Wood Chipper

[allan]

Does anyone here have a wood chipper? Our new house has a lot of mature trees, which results in a lot of good sized sticks in the yard. The provious owner had created a huge pile of them in the backyard, but that seems like a bit of a fire hazzard to me, not to mention, who knows what bugs collect there.

So, I was thinking about getting a wood chipper, that way I can turn the sticks into mulch, which would be cool since we have a lot of flower beds :).

But I have no idea how much power I would need, and how much I should be prepared to spend. Looking around it appears that about 6 horsepower will do for my needs, but what brands should I look for, and what features are important?

[Deb]

This is my wood chipper

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/Nikki/Nikki10_27_2002.jpg

She seems to think I should pay her more! *gasp*

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/Nikki/50Bucks.jpg

I think for the type you are looking for a lot depends on the size of the branches. If they are just 'stray branches' then something like this one on ebay may do the trick...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2316437422&category=29520

Disclaimer: I really have no idea what I'm talking about but it's another late night at the desk and couldn't help but to notice that you hadn't been responded to yet.. :wavey:

[allan]

Originally posted by Deb:

This is my wood chipper

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/Nikki/Nikki10_27_2002.jpg

She seems to think I should pay her more! *gasp*

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/Nikki/50Bucks.jpg


Does she also handle tech support calls for FutureQuest? All you have to do is train her to say "reboot your computer and try again" :D.

Yea, late nights suck -- I am overnights this weekend, and they always seem soooo much longer than overnights during the week.

Well, at least I have new pictures of my "woodchipper" to amuse me during the night:

http://www.zannie.com/babybrucie/month9/041203/

[Deb]

Uhhh we're a Linux host Allen... she doesn't know "Reboot" :p: She does however know "On Call" :p:

I do believe your wood chipper is a bit more costly than mine -- even if it is cuter :D

(gawd... Allen...you do realize people will read these posts in the morning :o: )

[allan]

Of course not, my understanding is that you are raising a whole gaggle that do not understand the word "reboot" :D.

Yea, he's a tad on the expensive side, but I love the little guy...and now worries about people reading these posts in the morning -- if anyone says anything I'll ban 'em :D.

[Deb]

ROFLMAO!! :rofl:

Glad to know I kept powerful company through the night :D

[allan]

Originally posted by Deb:

ROFLMAO!! :rofl:

Glad to know I kept powerful company through the night :D

Oh yea, that's me, all kinds of powerful :D.

I think I found one I like (image attached), now that's a purty shredder :D. I just have to convince my wife that it is a good investment -- I have been trying to convince her to let me get a table saw for 6+ years to no avail :(. This is probably complicated by the fact that she saw that episode of Malcom in the Middle where Hal got a shredder :D.

Wow, what a dork I am, people in other threads are posting pictures of their cars, and I am posting a picture of a wood shredder that I want ;).

[Deb]

Hehe I remember that episode.. and yes it made me steer my hubby clear of the shredder isle too. Though I guess it would really upset you if I mentioned that I purchased my son a table saw for his 15th b-day last month huh? He has a thing for power tools and I have a thing for getting things fixed around the house..so I let him believe I'm awesome for buying them, and I try to be even greater by giving him plenty of tasks he can use them on :D

Take your wife to some termite sites... that may encourage her to encourage you to get rid of that wood... and thus.. you must have the shredder to satisfy her :cool: (Ok I admit it..I like things that make Tim go "arg arg" too :P)

My latest side project is building a pond and I keep wondering what the family would think if I purchased a backhoe :banana:

[allan]

See, that's the difference between your son and I: I don't know that I would build anything useful if I got a table saw :D. In fact Roseanne asked me what I would do with a table saw and I told her I would build tables ;) -- in fact, when she asked me where I would put it, I told her: on a table.

Yea, that's the argument I am going to try to use -- not just termites but buggy things in general. I might try to rent one instead, then she can see how useful they are.


I keep wondering what the family would think if I purchased a backhoe


I tried to get one of these when we were in Vegas for our honeymoon -- all it got me was slapped :D :D :D.

