Wallenstein BX-42s with my John Deere 2520

[WilliamD]

I recently acquired a 2520 with a FEL and rear blade. As spring is just around the corner (previous snows have melted so hopefully no more), I am contemplating my next attachment - a PTO wood chipper. My property is heavily wooded and I can use this year round for fallen branches and the like. After quite a bit of research on these forums, I am under the impression that Wallenstein might be a good and reliable brand.

My questions are:

- Is the BX-42 (4" capacity) too much chipper for my tractor? I have huge trees and the downed branches from the winter winds and snows are always quite large. This would be quite useful?

- There is also a version (BXM-42?) that includes a "shredder." Do I really need that?

- I like the pricing on the Wallenstein from a place not too far away, so shipping is relatively modest. But, are there other comparable brands that I should consider?

- Is it possible that a BX-62 would work as well (or another brand) for this tractor?

Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks.

Bill

 

[texas42]

I have a JD 2320 and a Wallenstein BX 42
I use the chipper on limbs (3 to 4") and smaller stuff that comes down in the wind storms.
I have no problems, but I'm not running it a full 4" capacity all the time.
I also thought about the BXM but I went with the BX 42 and get along fine with it even doing some small stuff. I don't have real need for a shredder for leaves etc.
The Wallenstein is a good well thought out unit. Made well, simple design, no belts and easy to maintain.
I think, but don't know, that a BX 62 might be too much for a 2520 if you were chipping to the full capacity of the BX 62.

 

[Ductape]

Agreed ..........the 62 is way too much chipper for your tractor. The 42 is a nice machine, lots of favorable reviews on this site. As far as the shredder goes, if you do alot of small limbs and leaves, the shredder works well. Chippers only can tend to clog up with alot of small leafy stuff or pine needles.

 

[Runner]

I have a 2520 and BX42 and it does fine up to about 3 inch branches. It will do up to 4 inches, but only on soft wood. I've had it bog down and kill the engine on 4 inch hard, old stuff.

Seemed to self-feed really well when new, but not so well now. Maybe my blades are getting dull, but I don't have that many hours on it.

Also, it will plug up really quick when trying to put light-weight stuff through it with a lot of leaves, such as willow branches. You have to mix the leafy stuff with some non-leafy stuff to get it to go through without clogging.

For that reason, I would go for the one with the shredder, although I'm sure it's quite a bit more expensive.

Speaking of expense, if money was no object, I'd also go for the hydraulic feed. Not so much because it needs help feeding, but because it would help to control how fast it feeds. Those hard, 4" branches I was having trouble with? I think it would handle them a lot better if they could be fed in slowly and then slow down or stop the feeding when it starts to bog down. Without the feeder, it sucks them in and you can't (or wouldn't want to try) to keep them from going in fast enough to kill the engine.

I agree with the others that the BX62 is too much for the 2520...the 42 is all it wants.

I'm not down on the BX42, I'd buy one again, but probably with the shredder option to handle the lightweight stuff without clogging up (the shredder model wasn't available when I bought mine).

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[WilliamD]

Thanks for the advice, all. The 62 is out (and really what I had expected). Pricing differences between the BX-42 and BXM-42 (with shredder) is $2499 for the BX and $3699 for the BXM. Shipping to my property will be about $250 for the BX and $369 for the BXM. Of course, they will have to drop it off at a place where I can attach directly to my 3 point hitch as that is really the only way I can move it.

What about the Bearcat choppers with my 2520? I see these supporting either 4.5" or 5" that look to be within my tractor's horsepower range or will I be disappointed?

I do have lots of freshly broken white pine branches ( recent, heavy wet snow/ice in northern VA) most of them in 2" to 4" ranges and some as long as 15 feet or more. Of course hundreds of smaller 1/2" to 2" branches without leaves. Too much for a 42 on a 2520?

After the winter cleanup, then just picking up lots of older, downed limbs.

Again, many thanks for the quick responses.

 

[BATTY54]

I have the BX-42 on my JD 850 22HP PTO. It sails through green, white pine 3-4 inch without a problem. The only time it stalled out was on a 15' 3+ inch dry red oak, too long a piece and it dragged the engine down.
No problem on white pine, or needles plugging up the chute but will plug up on green hemlock. I like the "no belts" part of the machine never have to adjust and try to find a set of belts on a weekend to finish a job.

 

[lwalsh]

I ran a bx42 on a 2210 and now on my 2720. I agree with Runner. I just wanted to mention that the price you were quoted seems pretty average. I think anyone should sell one for that if offered. I bought mine new three years ago for 1899.00 At that time I believe 2299.00 was the internet price.

 

[WilliamD]

I have a 2520 and BX42 and it does fine up to about 3 inch branches. It will do up to 4 inches, but only on soft wood. I've had it bog down and kill the engine on 4 inch hard, old stuff.

Seemed to self-feed really well when new, but not so well now. Maybe my blades are getting dull, but I don't have that many hours on it.

Also, it will plug up really quick when trying to put light-weight stuff through it with a lot of leaves, such as willow branches. You have to mix the leafy stuff with some non-leafy stuff to get it to go through without clogging.

For that reason, I would go for the one with the shredder, although I'm sure it's quite a bit more expensive.

Speaking of expense, if money was no object, I'd also go for the hydraulic feed. Not so much because it needs help feeding, but because it would help to control how fast it feeds. Those hard, 4" branches I was having trouble with? I think it would handle them a lot better if they could be fed in slowly and then slow down or stop the feeding when it starts to bog down. Without the feeder, it sucks them in and you can't (or wouldn't want to try) to keep them from going in fast enough to kill the engine.

I agree with the others that the BX62 is too much for the 2520...the 42 is all it wants.

I'm not down on the BX42, I'd buy one again, but probably with the shredder option to handle the lightweight stuff without clogging up (the shredder model wasn't available when I bought mine).

Best of luck with your decision.

Great picture of the BX42 on your 2520. Question about that iMatch I see that hooked up to. Did you have to make any modifications to the PTO shaft? How do you like the iMatch? I've seen several videos of it in use - e.g. With chains, lifting heavy objects, as well as quickly attaching attachments. But what about with those such as the BX42 with PTO shafts?

Thanks again for your comments. I'm now torn between with shredder or without.... I'm leaning without at this point... With shipping that is quite a bit.

 

[RoyJackson]

Good comments on the chipper!

As far as a shredder, it's a nice addition for those smaller branches and leafy tops that the chippers don't digest so well. My chipper/shredder, a Woods 5000, does a great job on all types of vegetation up to 5".
BTW, as much as I like my Woods 5000...and I got a very good deal on it (used implement), I cannot say I recommend any chipper that drops the chips directly under it. That's a bit of a PITA, but I can deal with it.

 

[Runner]

William,

I got lucky and the drive shaft length worked perfectly with the iMatch with no modification. I guess that would mean it would be too long without the iMatch (but maybe not, you would have to check per the instructions).

As for the iMatch, that always turns into a Ford vs Chevy discussion, but personally, I LOVE mine. I bought all my stuff new and with the iMatch in mind. Therefore, everything works. I tried hooking up my KK rake (which is NOT iMatch compatible) only once before coming up with an adapter so I would never have to do it again...

I knew that my rake and carryall were not iMatch compatible when I bought them and did it willingly, knowing that I had a way to deal with it. However, I for sure wouldn't do that with something like a mower.

I couldn't even imagine screwing around with hooking attachments up without the iMatch on a regular basis.