Rent or buy a chipper-- I need to decide soon

[ericm979]

Both Woodland Mills units are made in China. The Woodmaxx 6" and less expensive 8" units are made in China. They also have 8" and 9" hydrostatic feed models made in the USA. I have a China made Woodmaxx 8H and it's pretty decent. It's not a fine Swiss watch but it's not junk either. I've chipped 8" hardwood with no problem (once I replaced the hydraulic feed control with a properly sized one). I've used it pretty hard and nothing's failed or bent.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Plowhog, renting a chipper is certainly an option, especially if you only have a one-time requirement. In my case, I have a year-round need. Trash trees, undergrowth, and unwanted limbs seem to grow year-round. Burning is certainly an option for 6 months a year here. But I have an extreme fear of fire hazards.

I've had fires get out of hand before. And not due to inattention. A unexpected gust of wind is all it takes. Or a hot ash in the pines. Any number of things can and will cause a fire to spread. And dang it - a fire can spread a LOT faster than anyone would expect.

Having your own chipper eliminates the nuisance of having to collect piles of branches and trees, not to mention the 'right time' to burn. So, the question as to whether to rent or buy, for me, is clear. Having my own WM68 ready to go to work in 5 minutes anytime, is very comforting.

I've only had mine for 3 months now, but have chipped up at least a thousand small scrub trees. And I still have a long list of places here that I'm anxious to dump wood chips for ground cover. Heck - my SO could use another thousand trees chipped just for her garden! I'm still a long way from cleaning up our little 13 acres, after innumerable years of neglect, but having my own chipper on hand 24/7, yeah - I'll get 'er done, at my own pace and in my own time. That's comforting!

 

[plowhog]

Having your own chipper eliminates the nuisance of having to collect piles of branches and trees, not to mention the 'right time' to burn. I'm still a long way from cleaning up our little 13 acres, after innumerable years of neglect, but having my own chipper on hand 24/7, yeah - I'll get 'er done, at my own pace and in my own time. That's comforting!

First, I had to go to Napa auto parts to find the ISO 32 hydraulic fluid. But the factory told me ISO 46 in my climate zone was OK. That is available at Tractor Supply.

I have had my chipper for about 3 weeks and have chipped truckloads of chips with it. I have a dump trailer which is currently filled with chips. Ditto a dump bed dump truck. All of this is from last week's oak tree trimming.

As I look around my property, there is an incredible amount of use for a chipper. The Woodland Mills WC88 has chipped everything so far-- but I have to say chipping the Pin Oak was and is no fun. I feel like I am pushing wire into the hopper-- that pin oak is tough wood.