Chipper Chipper...or chipper/shredder?

[acohen100]

I was chatting with my sales rep today and asked him to price out some chippers. He recommends that I avoid chipper/shredders. His reasoning was that chipper/shredders self feed poorly and in general will have handling limitations with regard to diameters (smaller) and ages (can't cut green) of wood per a given HP tractor. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[Ductape]

What is your goal? Lots of heavy chipping, on your hundred acres? Or, chipping a few weekends per year on your half acre?

I have a smaller (about four inch) chipper shredder. I think its works great. And since i got the clearances corrected on the knives... it virtually feeds itself. It also makes small mounds out of hugh piles of leaves and sticks in the fall. It has no problem chipping green or dry stuff..... though a good dry three inch oak limb will rattle your teeth a little.

However, if i were maintaining some acreage... i'd own a commercial duty 6 inch or greater chipper with an auto feed.

I suspect your PTO horsepower will also be a determining factor in what you purchase.

 

[jdbower]

There's nothing inherent in a chipper/shredder that says a 4" chipper/shredder won't be able to accept branches that an equivalent 4" chipper will accept (well, except for a minor loss in effective HP but I haven't noticed on my little 2520). Nor will it feed any worse than the same design on a chipper. However, for the same money you can get a much better chipper as the shredder portion adds a lot of expense. I've recently discovered that the shredder seems to handle heavily rotted willow chunks very well, I've also put on a leather jacket and feed some brambles into it (trust me, leather sleeves are a must for shredding thorny growth!). If it's just fresh wood you'll be chipping you may be better off with a 6" chipper for the same price as a 4" chipper/shredder - but it's not the shredder that's the problem, it's the cost of the chipper with the shredder compared to the cost without.

 

[crd]

At least on my chipper-shredder (Bearcat 70554) the chipper feed is separate from the shredder bin, and the chipperself-feeds anything up to 5" just fine. I will say that the shredder is a lot more "exciting" to feed, as you have to push stuff in and once the shredder grabs it hanks it from your hand. Long sleeves and gloves are mandatory

The PTO HP limitation is something to consider -- with my BX2350 the engine will start to bog down chipping larger pieces over about 6' long. Never seen it even blink using the shredder.

 

[acohen100]

So if I understand correctly, a chipper/shredder is more expensive and gives you a finer mulch with the ability to feed in smaller stuff such as weeds and leaves into the hopper. Whereas a chipper is less expensive and gives you a more coarse mulch. Otherwise they can both handle identical debris. Is that about right? Also is there anything you can do with a shredder that you can't do with a chipper?

My current debate is between the Bearcat 70554 (chipper/shredder) and the Wallenstien BX42 (chipper). About a $500 difference between them.

 

[BRUSHTAMERS]

My Bearcat has a chipping chute that leads to a flywheel with four chipping knives, and a hopper on top that dumps directly into the shredding knives. Dealer suggested nothing much larger than 3/4" into the shredder. Most of what I deal with is Shore Pine, which doesn't go at all well, as it jams easily unless the limbs are cut very small.If I replace this unit, it will be with a hydraulic feed roller type. Kinda spendy, about $6500. SIDEY

 

[jdbower]

A shredder is essentially a series of hammers and is better suited for non-woody plants like vines and leaves. Chippers are spinning blades for branches and, while they can take vines, they don't processes them well at all. If you're mostly out cleaning up branches a chipper will do, but if you want to dispose of things like tomato plants, piles of leaves, brambles, etc, you'll probably want a shredder as well.

High-volume soft stuff = shredder
Dense woody plants and branches = chipper

 

[IslandTractor]

My current debate is between the Bearcat 70554 (chipper/shredder) and the Wallenstien BX42 (chipper). About a $500 difference between them.

I have the 70554 and like it a lot but the BX42 is also a very fine machine. I like having the chipper so you don't need to figure out what to do with small stuff. Just toss it in the shredder. However, if I did not have the shredder I'd just toss that stuff aside and come back later with the Bush Hog so I don't think it is a critical point.

 

[FRAN3]

I have the Bearcat 70554 (chipper/shredder) and run anything under 1" through the shredder, which I find handy when dropping smaller trees. This machine takes saplings and long branches, under 1", instantly through the shredder, even while a larger material is running through the chipper. It does take 110% concentration to feed as you need to keep your hands and arms out of the brush that is beyond where you are holding it as it is pulled in so fast. The dealer told me to never allow your hands/arms over the hopper, but to feed it from the side.

