Chipper Wallenstein BX42 Chipper Tips?

RavensRoost · Mar 17, 2010

I have a BX42 on the way, primary use will be chipping large branches. Those with BX42 or similar have any tips to pass along from personal experience?

texas42 · Mar 17, 2010

Read the manual that comes with it and understand the safe operation.
Adjust the knife clearance as stated in manual as most come from factory with too much clearance.
Check PTO shaft for length so it doesn't bottom out when rasing 3ph.
Great machine easy to operate and maintain.

galen1115 · Mar 17, 2010

Don't wear gloves. Try to store it inside. Very good machine.

Joanna · Mar 17, 2010

galen1115 said:
Don't wear gloves.

Not sure why you said that. I ripped my hand the first limb I put in my BX62 because the vibration is severe. Wear gloves!

I am careful not to hold the limbs TOO firmly and watch out if you are feeding multiple limbed branches. Your hand can get hung up on a branch and get sucked in if you don't pay attention.

I bought the BX62 w/out hydraulics with some trepidation that I would regret not having the auto feed, but have found that there is NO problem at all. the blade seems to grab and pull the branches in just fine. Gravity always works too.

galen1115 · Mar 17, 2010

Joanna said:
Not sure why you said that. Your hand can get hung up on a branch and get sucked in if you don't pay attention.

the blade seems to grab and pull the branches

Dooh

FxdGrMind · Mar 17, 2010

See their web site for their Winter special on "FREE" blades with pruchase (if new). :thumbsup:

I've got one on the way myself, so all the feed back here is much appreciated!

ayelvington · Mar 17, 2010

I just put an hour or so on my BX42 today. I recommend greasing the pillow block at the beginning and end of the season; put an SMV triangle on the feed chute so it shows in the stored (upright) position; try and chip when there are no leaves since they will clog the discharge chute; make sure that the drain hole in the bottom of the chipper stays clear of debris; put anti-sieze on the slip ring for the aiming mechanism of the discharge chute; wear a logging helmet (visor and ear muffs) when chipping; always aim at least at a right-angle to the feed horn so you don't end up with chip in your face (and pants); alternate between larger pieces (2"+) and small stuff to keep the feed and discharge clear; trim thick lateral branches off of large stuff since they tend to bind up when you try to feed them into the hopper; run the chipper on the ground and not elevated.

I love my Wally!

JCB · Mar 17, 2010

galen1115 said:
Don't wear gloves. Try to store it inside. Very good machine.

No gloves is pretty much standard operating procedure around rotating parts. If you don't have a hydraulic feed with a crash bar to STOP the feed into the chipper. Wearing gloves is a risk. I'm not saying I wouldn't wear gloves...but it's a risk.

Joe

RoyJackson · Mar 17, 2010

galen1115 said:
Don't wear gloves.

I'm going to quality that statement...don't wear loose or gauntlet type gloves. You want them snug around the wrist. Loose or gauntlet gloves can snag on a branch being fed to the chipper.
Same thing applies to all clothing (no loose jackets over a tee-shirt) and, if you have longer hair, tie it back or wear a "doo-rag" over your hair.
My Woods 5000 Chipper/Shredder doesn't feed 4-5 inch limbs too fast, but fast enough. The shredder, on the other hand, sucks that brush in like the speed of light! I doubt if these smaller chippers could pull you through, but you could be injured up the point of losing fingers or a hand.