Chipper Small acerage chipper/shredder options

[frugalangler]

I am needing to replace two failed units (both had serious internal engine failures): a very small shredder/chipper (MTD residential grade) and a Agri-Fab lawn vacuum.

My current requirements are:

small branch disposal - lots of fallen oak and other limbs - the MTD barely handled this, it just was under-powered and lousy at chipping, did fair job shredding leaves but not branches
annual fall leaf collection - the AgriFab did well at this task, vacuumed from mower deck and collection wand/hose

I believe I can repair the AgriFab in time, but not before this fall leaf collection - I can get around that with using a hay rake and shredding the leaves (if I had a shredder). What I can't get around is disposing of a collection of storm damage piles of limbs that are a nuisance habitat for ticks and snakes, etc. I need a shredder to get rid of those piles (can't burn, see below)

So, I have been 'shopping' for a chipper/shredder. I have options, self powered or PTO powered. I am leaning toward PTO for a couple reasons - less engines to maintain, more available power.
So, in PTO I've found a few viable options, my target is to remain less than $2000

Merry Mac PTO TPH122M $1800 Merry Mac PTO Chipper/Shredder #TPH122M | eBay (Northern Tool)
Farm-Helper Machinery PTO ECO19 $1709 Wood Chipper/Shredder 3pt. Cat.I w/ Pto Drivline – Betstco
JANSENUSA Towable $1249 WOOD CHIPPER , JANSENUSA SHREDDER, 13 HP, TOW BEHIND, NEW , FREE SHIPPING | eBay (virtually same as Northern Merry Mac w/ different engine)
Merry Mac Towable $1999 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_8253_8253 (Northern version of above)
BearCat SC3306 Stationary $1599 ECHO Bear Cat | Products (the 3 BearCats appear to be similar w/ exception of engine)
BearCat SC3420 Stationary $1999 http://www.bearcatproducts.com/products/chippers-shredders/sc3420/
BearCat SC3265 Stationary $1899 http://www.bearcatproducts.com/products/chippers-shredders/sc3265/
DR Towable $2199 http://www.drpower.com/power-equipment/chippers/chipper-shredders/csr-shredder-14-50-fpt-b-s-ms-pro.axd
FHM BX42 (also Victory BX-42S) PTO $1245VICTORY TRACTOR IMPLEMENTS | BX-42S (Wallenstein clone but looks satisfactory)
Yardbeast 2050RX Stationary $1729 YardBeast 2050RX Yardbeast 3-Inch 10-HP 305cc Chipper Shredder (This one looks like a reasonably good shredder w/ good chipper capability)

I've looked at other less costly units, but mostly have the same deficiencies as the MTD I'm trashing - poor chipping capability and less than adequate shredding performance.

My observations:
The JANSENUSA appears to be the least costly capable option, although it's self powered - it appears to have relative eas of use in that it's tow-able by any of my powered units (ZTR, LT, SCUT) with reasonable power.
The FHM PTO seems to be an ideal fit, although I have never run across this implement source in all of my readings and research. The machine appears to be fairly well built.
The Merry Mac PTO appears similar in capability to the FHM and being sold thru NT might be a plus
The Bear Cats are obviously the name brand but for my use least appealing - transport across my property would be challenging, and don't appear quite as capable as the others.
The DR I'm not impressed with, shredding is only 3/8" - way less than others claim, and more expensive.

My questions: would any of these units be worthy of my trying them? I know many here swear by the bigger is better and have recommended others to go toward the more costly machines but I simply can't justify the additional $1K or more for something I won't use more than 6 or 8 times a year. Many folks would suggest burning but that is not an option where I'm situated, I and other neighbors have caught trees on fire with embers and the mitigating the risk of that occurring again is worth the couple thousand $ for a decent chipper/shredder.

All I do know is that the design of the MTD I've got experience with is disappointing - the shredder being fed from 'inside' the drum just doesn't seem to feed well, and the chipper is barely adaquate for maybe 1" stock - the units I've listed claim to shred what the MTD would have to chip.
If anyone has another option, post it and I'll take a look, but I've basically pushed Mr. Google to the limit.
So what are some of your thoughts? Help me make a informed decision please - thanks.

 

[bcp]

Find someplace local that will let you do a trial run, or a place that will let you return it if not satisfied.

Bruce

 

[s219]

If going the PTO route, be sure to check out the Wallenstein models. More expensive, but much more capable than what you've listed here. I was looking at the MacKissic (what Northern sells for $1800) and it's a decent unit, but for another $1000 Wallenstein was quite a bit more chipper.

There are some Chinese knockoffs of Wallenstein models now for less money, but I'd be wary of quality and support.

What is the PTO power of your 1720? That will also be a limitation to keep in mind. I have only chipped with 29-32 HP tractors that have about 24-26HP at the PTO, and know that a chipper can challenge them. I sure wouldn't want to run a chipper off much less power than that.

