Bearcat 73554 Vs Walenstein BX62

[smfcpacfp]

Both of these chippers look like good values and I am sure no one has compared the two, but does anyone have any thoughts about which I should buy (with the hydraulic feed).

Yes, I know about the Jimna but I not interested in it because I don't want to have to partially rebuild the machine before I use it.

 

[Gittyup]

There are a number of posts on here about both of these chippers. Both look to be very good machines. The Bearcat includes a separate shredder, I think. If so, a separate shredder can be a real timer saver if you have a lot of brush. I have a Bush Hog CS100-P (rebadged Goossen), which has the separate shredder. It'll take up to 1.25" stuff. Hence, a huge amount of the brush and cuttings goes quickly in the big shredder hopper. The shredder is more of a "chuck and duck" operation, as it very rapidly pulls the material out of your hands. It's many times faster than the chipper chute. But, if you really only have cut trees and bigger limbs, with few cuttings or brush, the Wallenstein with power feed might suit you best.

 

[smfcpacfp]

There are a number of posts on here about both of these chippers. Both look to be very good machines. The Bearcat includes a separate shredder, I think. If so, a separate shredder can be a real timer saver if you have a lot of brush. I have a Bush Hog CS100-P (rebadged Goossen), which has the separate shredder. It'll take up to 1.25" stuff. Hence, a huge amount of the brush and cuttings goes quickly in the big shredder hopper. The shredder is more of a "chuck and duck" operation, as it very rapidly pulls the material out of your hands. It's many times faster than the chipper chute. But, if you really only have cut trees and bigger limbs, with few cuttings or brush, the Wallenstein with power feed might suit you best.

I don't have any brush. Except for trees, and what are called "false ferns" which are soft and grow to a foot in height, we don't have anything that grows more than a few inches off the ground. So maybe the Bearcat would be buying something I don't need. I guess I don't know what a shredder looks like.

 

[Gittyup]

Do a search for shredders on this forum and you will see photos of most popular brands. The ones with shredders have two inputs. One is the chipper shoot, used for limbs. The other is usually on top and is a much wider hopper where you just drop stuff in. The Hopper is usually covered with rubber flaps to protect against throw-back. Most shredders are comprised of a spinning cage of free spinning knives. The spinning cage will grab the material very quickly and pull it in, the knives then shred it up. You can get them with or without blowers. The blower add a lot of cost, but sure is convenient for putting the chips where you want them (like in a truck or trailer bed). Else, you have to continually shovel them away from the chipper/shredder.

I use the shredder more than the chipper. But, it really depends on your intended use. If clearing mostly real trees (> 4" diameter), then a chipper might be best. Just pitch the whole limb in, branches attached. If clearing mostly brush or a lot of small stuff, then a shredder is quicker.

 

[sqidget]

I believe you are comparing apples to oranges here. The bearcat model mentioned is a manual feed 5" with a shredder(73554).
The bx62 with hydraulic feed is twice the chipper as the one with a shredder.
A bearcat #74554 is a 5" hydraulic feed unit. still 1" smaller capacity. After reading your posts, I would buy the BX62.
Whichever you choose let us know what you think.
Dave

 

[ddivinia]

Both of these chippers look like good values and I am sure no one has compared the two, but does anyone have any thoughts about which I should buy (with the hydraulic feed).

Yes, I know about the Jimna but I not interested in it because I don't want to have to partially rebuild the machine before I use it.

I have the bercat 73554 and love it. It is not hydraulic feed, but it is very good. I can stick a long limb in it and it just sucks it in. You know the blades are getting dull when it doesn't pull them in.

You will need to look at the HP required for a big ole chipper - it can be a load on a tractor (especially the hydraulic part).

D.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I actually meant to say that I wasn't going to get the hydraulic feed on the chipper.

 

[ddivinia]

I actually meant to say that I wasn't going to get the hydraulic feed on the chipper.

I bought the 73554 and love it. It is very well built and serves my purpose well. I posted some pics in another thread of it and my JD 4720. How many hp is your Kubota?

D.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I bought the 73554 and love it. It is very well built and serves my purpose well. I posted some pics in another thread of it and my JD 4720. How many hp is your Kubota?

D.

23 HP at the PTO

 

[hazmat]

I don't think anyone has been disappointed with either machine (do a search), but they are different beasts. If you want the shredder, get the bearcat, otherwise save some $$ and go for the wallenstein or check out some of bearcat's chipper only products.

I have the bearcat & use the shredder often. It is the best PTO chipper shredder on the market.

