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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

question about chipper/shredder

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someone used my

08-28-2006 21:07:40

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I'm looking for some info on using a gasoline powered chipper/shredder. I know they work well when shredding tree limbs, etc, but will they work to shred leafy material such as weeds and vines? I have a large pile of weeds and thought I'd grind 'em up for compost, but have never tried feeding this kinda stuff through a shredder. Whaddaya say?

Also, has anyone used the pto shredder sold by "DR" (the outfit that makes the walk-behind brush mowers advertised in all the mags)? Just wondering if they're worth buying. Thanks in advance!

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Slowpoke

08-31-2006 01:39:11

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

If it's anything like the 20hp Promark chipper that I've used it needs to be extremely sharp to deal with vines like ivy, etc. If they are woody like a half inch or more it will probably cut them. Otherwise they could wrap around the shaft and jam the machine. I think the 5-10hp units are not worth the effort as the branches need to be removed first before slowly pushing the limb into the knives. Step up to a towable machine that has an infeed roller that pulls the branches right out of your hand. You'll love it. Ask at the rental places if they have any surplus units for sale.

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Gene Davis (GA)

08-29-2006 20:10:14

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

I bought a small chipper/shredder like you are talking about. It was a great disappointment. It was always plugging up whenever you fed it anything bigger than a pencil. The 10 hp engine would run it ok, but the cutter head couldn"t take much feed. I finally found me a sucker and let him hold it and then added another $1000.oo to that money and bought a Crary "Bearcat" pto driven model and it is far ahead of the small engine driven type. I have a 14 HP John Deere 650 compact diesel tractor which is not a lot larger by HP rating than the small one, but the difference is in the fact that the pto driven shredder has a 120# drum that the cutters mount on and acts as a flywheel to give it inertia. That is what keeps it cutting and prevents stalling when a load hits it. The first thing that wears out now is the operator.Burning the brushpile on a cold wet day still works faster and easier.

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Don L C

08-29-2006 13:48:27

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

I had a MSD 5HP chipper/shreder it had two seperate places to feed materals.....i think you would have to feed the long weeds in by hand.....dry leaves no problem .... damp weeds from a pile would be difficult.....

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someone used my name

08-29-2006 07:45:02

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

Thanks for all the replies... have burned weeds in the past, but caught them still green this year and figured I might as well get some good out of 'em if possible (compost). As I mentioned, I haven't used a chipper in this way, but my main concern was clogging... the idea to make some kind of pusher is worth pursuing... mean time, a few sacrificial sticks to push the clogs through will work. I've long seen the ads for the DR products and still haven't made up my mind. The folks I've talked to have varied opinions, just as I've seen here. The DR ads sort of make me suspicious... first thing I think of is the traveling salesman selling "magic elixir"... I'm not currently in the market for snake oil! Again, thanks to all!!!
Regards, D.L.

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Stan in Oly, WA

08-29-2006 10:10:10

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-29-2006 07:45:02

Hi sumn,

Some weed seeds (probably most) will survive shredding and composting and be raring to go when you use that compost.

All the best, Stan

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someone used my name

08-29-2006 12:33:02

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 08-29-2006 10:10:10

Hi Stan, Yeah, I was wondering about that... I'm new to this composting business. Everything I've read says if properly maintained, a compost pile should develop enough heat to kill viable seeds and plant matter... I expect the process to require at least a year in our climate (central Wyoming), but thought it would be worth a try. I appreciate your comment!
Regards, D.L.

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Stan in Oly, WA

08-29-2006 17:30:35

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-29-2006 12:33:02

Hi sumn,

My wife said you are right. The composting process generates enough heat to kill the seeds. I try not to offer advice when I don't what I'm talking about unless I include a disclaimer like, "By the way, I don't know what I'm talking about."

I particularly should have known better than to pipe in on this topic. My parents always did what they called "composting" without actually knowing what they were doing. I spent my whole childhood thinking that compost was just another name for rotting garbage.

All the best, Stan

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someone used my name

08-29-2006 18:17:58

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 08-29-2006 17:30:35

LOL!!!

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Don L C

08-29-2006 13:53:49

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-29-2006 12:33:02

Try sprinkling some nitgrin fertlizer on the weed pile and see that it stays damp most of the time....turn it with a fork --- let some air(oxygen) get in.....

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ralph-ohio

08-29-2006 05:49:09

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

I just started using a second-hand Craftsman 5 HP chipper shredder. It has a big chute for small stuff - less than 1/2" diameter - on one side of the cutting wheel and a small chute on the other side for branches up to 3" diameter. As someone said it's hard to keep the small stuff feeding in properly but when it does it goes in a hurry. I'd like to have a pusher made from a 3 ft. handle and about a 4" by 6" board on the end just under the size of the chute near the blades with some way to stop it before it goes too far.

Mine blows the chips all over the place in about an 8 ft. circle. I have not tried to shred weeds but if you've got the time it would probably work.

Where I live out in the country burning brush is still somewhat acceptable especially if you have some hot dogs & marshmallows handy. Overall I think that's easier & faster than using the chipper.

The chips from the big branches are pretty small but the twigs fed in the other side are cut in about 3" or 4" lengths so it's not really nice-looking mulch.

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Butch(OH)

08-29-2006 04:57:19

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

My father in law has used a DR chipper shredder for 4-5 years and in my opinion it is a total waste of money. It is slow, lacks feed size and I have the Bearings Inc part number for the main shaft bearings hanging on the wall right beside me (hint). He is retired and taking all day to make a wheel borrow load of chips doesnt bother him, nor does buying $50 worth of bearings every year,, it would bother me.

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Fawteen

08-29-2006 01:47:04

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

This will probably draw some flames from the faithful, but I have yet to see anything from DR that was worth the powder it'd take ta blow it ta Helen Gone.

Over-priced, under engineered crap, IMHO. Buy an MTD for half the price and get the same equipment.

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2N Owner

08-29-2006 04:44:50

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to Fawteen, 08-29-2006 01:47:04

Have to disagree with Fawteen on the quality of DR products. I purchased one of their graders and it does 10 times the job my N does with a rear blade or a box blade on my gravel drive, and also does it 10 times faster. I also was skeptical of their claims, but since they give one hell of a warranty I thought I would try it. No way will I send it back. If you purchase a MTD, plan on putting some money aside for parts, as you are gonna need them. (and shortly after their warranty runs out)

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TexMac

08-28-2006 21:40:25

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Re: question about chipper/shredder in reply to someone used my name, 08-28-2006 21:07:40

Mine has a top feed hopper to do that, BUT it is dicey at best. Feed must be very slow to keep from clogging and you need to keep a number of small sticks about 3-4 feet long handy to stir the feed occasionally when it clogs. When it grabs the vines it will suck them down instantly. Looks like a very easy way to lose a hand. I do it, but be VERY careful and alert. Do not get hurt!

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