Wood chipper recommendations

55 50 Ron · Sep 14, 2009

What is your favorite wood chipper? I've been studying the DR Chippers. Look like quite sturdy machines. Does anyone own and use a DR? What do you think of that brand? Thanks

paul · Sep 14, 2009

I used one for 2 hours or so. Pto model.

It seemed well made, did what it should do.

The problem - it was a lot easier to spend the next 2 hours piling up the rest of the tree branches, put on my pucket forks, and carry the branches over a gully. Got rid of 10 times as many branches in that 2 hours than i did using the little chipper, and far less work.

I had to have a chainsaw idling by the chipper, and cut evey branch into little pices because Y's just don't feed down the throat. It became a lot of work.

I've heard the only chipper worth owning has self feeding rollers. And those start out kinda spendy.

I think I agree with that with all of 2 hours experience. Without feed rolls, a chipper just is too small to really accomplish anything but make you sweat a lot.

--->Paul

Kippster · Sep 14, 2009

my dad has a woods brand chipper that he loves. the DR chippers have only one blade on a lightweight flywheel, whereas the woods have 3 or 4 blades on a flywheel that weighs in at about 300lbs. dr is too homeowner oriented to get any real work done. woods are for people who want to get a job done right.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 14, 2009

I've used a buddies Wallenstien 3-point pto chipper a few times. I was impressed. Also rented a Vermeer commercial sized model. Even MORE impressed. I bought a Troy Bilt homeowner size a few years ago. Used it once and re-sold it. Useless is an understatement.

Uncle Ernie · Sep 14, 2009

Stay away from the smaller one cylinder gas engine driven ones. They work sort of but are very slow very low capacity. PTO driven or stationary engine powered is the way to go. If I need a chipper I rent one.

TimV · Sep 14, 2009

An acquaintance had a DR--way, way too expensive for what you got--about 3x the price of a generic one with similar features. When it comes to wood chippers, there's no such thing as too big but many that are too small. Without power feed you're going to get awfully sick of feeding it unless you're not doing anything larger than briers or similar woody brush. Unless you have an ongoing reason to own one, you're money ahead getting a pile of stuff ready and then renting a decent-sized one for a day.

T_Bone · Sep 14, 2009

Hi Ron,

Unless you have a lot of brush, it's cheaper too rent one than too own one. Two hours on a 6" with auto feed will do a lot of trees.

My 2", 10hp will barely do 1" and more like 1/2" if you don't want too wait all day. Great for garden scraps and small tree stuff. About $400 at HD

T_Bone

evilboweviel · Sep 14, 2009

a six inch power feed will ddo a decent job
a 9 inch power feed will do bigger material
a 18" power feed will need a loader tractor to feed it
a little DR, Sears, etc will make you crazy and sore
Ron

Bill Tom · Sep 14, 2009

Bought a 5 hp Snapper chipper/shredder. Only has 1 blade, only fit for 1/2 inch dead branches . Better grinding up leaves. Like others have said, renting one with power assist is best I believe.

Gun guru · Sep 14, 2009

You are better off renting a medium sized chipper, like a 30Hp tow behind Vermeer for for weekend. It might cost $400 or so. Depends on how much you have to chip up.

haymaker421 · Sep 15, 2009

My wife just had to have one. A DR that is and it did seem to do a pretty good job. The thing I don't like about it is that just about the time you are beginning to get something done you have to move cause your pile is too big. Our model discharges out and down. Wish it had a spout like a forage harvester. Be sure to wear gloves as the vibration is intense. And have a saw handy to cut off limbs. We use ours on a John Deere 755 and it has all the power we need. It is well made and handy.

MarkinMO · Sep 15, 2009

I bought a BCS gas powered chipper/shredder last year off of Craigslist. It's very well built and a solid machine. Very pleased with it.

Wood chipper recommendations

55 50 Ron

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paul

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Kippster

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Anonymous-0

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Uncle Ernie

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TimV

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T_Bone

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evilboweviel

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Bill Tom

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Gun guru

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haymaker421

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MarkinMO

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