Landscape Architect Articles

Equipment Maintenance01-01-05 | News

Chip off the Old Block:
Rating the chippers

Disc and drum-style chippers quickly and economically convert trees and brush into recyclable chips. These compact and durable 5" or 6" diameter capacity chippers are perfect for rental stores, lawn care/landscape contractors, campgrounds, a commercial tree service?EUR??,,????'???s first chipper, homeowners, park/recreation departments.These chippers are ideal for almost any job that requires wood and brush disposal. They will turn branches and brush into useable mulch, eliminating the need for burning or other disposal. These chippers are smooth running, compact units that are quiet, productive and affordable.

65 Brush Bandit??????oe Hand Fed Chipper

Manufacturer: Bandit

Model No. 65 Brush Bandit??????oe Hand Fed Chipper
Diameter capacity: 6"
Power options: gas and diesel in 20-35 hp
Height, length, width: 93" x 120" x 66"
Infeed throat opening: 24" x 42"
Weight: 1,770 to 2,175 lbs.
Chipper blades/shred knives: 0/2
Warranty: 3 years
Cost: $12,000
Special features: Available as a PTO or chip box combo and is easily towed by a car or pickup. The wider chipper opening allows limbs and forked materials to pass through the chipper with few hang-ups.

Crary Bear Cat Model No. 71020

Manufacturer: Crary Bear Cat

Model No. 71020
Diameter capacity: 5"
Power options: 20 hp
Height, length, width: 50" x 80" x 46"
Infeed chute opening: 20" x 30"
Weight: 715 lbs.
Chipper blades/shred knives: 4/36
Warranty: 2 years
Cost: $5,349
Special features: Super strong motor mounts and balanced Kohler OHV engines start easy, run quiet and are proven reliable, with minimum maintenance requirements.

Gearmore Model No. 240E

Manufacturer: Gearmore

Model No. 240E
Diameter Capacity: 4"
Power Options: 14 HP
Height, Length, Width: 50" x 50" x 42"
Infeed Throat Opening: 18" x 9.5"
Weight: 390 lbs.
Chipper Blades/Shred Knives: 2 flywheel knives/4 bed knives
Warranty: 1 year
Cost: $3,000
Special Features: No tools belt replacement and tension adjustment, for ease of maintenance. The mechanism also functions as a belt clutch, which must be disengaged and automatic brake applied for safety, before the working sections can be accessed.

Morbark 2060-D Cyclone Chipper

Manufacturer: Morbark

Model No. 2060-D Cyclone
Diameter capacity: 6"
Power options: 25 to 35 hp
Height, length, width: 80" x 144" x 63"
Infeed chute opening: 37" x 24"
Weight: 2,200 lbs.
Chipper blades/shred knives: 0/2
Warranty: 2 years
Cost: N/A
Special Features: Battery is mounted inside a lockable steel enclosure, preventing theft and vandalism. A 32-cubic inch hydraulic motor provides plenty of brush pulling torque to the feed wheel.

Vandermolen 24D4P3 Chipper

Manufacturer: Vandermolen Corp.

Model No. 24D4P3
Diameter capacity: 5"
Power options: 20 hp, 540 rpm
Height, length, width: 7" x 46" x 44"
Infeed chute opening: 30" x 25"
Weight: 655 lbs.
Chipper blades/shred knives: 0/4
Warranty: 90 days, commercial/one year, home
Cost: $3,795
Special features: Shear yokes fully protect the unit from overloading. Exclusive circle of safety design keeps you and your operators at a safe distance form the chipping chamber.

Vermeer Model No. BC625A

Manufacturer: Vermeer

Model No. BC625A
Diameter capacity: 6"
Power options: 25 hp
Height, length, width: 94" x 105" x 51"
Infeed chute opening: 39" x 22"
Weight: 1,740 lbs. with Kohler 25 Engine
Chipper blades/shred knives: 0/2
Warranty: 1 to 3 years
Cost: $11,500
Special features: With the patented AutoFeed II system and built-in safety features, it’s a productive choice for your brush-chipping projects.

Model No. RC 6D Chipper
Diameter Capacity: 6"
Power Options: 25 HP
Height, Length, Width: 94" x 102" x 52.5"
Infeed Chute Opening: 6" x 6"
Weight: 1,960 lbs.
Chipper Blades/Shred Knives: Two .625" x 4.5" x 8" double-edged knives
Warranty: One year parts, two years engine
Cost: $11,400
Special Features: Variable speed feed control. High capacity, dual element air cleaner. Weighted feed roller. Feed system brake. A 360-degree rotating discharge chute. Telescoping tongue. Folding in-feed table.

Model No. 627
Diameter Capacity: 6"
Power Options: 25 HP
Height, Length, Width: 68" x 66" x 66"
Infeed Chute Opening: 7" x 8"
Weight: 805 lbs.
Chipper Blades/Shred Knives: Six .5" thick by 4" double-sided chip blades
Warranty: One year
Cost: $2,900
Special Features: Easy adjust exhaust flap so no tools necessary. A 13-gauge, steel exhaust chute, continuous welds for extra strength. Heavy duty, 7-gauge steel frame, fully gusseted for strength. A .25" thick steel impeller housing is vented to provide more air flow for chip exhaust.