Chipper Which wood chipper to buy?

jacuba · Dec 21, 2013

Looking to purchase a new heavy duty Cat 2, 3pt Quick Hitch, PTO driven wood chipper that will handle 85 PTO HP. Be used to chip Ash, Cottonwood, Mulberry, and Cedar. I have not researched any and would like some advice from people that own one and what I need to look for based on their experiences.

Steppenwolfe · Dec 21, 2013

I run a WOODMAXX on my 52 hp Kubota. 8 inch hydraulic fed. Really nice machine and easy to use.

Herkypilot · Dec 21, 2013

I have the same chipper (with the same tractor) as Steppenwolfe. It works well. For an 8" chipper, 85 hp would be more than tripple the PTO hp you'd need. Mine hasn't slowed down regardless what I feed it. The hydro feed is adjustable on this unit anyway. If you need to slow the feed speed, it's easy to do, but I haven't needed to do it.
If money isn't really a consideration, then the Wallenstein chippers are highly thought of by many on here.

HP

Stonehaller · Dec 22, 2013

I have a Wallenstein BX62. With your size tractor, you could go with their larger BX92. I like the Wallenstein. It makes nice chips, throws the chips well and self feeds very well. Their chippers are very rugged and easy to maintain.

oosik · Dec 22, 2013

I went from a Wallenstein BX42 to current BX62. Wally's have always been a minimal maintenance piece of equipment for me. I chip almost 100% ponderosa pines so its an easy job for the chipper. I've always wondered how a person handles the trees that a larger chipper can chip. I mean - a pine that is 6" on the butt and 25 feet tall is more tree than I can manhandle. I got the larger chipper because the larger chipping flywheel makes operation a lot smoother.

Also - I have NEVER found that either of the Wally's need the hydraulic in-feed system. Trees feed into the chipper very easily without any need for limb trimming - at least for pines.

s219 · Dec 22, 2013

I have had great luck with my Wallenstein. The design, quality, and construction are top notch. For the money, it was the best option when I was shopping around. I have the BX-42 (up to 4" material) on a 29HP tractor, so you'd want to go much bigger of course.

Jack Yuan · Dec 22, 2013

My suggestion is, no matter what brand you choose, you should need a hydraulic self-feeding system anyhow. :laughing:

tree farmer · Dec 22, 2013

Jack Yuan said:
My suggestion is, no matter what brand you choose, you should need a hydraulic self-feeding system anyhow. :laughing:

I'll agree with a hyd. feed as necessary. I have a Wallenstein BX42R, and it will not only pull in forked limbs etc, but the feed rollers keep stuff in the chute instead of throwing it back at you at 250MPH...An option well worth a couple grand extra....Dan.

TerryR · Dec 22, 2013

I don't have a power feed on my chipper, and have never been able to figure out why a homeowner would need one. If you are using it professionally, day after day, yes. But for occasional use cleaning up the homestead I think it's totally a luxury. OK if you have money to burn, otherwise really a waste in my view.

Terry

Jack Yuan · Dec 23, 2013

this thread starter said he want a heavy duty chipper, so I think it should be with hydraulic feeding. For hobby farmers, if want to save money, then hydraulic feeding is not necessary I think.

Herkypilot · Dec 23, 2013

There's a difference in chute angle between the Woodmaxx and the Wallenstein chippers. Woodmaxx style chippers have a horizontal feed chute whereas the Wallensteins are angled down, which assists with feeding. The Woodmaxx hyd. fed chipper wasn't that much more than manual and it was still significantly less expensive than Wallenstein. Now that is a better decision point for a "hobby farmer" occasional user then with or without hydraulic feed.

My :2cents:.

HP

econometrics · Dec 23, 2013

I'm also a BX62 owner. No hydrofeed on mine either, and I definitely don't think I need one. The Wallenstein pulls the limbs in really well on its own.

The simplicity and sheer brute-ness of the Wallenstein design is what endeared me to them.

Check WoodwardCrossings.con (I think - just Google them) for their price. Their prices and service is top notch.

oosik · Dec 23, 2013

Very true. My BX62 grabs the tree/limbs and literally rips them out of my hand. If it were any more aggressive I would have to stand back and launch the trees at the intake chute just to maintain safe clearance from being drug in also.

newbury · Dec 23, 2013

For those of you with the Wallensteins -

Are they all direct drive?
Do you shear many bolts?
Do any of you use PTO shafts with a clutch?

It seems most of the "chinese" chippers use belts.

There have been several times my Jinma would "choke" on a big limb and I had to quickly disengage the chipper while the belts slipped a bit.

Jack Yuan · Dec 23, 2013

Herkypilot said:
There's a difference in chute angle between the Woodmaxx and the Wallenstein chippers. Woodmaxx style chippers have a horizontal feed chute whereas the Wallensteins are angled down, which assists with feeding. The Woodmaxx hyd. fed chipper wasn't that much more than manual and it was still significantly less expensive than Wallenstein. Now that is a better decision point for a "hobby farmer" occasional user then with or without hydraulic feed.

My :2cents:.

HP

I think the biggest difference is its price. :laughing:

murphy1244 · Dec 23, 2013

Jack Yuan said:
I think the biggest difference is its price. :laughing:

And Quality

Jack Yuan · Dec 23, 2013

murphy1244 said:
And Quality

Between woodmaxx and wallenstein, I think the quality difference is not too much.

This is the BX62 which I bought last year, we learn it carefully.

murphy1244 · Dec 23, 2013

Jack Yuan said:
Between woodmaxx and wallenstein, I think the quality difference is not too much.View attachment 351719

This is the BX62 which I bought last year, we learn it carefully.

I've read of too much problems with your Copycat chippers to know better Jack. You learn cheaply.:laughing:

s219 · Dec 23, 2013

newbury said:
For those of you with the Wallensteins -

Are they all direct drive?

Do you shear many bolts?
Do any of you use PTO shafts with a clutch?

It seems most of the "chinese" chippers use belts.

There have been several times my Jinma would "choke" on a big limb and I had to quickly disengage the chipper while the belts slipped a bit.

1. As far as I know

2. None yet

3. Not me

dave1949 · Dec 23, 2013

It depends on what is meant by "chipping" for sure.

With 85 HP you could chip some serious sized wood, if as mentioned, you have a plan for getting the tree to/into the chipper. Big trees would call for hydraulic feed.

I've never missed not having hydraulic feed on my BX62, but I don't chip large trees. Mostly 3" and smaller. I may cut a tall sapling in half, but that is so I can swing it into position without getting hung up in the surrounding trees. I would be doing that even if I had a hydraulic feed.