Woodland Mills WC68 Chipper

[Hilbilly]

I currently have an Agriease 4" gravity feed chipper which is a Chinese knock off of the Wallenstein. I've had it for around 10 years and it has chipped a lot of small stuff, which is all I chip. Normally nothing bigger than 2" to 3" but mostly green tree branches and green tree tops. It works OK but lately it seems to struggle pulling in the smaller branches and short pieces. So I am considering getting the WC68 because of the hydraulic drive. I've watched a ton of videos but they mostly show people chipping dry stuff or large stuff. The few I've seen that show it chipping green branches have leaves and the few I've seen showing green evergreen branches being chipped don't show very much and some show the brand starting but not finishing (maybe because it was having problems). Pretty much everything I chip is green cedar, pine and fir branches. I've read a few complaints about the chipper getting jammed when chipping lots of small green material and since that is the main function I need, I am concerned that this is not going to be much better than what I have now.

I use the chips for compost and usually end up taking the chips from the chipper, spreading them out and running over therm with the brush hog to get a finer material.

Anyone have experience with chipping lots of small green evergreen branches, using the WC68? They are currently on sale with free shipping and that got my attention.

All comments welcome regarding this chipper. I am not considering at any other chippers. It's either this one or I stay with what I have. Anything from the US is way too expensive, considering our Canadian dollar isn't worth anything these days.

 

[grsthegreat]

I was about to bite the bullet and get one of these to replace my chinese chipper 2 years ago. I was on a waiting list when they contacted me to say it was ready…but price increased $500 from original cost. I didnt do the sale. Increase was due to steel tarrifs.

instead i replaced blades and anvils on my jimna6 chipper. I know its cheap china crap, but it just keeps on working. Its chips green junk fine, just as long as you keep note thats its discharging from shoot.

last time i used it the support that holds the feed roller broke. And i noticed a zirk from pillow bearing had sheared off. Both were easily repaired.

cheap as it is, its 12 years old and just keeps working.

 

[ericm979]

Try sharpening or replacing the knives and bed knife, and also setting the knife to bed knife gap.

I think a powered chipper is much better than a self feeding one (I have both) but the self feeder should be able to be returned to it's original level with a tuneup.

I have a Woodmaxx 8H which is a totally different design to the Woodland Mills but it plows through green fir branches really well and doesn't clog. Fir is the best chipping of the 9 species of trees here (the rest are hardwoods).

 

[Hilbilly]

Yesterday I pulled the bed knife and sharpened it. Found it was cracked. This is the second one that has cracked. I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with the mount for it. A quality issue. I welded it and replaced it. I have already sharpened the blades with a diamond stone. I reset the bed blade gap to 1/32" (as close as I can tell .... it's in a very difficult location to actually see the true gap). I set the gap for the one blade that was closest to the bed blade and the others all have bigger gaps. Probably another quality issue. It still struggles. Not working like it used to, so I know there is something I am missing. Like you say it should be able to return to original if all was done right.

I'm still interested in the WC68 though. I think it would be better.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

An Ottawa farmer sold me a used Chinese knockoff as a 4" Wallenstein. It has worked well on my Kubota B7510 for the last five years, though. I keep a spray bottle of valspar/old engine oil hanging from the tractor to keep the chute lubricated when chipping pine branches. They gum things up, but I trim a lot of pines. Black walnut branches (15 acres of them) are the easiest to chip, followed by basswood or butternut. Any branches which have long, straight twigs at the ends of the limbs (soft maple,mulberry) can clog the chute if the air flow through the chipper isn't high. I have thus formed the habit of hanging onto the tips of the end branches (I measured the distance to the knives) and pull the unchipped clumps out and discard them on the pile.

As I move around the pine/walnut plantings, I also run the chipper at whatever height is most comfortable to feed the stock, almost never on the ground.

 

[ctgoldwing]

I can only tell you of my experiences with the WC68. Several years ago at our old house I wanted to clean out part of the woods in the front, about a half acre, and some in the back where the dogs were fenced in - another 1/2 acre or so. I wasn't taking down anything large, only scrub and trees < 4" at the base.
The chipper worked like a champ. It was pretty much all green and a pretty good mix of species including pines, oaks and beech. I don't ever remember it jamming. When my project was finished I sold it. That had to be 3-4 years ago.

Fast forward to this year. I bought a WC88. I have some work to do here at the new house and will probably sell it when I'm done.

My tractor only has 32hp and I can stall it if I feed 4-5" material in too fast. That's solved easily by slowing down the hydraulic feeder.

