Wood Chippers

[Country Lady]

We've had several large trees cut in our yard. We'll be cutting these trees up and using for next year's firewood. We'll be having all the small branches to do something with. We're wondering if a chipper with an 11 HP motor, that will take up to 3" and give 1/4 " chips is worth purchasing. It is a 12 to 1 ratio. We would be using it in the future from time to time since we do have lots of trees. Will one this size work reasonably fast or will it take a larger size? Any comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

[postroad]

Up to three inches is still firewood on the bald prairie where I am. I often cut down the branches until almost the inch diameter when cutting firewood.

[Country Lady]

Originally Posted by postroad

Up to three inches is still firewood on the bald prairie where I am. I often cut down the branches until almost the inch diameter when cutting firewood.

So do we, but we are still going to have an abundance of what's left. I was only referring to the size of the chipper.

[Harry Chickpea]

Save your money. They are loud, dangerous, and break easily. If you have a lot to chip hire a crew with a professional chipper or make a burn pile or use the waste to fill gullies and stop erosion.

[osbmail]

Most chippers I have ran seem to have the branch size double if says 3inch except it to run 1.5 inch branches with ease .I would rent a big chipper if I had a bunch of stuff to it will make job lot easier.

[Cygnet]

I'd just burn the leftovers. Invite the neighbors over for a burn party.

[nobody'smama]

I always rent a chipper/shredder when doing my trees. No storage, no maintenance and unless you'll be using it often, save your money for something else.

[1shotwade]

I use one that is 8hp rated at 3".If the wood is green it will do 3 inches but it does struggle,if the wood is breaking down to the point of being softer it'll buss right through it,If the wood is dead and dry(like you want your firewood) it's a problem.
As for storage/maintenance issues, mine is siting in the back yard with a tarp over it right now 'cause I got a lot more to do with it when I find the time. It starts and runs just fine. You will need ear protection,it's loud.And you will have to learn how fast you can feed it to keep from burning up the belt. You will be surprised how you have to trim down the side branches to be able to fit them into the hopper.
Before you buy,you should borrow one or help someone else a time or two to make sure this is something you really want/need. This is one of those items that gets used a couple times and goes on craigs list.(Like generators).The one I have is a troybilt and I got it for $200. It didn't show ANY signs of use. Could not have had 2 hours on it.

Hope this helps.

Wade

[Country Lady]

Thanks so much for your replies. First hand experience is what I wanted to know. I think huge burn pile it is. I hate paying good money for something that I'm disappointed in it's performance.

[1shotwade]

If it is appropriate in your setting,brush makes great rabbit habitat. Fill in gullies and wash outs.Any pile of brush you can leave from the size of your couch to the size of a room. Just a thought.

Wade

[Sumatra]

Unless you'll be using one for yearly maintenance of several acres of brush, it probably wouldn't be wise to buy a new one. If it's a small job, rent one. Or if you don't know how long it'll take, buy a used one and resell it on craigslist later.

[charged]

I bought a used woodchipper so that I could use the woodchips as mulch. Take my word for it, it just is not worth it. It is too much work for the amount of chips you get. Do hugelkultur with the branches instead.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Country Lady

We've had several large trees cut in our yard. We'll be cutting these trees up and using for next year's firewood. We'll be having all the small branches to do something with. We're wondering if a chipper with an 11 HP motor, that will take up to 3" and give 1/4 " chips is worth purchasing. It is a 12 to 1 ratio. We would be using it in the future from time to time since we do have lots of trees. Will one this size work reasonably fast or will it take a larger size? Any comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

...........If you can find a small , used chipper with the name of Vermeer then it might be worth purchasing ! They make very good products . , fordy

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Country Lady

Thanks so much for your replies. First hand experience is what I wanted to know. I think huge burn pile it is. I hate paying good money for something that I'm disappointed in it's performance.

..................SMALL(er) burn pile(S) are much safer ! Also , you should be able to reach ALL burn piles with a water hose for safety . , fordy

[JoePa]

I bought one years ago - hardly used it - now it sits in the barn - I thought getting wood chips for the garden was the thing to do but as already said for the work involved you don't get much chips - I go down to the township building where they put wood chips from clearing brush and trees and I get all I want by the truck load for nothing -

[Rustaholic]

Originally Posted by fordy

..................SMALL(er) burn pile(S) are much safer ! Also , you should be able to reach ALL burn piles with a water hose for safety . , fordy

I have been down there in Texas once and this is great advice for the warm south. Up here in Michigan I have a huge pile waiting for some serious snow to fall before I light it off. I want at least a good foot of snow and more on the way or at least good cold temps before I will light that pile. It is about 20 feet across and ten feet high. It should be a beautiful thing to behold.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Rustaholic

I have been down there in Texas once and this is great advice for the warm south. Up here in Michigan I have a huge pile waiting for some serious snow to fall before I light it off. I want at least a good foot of snow and more on the way or at least good cold temps before I will light that pile. It is about 20 feet across and ten feet high. It should be a beautiful thing to behold.

..............In Tx the law says you must have an Outhouse on top of any burn pile over 10 feet high !lol , fordy

[FireMaker]

3" of oak or locust, or 3" of aspen. Up at our place we make pile of brush for about 2 years. We rent a commercial size chipper for $175 and us it for a day. For us it is less hassle to rent once every other year.

[Cascade Failure]

I purchased one of these a few years ago. Mechanically, it's great; 15hp and will eat anything you can feed it. My only complaint is that it is a little tippy on rougher trails. http://www.beastpowerequipment.com/brushmaster14.php

I shouldn't have bought it. I would have been better off renting a commercial unit and doing larger jobs quicker.

My machine is good for someone who has small jobs and the time to do them.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by Country Lady

So do we, but we are still going to have an abundance of what's left. I was only referring to the size of the chipper.

I put them in windrow and drag the brush hog over them. I do the same with leaves. Makes dust out of them.