Woods 5000 chipper shredder

[bigtiller]

As everyone who own's a chipper has stated, watch your hands! The shredder is crazy fast but I'm sure the blades need to be sharpened on the chipper. I know I said I was going to preemtively sharpen them but with all the pto shaft issues I just didn't get to it. The wood seemed to kind of bounce off the blades as it hit them and not self feed. So I hope sharpening will rememdy this.

Matt

I had a "wet materials" screen for mine. Instead of holes it had slots about 7/8 wide by 6 inch long that I used for shredding tomato and pumpkin vines. I used a 3 foot long 2x2 to push the vines down to the shredder. It worked good that way but if I pushed to far the shredder would instantly eat the 2x2 and not even burp.

 

[RoyJackson]

So for the guys who own this model. I'm getting three different part# for the chipper blades. Are the blades stamped with part#? Are the double sided and single sided blades interchangeable? I'd like to have a spare set just in case.

Matt

Mine are single edged and I cannot recall seeing a part number stamped on them.
I suggest you call a local Woods dealer...they can probably give you the correct answer.

BTW, for the price you paid for that chipper/shredder, don't complain if you put a few hundred bucks into it. You paid around 30% of a new price for a very nice looking unit. And, the blower kit is almost a grand by itself.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Mine are single edged and I cannot recall seeing a part number stamped on them.
I suggest you call a local Woods dealer...they can probably give you the correct answer.

BTW, for the price you paid for that chipper/shredder, don't complain if you put a few hundred bucks into it. You paid around 30% of a new price for a very nice looking unit. And, the blower kit is almost a grand by itself.

Not complaining about the chipper at all. It's going to serve me well. I see on the thread with the guy that had dull blade that Gords pics had the single edge with the part# I've got listed stamped on the blade. I called my dealer today (Woods) and they gave me the part# for the double edged blades. I think I may need to call Crary on this one. Unless someone else here know the right answer.

Matt

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have the older version BearCat Model 554 chipper that takes the single edge blades, pn 70155. The pn for a set of 4 blades w/ bolts is 70453. They are NOT interchangable with the newer double edged blades. The mounting hole spacing is different. I have two sets. One came on it originally the other I bought thru a tractor dealer parts dept. Both sets are stamped w/ the pn. I could not find them in places like Bailey's that carry lots of chipper blades. If you find a source let us know. They would be easy for a machine shop to make if needed.

Part Numbers are Bear Cat Crary numbers

Looks like you can get them here, http://www.norwalkpower.net/store/pc/Echo-Bear-Cat-Chipper-Blade-Kits-c302.htm

That is what I paid 5 years ago.

gg

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I finally got around to pulling the blades off today and found a few of the shredder blades frozen in place. I applied some wd40 to them and freed them to a point. The rest of the blades are free like flail mower style blades. I'm thinking of appling another better lubricating oil to them. Any one have any thought/comments?

Matt

 

[Gordon Gould]

I applied some wd40 to them and freed them to a point. The rest of the blades are free like flail mower style blades. I'm thinking of appling another better lubricating oil to them. Any one have any thought/comments?

Matt

That is what I do too. The first time is by far the hardest if it has been sitting. Get the cylindrical spacers between the blades free too if you can. Working in there is a pain and hard on your hands. There seems to be a million of them when you are trying to free them.
I hope someone can tell us a better or easier way.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

At work we use a lubricant called Kroil that is the best I've ever seen for loosening bolts and other fastners. But since I'm not sure it's corrosion that's locking the flails up I don't know it would work any better. I also noticed it's only the pair closet to the chipper blades that are frozen. All the rest are nice and free.

Matt

 

[RoyJackson]

WD-40 isn't a particularly great penetrating oil so I suggest you try PB Blaster or an equivalent.
As far as a good lubricant, I use Fluid Film, but you should try that Kroil and see how it works.
As far as why just those two are frozen...no idea, but I'm sure you'll let us know what you find.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

So I was on my way to drop off the blades to be sharpened and I had a thought. Is there any special reason I can't have the shop sharpen the other side as well? They're able to heat treat it, so I can't see it being much of an issue. Of course when I got there they were closed so I couldn't ask them but I'll head back over later today to drop them off. Thoughts comments opinions?

Matt

 

[BigE_]

I generally sharpen my blades every 15-25 hours on my chipper, depending on what I've been feeding it.

My chipper you can sharpen both sides, but from what I've found both sides get beat up equally by all the chips flying around in there. My chipper is not the flail style, so I can only imagine that a flail style will have the chips flying around in there even more. That being the case, I would not bother trying to sharpen both sides.

Also, on the self-feeding: Yes, a sharper blade will self feed better. On my old chipper, just changing the angle of the blade will drastically affect how well it self feeds. I was amazed that a 3 degree change made a world of difference - it was the difference between having to push on the stick vs. having it pulled out of my hand.

On my old chipper I was using it every day for 3-4 hours per day. Every night I was sharpening the blades and fixes everything that I broke that day. (Got really good at welding!). So, I had opportunity to experiment with the sharpening angle to find the best angle. For some reason I'm thinking I settled on 37 degrees, but I could be wrong.

