Anyone have experience using a 3-point mounted chipper/shredder?

[Fisch]

As I look around at the mountains of brush accumulating around our property, I try to think of effective ways to dispose of it other than burning. I am very leery about starting brush fires as many have been reported this year already due to the dry conditions. I have rented the 6" hydraulic chippers in the past, but they are very heavy to pull around and can be pretty costly to rent (about $250 for a weekend). When all is said and done, I can't chip enough to really make a dent in the supply of brush without chipping for several weekends. I have considered some of the DR or MacKissic models that could mount to my tractor with which I could chip at more of a leisurely pace, but obviously cost is a consideration here as well. Has anyone used such an implement? Do you find additional uses with them, like chopping material for composting, grinding feedstuffs, etc? I try to find tools that are multipurposed as much as possible. Thanks for any feedback.

[Shadow]

We bought the DR five or six years ago and it does quite well. I had dreams of cleaning up all the limbs and piles of briush and using the chips aroiund the fruit trees and landscapeing. One thing they do not mention they are best at fresh green limbs and trunks up to about four inches. A steady diet of dried oak and hickory and other hardwoods mean a new sharpened blade really often like a day or so. I asked a professional about chipping dry stuff with his big chipper he said that was the stuff you haul to the land fill. We only run fresh cut stuff through ours now use it fresh or pile and compost. Is it worth the cost probably but we are always clearing paths or cutting the small hardwoods in the pines, this produces lots of chips. This next winter we are planning to cut enough pines to saw into squared logs and build a cabin we will chip the limbs and bark as we go. No piles of trash just loads of ciips. David

[two_barking_dogs]

I own a Wallenstein, BX42 model. I bought this type -vs- other brands or the cheap china brands because this brand doe not use belts.

Its not perfect as wet leaves will clog the discharge shoot but I have learned to either just chip in winter or to let my cuttings dry out for a month or so before chipping.

My neighbor has a chipper also, different brand, and he puts corn cobs and corn stalks through his to chop up feed for his cattle.

IMO - Chippers are good tools which you may not use very often but are useful to have around for when you can use them.