Wood Chipper with Sub Compact

[Fordlightning]

I recently purchased Massey GC1720. Looking for input on 3 point wood chipper for sub compact tractor. How many have used on sub compact, and will it handle the the load? Brands that are rated for this size. I have looked at couple different brands, but the woodmaxx 86h looks nice. I hate the idea buying self powered chipper. I just used my father in laws new self powered chipper and was weak and junky (11.5hp unit from lowe's).

 

[jeff9366]

I operated a Walllenstein PTO chipper, which I bought new, behind my Kubota B3300SU (33-hp engine/25-hp PTO).

There are multiple issues with chippers:

1. There are chippers and there are chipper/shredders. These implements are not one size fits all.

2. The first year chippers are OK. The second year, when knives dull and clearances are banged a bit off, they require considerable maintenance.

3. Chippers require inside storage.

4. Chippers are dangerous. Prudent, physically fit adults OK. No one else. You are always hot and dehydrated when chipping. Eyes, hands and arms most at risk. Stroke and heart attack potential for the over fifty set.

5. Subcompact tractor will run a small chipper. You cannot chip bigger than 3" diameter with a small chipper.

I sold my Wallenstein, generally considered to be the premier brand, in year three and returned to burning. In my opinion you can buy truckloads of chips cheaper than the maintenance, opportunity cost of your time and potential for injury, for your time chipping.

The RECTANGULAR feed opening on a Wallenstein is much better than the square feed openings to the chipping knives on other chippers. You can feed significantly larger material with limb stubs into a RECTANGULAR opening.

 

[The Deerslayer]

IMO there is no comparison between the power of a pto chipper vs the type you mentioned. I have a Bearcat and the thing is an animal. Bought it used and extremely pleased with it. Although it does not get used all the time, it is a huge benefit to know I can use it whenever needed vs. renting one. Check the hp requirements for your tractor compared to the units you are considering. You will find that when they come up for sale used, they do not last long as they get scooped up pretty quick.

 

[TerryR]

I have the same unit as Deerslayer, and love it. I run it with a JD 870, which has a bit more HP than your tractor, and it does load down when a stout 3 to 4 inch log is chipped, but most of those other than pine go in the fireplace. But watch the HP requirements when you are looking. Even so, as Deerslayer says, there is no comparison with the little self-powered models.

For occasional homeowner use there is really no maintenance beyond greasing and sharpening the blades from time to time.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I have a GC1720 (previously GC2400) and a Wallenstein BXM32. Its a great combination. It will bog down a bit under certain conditions, but I've never come close to stalling the tractor. The blades are reversible, and I got an extra set free when I purchased from Woodward Crossings in PA. I would think if thoughtful when working, you could even go up a size to the BXM42. I highly considered the bearcat SC5540, Woods offers the same model rebranded. I wouldn't go any bigger than that for sure. I also looked at the Mackissic. I wanted a chipper/shredder, and really like the top discharge for directing the output.

 

[Garandman]

We have a Wallenstein. Burn permits are a bit of a pain here so we chip all the tops and saplings.

The dealer suggested the ext size up so that I could fit bigger pieces. Wish I'd listened to him as we often have to cut off the base.

That said, in 45 minutes we turned a brush pile 20' long, 10' wide and up to 6' high into a pile of chips. When I'm clearing trails we just feed the stuff right into the woods. Works great.

 

[Fordlightning]

Thanks for reply's. I have been checking out listed manufacture web sites. The heavy rotor units seem like they would work better for my little tractor. Seem right?
I only want a chipper, no need for combo unit (I don't like how much price jumps with shredder). There is a wallenstein near me for sale at good price. It is only a chipper. Maintenance wise I'm ok with any thing that might need to be done (ASE/GM Master certify technician).

 

[RalphVa]

I've used a McKissic TPH-122 for about 11 years on my 4010, 1025R and 2025R. The 4010 with 18.5 hp had plenty of hp for up to the 3 1/2" stuff the Mac would take.

Before that, I had a TroyBilt Tomahawk. Would often bog it down and have to restart or to remove the screen and take out clogs. Think I've stalled the Mac maybe twice. It and the bush hog are mainly what I run on my tractors, probably about 50/50 out of the 660 hours on the 4010 and about 120 or so on the 1025R and now 50 on the 2025R.

BIG difference between the Tomahawk and Mac is ease of maintenance. Rotating the blades or changing out the chipper blade are pieces of cake compared to these jobs on the Tomahawk. Even replaced the 1 (out of 4, other 3 or zerk greased) non zerk greased bearing on the Mac. Easy job.