 

[bigtiller]

I currently have an Agriease 4" gravity feed chipper which is a Chinese knock off of the Wallenstein. I've had it for around 10 years and it has chipped a lot of small stuff, which is all I chip. Normally nothing bigger than 2" to 3" but mostly green tree branches and green tree tops. It works OK but lately it seems to struggle pulling in the smaller branches and short pieces. So I am considering getting the WC68 because of the hydraulic drive. I've watched a ton of videos but they mostly show people chipping dry stuff or large stuff. The few I've seen that show it chipping green branches have leaves and the few I've seen showing green evergreen branches being chipped don't show very much and some show the brand starting but not finishing (maybe because it was having problems). Pretty much everything I chip is green cedar, pine and fir branches. I've read a few complaints about the chipper getting jammed when chipping lots of small green material and since that is the main function I need, I am concerned that this is not going to be much better than what I have now.

I use the chips for compost and usually end up taking the chips from the chipper, spreading them out and running over therm with the brush hog to get a finer material.

Anyone have experience with chipping lots of small green evergreen branches, using the WC68? They are currently on sale with free shipping and that got my attention.

All comments welcome regarding this chipper. I am not considering at any other chippers. It's either this one or I stay with what I have. Anything from the US is way too expensive, considering our Canadian dollar isn't worth anything these days.

In your post the word "chipper" is highlighted 4 times.

Are you asking about the Woodland Mills WC68 or the one your link directs us to WoodMaxx?

I have a woodland mills wc68. So far I have chipped mostly storm damage Spruce and had no problems.

One minor irritation is that it is difficult to feed a larger than 3" butt end first into the unit.

I can do it by cutting the butt at a sharp angle or by daisy-chaining the branches.

 

[Hilbilly]

That's weird! I did not highlight the word chipper and I certainly did not intend for a link to Woodmax. As the thread title states, I am interested in the Woodland Mills WC68. Why is my post being directed to a different site. Something is wrong here!!!!! Do I need to report this to Admin?

 

[Hilbilly]

Something weird is going on! When I type a post the word "chipper" does not get highlighted but when I hit the "post reply" it does. When I go back and edit the post the highlighting disappears.

I just want some feedback from owners of the WC68.

Edit: it just keeps getting highlighted! No matter what I do!!!!!!! Not Happy!!!!!!

 

[Goss]

I currently have an Agriease 4" gravity feed chipper which is a Chinese knock off of the Wallenstein. I've had it for around 10 years and it has chipped a lot of small stuff, which is all I chip. Normally nothing bigger than 2" to 3" but mostly green tree branches and green tree tops. It works OK but lately it seems to struggle pulling in the smaller branches and short pieces. So I am considering getting the WC68 because of the hydraulic drive. I've watched a ton of videos but they mostly show people chipping dry stuff or large stuff. The few I've seen that show it chipping green branches have leaves and the few I've seen showing green evergreen branches being chipped don't show very much and some show the brand starting but not finishing (maybe because it was having problems). Pretty much everything I chip is green cedar, pine and fir branches. I've read a few complaints about the chipper getting jammed when chipping lots of small green material and since that is the main function I need, I am concerned that this is not going to be much better than what I have now.

I use the chips for compost and usually end up taking the chips from the chipper, spreading them out and running over therm with the brush hog to get a finer material.

Anyone have experience with chipping lots of small green evergreen branches, using the WC68? They are currently on sale with free shipping and that got my attention.

All comments welcome regarding this chipper. I am not considering at any other chippers. It's either this one or I stay with what I have. Anything from the US is way too expensive, considering our Canadian dollar isn't worth anything these days.

I can "almost" help you out. I have the 8" model of the Woodland Mills you're looking at. I'm a machinist by trade, and have done a lot of fabrication work too. The quality and thickness of materials of my WC88 are excellent. The hydraulic feed is a bit fussy, in that you breath on it and it goes from too fast to too slow. Once you fine the right spot, it does stay put. If you're just chipping fir boughs it will clog, as will most chippers. You need WOOD not just branches full of those fine needles. If I'm into a bunch of fir or hemlock boughs, I run through a few branches, then follow up with a good chunk of wood to clear out the needles. If you can swing the WC88, it does allow you to feed in a much bigger bunch of stuff than the 6" model. It's not that you're going to chip 8" firewood, but rather the bunching up of branches feeds better through a bigger chute. Hope this helps. The Woodland Mills unit we have is really a great attachment for our property. Wish I had one years ago! Keep the belts tight, don't chip dirty limbs and you should be fine.

 

[Hilbilly]

I can "almost" help you out. I have the 8" model of the Woodland Mills you're looking at. I'm a machinist by trade, and have done a lot of fabrication work too. The quality and thickness of materials of my WC88 are excellent. The hydraulic feed is a bit fussy, in that you breath on it and it goes from too fast to too slow. Once you fine the right spot, it does stay put. If you're just chipping fir boughs it will clog, as will most chippers. You need WOOD not just branches full of those fine needles. If I'm into a bunch of fir or hemlock boughs, I run through a few branches, then follow up with a good chunk of wood to clear out the needles. If you can swing the WC88, it does allow you to feed in a much bigger bunch of stuff than the 6" model. It's not that you're going to chip 8" firewood, but rather the bunching up of branches feeds better through a bigger chute. Hope this helps. The Woodland Mills unit we have is really a great attachment for our property. Wish I had one years ago! Keep the belts tight, don't chip dirty limbs and you should be fine.

