Wood Chipper with Sub Compact

[Huskerfan]

Reasons to consider the Woodmaxx TM86H
1) Works on the BX2200 or a larger tractor
2) Hydraulic infeed with reversing motor allows you to speed up, slow down, reverse or stop the feed rate of branches depending on their diameter and available pto power.
3) Four cutting knives.
4) 125 lb flywheel.
5) Hopper hinges inward for easy transport, and a smaller storage footprint
6) While it weighs in at ~ 600 lbs, due to the fold up compact design, it can be easily rolled around on a dolly over a concrete floor, easing 3pt hookup.
7) Will chip a 6 inch oak limb, assuming you don't want it for firewood, just slow the feed rate.

 

[coolnick73]

I have to agree with the previous comments about getting an auto feeder. I just got a Woodmaxx WM-8H and really love it. It's nice to be able to feed it and walk away to get the next piece. You will still have to guide some branches, but for the most part I am able to put it in and it feeds itself. I have noticed that when feeding it some gooseberry branches they will wrap around the roller, but it will self clear after a few minutes, and faster if you feed it a branch.

My chipper's primary diet is buckthorn, honeysuckle and boxelder.

Also, keep in mind the weight of the machine. I have a smaller tractor that would probably spin the chipper, but it might struggle to lift it and carry it around on its 3pt.

 

[vsteel]

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

That is what I spent on my Woodmax TM-86H with the USA made tumbling bar and the USA replacement kit. $2650 if I had got just the chipper, shipping is free.

Don't get me wrong, I think Wallenstein are great chippers but I don't make my living chipping wood. If I did I would be looking at the Wallenstein hydraulic feed models but to get a similar model, say the BX52R I am looking at around $8K. I would also have a lot larger tractor at that point.

 

[dickfoster]

I've been looking at this one lately.

http://woodlandmills.ca/us/product/wc68-6-pto-wood-chipper/

They have a larger one but my 30HP PTO is at the bottom end of required HP for it. This one works with as little as 20 HP at the PTO. At 2600 bucks including shipping, it's not too bad.

 

[Joe13]

Hey there, figured I would hop onto this thread to get a idea. I have been looking at a chipper for the back of my Kubota 4060 L cab. The one I am most interested in is a Bearcat Wood Chipper Model 73454. There is a used one near me for 1650. I couldn't seem to find a PTO requirement for it, but I assume my tractor could handle it no problem. It would never see anything over 3" as I burn firewood, but I was looking for a solution for the branches and limbs left over from the firewood process.

has anyone run a bearcat? thoughts on price and my tractor's ability to run it? this is the exact one in question. Bearcat Wood Chipper Model 73454
The Kubota is a hydrostatic if that matters.

Thanks

Joe

 

[The Deerslayer]

Hey there, figured I would hop onto this thread to get a idea. I have been looking at a chipper for the back of my Kubota 4060 L cab. The one I am most interested in is a Bearcat Wood Chipper Model 73454. There is a used one near me for 1650. I couldn't seem to find a PTO requirement for it, but I assume my tractor could handle it no problem. It would never see anything over 3" as I burn firewood, but I was looking for a solution for the branches and limbs left over from the firewood process.

has anyone run a bearcat? thoughts on price and my tractor's ability to run it? this is the exact one in question. Bearcat Wood Chipper Model 73454
The Kubota is a hydrostatic if that matters.

Thanks

Joe

If you look at my earlier post in this thread you will see that I have the exact same chipper as the one you are considering. It will definitely handle the type of chipping you are planning. I also burn firewood, so anything more that 3 inches generally gets burned. Your tractor will definitely handle running it as it looks like you even have a couple extra PTO hp than mine which is also HST. If memory serves, you need a minimum of 16 hp at the PTO for this model....so you are good and then some.

Considering what they go for new, the asking price seems fair, but I would try to get it for a bit less....that's just me :laughing: It appears to be in good shape. Check the belts and see if they have a spare set of knives to go with it. I got lucky when I bought mine used a couple years ago. I would also not wait on it as they tend to get picked up quickly. Let me know if you have any specific questions on the unit. You can also get a copy of the owners manual on the Echo/Bearcat website if the current owner does not have it. Good luck and report back!

 

[RoyJackson]

Hey there, figured I would hop onto this thread to get a idea. I have been looking at a chipper for the back of my Kubota 4060 L cab. The one I am most interested in is a Bearcat Wood Chipper Model 73454. There is a used one near me for 1650. I couldn't seem to find a PTO requirement for it, but I assume my tractor could handle it no problem. It would never see anything over 3" as I burn firewood, but I was looking for a solution for the branches and limbs left over from the firewood process.

has anyone run a bearcat? thoughts on price and my tractor's ability to run it? this is the exact one in question. Bearcat Wood Chipper Model 73454
The Kubota is a hydrostatic if that matters.

Thanks

Joe

As far as PTO HP requirements...best bet is to look on the Bearcat website under the Products link (left of center, top of the page). Since it takes up to 4" material, I doubt the PTO HP required exceeds 30 HP. As a comparison, the Woods 5000 (which is a Bearcat) will chip up to 5" material, but only requires 15-40 PTO HP.

 

[check]

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. Video Link: https://youtu.be/0CzQ-C_ZbE8 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.

Man, that guy sticks his hand in the chute way too far!

 

[TerryR]

I doubt you will find specs for it on the Bearcat as this model is discontinued. But I run this model on my JD870, which is rated at a tad less HP than your tractor, with no real problem. You can lug the engine down with a long hard log, but generally you would burn these. Even if you do, you can just pull the log out until it recovers.

