Am in the market for a chipper shredder-8 to 10 hp to use on a heavily wooded 4 acre lot. I've done some research on a Bearcat 8hp(70080), the DR 10hp and the Craftsman 8.5hp. The Bearcat chips and shreds whereas the DR is used only for chipping(it is also $300 cheaper)-the Sears is 1/2 the price of the other two. Any other brands to research? Experience with any of these chippers? Thanks
chipper shredders
- Thread starter jakeman
- Start date
- Views: 8420
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Amerind McKissick, I've owned one for 20+ years, worn out one 12hp engine, and working on the second one.
Hammerknife design for small limbs and replacable blade for large stuff.
Hammerknife design for small limbs and replacable blade for large stuff.
Dale Binkley
Bronze Member
Check www.mackissic.com for the MacKissic line of chippers. I bought one a bit smaller than what you are looking for but have run it hard for twelve hours over a weekend recently. It works hard, is built like a tank and makes a Craftsman pale in comparison. Price wise it was only a bit more than the Craftsman chippers I saw.
Thomas
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 30,749
- Location
- Lebanon,NH.
- Tractor
- Kubota B2650HSD w/Frontloader & CC LTX1046 & Craftman T2200 lawn mower.
I believe the DR company will let you try there chipper out for 30days,and if your not happy than just return it..maybe this would help you in deciding what better.
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
I believe the current Sears unit is made by MTD. It looks identical. Check out this link to the . Here is MTD's <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yardmachines.com:8080/bestmodel/index3.jsp>list of chipper/shredder models. These are definitely homeowner grade machines, but they work.
I have rented the Bearcat 8 HP unit at Home Depot, and it worked very well and was heavily built. I think it was $65 for 24 hours. It didn't chip anything much bigger than the 5.5 HP MTD unit I wound up buying, but it is a little faster and easier to feed. All these units that say they will chip 3" branches must mean, "if it is soft wood, perfectly straight, and green."
I have rented the Bearcat 8 HP unit at Home Depot, and it worked very well and was heavily built. I think it was $65 for 24 hours. It didn't chip anything much bigger than the 5.5 HP MTD unit I wound up buying, but it is a little faster and easier to feed. All these units that say they will chip 3" branches must mean, "if it is soft wood, perfectly straight, and green."
Ledgemere Farm
Veteran Member
I have an MTD 5.5 H.P. I have been beating-the-crap out of it for 3 years and it keeps taking it. The manual says not to stick anything larger than 1/2" into the shredder hopper, but I have been grinding 1 1/2" oak with it. The chipper will take 2.5" stock easilly enough, but the shredder works better for some reason. All I have done to it is change the oil (once). Make sure you let the debris clear the chambers before you shut it off though. The debris jams the chamber so you can't crank it over. I only paid like $400 or so for it at The Home Depot.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
I once bought a chipper which was a direct drive off the crankshaft of the engine. while I was using it I picked up a bunch of debrie with my hands and put it in the chute not realising there was a piece of metal in the pile.
Well it ended up bending the crankshaft. I then bought an Amerind Makissick ten horse power Chipper/Shredder and have had it for about 20 years.
My advice is not to buy a direct drive machine.A belt is a lot easier to replace then a crankshaft. I now need a new frame for it,the frame is cracked.
Well it ended up bending the crankshaft. I then bought an Amerind Makissick ten horse power Chipper/Shredder and have had it for about 20 years.
My advice is not to buy a direct drive machine.A belt is a lot easier to replace then a crankshaft. I now need a new frame for it,the frame is cracked.