Wood chippers

[MidwestMike]

I just bought the WM8H with the $300 off shipping during Thanksgiving week.
Initially had doubts with the 19.5 HP of the B2650, but found a neighbor with the same setup that liked it.
I set the intake speed slower and it has handled everything I threw in there, some stuff I probably shouldn't have. With the big opening and hydraulic feed you do not need to trim the stuff. Went with WoodMaxx for the bigger opening over the Woodland Mills.

I've just been burning for a few years, but as I get out further I was spending more time traveling to the burn pit than cleaning. Did this instead of renting so I could work at my own pace on the days I have time. The feed is great because I can be gathering more as this is chewing on the big stuff.
I've seen people use these for a few years to clear, then sell to by a tiller.

 

[Old Shas]

Don't make a decision before checking out the chippers offered by WoodMaxx dot com.
There are lots of youtube videos showing these 3-point tools in action.
I bought a backhoe attachment from WoodMaxx a year ago
and have used it hard to repair damage from last year's floods
as well as opening up new orchard space on this old avalanche site.
When the hoe arrived with a crushed hydraulic hose (shipping damage) the company supplied a replacement without blinking,
and they provided practical advice when I needed it.
I am so impressed that I ordered a WM-8H wood chipper yesterday!
Inquiries are usually answered by Tony, who is friendly and professional.
Good luck with your new chipper, whatever one you choose!

 

[Old Shas]

"No fuel costs. No hours on the tractor. No wear and tear on my body."

No costs to you, perhaps,
but the smoke and CO2 don't do your neighbours and the earth any favours.
The two main reasons I decided to buy a chipper are that I can no longer justify contributing to climate change
and that producing a valuable product (wood chips) seems better than producing heat and pollution.

 

[CobyRupert]

No costs to you, perhaps,
but the smoke and CO2 don't do your neighbours and the earth any favours.
The two main reasons I decided to buy a chipper are that I can no longer justify contributing to climate change
and that producing a valuable product (wood chips) seems better than producing heat and pollution.

I too thought about a Chipper vs. The Match on this basis.
I stayed with the The Match.
The Match and burning adds zero additional carbon to the environment that wasn’t already here.
The chipper adds the diesel fuel hydrocarbons that were drilled and brought up from below as additional CO2 into the environment in addition to the NO2 and NOx emissions that makes people cough.
Also, chips tend to degrade in anaerobic conditions which produces methane, which is a much worse greenhouse gas than CO2.
Well, that was my basis anyways.
It really is a complex question. It’s something we all should think about and I respect that you do.

 

[Old Shas]

"burning adds zero additional carbon to the environment that wasn’t already"
Not exactly.
It releases into the atmosphere
carbon which was sequestered in the wood.
It's true that running the tractor releases hydrocarbons.
I honestly don't know the numbers
to say which method releases more.
It will certainly be a less complicated equation
when we have electric powered tractors!

"chips tend to degrade in anaerobic conditions"
Another equation to consider.
Methane is definitely the worse greenhouse gas,
yet the wood mulch promotes soil micro life
(and today's soil needs all the help it can get!)
while adding to the soil's ability to retain water,
another increasingly important task
in these days of droughts and heavy rains.

I appreciate your thoughtful comments.

 

[Old Shas]

"chips tend to degrade in anaerobic conditions"

Ps -
woodchip mulch can suppress weeds
while promoting lots of photosynthesis,
which in turn sequesters more carbon
and supports biodiversity.

 

[CobyRupert]

"burning adds zero additional carbon to the environment that wasn’t already"
Not exactly.
It releases into the atmosphere
carbon which was sequestered in the wood.
It's true that running the tractor releases hydrocarbons.
I honestly don't know the numbers
to say which method releases more.
It will certainly be a less complicated equation
when we have electric powered tractors!

"chips tend to degrade in anaerobic conditions"
Another equation to consider.
Methane is definitely the worse greenhouse gas,
yet the wood mulch promotes soil micro life
(and today's soil needs all the help it can get!)
while adding to the soil's ability to retain water,
another increasingly important task
in these days of droughts and heavy rains.

I appreciate your thoughtful comments.

“carbon which was sequestered in the wood.” - yes, which eventually breaks down and cycled through the soil, atmosphere, and tree in a cycle as old as the trees are. Burning wood and brush adds no new carbon to that cycle, that sum. Chippers do.

“Methane is definitely the worse greenhouse gas,
yet the wood mulch promotes soil micro life
(and today's soil needs all the help it can get!)” - I guess I don’t rely on wood chip mulch for soil health. I use animal manure, but one could say they’re big methane producers too, ahh..the moral dilemmas.

Good point about how chips suppress plant growth, photosynthesis and diversity.

Comments appreciated.

 

[nisaacs]

When you are shopping for a chipper, I recommend a clam shell flywheel housing. The solid housings are kind of a pain changing knives with the little inspection covers. Also, if you ever plug up the chip chute/housing port (some are small) you got problems. Ponderosa pine with a heavy crop of needles can be problematic here. Look for one with a large tapered transition from the flywheel housing to the chip chute.

I am also a fan of the direct drive v/s the jackshaft/drive belt design. The draw back is, for maximum performance, a 1000 rpm pto is better. I don't chip over 3-4" so 540 works for me. If you don't have a rear remote, the self contained hydro systems are nice.

 

[sea2summit]

Kind of shocking how many posters with less than 10 posts seem to flock to chipper threads.

There are benefits to wood ash and benefits to chips...a good soil test will point to which is most beneficial to your soil. Now actually composting with other material woodchips hands down (if you have enough N in the other materials to break it down).

 

[Jimmyob]

All good input, thanks! Merry Christmas!