Whatever you do, don't cut corners just to save money/budget. In the long run you will surely appreciate having a better chipper, and the extra cost won't matter over the long haul.

 

[CalG]

The MacKissic TPH184 is quite a bit more machine than the 122

I use mine with both the 35hp and the 18 hp tractors. With sharp knives, the chipper performance was impressive with the smaller tractor.

And if you get in a hurry, run it off the high speed PTO (around 1000 rpm) Whee Haa! Watch the stuff reduce to shreds. ;-)
Opps, You didn't catch me saying that.... ;-)

 

[Ken M]

For what's it's worth... My 1984 MacKissic Mighty Mac 12p (7 hp) has served me well. Originally a "wheel barrow" type I later added front wheels and a tongue so I could pull it around with my garden tractor. Had a couple of cracks in the body to weld up. Chipper blade re-sharpened several times, replaced once. Replaced the hammers last year. Redesigned the axle at the discharge to get the axle out of the way of my shovel when clearing the shreddings. The large funnel is great for shoving in leaves as they go straight into the hammer mill. I consider making an infeed hopper almost a necessity. I load it up and feed the machine by hand which avoids clogs or overloading. The hopper shown is wide enough for my front loader to fill so saving a lot of work but still works great for filling by hand. For me, being able to fill hopper with the front loader beats having the shredder on the PTO. I will say that this machine is loud, vibrates and is potentially dangerous (probably typical of shredders) but I've chopped up all types of nasty organic material and chipped many a branch. I use a 1 lnch screen or a bar screen for most things and sometimes no screen for wet clumpy leaves that tend to clog.

Ken Louisville, Oh

 

[frugalangler]

.......Wallenstein was quite a bit more chipper.......In the long run you will surely appreciate having a better chipper, and the extra cost won't matter over the long haul.

I don't disagree! But, my use is more leaning toward SHREDDING with some moderate chipping, so a heavy duty CHIPPER just won't match to my requirements.
And, the extra cost WILL matter over the long haul, leaves grow on trees, not money! (sorry, just had to say that!)

Find someplace local that will let you do a trial run, or a place that will let you return it if not satisfied.

Unfortunately, when ordering something like this, that's not an option. Most all of these machines are NOT available locally. Thus, why I'm trying to do this research.

I've since originally posting, I've located a couple more options:
FHM BX42 (also Victory BX-42S) PTO $1245VICTORY TRACTOR IMPLEMENTS | BX-42S (Wallenstein clone but looks satisfactory)
Yardbeast 2050RX Stationary $1729 YardBeast 2050RX Yardbeast 3-Inch 10-HP 305cc Chipper Shredder (This one looks like a reasonably good shredder w/ good chipper capability)

So, yes I'm probably going to over kill on research and decision process, but I have the time, I don't have the money to throw at this.
Hopefully, my next post will break down the choices and which one I'm leaning toward, but still appreciate all the comments. I especially liked the

infeed hopper almost a necessity. I load it up and feed the machine by hand which avoids clogs or overloading.

If I go with a stationary unit, this will definitely be considered, thanks Ken M for taking the time to show your improvements.

 

[oosik]

I've only ever used Wallenstein. The BX42S when I had the little 1700 Ford and now the BX62S with my M6040. Excellent implements, do a fantastic job, never a moments problem. I thin, drag & chip 750 to 900 small(6" diameter or less) Ponderosa pines every spring. For me a chipper is not a toy. I pay a premium price and I get a premium product.

 

[bigtiller]

The BearCat 5540 chipper/shredder will shred 1-1/2" branches. I use my older model for shredding 90% of the time, very seldom do I chip with it. The stuff over 1-1/2" goes into the fire pit.

 

[ericm979]

I have the MacKissick TPH184 and used it on a Kubota B7100 (with 13 pto hp). It was a little underpowered but worked reasonably well. I often ran it using the 850 rpm PTO speed.

How big is the material you will be chipping or shredding? Keep in mind that a chipper with say a 4.5" capacity can't handle 4" limbs with stubs on them. To chip at capacity you need to trim everything and cut the limbs where they bend. To be practical and not have to spend a lot of time prepping you want a capacity that is 25-50% larger than the actual limb diameter, depending on how straight the species of trees you're chipping grow. We have lots of elderberry and its branches tend to grow at a large angle to the stem, 60 degrees to 90. This makes them much harder to chip. Madrone grows in all directions, sometimes growing in circles. Pines are easier to chip.

The shredder can only handle small material. Put something too big in there and you can bend the chipper's main shaft.

Chippers like the MacKissick that dont' have a chute and dump straight out of the bottom are a pain if you have much material to chip in one place. The chippings pile up under the chipper and require you to move the chipper every 10-15 minutes.