Welcome to TBN and thanks for your input.

I can certainly swing the WC88 but I am concerned that the belt drive system is just more potential problems down the road. My main concern is whether or not the WC68 will feed the small branches (with needles) better than the chipper I have now.

I guess there is no way to know unless I get personal experience with one. That comes at a cost.

 

[Goss]

Welcome to TBN and thanks for your input.

I can certainly swing the WC88 but I am concerned that the belt drive system is just more potential problems down the road. My main concern is whether or not the WC68 will feed the small branches (with needles) better than the chipper I have now.

I guess there is no way to know unless I get personal experience with one. That comes at a cost.

All I can say is the brand is a good chipper. Unless we put them side by side and compare it's tough to say what the difference would be with fir needles.
Sorry I wasn't more help.

 

[Hilbilly]

Please don't be sorry. I appreciate your input.

I think I will pull the trigger on the WC68. That's the only way to find out if it is better than what I have now and maybe I will be kicking my butt for waiting so long, lol.

 

[34Willys]

I just recently got the WC68, and it is awesome. I've chipped Douglas fir, alder, oak, cedar, and maple. Green and dry, it feeds as you walk back and grab another branch. It tends to chip the wood and then spit out a string of needles or leaves. Never had it clog.
My tractor is on the very low end of the PTO power required, and even feeding a 5 inch fir branch, the tach is rock solid. I haven't had it bogg down at all.
It is difficult to start large diameter branches. There are tension springs that can be adjusted looser, but then it wouldn't feed the smaller stuff as well.
I added the trailer hitch and chainsaw scabbard options. I can hook up my polar trailer and pull up to the branches, position the trailer and chip into it still connected.
So much faster than burn pile work.
I was so impressed with the build quality, etc that I ordered a Bushlander off road trailered band sawmill from them today.
Patrick

 

[Jstpssng]

It seems like for what the OP wants he should be looking in the other direction, for a smaller top feed chipper mulcher.

DR PRO 475 Wood Chipper | DR Power Equipment

A dedicated self-feeding chipper that will power through branches up to 4.75" in diameter.

www.drpower.com

 

[Hilbilly]

I already have this Woodchipper self feeding chipper. The DR is actually rated for bigger stuff. Mine is rated for 4" max.

 

[2manyrocks]

I currently have an Agriease 4" gravity feed chipper which is a Chinese knock off of the Wallenstein. I've had it for around 10 years and it has chipped a lot of small stuff, which is all I chip. Normally nothing bigger than 2" to 3" but mostly green tree branches and green tree tops. It works OK but lately it seems to struggle pulling in the smaller branches and short pieces.

If it used to work okay for you, could it be that the blades need to be sharpened or replaced? I'm thinking that if the blades just don't cut like they used to, then this would make the whole chipping process that much slower because the machine has to chip what's in it before the rest can feed through.

I've only had a small gravity machine myself. I would think a hydraulic feed would be easier to use. If you plan to do a lot of chipping for many more years to come, that's worth considering.

 

[jonsstihl]

I have a WC68 and have had it clog but not too often. mostly when you get to the top of spruce trees with lots of needles. I bought the wc68 because the flywheel is pto drive and hydraulic pump belt driven so I figured if ever the pump crapped out I could just plumb the hydraulics to my tractor remotes. the WC88 the pump is PTO driven and flywheel is belt drive (3 of them) . the flywheel speed is much higher on the WC88 and I would think that would translate to less clogging. Sometimes I wish I had a larger chute entry not to chip larger branches but to be able to let in more crooked branches.

the new TF810 seems to be the best of both worlds but more expensive and youtube reviews seem to reveal some problems with shear bolts among other things. i've had mine since 2020 and no problems with the hydraulics. kind of wishing I had gotten the wc88. but i'm still happy with it. i'm due to flip the knives.

 

[Hilbilly]

I just ordered it. I will find out if this was a good move or a mistake, in a few weeks.

 

[bigtiller]

If it used to work okay for you, could it be that the blades need to be sharpened or replaced? I'm thinking that if the blades just don't cut like they used to, then this would make the whole chipping process that much slower because the machine has to chip what's in it before the rest can feed through.

That's what it sounds like to me also.
I used to have a 5" BearCat manual feed chipper/shredder.
When it was new the branches would gravity self feed. Sometimes feeding very fast.

After some use, I had to help the branches feed occasionally.

After a lot of use I had to force feed the big branches. That was a lot of work so I started putting everything under 2" down the shredder.

Then I bought some new knifes and the chipper acted like a new machine again.

Edit.. I just posted and seen your previous post. I should have gotten up earlier.

I'm sure you will be happy with the new chipper, I am really glad I bought mine.