Ralph

Ralph

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder which I've owned for about 7 or 8 years.
If the OP is a typical residential user (like I am), I think he'll find the shredder gets as much or more use then the chipper.

I've ran this behind:
Deere 790 (24 PTO HP)
Deere 4400 (30 PTO HP)
Deere 4520 (40 PTO HP claimed...46 PTO HP as tested)
(All PTO Data from TractorData.com)

All three tractors ran the chipper quite well...an occasional bog on the 790, but pretty good for the most part.

Fordlightning, the OP, has a Massey Ferguson 1529. Per Tractor Data, the 1529 has 23 PTO HP.
I think the Woods 5000 (rated at 15-40 PTO HP) would do quite well....maybe an occasional bogging.

Jeff9366 wrote the hard work involved in chipping. I won't deny it's strenuous, but unless one is working 8 hours straight, it's not really too bad. I'm 66 (closer to 67) and in reasonably decent shape considering the stroke and heart attack). I'll chip/shred for a while, take a break, then chip and shred some more. It'll get done, but it doesn't have to get done that quickly.

Chippers are dangerous, as are tractors. no kids, pets and no alcohol while working...drink water and look forward to that beer when you're done. I'd also recommend a Forester's Helmet with hearing protection and a face shield.

The video is not my unit...just got it off YouTube. Like the unit in the video, mine doesn't have a chute. A chute is an option, but since I bought my 5000 used (Craigslist) ad it gets worked 3-4 times a year, I don't want to spend another grand on a chute.

I just noticed that Fordlightning has GC1720 (must have traded his 1529) with (per TractorData) just under 20 PTO HP. I still think the Woods unit would work, but running 5" stuff might bog the tractor down.

 

[jeff9366]

The heavy rotor units seem like they would work better for my little tractor. Seem right?
I only want a chipper, no need for combo unit (I don't like how much price jumps with shredder). There is a wallenstein near me for sale at good price. It is only a chipper.

Weight of rotor, number of knives and size of opening to knives key. Wallenstein's chippers have heavy rotors, four knives, rectangular opening. Competitors mostly have one or two knives.

Chippers do only somewhat trimmed tree trunks. Small branches, especially green, and leaves will clog a chipper. Wallenstein makes this pretty clear on their web site. Best tool to clear clogs is a battery powered Sawzall with a 9" blade, which "saws" clogs out immediately.

 

[RoyJackson]

Chippers do only somewhat trimmed tree trunks. Small branches, especially green, and leaves will clog a chipper. Wallenstein makes this pretty clear on their web site. Best tool to clear clogs is a battery powered Sawmill with a 9" blade, which "saws" the clog out immediately.

The Woods unit has 4 knives (IIRC) and can take up to a 5" diameter branch, as long as it's pretty straight. I keep lopers and a chainsaw (as well as a fire rake and shovel) close by when I'm working to handle any trimming or cutting.
Smaller (<1") stuff definitely tends to clog...which is the advantage of the shredder.
I've also found it advantageous to let the stuff set a week to dry out. Dry (meaning the wood isn't as gummy and leaves are crispy) chips much easier....also, IMHO, better to accumulate a pile over a few months rather then hook the chipper up.The Woods 5000 is an older design (actually manufactured by Bearcat) and is not quick hitch compatible...some of the newer quick hitches have adjustable top hooks, so they might work

 

[Fordlightning]

I have a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder which I've owned for about 7 or 8 years.
If the OP is a typical residential user (like I am), I think he'll find the shredder gets as much or more use then the chipper.

I've ran this behind:
Deere 790 (24 PTO HP)
Deere 4400 (30 PTO HP)
Deere 4520 (40 PTO HP claimed...46 PTO HP as tested)
(All PTO Data from TractorData.com)

All three tractors ran the chipper quite well...an occasional bog on the 790, but pretty good for the most part.

Fordlightning, the OP, has a Massey Ferguson 1529. Per Tractor Data, the 1529 has 23 PTO HP.
I think the Woods 5000 (rated at 15-40 PTO HP) would do quite well....maybe an occasional bogging.

Jeff9366 wrote the hard work involved in chipping. I won't deny it's strenuous, but unless one is working 8 hours straight, it's not really too bad. I'm 66 (closer to 67) and in reasonably decent shape considering the stroke and heart attack). I'll chip/shred for a while, take a break, then chip and shred some more. It'll get done, but it doesn't have to get done that quickly.

Chippers are dangerous, as are tractors. no kids, pets and no alcohol while working...drink water and look forward to that beer when you're done. I'd also recommend a Forester's Helmet with hearing protection and a face shield.