I find, for PTO HP on my BX 23, that 4" is about max for the chipper

FRAN3

 

[BobQ]

I have a Jinma 6"chipper, I have only used it for about 20 hours. I have put all of my tree tops and brances through it with out any trouble. Most of the trees were green and had leaves. I have never had a shredder so I can't compare, but for me, the chipper has worked well!

Bob

 

[ToddW]

Has anyone had any experience with the DR Chippers? DR® Power Equipment - Top Discharge - DR® Chipper - Remarkably Powerful Wood Chipper Built for Homeowners

The prices seem reasonable and they do have a 2 year warranty for home use.

/Todd

 

[IslandTractor]

I haven't used a DR chipper but I have other DR equipment. There equipment is well made and generally aimed at the "prosumer" so it is heavier that box store products but not likely to be selected by someone working with the equipment daily. The main disadvantage to the DR chipper, based on review of the specifications, is that the flywheel is quite light in comparison to the Bearcat or Wallenstein products. In general, a heavy flywheel is an advantage in chipping and a disadvantage in transport etc.

 

[ToddW]

Thank you, that was a clear and concise comparison!

Don't know much about chippers, but I sure do need one


My property is heavily wooded and I don't think I dare to start a burn pile even in the middle of one of our infamous hurricanes.

/Todd

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thank you, that was a clear and concise comparison!

Don't know much about chippers, but I sure do need one


My property is heavily wooded and I don't think I dare to start a burn pile even in the middle of one of our infamous hurricanes.

/Todd

Bearcat makes a small chipper that is similar in design to the DR. It is nearly twice as heavy, and has two chipping knives instead of one. The quotes I've seen are only a couple of hundred dollars more than the DR. That makes it a better value in my book. Woods sells the same chipper in their "Estate" line of implements.

 

[weldingisfun]

Has anyone had any experience with the DR Chippers? DR® Power Equipment - Top Discharge - DR® Chipper - Remarkably Powerful Wood Chipper Built for Homeowners

The prices seem reasonable and they do have a 2 year warranty for home use.

/Todd

I had the DR Chipper shown in your link. It is a good quality piece of equipment, but for me it was too lightweight. I am clearing several acres of cedars/junipers.
Remember, the DR Chipper comes with a 6-month free return option. I did that. They returned my money, no questions asked, and they paid the return shipping as well. Order one, try it and if it doesn't meet your needs, return it. You have nothing to lose but time.
I went with the Jinma chipper Home of compact Jinma, Foton, and Koyker Tractors and Parts, Wood Chippers, Backhoes - Affordable Tractor Sales Company and am completely satisfied. The Jinma chipper costs less by the way.

 

[ToddW]

I had the DR Chipper shown in your link. It is a good quality piece of equipment, but for me it was too lightweight. I am clearing several acres of cedars/junipers.
Remember, the DR Chipper comes with a 6-month free return option. I did that. They returned my money, no questions asked, and they paid the return shipping as well. Order one, try it and if it doesn't meet your needs, return it. You have nothing to lose but time.
I went with the Jinma chipper Home of compact Jinma, Foton, and Koyker Tractors and Parts, Wood Chippers, Backhoes - Affordable Tractor Sales Company and am completely satisfied. The Jinma chipper costs less by the way.

I've been unable to find anyone in Florida who sells the Jinma chipper, and hesitate to purchase it from an out of state dealer. I'm very handy mechanical / electrical, but am often limited on my free time, so I want something reliable and with dealer support.

/Todd

 

[ToddW]

Bearcat makes a small chipper that is similar in design to the DR. It is nearly twice as heavy, and has two chipping knives instead of one. The quotes I've seen are only a couple of hundred dollars more than the DR. That makes it a better value in my book. Woods sells the same chipper in their "Estate" line of implements.

I'll have to check that out Chuck, the dealer I purchased my Kubota from sells Woods implements so he may have that.

Thanks!

/Todd

 

[ChuckinNH]

This is the setup that I've been looking at. The best price so far is just over $2400.00. You don't suppose the dealer is trying to tempt me a bit by mouting it on a tractor do you? Nah! He wouldn't do that.

 

[kossetx]

Todd, Like you, time for me is precious My jimna didn't require but 1.5 hours to set up, and a lot of that was greasing it. I have been more than happy with mine and I'm still surpised at the size chips it makes. It choppes fairly fine. One of the best things I've bought. Just FYI

 

[acohen100]

Well I think I have decided on the Wallenstein. Will start pricing them out tomorrow. The DR seems a little cheapie. Only one knife.