 

[Piston]

Matt,
I don't have any experience with chippers or any advice for you, but Just wanted to say congrats on the chipper. Sorry you've had some issues with getting everything setup but I bet that will be one great package when your done with it. I'm sure I'll get to see some pics of it in action soon enough

Nice setup :thumbsup:

-Matt

 

[Gordon Gould]

So I was on my way to drop off the blades to be sharpened and I had a thought. Is there any special reason I can't have the shop sharpen the other side as well? They're able to heat treat it, so I can't see it being much of an issue. Of course when I got there they were closed so I couldn't ask them but I'll head back over later today to drop them off. Thoughts comments opinions?

Matt

It is a good thought, but alas - The mounting holes are not centered vertically on the blade. If you sharpened the other side when you mounted them the knife edge would be below the chip window in the flywheel so the chips could not get through the flywheel.
That would be true for mine anyway.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

It is a good thought, but alas - The mounting holes are not centered vertically on the blade. If you sharpened the other side when you mounted them the knife edge would be below the chip window in the flywheel so the chips could not get through the flywheel.
That would be true for mine anyway.

Gord, spot on as usual. I looked at the blades after posting this. And saw that the mounting holes aren't centered. Man talk about engineering in a vacuum. The guy at the counter said he could easily make me some blades double sided with the correct mounting positions. I'm going to think about it and let him know when I pick them up. He told me he also balances them while sharpening. Can't beat that for just $10. I hope to be devouring oak by the weekend.:thumbsup:

Piston, how's the box blade working out for ya?

Matt

 

[Gordon Gould]

If you have some double edged blades made you will probably need to make a shim to go in the recessed flat that is machined in the flywheel that the blade sits in so that the bigger blade will have a flat mounting surface. You might need to change some dimensions because of it. Maybe not ?
I am going from memory so I might be off base.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

If you have some double edged blades made you will probably need to make a shim to go in the recessed flat that is machined in the flywheel that the blade sits in so that the bigger blade will have a flat mounting surface. You might need to change some dimensions because of it. Maybe not ?
I am going from memory so I might be off base.

I don't believe the my flywheel has a recess. I'll need to double check that though.

Matt

 

[Piston]

Matt,
It's working out great, still so happy I bought that every time I use it. :thumbsup:

Thanks again for sending me the ad for it :thumbsup:

I'll be clearing my NH land I told you about in the next few weeks (actually I'll be starting, I won't finish:laughing so I'll get a lot more pics of it in action! I've since added a top n tilt from Brian at Fitritehydraulics, it's like a whole new tool now.

Glad your getting your chipper up and running, 10 bucks for the blades sounds like a great price to me. Good luck.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Update time, as Gord had mentioned there is indeed a recess where the blade sits so single edge blades for me. I had the blades sharpened for a whopping $10 and it was money well spent.

I had some 5" green oak left over from felling some tree's recently. I had them cut about 5' long and tossed it right in. I was a little concerned I'd be disappointed with the results................................ to my excitement the wood disappeared in about 20 secs and barely bogged down the tractor at all. To say I'm pleased is an understatement. I'm approx. $1600 into this chipper and very pleased with my purchase.

I'll likely order another set of knives to put into the sharpening rotation. I was suprized when I picked the knives up after being sharpen. They really didn't feel all the sharp compared to say a pocket knife. The cutting edge definatly felt different than when I dropped them off. So I think traditional methods of testing the sharpness of these blades doesn't apply here. I'll try and get some action shots in the near future.

Thanks to everyone here that replied, I appreciate it.

Matt

 

[Piston]

To say I'm pleased is an understatement. I'm approx. $1600 into this chipper and very pleased with my purchase.
Matt

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Glad it worked out for ya.

 

[RoyJackson]

I had some 5" green oak left over from felling some tree's recently. I had them cut about 5' long and tossed it right in. I was a little concerned I'd be disappointed with the results................................ to my excitement the wood disappeared in about 20 secs and barely bogged down the tractor at all. To say I'm pleased is an understatement.

Matt

Good for you! Glad it all worked out!
The only things I'm surprised about is it took 20 seconds to devour a 5' length and that it bogged your tractor at all.
It might be due to the blower pulling some power off the chipper. Mine doesn't have the blower and eats an 8 to 10 foot length in about 10-12 seconds...slightly longer times if the wood is dried out though.
However, I'd gladly trade some chipping speed for the blower.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Good for you! Glad it all worked out!
The only things I'm surprised about is it took 20 seconds to devour a 5' length and that it bogged your tractor at all.
It might be due to the blower pulling some power off the chipper. Mine doesn't have the blower and eats an 8 to 10 foot length in about 10-12 seconds...slightly longer times if the wood is dried out though.
However, I'd gladly trade some chipping speed for the blower.

It was probably closer to 15 sec and at max capacity. I also kind of cheated a bit. I was in the middle of a dirt project with the tractor and just really wanted to test out the blades. I didn't have the chipper level and it was on a pallet with just the pto shaft on it. The chipper was slightly leaning towards the feed shoot so if I had it level it may have gone faster. It seemed to shoot out the very ends of the logs in pieces that look like a beaver was there.

Matt