The video is not my unit...just got it off YouTube. Like the unit in the video, mine doesn't have a chute. A chute is an option, but since I bought my 5000 used (Craigslist) ad it gets worked 3-4 times a year, I don't want to spend another grand on a chute.

I updated my tractor. I used to have MF 1529 (sold couple months back) and purchased MF GC1720. The GC1720 has 25 hp motor, but 19 hp pto.

 

[RoyJackson]

I updated my tractor. I used to have MF 1529 (sold couple months back) and purchased MF GC1720. The GC1720 has 25 hp motor, but 19 hp pto.

I noticed that after I posted. I did update my first post accordingly.
19 PTO HP is still doable (the Woods unit is rated for 15-40 PTO HP), but I don't think you'll be able to use it's full chipping capacity. One thing I did do to make the chipper work better with the 790 was to cut branches down to 5-8 feet, depending on the diameter and type of wood.
With the 4400, if I could lift it, the chipper would chip it no matter how long.

 

[TerryR]

Chippers do only somewhat trimmed tree trunks. Small branches, especially green, and leaves will clog a chipper.

I agree somewhat about trimmed trees, but the issue with clogging has not been my experience. My Bear Cat will eat anything that doesn't have branches to wide and stiff to get into the feed opening. I feed it all sorts of small stuff, dry or green, and I've never clogged it beyond what pushing in with the next branch will clear. Might be an issue with power feed, but homeowners don't need power feed anyway.

 

[TerryR]

One thing I did do to make the chipper work better with the 790 was to cut branches down to 5-8 feet, depending on the diameter and type of wood.
With the 4400, if I could lift it, the chipper would chip it no matter how long.

I never chop up anything I can lift:



But I have had to jerk long tough stuff out a few times when it lugged my 870 down.

 

[Farmer2750]

We have a frontier chipper that takes a 9" log it bogs our 125 hp at the pto tractor down

 

[vsteel]

Might be an issue with power feed, but homeowners don't need power feed anyway.

I so disagree with this statement. I won't even touch a chipper that doesn't have a hydraulic feed. I have used them and the feeding isn't even in the same area code as far as I am concerned. (Mechanical would be OK if I had the tractor to handle a lot more brute force)

I have a John Deere 2320 which has 18HP at the PTO. I just got a Woodmaxx TM-86H and I LOVE it. I can control the feed rate to what I am chipping. I had a small piece of 5 inch dry cherry I was able to chip. I had to go really slow and make sure it didn't take to big of a bite but I was impressed I could do it. (I wouldn't recommend trying anything that big because it takes a while to go through it but it will if you are willing to let it feed really slow) Normally I just feed the small stuff because I make anything above about 3.5 inches firewood. I have fed bunches of small elm trees/saplings with tons of leaves (a lot more leaves than tree) and it ate it up without issues. I love being able to feed in a long branch, let it bite it and walk away and grab the next one while the chipper is chewing on the current branch. I don't have to worry about it sucking in wood too fast because it is self feeding or not able to handle the smaller branches. I love being able to feed large wild rose branches and just let it start and watch the chipper and the rose fight, the chipper always wins.

I can't tell you how much I love the Woodmaxx, it has surpassed my expectations.

 

[Code54]

I have to agree with Vsteel - hydro feed is the way to go. Had a Wallenstein, nice chipper but didn't have hydro feed and was a little small for my use (4")
I sold it and bought a Woodmaxx 8" hydro feed model - no comparison, the Woodmaxx is far quicker, controls the feed, and is MUCH easier to use. I stick the branch in and walk away, if you some how jam it, hit the reverser and it pops it right out with out shutting the tractor down. Also can pause large limbs if you notice the tractors RPM's are dropping at all.

Also the flat entry is much easier than some of the shoots that are angled upward making you lift the limb up then stick it down in. When you have 20' foot long limbs that are 5 or more inches in diameter that is a real workout!

 

[cutthroat]

My two cents. Just got a used Jinma chipper the other day. I have a NX6010, have 47 HP at the PTO so power is not an issue with this chipper. I too agree with the power/auto feed comments. While my Jinma has a belt driven feed roller, I wouldn't have been happy with a no feed design (gravity feed). I like the flat, near horizontal feed of the Jinma as well, makes it easier to load heavy branches into. I really like my Jinma and it works great. Have already put about 10 hours on it.

 

[Garandman]

I'm perfectly happy with the manual feed Wallenstein. It was $3,000, couldn't justify spending more.