Bearcat SC5540 PTO driven chipper/shredder

[JOHNINMA]

Is anyone familiar with the Bearcat SC5540 pto driven chipper/shredder? I talked to some dealers and was told by some that it works very well, while one dealer said it would not work well unless it was a chipper with hydraulic feed. I saw the Bearcat model SC5540 that I am interested in on youtube and it looked to be doing a nice job even on large limbs.

 

[ibnxe]

A few years back I bought a Wallenstein BX42 chipper, without the hydraulic feed. I was a little apprehensive about its ability to self-feed, but as soon as I started using it, it was clear that this was not going to be a problem. Once the limb starts into the cutter, it is very difficult to try to pull it back out. Just start the limb in and stand back. Be sure to have good ear protection.

 

[JOHNINMA]

Thanks ibnxe for the quick reply. I feel better knowing someone else has used a chipper without hydraulic feed and had good results. I am still researching pto driven chippers and plan to also look at Wallenstein as well.

 

[Will_C]

Sure, a chipper with hydraulic feed is easier to work, but that is a feature that can almost double the cost of a smaller chipper. I have limited experience with chippers, but I do know that any chipper in the 2-3k range is a vast improvement over hoemowner models, and can do a good job. I am considering one myself-if I had to spend the money for hydraulic feed, I simply could not buy one.

Will

 

[nspec]

I own that Bearcat model and couldn't be happier. Of course it doesn't feed like a hydraulic unit would, but it certainly self feeds. I have chipped an incredible amount of brush with it and when I went to flip the knives, they were still like new! The intake chute is the limiting factor for self feeding in my experience. Usually if it doesn't feed, the branches are rubbing on the chute holding it back and a gentle push sends it on it's way. Clean logs and single branches go down no problem.

A chipper that has a hydraulic feed needs much more horsepower to run it than this unit. I have a B2630 which is only 26hp, 19 hp on the pto. I can chip 5" wood, 15 feet long easily. The flywheel is the heaviest by far in it's class, which is why I chose it over the Wallenstein. I know the Wallenstein is a great chipper, but I assume that the tractor is doing considerably more work to keep the knives moving at speed in tough material because the flywheel is like half the weight. The Bearcat has the inertia to keep on chugging.

It is also very compact, which is to some it's only downfall. The discharge is out the side on the bottom, and you need to keep kicking the pile away from the discharge every few minutes. I'm rather used to it, but some may find it a pain. There is a blower and discharge spout available for the unit, but again, I was worried that the blower would rob precious horsepower.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The angle of the feed verses the self and hydraulic feed chippers is different. If you have a self feeding chipper not sucking the wood in at a fair rate is a good sign that the knives need to be either flipped or sharpened. It is better to get the knives sharpened properly and not use a hand grinder you also must also be careful not to overheat them while sharpening.
Have a Bearcat 70554 similar to the newer Model SC5540B and it works good. Just keep everything greased and the belt tight and in good shape. Also keep an eye on the driveline to keep the angles down to a minumum. Using the chipper side is better results than the shredder side.
If it is too big for the chipper then it is firewood.

David Kb7uns

 

[Tachdriver]

What would a BX25 handle in the form of a PTO chipper ?



later

 

[David_Kb7uns]

What would a BX25 handle in the form of a PTO chipper ?



later

Bearcat is saying the Model CH45540 chipper is for the 15-28Hp range and is 4.5".

David Kb7uns

 

[PHILIP8N]

I have had the Bearcat 73454 for a little over 8 years now. It is a self feed, and handles larger branches well. The smaller stuff or the end of a branch with smaller stuff can at times be more difficult to feed. At that time, I usually have to feed a larger branch in behind it to continue feeding. It is a good performer. I thought I saw a Bearcat chipper similar to mine at the farm show this year similar to mine but with a mechanical auto feed system. One thing I really like about my chipper is the high discharge chute. Easy to discharge into truck bed or into fence row. Philip.

 

[RoyJackson]

I've got a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder (which is actually a Bearcat product and marketed by Woods. It is virtually identical to the Bearcat SC5540)
Very nice chipper for up to 5" (as long as the trunk or branch is fairly straight). The angle of the chute really helps the gravity feed. Basically, you put the branch in and stand back.

Comments about the bottom discharge are quite accurate. It's a bit of a pain, but unless you plan on chipping wood for a living, it's not that big a pain. Pick up a fire rake (from your local hardware store) and just rake the chips away.

BTW John, since you looked at the Youtube videos, you know how fast the shredder pulls brush in...that's no exaggeration.