[Jan]

It isn't morning here yet and I am reading :eek: But I won't say anything too detrimental :baghead:

[zannie]

In fact Roseanne asked me what I would do with a table saw and I told her I would build tables -- in fact, when she asked me where I would put it, I told her: on a table.

It's True, It's True!!!

[Chicken]

See my 2x4 thread, I'm having saw 'issues' as well! I don't have a use for a shredder, but I want one! :D

[jim_mccrossan]

Hi just passing through, and thought anyone considering the purchase of a woodchipper needs to be informed about the safety features available on todays machines... Here is a sort of checklist you should print and take with you when demo'ing a machine... I made this checklist primarily for wood chipping professionals who would uses the larger commercial machines, but it will still hopefully be of use to you.. Good Luck!

Stop Bars: These are absolutely essential to the safe operation of any mobile wood chipper. They traditionally come positioned on top of the infeed chute, however recently some manufacturers, most notably Vermeer, have begun to place them on the bottom of the infeed chute as well. The perceived benefit of this is to increase the likelihood on the safety mechanism being ‘involuntarily triggered’ in the event of an accident. As a response, other manufacturers and dealers may claim that this bottom stop bar may be triggered by branches under normal operating conditions, thus, unnecessarily slowing down the crew. *** Check List: Ask if the bottom feed bar has a variable sensitivity setting, which may increase safety, without decreases in productivity.
(VERMEER MACHINE HAVE THIS).

Safely Packaged Machine: All moving parts of the wood-chipper need to be covered by heavy duty, thick gauge steel plating. This is for two reasons. (A.) So as no body parts can come into contact with the moving parts and (B.) So as in the event of machine malfunction, no moving parts can penetrate machine covering and cause serious damage. Again, there will be contradiction between manufacturers regarding the best machine packaging and configuration. Some manufacturers claim to offer a ‘less inclusively’ packaged machine under the guise of it being easy to access parts for repair, BUT be wary of such claims.

Big Infeed Openings: This means that an operator can load up the wood-chipper with thicker material, no matter what the shape. Overall this translates to LESS CHAINSAW WORK, which in itself can be a hazard professionals need to account for. Also look out for the length of the infeed table, remembering that the longer the table, the longer the distance between the blades and your hands.

Height of the Infeed Table: This is a personal consideration and different configurations work better for different operators. Some operators prefer a lower / shorter infeed table, requiring less energy to lift the material onto the table. Others prefer a higher table, meaning they can help process the chips in a more upright and comfortable position. Again, this is dependant on the individual operator, but over time, using this systems every day, means that it becomes a very important factor in your decision making process. The wrong choice could lead to extra strain and a less than optimal chipping experience.

Colour of the Machine: Ideally, this should be a bright primary colour, for example a yellow or red, but again, this up to personal preference, providing it’s BRIGHT. You want to accept all suitable work, including that which is close to the road or railway lines, so do it safely, with a brightly coloured machine and increase the distance from which motorists and others can see and avoid you.

The Angle of the Discharge Chute: You should demand your machine has a rotating discharge chute, so you can aim your chips at an appropriate target, whether that’s your truck or a garden bed. Also if possible, make sure the discharge chute cannot be pointed in the direction of the infeed table of operator control bar. In addition, any machine on which you can adjust the chute from the ground is a bonus, as you wont have to climb all over your chipper.

Finally, there are standard safety inclusions, which you cant afford to comprise on; these would include Safety Chains and Electric Brakes, for safe towing, Safety Decal Stickers and Operator Manuals.

Ultimately, when purchasing a wood chipper, the health of your crew is in your hands. Manufacturers, who are worth anything at all, will provide innovation in safety as standard, and you have the right to demand it. But beware, there are less than reputable dealers out there, and the human, liability and legal costs are to big too risk it.

Even the best machine is only as good as its operators, so check with your dealer about what Safety Induction Programs they run with the sale of their chippers. Reprinted from Arbor Warehouse www.arbor.com.au (http://www.arbor.com.au)

[Chicken]

Quite possibly the least likely thread to be bumped after 3 years but... good info.