Chipper PTO Chipper - Useful or misplaced?

[dmartin88]

Just talked to my local dealer about the Woods chipper for my BX22, his only concern was the ground clearance on this chipper when mounted on the tractor, have you found this to be a problem?

Dealer recommended a Mackissic TPH122 instead although he certaianly was willing to sell me the Woods unit, just wanted to be sure I knew it might be a tight fit?

I think the extra capacity of the Woods unit would be worth the $1000 difference in price but wanted to check with someone that owns the unit.

Thanks.

 

[Junkman]

Look around for a dealer that has one in stock and bring your tractor over to try it on.... I think that is going to be the best way to know for sure unless someone here has a BX 22 and the chipper.....

 

[dmartin88]

I replied to the earlier poster "drcollie" who has the same tractor and just bought the Woods chipper but do plan to go to the dealer and take a look for myself. Thanks for the note.

 

[drcollie]

Not a problem at all with clearance on the BX22. In fact, it raises higher than I really feel it needs to. I posted (3) photos of the Woods 5000 on the back of my BX22. Go to the Kubota Owning and Operating Forum, and you'll see them there.

I felt I didn't need the SHREDDER part of the Woods 5000, but that's really turned out to be pretty handy to have as the smaller debris works better in that chute than the chipper.

I'd not hesitate to buy this unit again. Shop the price a bit, I paid $ 2,500 for mine ready to go. The Bearcat model 70554 (there's a dealer in Fredricksburg VA that has one on the ground) is identical as well.

-Duane

 

[Junkman]

after seeing the one in the Kubota forum, I did a web search and found that the average sale price is $2500. Just don't know if I can justify that expense for a item that I don't know how much use that I will get out of it.... Do you know if the model has been out for a while or is it relatively new to the market place? Possible to find a used one I wonder.......

 

[dmartin88]

Thanks, took a look at the photos. Now will have to make a decision, the Woods unit with 5" capacity for about $2500 or the Mackissic with 3 1/2" capacity around $1400. I must admit, logs over 3 1/2" would probably be fine for firewood so may be large enough although the 5" capacity would probably make it a lot easier to chip bent or twisted smaller logs.

Will go to my dealer and take a look at both, thanks for the information and the pointer to the pictures.

 

[GregJ]

Junkman,
I think the 70554 has been on the market for some time. There could be a few used ones out there. As far as cost justification, this is how I looked at it. Every now and then, there is a burn ban where I live and it is nice to be able to chip debris before the pile gets too big. That's a convenience. It's also nice to dispose of debris without polluting the environment. That's good for the environment. Most importantly I can create mountains of my own mulch and compost that is much better than you can buy and works great everywhere in the landscaping and vegetable gardens. That's cost justification. Last year I had to buy a 10 yard load of the highest quality compost I could find at $34 a yard and it came with the added bonus of Morning Glory in it. Since then I have created close to 50 yards of mulch. At $34 for stuff of questionable quality vs. (basically) free for incredibly good quality stuff that I do myself, I figure my chipper will pay for itself in 2 to 3 years, no problem. Now, I go through close to 30 yards of mulch/compost a year, so in my case it's not a problem. If I were buying it just to dispose of debris, I would have a lot of trouble justifying it, because it is more work than burning. Just thought I'd share how I cost justified it.

Greg

 

[GregJ]

Dave,
I had a smaller chipper before my Bearcat. It was a 3.5 inch capacity. The reality is that a 5 inch chipper will do 3.5 inch logs really well and struggle just feeding a 5 inch, unless it is perfectly straight. The 3.5 inch will do 2 inch really well and really struggle with 3.5 logs. I found the small one almost unusable because of the lack of capacity. The Bearcat was a breeze to use compared to the small one. These chippers will work ya hard if they don't have enough "uumph".

Greg

 

[dmartin88]

Ordered the Woods 5000 unit today, should have it late next week. Having the extra capacity seems like the way to go and at the price of mulch, figure it will pay for itself in a couple of years! Thanks to all for the information and feedback.

 

[drcollie]

Excellent, Dave !

You'll find it's a real nice match for your BX22 as did I. I'm grinding poplar with mine mostly over in Fairfax, VA and so far the Woods 5000 has taken everything I've thrown at it without a hitch. Just rev the engine up all the way to max. throttle before you start chipping and move the tractor when the pile gets up to the exhaust chute.

When you first install this on the back of your BX, try to do it on flat and level ground. The BX hitch has to really spread wide to accomodate and it helps to be on pavement for the install.

Let us know what you think when you get it.
-Duane C.