What would you do..?

B7500 · Apr 28, 2003

I've got 5 acres of brush, limbs and branches to clean up. Would you buy a chipper ($3,000+) or buy a grapple bucket to move the stuff to burn?
I'm not saying money is no option because it is however, I'm looking for the best way to attack this problem.
-Terry

MikePA · Apr 28, 2003

After you finish clearing up this 5 acres will you have a need for either attachment again? If so, that's the one I'd buy. If not, I'd hire someone to do it.

thcri · Apr 28, 2003

Terry,

Three Grand is a lot of money? I guess if you get the chipper then you will need place to put the chips. Which you may have. How long of a project is this. If you stretch it out over a few years I guess you could get free chips for a few years. My opinion would be to get your grapple hook, some diesel fuel and a match. That is just my opinion. Oh yes I guess I shouldn't tell you to use diesel fuel to get it going. Get yourself some paper to get it started. I would take the extra money after you get the grapple set up and use it for other attachments.

You would also have to through in your decision is when you have everything cleaned up on your property what would you do with the chipper??

Grapple hook you would find other things to use it for? At least I would

murph

froggy · Apr 28, 2003

I agree with Mike.

Chipperman · Apr 28, 2003

B7500
If you want my two cents $3000 is not going to by you much of a chipper to clean up 5 acres. For what you are trying to do if was going to buy a chipper I would buy a hydraulic feed chipper. Four inch is about all you can run ($5000-5600) if you have a B7500. Hope that helps
Chipperman

B7500 · Apr 28, 2003

Thanks guys for all your input. You pretty much talked me out of the chipper (and saved me lots of money). Any suggestions on a good grapple?
-Terry

RobertN · Apr 28, 2003

I would yank the brush, and then rent a chipper. I can rent a 25hp hydrualic feed for about $100/day. I do not think it is worth buying one. I have a smaller chipper that I use, for small stuff, and for lite cleanup.

One note though... If you chip stuff, do not put it into one big unorganized pile. It will be a pain to drag the stuff off the pile to get it into the chipper. A big loose pile, or several loose piles is better(been there, done that...)

Anonymous Poster · Apr 28, 2003

I'm curious about this situation. Where or better yet, "what" are you going to do with the chips once you've finished? Why not just burn it? Personally, I'd rent an excavator for probably a day (unless you have a lot of stuff to clear, 5 acres is a godo size to keep you occupied for a while) and then get the clearing done and then put in in one pile and burn it. You can you use your own machine for whatever tasks you wand to help out. If you have a place to put the chips or if you can haul them away, then scratch my idea. I don't know. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Blake
WA

GregJ · Apr 29, 2003

Terry,
Judging by most of the responses, I guess I'm a little different. I did buy a 3pt. chipper and I have really enjoyed it. Actually it was my wifes idea. We have a large area to landscape and I am composting close to 30 yards of mulch that I chipped right now. Every year we used to pay close to $500 on compost, mulch and fine bark. Now we can make our own and use it as we need it. I have also enjoyed learning a little about composting. It is kinda interesting if you're wierd that way. I just took down several trees and chipped all the limbs. We have a lot of yard waste and debris that needs to be dealt with all the time. We have neighbors quite close and we used to burn all the time. They were polite about it, but I know it bothered them, since they don't burn themselves. I am attaching a picture of my setup and one of my piles. I only paid a little over $2000 for my Bearcat. So far I've been very pleased with it. I think the justification for a chipper/shredder is having a good use for the mulch, and a consistent supply of debris. In my case, I can use every bit of mine and the supply is endless.

Greg

FamilyFarm · Apr 29, 2003

I would check with Bailey's. www.baileys-online.com
I know I have seen a 3 pt hydraulic grapple there (although may cost as much as chipper and may not fit your tractor) and I know they sell skidding or lifting tongs for a whole lot less money than a chipper! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Terry