Chipper Small acerage chipper/shredder options

[bigtiller]

I could see going to the expense of buying or renting a chipper occasionally if you live in an area where you can't burn.

If you are out of town or if you can burn brush why chip it?

In the fall, when the crops are drying out and nearing the harvest stage, the last thing we want to do is start a fire. Even during the growing season it sometimes gets a little dry during a drought. Fire is, or should be, a concern in the corn belt beginning as early as July and until the harvest is over with and snow covers the stover.

 

[cmugler]

A number of posters in this thread have remarked that they don't need anything bigger than 3" (or whatever) because anything bigger becomes firewood. In my experience this it misguided thinking for a couple of reasons. First, as others have posted, small but twisted pieces, knots, forks, etc., are much easier to feed with a larger opening. But in addition I find I often chip "firewood sized" pieces because they are either too rotted to be good for firewood, or are pine or the like that I won't burn.

Bigger is better in my view, if your tractor and budget will support it.

I would buy a larger unit but I also want a shredder which limits me to a smaller unit unless I spend over $4000.

 

[two_bit_score]

In the fall, when the crops are drying out and nearing the harvest stage, the last thing we want to do is start a fire. Even during the growing season it sometimes gets a little dry during a drought. Fire is, or should be, a concern in the corn belt beginning as early as July and until the harvest is over with and snow covers the stover.

Good reason.

 

[ultrarunner]

Not sure how long California delivery takes... unit shipped last week.

 

[RalphVa]

well, thanks all for all the great responses. I pulled the order trigger today on a 3" PTO Chipper/Shredder that's very similar in design to the Wallenstein BXM32 as far as blade/hammer/drum design, difference is hopper design, from what I can tell. http://www.value-leader.com/3dia-wood-chipper-1dia-shedder-cat-i-3pt-16hp-rated-fh-eco19/
View attachment 521575
Video of it in action (different brand as I believe this is a international version, note the wheels vs. skids):

Since most of my use is smaller stuff similar to what the video is running, I felt this unit would fit my needs well. Like many, anything big enough to burn in a pit or fireplace gets used that way, so I only deal with the trash left from limb'ing out trees or what falls on the ground that can't be burned.
When I get it I'll try to post up pictures and maybe an in-use video.

Again, thanks everyone for all the comments.

Nice unit. However, I recommend getting a full face shield combined with ear muffs PLUS gloves that go up to near your elbow. Otherwise, you can chip naked, as I do. I also recommend getting some heater hose and cutting it up one sit to slip over the lips of all your chutes. Saves wrists and arms from being jammed against the almost sharp metal around the chutes as stuff is dragged in.

I collect leaves from the silly town people who just put them out for collection in bags. One of the leave bags had a hand pruner left in it that I somehow didn't catch when I picked up a double handful of leaves. Well, my McKissic TPH122 spit the pruner back at me. Luckily, not much damage but taught me a lesson re need for face shield and long gloves.

Love my TPH122. Its chutes are separate vs. what you have, but the shredder chute is more convenient for dribbling the leaves into it that what you have. Yours is better for chipping.

The Mac is so easy to work on. Have rotated the hammers several times. It's about a 15 minute job vs. what used to be hours on a TroyBilt that I had before it. One of the 4 bearings isn't zerk greased. That dried up and all but disappeared. It was easy to replace. You can pretty much easily disassemble the whole unit quite easily if needed. Have taken the chipper blade out 3 or 4 times and had it sharpened at a shop while I ran on a spare blade. Easy to do if you have the right allen wrench for your socket.

Ralph

 

[bigtiller]

Nice unit. However, I recommend getting a full face shield combined with ear muffs PLUS gloves that go up to near your elbow. Otherwise, you can chip naked, as I do. I also recommend getting some heater hose and cutting it up one sit to slip over the lips of all your chutes. Saves wrists and arms from being jammed against the almost sharp metal around the chutes as stuff is dragged in.

I collect leaves from the silly town people who just put them out for collection in bags. One of the leave bags had a hand pruner left in it that I somehow didn't catch when I picked up a double handful of leaves. Well, my McKissic TPH122 spit the pruner back at me. Luckily, not much damage but taught me a lesson re need for face shield and long gloves.

Love my TPH122. Its chutes are separate vs. what you have, but the shredder chute is more convenient for dribbling the leaves into it that what you have. Yours is better for chipping.

The Mac is so easy to work on. Have rotated the hammers several times. It's about a 15 minute job vs. what used to be hours on a TroyBilt that I had before it. One of the 4 bearings isn't zerk greased. That dried up and all but disappeared. It was easy to replace. You can pretty much easily disassemble the whole unit quite easily if needed. Have taken the chipper blade out 3 or 4 times and had it sharpened at a shop while I ran on a spare blade. Easy to do if you have the right allen wrench for your socket.

Ralph

There are a lot of things moving and whipping around when chipping/shredding branches. I would be a little more concerned about injuring my right knee, my left knee or my wee-knee.