Chipper Chipper - hydraulic feed or no?

[amigauser]

If you are planning on spending $6-7,000 for an automatic feed chipper you may want to look at some used commercial units.

I have been looking at used Vermeer BC625a machines which can be had for $6000 or less used and will handle 6" logs along with auto feed. There are also other "commercial" type machines in the same price range with similar capabilities.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Norm

 

[tuolumne]

If you are planning on spending $6-7,000 for an automatic feed chipper...

I'm not going into the timber clearing business! Yes, a rental seems to be the right answer.

 

[amigauser]

I'm not going into the timber clearing business! Yes, a rental seems to be the right answer.

Depending on your usage, purchasing a used commercial grade unit for $6000 - $7000 and then using it for your purpose and then reselling might be a better deal then renting. I think chipper rentals are around $200 - $300 a day (at least here in CT). It would not take long to run up a large bill.

I considered a tractor PTO driven unit to, but when you figure in the automatic feed etc. it makes more sense to either rent a unit (as you said) or just purchase a lightly used (low hour) commercial unit if you are going to need it for a large number of hours.

A lot depends on the time you will need it (number of hours) and convenience.


FYI,
Norm

 

[kossetx]

OK, Here is my take.

For limited use, the auto, but not hydro feed, jimna is nice to own. I have been building MOUNDS of someday to be compost and lots of cedar mulch for the beds around the house and friends houses although it is strange none of them seem to want to come help make it. I do have a hard time finding enough greens to mix in with the wood to make the compost, but the woods is in decomposition after a month or 2 for the cedar. All this has pretty much been done on my own, so it is a one person machine.

I always had problems burning knowing the energy that was being wasted. After owning one for 3 months, I wish I would have owned the chipper sooner. I much prefer it to burning. for the 15-2k price the jimna is a deal. I do have an almost unlimited supply of feed for it, so that may not be your case. It depends on how much you have to do and what you want to do with the chips. I bought mine to stop burning and to try to make compost to put in my yard.

 

[JRobyn]

I'm not going into the timber clearing business! Yes, a rental seems to be the right answer.

Here's one consideration regarding both rentals and used BC625's... Since my chipper and tractor are in TN, and I had to chip the remnants of some trees in GA, I rented a BC625 last weekend ($115/day but got to keep it all day Sat and Sun). The unit they actually had was a BC620 with a bit less power. That wasn't a problem, but all of the electronic auto-feed-control stuff was!! There is a BUNCH of complicated linkages/valves involved, and as is commonly the case on rental equipment, it was NOT adjusted and operating flawlessly! A few bungee cords on the feed control lever made it usable, but at some (slight?) cost to the safety features. Many used units I saw when I was shopping were ex-rentals.

That said, I bought my Morbark used and have been extremely pleased with it. Even if you get a used/ex-rental unit with a few problems, the basic machines are relatively simple and easy to repair and keep in good operating condition. Just be aware and carefull with either renting or buying a used unit!

 

[kwahl]

I Have the Wallenstein BX 62 without the hydraulic feed and have nothing but praise for it. I too went through the process of attempting to figure out if I needed the hydraulic feed. I would have spent an excessive amount of money when I didn't need to. I have been thoroughly impressed that it eats up, all on it's own, anything I start in it. I have 75 acres and have had it for one season and worked it hard.

I believe that considering all the options stated it was by far the best option for me.

 

[b33b]

'How fast do you wear down when manual feeding? The last thing I want is to be sapped when picking up the chainsaw'

Probably the most physically demanding work you will do with a tractor, especially if you let your feed stock get all tangled up or spread out, but not a bad way to get back in shape. Probably should have everything trimmed and stacked ready for feeding before starting the chipper

The hydraulic feed is nice if working by yourself but it costs a lot if you don't find a used chipper. Most of us probably rather spend an extra day chipping than pay $3,000 more for self feed. Plus you have a chance to lean against the end of branch and catch your breath while pretending you are helping the feed.

I also have rented self powered chippers and find my biggest problem is going for more brush to feed the chipper - slower and more tiring. Limited truck access to the woods is my excuse for a new tractor this summer.

Cal