 

[Jack Yuan]

I think if you have a tractor, why waste money on gasoline shredder? Narrow your choices.

 

[farmeratheart]

I have the Wallenstein BXM32 Chipper/Shredder. It's rated for 3" chipping. For me, anything more than 2" is usually firewood, but have occasionally chipped a few 3"" limbs. The shredder hopper is great for leaves, twigs, and the other small stuff. I run it on a JD2520 (20hp @ pto) with absolutely no problems. Gravity feed, but with sharp knives it is hard for me to keep up with the unit. Good luck!!

Frank

 

[JackyJ]

I've got the small MacKissic TPH-123 purchased from Northern last February. (They list it as the TPH-122, but it's actually the newer model, meaning that it's cat 1, not cat 0/1.) Had some trouble with the first one delivered--the knife bolts weren't loctited or torqued correctly. One bolt backed out, then got sheared, and damaged the threading. But MacKissic did right by me and replaced the whole unit.

I'm really happy with it. It's about all the chipper I'd want to run on my little Kubota BX1870, which has just 13.7 HP at the PTO. The 3.5" limb diameter rating is about accurate, though as noted above, it'll need to be a straight limb to make it to the knife. For me, anything 3" or bigger is firewood. Though I haven't yet used it on leaves, I'm glad it has the shredder hammermill, which is great for anything green, including leafy tree tops.

I bought it to create mulch as much as to get rid of limbs/brush/leaves. My only disappointment is how little mulch you get out of even a large brush pile, but that's the same for any unit. Some would just let me create little mulch piles more quickly.

Jack

 

[HillStreet]

I own a WoodMaxx 6 inch PTO chipper. It works terrific in my orchard. It is hydraulic feed so just let it go and it's chipped. That 6 inch diameter is true, however it would have to be a pretty straight log, otherwise knots and stubble limbs will cause it to back up.

 

[newbury]

Just a note on size -
When I was buying my 8" Jinma chipper http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/277284-jinma-8-chipper-first-hours.html?highlight= the only difference (besides price) on the 6" versus 8" was the size of the hole you shoved stuff through.

And I'm darn glad I got the 8" hole because most of my chipping has involved twisted limbs. So check the specs closely when comparing different size chippers.

 

[ericm979]

I've got the small MacKissic TPH-123 Had some trouble with the first one delivered--the knife bolts weren't loctited or torqued correctly.

That happened on my 4.5" MacKissic, some 18 years ago. It damaged the anvil but nothing else. MacKissic sent me replacement parts. Sad to see they haven't fixed the problem. BTW if you loctite the bolts they can be very difficult to remove. I'd either torque them to spec and check them periodically or use a weaker locking compound than the typical LocTite 242, one that's made to release without heat.

We don't burn wood but even if we did we couldn't burn all the firewood we generate. It's difficult to give it away. So I try to chip everything that fits.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ Yep... can't give away wood in out area... oak seasoned and split has almost no market so I let most of rot...

Wasn't always this way but now renting a large chipper for a day each year is what it has come to.

 

[frugalangler]

well, thanks all for all the great responses. I pulled the order trigger today on a 3" PTO Chipper/Shredder that's very similar in design to the Wallenstein BXM32 as far as blade/hammer/drum design, difference is hopper design, from what I can tell. http://www.value-leader.com/3dia-wood-chipper-1dia-shedder-cat-i-3pt-16hp-rated-fh-eco19/

Video of it in action (different brand as I believe this is a international version, note the wheels vs. skids):

Since most of my use is smaller stuff similar to what the video is running, I felt this unit would fit my needs well. Like many, anything big enough to burn in a pit or fireplace gets used that way, so I only deal with the trash left from limb'ing out trees or what falls on the ground that can't be burned.
When I get it I'll try to post up pictures and maybe an in-use video.

Again, thanks everyone for all the comments.

 

[cmugler]

I am considering buying the same unit (eco 19) have you been happy with your purchase, it is similar to the tph 123 but less money and a heavier flywheel

 

[TerryR]

A number of posters in this thread have remarked that they don't need anything bigger than 3" (or whatever) because anything bigger becomes firewood. In my experience this it misguided thinking for a couple of reasons. First, as others have posted, small but twisted pieces, knots, forks, etc., are much easier to feed with a larger opening. But in addition I find I often chip "firewood sized" pieces because they are either too rotted to be good for firewood, or are pine or the like that I won't burn.

Bigger is better in my view, if your tractor and budget will support it.

 

[two_bit_score]

The BearCat 5540 chipper/shredder will shred 1-1/2" branches. I use my older model for shredding 90% of the time, very seldom do I chip with it. The stuff over 1-1/2" goes into the fire pit.

I could see going to the expense of buying or renting a chipper occasionally if you live in an area where you can't burn.

If you are out of town or if you can burn brush why chip it?