 

[RoyJackson]

Man, that guy sticks his hand in the chute way too far!

It's called candidate for the Darwin awards!
The guy is pretty big...most of him wouldn't go through the chipper chute...just the unnecessary parts such as his head.

BTW, the chipper part never scared me...but the shredder...that stuff gets pulled in at the speed of light!

 

[TerryR]

BTW, the chipper part never scared me...but the shredder...that stuff gets pulled in at the speed of light!

I agree. I had what looks like the exact same machine as in the video, branded as BushHog. I really didn't see anything in the video that bothered me with the chipper. But the shredder will take your arm off.

You can see in the video why I got rid of that machine - you're constantly having to clear the chips. I once did a bunch of brush from a tree at the church and one fellow spent the whole time raking chips out from under it. I really like my Bearcat chipper with the blower. It will either make piles with no hand raking if you have a bunch to do, or will just blow the chips into the woods when you work your way down the driveway cleaning up "wind prunings."

 

[RoyJackson]

You can see in the video why I got rid of that machine - you're constantly having to clear the chips. I once did a bunch of brush from a tree at the church and one fellow spent the whole time raking chips out from under it. I really like my Bearcat chipper with the blower. It will either make piles with no hand raking if you have a bunch to do, or will just blow the chips into the woods when you work your way down the driveway cleaning up "wind prunings."

I bought my Woods, used, several years ago. Got it a real good price ($1000) for a low hours implement. Back then,a blower wasn't available. They are now and, IIRC, can fit my older unit. However, the price is around a grand and I don't use the chipper/shredder enough (2-4 times a year) to justify paying a thousand more dollars. I just rake the chips out from under...then, when finished chipping, I rake them in to the tractor's bucket. I do use the chips around some of the trees and street sign to keep the weeds down.

 

[Code54]

For that price Roy, I would also rake chips!
I really like the chute on mine (Woodmaxx) but raking would not be the end of the world. The Woods/Bearcat is a solid well built machine!

Hydro feed is really nice for clearing brush and such as you don't need to reach in, it just pulls it through and if it jams, reverse it and let it bring the jam out to you. To me it is a nice safety as stuff never gets suddenly yanked in.

 

[Fordlightning]

Thanks for all the reply's. Just placed my order for the woods TM86h in red. Can't wait to use it.

 

[roadhunter]

I agree. I had what looks like the exact same machine as in the video, branded as BushHog. I really didn't see anything in the video that bothered me with the chipper. But the shredder will take your arm off.

You can see in the video why I got rid of that machine - you're constantly having to clear the chips. I once did a bunch of brush from a tree at the church and one fellow spent the whole time raking chips out from under it. I really like my Bearcat chipper with the blower. It will either make piles with no hand raking if you have a bunch to do, or will just blow the chips into the woods when you work your way down the driveway cleaning up "wind prunings."

I have a Bearcat with the 2 speed blower and have it hooked to about 30 ft of PVC pipe going into a fuel bin. Works great. Amazing how much air that moves. The vac function is really handy as well.

 

[Garandman]

Thanks for all the reply's. Just placed my order for the woods TM86h in red. Can't wait to use it.

Nice. Website says indeed opening is 8"x6". Will it take a 6" log?
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/76644268/WM_2016_Chipper-Comp-Chart (2).pdf/

If I had to do over I'd get the next size up. Don't miss hydraulic feed but the one I have doesn't fit the base of a lot of the saplings we're removing. BX42S takes 4".

 

[oosik]

I've had experience with two chippers. Wallenstein BX 42 on my Ford 1700 and now a Wallenstein BX 62 on my Kubota M6040. Both were excellent chippers and required nothing beyond normal maintenance.

The only thing I chip is whole pine trees - 6" on the butt or smaller. I never limb them and the chipper grabs & pulls them in like the Cookie Monster grabbing a cookie. Likewise - I've never had to sharpen the knives or even reverse them - - the pines are soft wood and free of dirt, rocks, etc.

My biggest job is simply getting the pine trees dragged to the chipper. I will normally chip 750 - 900 young pine trees every spring. This is an effort to thin my stands and ensure a healthy remaining stand.

And, Yes, I'm 74 years young and the thinning/chipping operation is a tough job. I do it a little bit at a time, stay hydrated and never over exert.

 

[LD48750]

I bought an 8" Jinma Chinese woodchipper off E Bay 5 years ago & couldn't be happier with it.
Ran it behind my 2N Ford, (22HP) MF-50 (35 HP)& Ford 1510(20HP). All power it just fine.
Yes, I believe I have put some 8" stuff through it but I usually cut that for firewood.
It doesn't like vines & loose leaves but it eats them & pretty much anything I can fit through the feed roller.
Would I use it to try to make a living? No but, for the average home owner, keeping a wooded 10 Ac. cleaned up it works just fine.

 

[vsteel]

Nice. Website says indeed opening is 8"x6". Will it take a 6" log?
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/76644268/WM_2016_Chipper-Comp-Chart (2).pdf/

Yes it will take a 6 inch log but not with a subcompact. You still have to have the HP for the bigger trees. The operating range HP wise is 15 to 50. They say you can use a tractor with more HP but the chipper won't take advantage of it and you will just be wasting fuel. I find that my 18 pto hp is good for about 3-4 inch depending on how hard the wood is. I am not setting any speed records but it runs great and the bigger stuff for me is firewood.

 

[Garandman]

I discovered this weekend when hydraulic feed would be handy. Everything I've chipped previously was spring or fall. You get a lot of leafy tree tops and it's a lot harder to push through, though the next solid piece usually takes care of it.