If I didn't shred, I'd have probably gone with the Wallenstein w/ hydraulic feed (less $$ than a similar bearcat). If you have lots of chipping to do, the feed is significantly faster to use. If it is occasional, then manual is OK.

 

[Riddler]

I have been researching chippers as well. The Walenstein BX62 with hydraulic feed seems like a great machine. Don't know if it functions optimally at 23 HP. Also, I believe that the hydraulic feed requires at least 7 gpm.

I believe that the Pequea CX551 with hydraulic feed can be had for $1,500 less. It may be rated at 5" though, not 6", like the BX62. On the other hand, it has a stepped up flywheel speed, so it may operate effectively with slightly less PTO HP.

There is some info in recent threads about the dedicated 6" Bearcat chipper with hydraulic feed. It looks to be more machine than either the Wallenstein or Pequea, but also (not surprisingly) more costly (at least $2K more, I believe). Salsco makes a model that is similarly beefy and pricey.

For the 20 acres of mixed conifer and oak forest that I have, the Pequea seems the best compromise between price and capability, especially for a hydraulic feed machine.

Like so many outdoor chores, it really pays to look realistically at what you'll be doing most often. When I look at my woodland, I see that a great deal of the "brush" like material is attached to the smaller trees that I will be clearing and the limbs of the larger trees that I'll be pruning. Hence, the best machine for me is a dedicated chipper with hydraulic feed. The shredder I can live without, especially if it detracts from the machine's chipping capability or worse yet, means I can't get hydraulic feed for a price that's within my budget. Besides I can always stockpile the occasional bush or sapling and chew them up with my brush hog, leaving mother nature to do the rest. By contrast, if you have lots of true brush and saplings, and need to dispose of them in the cleanest way, a machine with a shredder may be your best fit.

 

[Tororider]

I have the Wallenstein bx62. It is a great chipper, it might be too much for your machine though, you may want to go for the bx42. We have a JD 4310, which I think has 27ish hp at the pto and we can stall it out if we put larger hard wood through it.

On the wallenstain in general, love it, built like a truck, works great. No need for hydraulic feed imho, the angle of the chipping blade draws it right in. Great big opening so you don't have to limb trees while chipping. Been very happy with the machine.

Not sure where Gwinn is, but we got ours from the JD dealer in South Lyon and got a good price from what I remember.

 

[Riddler]

Here's what the Pequea CX551 looks like:

 

[wkpoor]

I have a unit that is made almost exactly like the Wallenstein ( don't know the name). 6" unit works great. I use it behind a PTO 65HP tractor. No power feed. What my experience has been if the branches are leafy then the feed is too fast and will plug the unit. In the winter its not a problem but in the summertime it is. A power feed would slow down the feed rate so the unit would have time to get rid of the chips more efficiently. I have used this unit behind a 25PTO HP tractor and its marginal. The thing weights about 1000lbs. and has a 30"x2" thick wheel. It can really soak up the power. I would opt for a smaller unit unless you have a larger tractor to put it on.

 

[Rara Avis]

Wood Chippers for Small Tractors

 

[Gittyup]

Nice review, Paul.

 

[RoyJackson]

Wood Chippers for Small Tractors

Yes, that was quite informative...thank you!

 

[smfcpacfp]

I was gone on a 3 week scuba diving trip to Fiji, while some of you were replying to my thread. I want to thank all of you for your imformative advice. I will deciding what to do over the next month or so.

 

[Big Daddy]

I have the Wallenstein BX62, and have used it periodically for nearly a year. I usually use it behind my 95 hp Zetor, but have had it on my 38 hp Montana a few times. Your tractor may be on the small side for the bx62, but it will handle the job. The hydraulic feed may need more flow than your tractor can provide. Having said that, I cannot imagine why you would want the hydraulic feed. I do not have one, and cannot see any need for it. My unit will grab hold of 6 inch diameter pine limb 10 feet in length, and pull it through on its own - no pushing needed; and turn it into chips in about 5-8 seconds. In fact, if you are not very careful, it will rip the limb right out of your hands. Always wear leather gloves during use.

George

 

[smfcpacfp]

Based upon everything that I have read and your comments, I have decided to go with the Wallenstein BX42 without the hydraulic feed.

As someone on this forum, stated anything above 4" in diameter would be firewood and I do have a wood forced air furnace. Most the wood I will be chipping is pine and most of that is jackpine, a very soft wood. I really have no need for a shredder, so why buy it. Now I just need to find a unit.

Does anyone know of a good source for the unit? I contacted a relatively local guy but he never got back to me.