Chipper Wallenstein BX40 Chipper

[rugs]

I've posted a copy of the info I got about Split-Fire chippers here . In June, 2005 I was quoted $3,725 (!) for the 4003 model (this is the 3pt hitch chipper). I have not actually seen one of these chippers, but the spec sheet sez: "Final drive: pto with gearbox." The trailer mounted units clearly use a belted up drive system, and I assume the PTO unit is similar.

FL-Cracker--
Your hands-on experience is troubling. I spent about 45 min this summer feeding stuff into a BX40 hooked up to a small Kioti (I used up most of the "demo" material the dealer had out back). The bigger in diameter the material, the better the chipper fed. With 3-4" stuff, the chipper pulled in the material; I just guided and supported the end of the branch or small tree. As the branch got feathery, with lots of leaves, the material would stop feeding, and I'd have to start another, larger piece behind it.
Even with 4" stuff there seemed no strain at all on the chipper or tractor (the Kioti was a CK30, which I think is 24 hp at the PTO). There was no chatter or hesitation; the chipper just ate it up and spit it out. Of course, I was mostly chipping green willow--probably the easiest of any possible material to handle. I wish I could have justified the $$ (and had a large enough tractor) for a hydraulic feed unit!

On another note, I think people should think carefully about their needs when choosing a chipper. If it's mostly brush and little stuff (2"+ and smaller), I think a chipper/shredder is the way to go. Well designed c/shredders are effortless to use: you just drop in the material and it disappears. If you'll be doing mostly solid stuff 2" and bigger, I like the simplicity and (usually) lower cost of a straight chipper. As always, your mileage may vary.

 

[jeffinsgf]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...On another note, I think people should think carefully about their needs when choosing a chipper. If it's mostly brush and little stuff (2"+ and smaller), I think a chipper/shredder is the way to go. Well designed c/shredders are effortless to use: you just drop in the material and it disappears. If you'll be doing mostly solid stuff 2" and bigger, I like the simplicity and (usually) lower cost of a straight chipper. As always, your mileage may vary.)</font>

I got lucky when I was shopping and found a used Bush Hog chipper/shredder with the optional blower, which is the Goossen, private labeled for Bush Hog. I was out yesterday thinning the edge of our woods. I was taking out mostly Eastern Red Cedar from sapling to 3 inch. What is nice about the chipper/shredder design is that you can feed the trunk through the chipper, then when it gets to the leafy/needly stuff, just throw it into the shredder and it is gone. Rugs, that was a nice write up from your research. It was reassuring to see my unit at the top of your list, since my research was not nearly as extensive as yours.

 

[rugs]

Jeffinsgf--

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think you've got the best of both worlds. If I had a slightly bigger tractor, and a *much* fatter wallet, it would have been a tough choice between the Goossen and a Valby. I do think the Goossen gets the nod for all-round utility. A new CS5400PTO with blower would have cost me over $4k this summer... let me know if you get tired of your unit!