New member of the Chuck & Duck club

[HomeBrew2]

Due to the **** Air Resources Board in this area, most ag burning has been outlawed and, for us mountain residents, "hazard reduction" burning of brush is getting nearly impossible for air quality reasons, they say.

To get rid of brush, I decided to look for a chipper and was unable to find anything appropriate for my little BX for a reasonable price. I found this 1962 Fitchburg for $3K. After reading, on another TBN thread, that Chuch & Ducks may be more dangerous than other options, I decided I needed it. I bought it from the local Arborist. The chips it throws come out at about 0.030" thickness and it gobbled a 6" inscense cedar easily. The old Ford Industrial 6 cyl starts on the first piston up. Very cool old machine!!!

If anyone happens to have a source of info on old Fitchburgs, I'd be appreciative of anything you can throw my way.

Cheers!

 

[Highbeam]

"After reading, on another TBN thread, that Chuch & Ducks may be more dangerous than other options, I decided I needed it."

-I like the way you think. It looks to be another one of those "no ******* around" type of tools.

"The chips it throws come out at about 0.030" thickness"

-Woops, you mean like three quarters of a millimeter? Potato chips?

That's cool.

 

[jinman]

Seems like a pretty darn good purchase to me. However, soon you will find that the real work is the cutting and dragging the trees/brush to the chipper. Of course, you could pull the chipper around behind your tractor, but that never has worked that good for me. I'd rather make a pile and then go "attack" it with my chipper/shredder.

Two words of advice..."ear protection" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

Yep, potato chips ... guess they'll decompose pretty quick that way.
The deal was even cooler than just the machine. The tree guy is downsizing his business to get into other enterprises but still wants to do some tree work. So, he'll "borrow" it from me from time to time in exchange for maintenance/repair work or rental cash.
Cheers!

 

[HomeBrew2]

I know what you mean about the real work ... I've been in these hills, dealing with brush, et al, for 25 years /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I have provided myself options in this regard. My lightweight brush forks that I made for my BX have far exceeded my expectations. They not only allow easy collection and transportation of brush but also do a great job of separating dirt from brush by flicking the bucket repeatedly.
On the other hand, I have an old Dodge Ramcharger 4x4 ranch vehicle that will easily tow the chipper thru my creek and straight up the side of a hill if needed ... it's a good old workhorse.
Yeh, I'll probably breakdown and wear face shield and ear muffs /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Cheers!

 

[billbill1]

Too bad they don't make one of these that would turn the chips into burnable pellets that could be burnt in the pellet stoves. Maybe Harv will read this and invent one!!!

 

[HomeBrew2]

Closest I've heard about is tying a burlap bag on the end of the chute when chipping oak ... chips for the barbie /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Jstpssng]

I've asked a salesperson about that. Supposedly the chips would clog the feed auger. She stated they'd burn in an outdoor furnace though.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

HomeBrew -

Looks like a beast, and the price sounds good. I don't have to tell you to be careful, it sure sounds like you know which end is up.

Did he throw in any extra knives? Just do your best to make sure they're always nice and sharp, and adjust that bed knife (sounds like it is). There are plenty of sharpening services you can send your knives to who will sharpen your knives pretty cheaply on a "Blanchard" type machine, cheaper than someone will probably do them locally on a surface grinder. And replace the knife bolts frequently. (Vermeer wants you to use new bolts after using up both edges on a knife. Do I actually do that? Of course!) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Those bolts do take a LOT of punishment, so frequent, regular replacement is a very, very good idea. I've seen what happens when a knife lets go on a chipper (one of my smaller ones, being abused by someone), and it's not pretty. No casualties, but there easily could have been, and there was no shortage of mangled steel.

Anyway, enjoy what that thing will do for you. One thing is for sure, they are FAST. It's just that if you're not careful, they can be just a little TOO fast. Enough said I guess. Except for - no gloves, loose clothing, or RINGS. And wear a brush helmet at all times, please. And stand to the side when feeding it. And oh yeah, whatever you do, never start the engine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Take care and work safe,

John D.

 

[HomeBrew2]

John, thank you for the informative and practical reply !!!

Truth be known, I was hoping for a reply from you ... you seem to know your shinola about such things.

I read the responces to the thread about the guy who met his maker via the chipper this week. Your first reply to that thread poo pooed the type of machine I was considering buying. Your second reply was tempered with intelligence and experience. That is hard to find on TBN when a dangerous tool is discussed.

I committed your three parables to memory ... stand to the side; do not get "involved" with the stuff you are feeding the machine, and; do not wear gloves. I already knew about the loose clothes and have been by myself for 10 years, thus no ring ... but no help either ... fair tradeoff /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The guy I bought it from installed a new set of knives BUT, I will definately ask about the bolts. Thanks! And thanks for the tip on the sharpening.

The only tough part about your commentary ... ? "Don't start the engine" ... I would have paid $3K just to hear that Ford industrial purr after I turned the key, pulled the choke out half way and pushed THE button ... HEAVEN !!! But when I slowly engaged the hand clutch while balancing the load with the throttle lever and then yanking the throttle to the running position detent and seeing that spring-loaded exhaust stack cap go vertical and that deadly song of the rotor kick in ... I was in love ... kindof like loving a real woman ... respectful love.

Yeh, I wore the brush helmet ... I'm just a kid of 49 so I'm still taking notes and learning /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Cheers!