Wallenstein Chipper or Chipper/Shredder

[Maibox]

I've searched and read a lot of the threads on this topic. I'm still not sure the best course of action. I have a Kubota L3940 (~30HP PTO). We have 43 acres of mostly wooded property. We have lots of "brush" piles left around the edge of the cleared areas by the prior owner. The size ranges anywhere from 8" down to twigs. We also have a lot of downed trees and trees that need to come down (poplars, box elders, some ash, couple of oak with wilt). My wife actually suggested while we were cleaning up some trees I downed that we could use a chipper, so I took that as a sign to move fast before she realized what she'd said and began researching.

I've settled on Wallenstein (nearly everyone happy with them, local dealer is good), but I just can't decide on chipper or chipper/shredder. Assume price no object for non-hydraulic feed, should I go BXM42, BX42 or BX62? We will have smaller branches and leaves. I just can't get a handle on how much trouble I'll have with the chipper only. At my old, more suburban place, we rented a commercial chipper to clear out some young poplars (under 6"). We just fed the whole tree in. It never clogged but the smaller stuff didn't completely chip--quite a few smaller twigs made it through.

Part of me thinks the real choice is BXM42 vs. BX62s. Even though I really don't have the power for full 6", I like the idea of the larger feed hopper and it would be nice to feed some of the larger punky stuff through. On the other hand, we do have lots of smaller branches and then there is the leaves.

Looking for some real world advice. Anyone that went with the shredder and regrets it? Anyone that didn't and wish they did? What about BX42 vs. BX62?

Thanks in advance. This is not an insubstantial investment and I want to be sure I've thought it through and don't regret the decision.

 

[murphy1244]

I went with the BXM-42 for the chute size and being able to feed brush. I am very happy with my choice. Good luck with your decision.

 

[bhh]

I follow this thread with eager anticipation...

 

[Piston]

Even though I really don't have the power for full 6", I like the idea of the larger feed hopper and it would be nice to feed some of the larger punky stuff through. On the other hand, we do have lots of smaller branches and then there is the leaves.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest. Go with the 6" capacity chipper. I know the hydro feed is a lot more money but there is good reason for that . If at all possible I would get the hydro feed. I'm not positive if Wallensein feed has adjustable feed rates but if so, you should be able to chip larger diameter for the same hp than non hydro feed.

However, cost is always a factor. I don't have any experience with the shredder but I can say with properly sharpened blades I've never felt that I needed smaller or more uniform chips. If that's what you need though then perhaps the shredder is a better fit.

 

[CalG]

If you desire garden mulch, choose the shredder combination. If reducing bulk isd the only need, a chipper is the most efficient.

do you burn wood for heat? 8 inch stuff demands a good piece of equipment.

 

[jeff9366]

I have Wallentstein BX42s, manual feed, chipper only, powered by 25 PTO HP Kubota B3300SU.

If I had your more powerful, heavier L3940, plus the extra $1000, and wanted a chipper-only I would purchase the BX62s Your heavier flywheel and engine inertia plus 30 PTO HP is ample, AMPLE, to power a BX62s.

I would repeat my purchase of my BX42s but now I sort wood debris three ways: firewood billets, chip for mulch and burn pile.

Had I bought the BXM42 chipper/shredder I would have eliminated segregation of small stuff for the burn pile which in BXM42 scenario would be shredded where where collected.

With 43 acres as the "tie breaker" go with the BX62s chipper-only over the BXM42 chipper-shredder.

Wallenstein is really quality equipment. The rectangular shape of the feed opening at the rotor makes a BIG difference.

Consider a battery powered reciprocating saw for trimming tree branches. Faster than a chain saw for up to 1",equally fast for up to 1-1/2", blades much cheaper than replacement chains and MUCH SAFER.

Your wife will love operating a battery powered Sawzall.

 

[Piston]

Jeff,
That is the second mention I've heard regarding using the battery powered sawzall. I'm going to try that out next time I use my chipper. Thanks for the tip :thumbsup:

 

[Maibox]

Thanks for the advice so far. Does anyone have pictures of the output for the chippers vs the shredder? My wife would like chips/mulch for planting beds.

 

[DMW]

Burn piles are getting harder to do. Encroaching urban development, and frequent fire bans. I find the BXM32 on my subcompact faster and easier than burning ever was. The largest I've been able to chip with a 3" cap. was a 3"x5" landscaping timber. Your best friend when shredding is a forestry helmet. A pruning attachment on a gas trimmer power head makes a great tool for limbing fallen trees. You can never get close to the chain, and have lots of reach to avoid getting tangled in the foliage.

 

[GBOUTDOORS]

Burn piles are getting harder to do. Encroaching urban development, and frequent fire bans. I find the BXM32 on my subcompact faster and easier than burning ever was. The largest I've been able to chip with a 3" cap. was a 3"x5" landscaping timber. Your best friend when shredding is a forestry helmet. A pruning attachment on a gas trimmer power head makes a great tool for limbing fallen trees. You can never get close to the chain, and have lots of reach to avoid getting tangled in the foliage.

