Views on DR Chippers

[jedjoe]

I'd appreciate member views on the DR chippers. There's an 18 hp gas DR Chipper up for sale at auction in a couple of weeks, and I'm thinking of bidding on it. DR advertising claims it's their biggest model, capable of managing 5 1/2" (although I know that's always oversold by all chippers). I'd be using it around the farm to clear some brush and make some wood chips for paths, etc.

I've attached a photo. As you can see, this machine was barely used by the original owner. The auctioneer states it's less than a year old.

Any experience with these machines? Any weak spots to look for when I inspect? And finally, any idea what a good bid price might be?

Greatly appreciate the advice, as always.

 

[Brokermike]

they bite.

I looked hard and found a completely rebuilt morbark 6" hydraulic feed chipper on craigllist around x-mas time for $2500. The chipping disc alone ways much more than the DR unit. Has a nice old cast iron Kohler on it. Look around and you'll find exactly what you need but I would never get anything that isn't hydraulic feed

 

[jedjoe]

Thanks, BM. I'll do some looking round about. Happy chipping.

 

[rharkins]

I have an older 18hp DR chipper that is belt drive. It will easily chip anything that I can force down the hopper. My model is manual feed however, and if I was doing it over I'd never buy anything without some type of auto feeder. I believe the newer DR chippers have auto feed. It's very tiring forcing stuff down the hopper.

I've never felt like the cutting disk was too light. A 5-6 inch green oak sapling can be chipped bottom to top without bogging it down.

 

[wolfram]

I also have an 18hp DR Chipper ( Model TLC18-CHP ), which I bought used. It's in great shape and works fine. Specs say 4.5" limbs, but that's firewood to me. You would be able to chip something that size, but it would be slow going and it would rattle your brain even when sharp. Mine is manual feed.

In my opinion, this chipper would be ideal for a person with a small suburban lot of a few acres or so. If you wanted to reduce brush piles in your woodlot or use it on tree removal jobs, you would be very disappointed (like me). After an hour, the chip pile is pretty small.

Depending on your needs, this might work out ok. I think it is the nicest of the lot of homeowner units. Just don't expect much of it. I will be selling mine when I can find a good used Morbark or similar (with hydro feed).