Finally got a PTO chipper

[fruitcakesa]

It does have a F N R control and I did try it during the event but the log hopelessly jammed and required disconnecting the tension springs that keep the feed roller tight to the log and using a lever to pry the roller away from the stuck log so it could be pulled back out.
No emergency shut off.

 

[Hughman]

I have the smaller WC68. I found the feeder tension springs set way too tight from the factory. It works much better once I loosened the up a bit.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I have the smaller WC68. I found the feeder tension springs set way too tight from the factory. It works much better once I loosened the up a bit.

That’s interesting. I just tightened mine per the troubleshooting guide which indicated when chipping slows down it may mean the belts are slipping so I increased tension closer to the 1/4” adjustment spec.
I must say that occasionally the log won’t feed and the feed roller will jump and not grab. I have to rotate the log or end for end it to get a surface it will grab. I suppose heavier tension could be a factor.

 

[Chanceywd]

I have the WC68. I found that the jams happened enough I didn't care for the spring detail.

I spotted the original jack from my 1993 ford ranger sitting on a shelf. I was able to adapt a crank from a trailer jack and then with the PTO shut down this jack would fit between the housing and the feed roller frame. I could crank it up and easily remove the jam. I added a little metal to a snow brush so I can pull small chunks out too.

Probably you could use a small hydraulic jack on its side there.

I since then added a hydraulic ram to take the place of the jack and run that off a rear remote.

Bill

 

[TGM5040]

Got a used older 9" Crary Bearcat pto driven chipper not too long ago. The paint wasn't even worn off the chute. I think the previous owner gave up on it because it wouldn't chip that well. The knives were very dull, but on one side only, so I just flipped them around and then it worked great.
Took about 2 days to chip up a brush pile of Russian Olives about 7' H X 9' wide and 80' long, mostly because I made the mistake of smashing the pile down as I stacked it which tangled it up. Shot the chips into a dump truck for several loads. After chipping that dried out pile which had sat around in the dirt for a few years, the blades were dull again. Local place charged $46 to resharpen them. I expect that they will last awhile longer on clean green wood.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I have the WC68. I found that the jams happened enough I didn't care for the spring detail.

I spotted the original jack from my 1993 ford ranger sitting on a shelf. I was able to adapt a crank from a trailer jack and then with the PTO shut down this jack would fit between the housing and the feed roller frame. I could crank it up and easily remove the jam. I added a little metal to a snow brush so I can pull small chunks out too.

Probably you could use a small hydraulic jack on its side there.

I since then added a hydraulic ram to take the place of the jack and run that off a rear remote.

Bill

Smart setup. It sure beats slacking off the springs and levering the roller up.
I might have a jack kicking around

 

[Chanceywd]

I made this jack holder out of pvc pipe and a couple of those large 3" magnets from harbor freight to hold it so It is always there and handy.

Also the right wrench to open up the cutter housing is in the manual tube.
I have plugged the shoot a couple times with branches that have a lot of leaves and having the right size box end is better than the crescent wrench I keep on the tractor.

Bill

 

[Torvy]

Just ordered the WC88. I was about to get the 6" "Pro" model with the twin flywheel, but the price difference just didn't seem worth it for our uses. The extra 2" should be of more use to us.

 

[Torvy]

Taking my time assembling the WC88.

The manual is very detailed. Scale templates for the hardware. Rulers printed in the manual. The hardware is also bagged separately based on part being assembled. They even clarify which direction bolts should go in.

Since so many things have garbage for manuals, I thought it fair to point out the good.

The parts are packed well and wrapped and strapped so they don't get scratched.

The whole lot packed on a metal 'pallet'/crate and shrink-wrapped strapped and corrugate over it all.

Nice to have new things that aren't already corroded.

I still need to finish the chute and measure/trim the pto shaft before we fire it up.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Always a good feeling when things come that well packed with real instructions rather than a bunch sketchy pictures !!!

gg