What timing I too am just about to pull the trigger on a BXM32 for my BX2360. I called Woodwardcrossing yesterday and got the best price out of all the close by dealers. At the closest dealer I would have to pick it up 50 miles away and they were $278.00 more then getting it shipped to my lumber yard by Woodwardcrossing. We heat mainly with wood so anything over 3" would not be chipped .

We built our new home on 22 acres of wooded land and have started to clear the under brush and cut down the standing dead oaks that we must have 200+ of. Just wondering if this unit will mulch up the small oak branches as they are very dry and hard.

All so if you can stand another built my house in the wood post we have pictures from start to finish that if you begged I could post over the next few weeks.

 

[murphy1244]

What timing I too am just about to pull the trigger on a BXM32 for my BX2360. I called Woodwardcrossing yesterday and got the best price out of all the close by dealers. At the closest dealer I would have to pick it up 50 miles away and they were $278.00 more then getting it shipped to my lumber yard by Woodwardcrossing. We heat mainly with wood so anything over 3" would not be chipped .

We built our new home on 22 acres of wooded land and have started to clear the under brush and cut down the standing dead oaks that we must have 200+ of. Just wondering if this unit will mulch up the small oak branches as they are very dry and hard.

All so if you can stand another built my house in the wood post we have pictures from start to finish that if you begged I could post over the next few weeks.

Sure would like to see them.:reading:

 

[oosik]

I have Wallenstein BX42 with manual feed. I've powered it with 25 hp pto and now 56 hp pto. It has never given a moments problem. I'm chipping about 95% Ponderosa pine and the rest is mixed - apple, locust, birch. I NEVER limb anything and the chipper simply grabs the trunk/limb/brush and pulls the tree in. Anything bigger then three inches is saved for firewood. If I had a BX62 then I would have to cut the trunks into pieces because I find it just a little difficult to lift a full pine tree that is six inches at the butt. Besides, a six inch tree is firewood up to around three inches or so.

 

[s219]

My BX-42 has no problems with twigs if they are still attached to a limb -- the whole thing gets sucked in and chopped up. However, don't bother to feed in twigs by themselves, it's **** near impossible. Sometimes I can get twigs to ride in with another limb, but generally it's impossible. If you have a lot of twiggy pieces separate, definitely go with a chipper+shredder.

 

[jeff9366]

What timing I too am just about to pull the trigger on a BXM32 for my BX2360.
Just wondering if this BXM32 will mulch up the small oak branches as they are very dry and hard.

I n d u b i t a b l y.

 

[Piston]

All so if you can stand another built my house in the wood post we have pictures from start to finish that if you begged I could post over the next few weeks.

Please please please......
also, post a link to your thread in this one so we all know when you post your pics! Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[newbury]

After having put in about 20 hours chipping I strongly advise getting the biggests "throat" you can. Unless all you are chipping is pretrimmed straight pieces.

I ran across so many gnarly limbs that I had to bend to get into the 8"chute of my Jinma that I daily patted myself on the back for not getting a 4" chipper.

Very often I had limbs <1" diameter with forks and bends in them so bad they couldn't fit in the 8" throat without forcing.

 

[oosik]

s219,
Your "no twig" statement is interesting. I have the same chipper and have no problems with twigs. As a matter of fact, I use a grass rake to gather the twigs as I'm chipping and throw them into the chipper by the handfuls with no problems. I have 30-35 hours on my original side of the blades and they are still sharp (light drag down the blade will deeply cut finger). It must be the kind of twigs - mine are all Ponderosa pine.

 

[GBOUTDOORS]

Please please please......
also, post a link to your thread in this one so we all know when you post your pics! Thanks. :thumbsup:

Ok started a thread over in the projects forums call the building of 101 Pepperbush Lane.

 

[JN4310]

I have the BX42. I wish I had the BX62 just so I didn't have to trim branches as much before feeding, but its truly amazing what will fit in the 4x10 throat. The only jams I have had have been from trying to feed twigs and leaves thru it, so I chip down to where the branches get small and then pull them out of the chute and toss them on the ground to go over with my brush hog. Problem solved. I would love to have the hydraulic feed since at the end of the day my arms look like I lost a cat fight with a tiger. I don't wear sleeves since I don't want them getting caught in the branches. The Wallensteins are awesome.

 

[Furu]

I have Wallenstein BX42 with manual feed. I've powered it with 25 hp pto and now 56 hp pto. It has never given a moments problem. I'm chipping about 95% Ponderosa pine and the rest is mixed - apple, locust, birch. I NEVER limb anything and the chipper simply grabs the trunk/limb/brush and pulls the tree in. Anything bigger then three inches is saved for firewood. If I had a BX62 then I would have to cut the trunks into pieces because I find it just a little difficult to lift a full pine tree that is six inches at the butt. Besides, a six inch tree is firewood up to around three inches or so.

I just looked to see where Amber was. I have never seen a Wallenstein over on this side of the hill. Did you have trouble find Wallensteins on your side or do the dealers carry them in stock?