, good, bad or indifferent?

 

[FxdGrMind]

BearCat is the only locally available option for me. I have yet to see one as they are out of stock locally at both dealers. I'm hoping to see one in person this w/e. If I get one I'll post my thoughts.

 

[o2batsea]

One vote for not wasting your time with a PTO chipper. No matter how you slice it ( so to speak ) it will not live up to your expectations. Take your ten G's and buy a good used Bandit 90 or 150. Or a Vermeer. Or some brand that people have heard of. This will allow you to do some real work with it, without tying up the tractor. When you are through with it, you can sell it for what you paid, instead of being stuck with a white elephant. My opinion.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm with o2batsea on this one. PTO chippers are fine for the occasional user but large jobs are pushing it (IMHO).
The OP might be better off buying a used stand-alone chipper (you won't buy a new one for 10K) or even renting one for a weekend as required. Good planning can make rental units quite productive (meaning have the trees and branches down and stacked, ready for chipping).

 

[dave1949]

One vote for not wasting your time with a PTO chipper. No matter how you slice it ( so to speak ) it will not live up to your expectations. Take your ten G's and buy a good used Bandit 90 or 150. Or a Vermeer. Or some brand that people have heard of. This will allow you to do some real work with it, without tying up the tractor. When you are through with it, you can sell it for what you paid, instead of being stuck with a white elephant. My opinion.

I can see your logic on that if your chipping needs are not constant or frequent. But I have needed a chipper for 6 years, if I ever get one, I will never be done with it as long as I am living on my lot

No doubt the self contained chippers are very capable, but that comes at a price; another engine to maintain, higher initial cost, etc.

There has to be a reasonable middle of the road solution for folks that want to clean up brush, prunings and sapplings that tend to be 4" or less. I think that is where the PTO chipper fits the bill. It's big enough for the task and the cost is bearable. There are members here who have a Salsco or Wallenstine PTO chipper and are pretty happy with them.
Dave.

 

[RoyJackson]

I can see your logic on that if your chipping needs are not constant or frequent. But I have needed a chipper for 6 years, if I ever get one, I will never be done with it as long as I am living on my lot

No doubt the self contained chippers are very capable, but that comes at a price; another engine to maintain, higher initial cost, etc.

There has to be a reasonable middle of the road solution for folks that want to clean up brush, prunings and sapplings that tend to be 4" or less. I think that is where the PTO chipper fits the bill. It's big enough for the task and the cost is bearable. There are members here who have a Salsco or Wallenstine PTO chipper and are pretty happy with them.
Dave.

The OP is looking for a chipper that can handle 6" to 10" material...far from the requirements of 4" or less.
A chipper that can handle 10" is going to be a big chipper...heavy and substantial HP requirements.
So, o2batsea's post responds to the OP. Dave's post is good, but not really applicable to the OP's question.

BTW, Dave...I'd been looking for a chipper for a few years. I did find a very nice Woods 5000 on Craigslist. This unit had less then 100 hours on it (paint a bit faded, but all the stickers still legible) for $1000. This unit is a chipper/shredder and can handle up to a 6" branch or trunk (tried it, works fine). So, keep an eye on Craigslist Farm and Garden section. You might find the chipper you want at the price you want to pay.

 

[dave1949]

The OP is looking for a chipper that can handle 6" to 10" material...far from the requirements of 4" or less.
A chipper that can handle 10" is going to be a big chipper...heavy and substantial HP requirements.
So, o2batsea's post responds to the OP. Dave's post is good, but not really applicable to the OP's question.

BTW, Dave...I'd been looking for a chipper for a few years. I did find a very nice Woods 5000 on Craigslist. This unit had less then 100 hours on it (paint a bit faded, but all the stickers still legible) for $1000. This unit is a chipper/shredder and can handle up to a 6" branch or trunk (tried it, works fine). So, keep an eye on Craigslist Farm and Garden section. You might find the chipper you want at the price you want to pay.

Yeah, I got off course there. I saw a Woods 8100 chipper advertized for $5500 with supposedly 10 hours run time on it. I posted a thread asking if that was a good price/good chipper and nobody answered, then it fell off my radar screen. Then came the holidays. You know how it goes.
Dave.

 

[RoyJackson]

Yeah, I got off course there. I saw a Woods 8100 chipper advertized for $5500 with supposedly 10 hours run time on it. I posted a thread asking if that was a good price/good chipper and nobody answered, then it fell off my radar screen. Then came the holidays. You know how it goes.
Dave.

That $5500 is probably not too far off new pricing but it still could be available if you can recall where it was advertised (if on Craigslist, do a search for "Chipper" or wording to that effect. Just make sure it's not a scam of any sort. If you get a response something like "My brother can ship...", run the other way!
Woods makes great equipment. That 8100 has hydraulic feed and will handle quite a bit more then you described in your first post. You'll need a pretty stout tractor to handle it's power requirements and weight (about 1350# if I recall correctly) but your TC40 should do fine.
Go to the Woods Equipment site and read about it. I think you can download the manual too.

 

[Verticaltrx]

There are a couple reasons why I'm looking for a PTO chipper over an engine driven one. First, we often use a tractor with a loader to move logs, push brush etc on these types of jobs and would like to only have to haul one piece of equipment behind our C60 dump truck. With a PTO driven chipper it could stay on the 3pt hitch and not really be in the way for moving logs and brush, then be able to chip into the truck and go. Only one truck and trailer to deal with. Secondly, we already have enough engines around here to maintain so another one that would only get used occasionally wouldn't be desirable. Thanks for the suggestions, we will probably rent a towable engine driven chipper to get a feel for how big of a unit we will need, but ultimately I think a PTO unit would suit us better.

 

[ddaacc]

Vert,
Check out the Morbark pto chippers if you are looking for something more serious. My dealer said a while back the 8" was in th range of $10,000; I know area towns have them.
I have a small Patu, great for its size but the Morbarks look very well made, and U.S. made.
Dave

 

[o2batsea]

Brush Bandit Model 100

 

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Brush Bandit Model 100

Thats a pretty good deal, I might have to check it out.

 

[landman]

Ive owned the Patu/Valby pto chipper it worked great, nice big chips, but... the feed angle was terrible, almost horizontal, and it would not self feed well, for another 4k you can get hydro feed. Ive also owned a bearcat with a vertical feed chute, smaller chipper, and smaller chips, worked well, drop and go, but its half the chipper the patu was. Im saving some money for a wallenstein bxm chipper sherdder.
BXM Chipper - Shredders - Wallenstein

Anything to me over 3 or so inches is firewood/kindling.

 

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I realize this thread is a year old, but we finally decided on an Echo Bearcat 9540H so I figured I should update it. The dealer is fairly close and has been great with other purchases and the Echo units looked to be of very good quality. I've run 15 pine trees through it ranging from 6"-15" diameter and I'm pretty impressed with it. It's a 9" capacity with electronic Auto-feed and really makes the wood disappear fast. Trees up to about 8" I just feed the entire tree in and watch it pull it through. Larger stuff I bust up with a splitting maul and feed it through. Overall I would highly recommend these units to anyone looking for a PTO chipper. The price is a bit steep but the performance is top notch.

Attached are a few pics:

 

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Couple more pics: