15" chipper too much chipper for ford 550?

[khamman76]

howdy folks,
I own a 99 ford 550, 7.3L, and am soon buying a new chipper, potentially a morbark 15" drum chipper, weight around 7500lbs. I know the 12" is no problem but am wanting the largest chipper I can handle for obvious reasons. If all goes well in a year I will re-invest in a larger truck. the truck gvw is 17,500 and gcvw is supposed to be up to 26k. my truck weighs in at 10,000 and i figure hauling around 5-6k lbs of chips which leaves me an additional 9-10k lbs of towing. my question is will this truck handle this chipper? its a good truck and i dont want to destroy it. thanks for any input.

 

[capetrees]

No problem at all. I drag my BC1000 behind my 92 GMC one ton diesel and it has no problems. With a 10 yard load of chips and the chipper in tow, there is some bogging but hey, 16 years old! Your truck is designed to carry 17,500 which means the transmission can carry the weight in the body or behind. Just make sure the hitch is strong enough and the trailer brakes work effectively.

 

[khamman76]

thanks for the positive reinforcement. that's what i'm hoping to hear more of. i've worked, sometimes still working, for a fellow who on occasion totes around the bc1800 behind a f550, but he isnt as worried about his equipment as i am considering he's been in the business for awhile and can afford to have stuff tinkered with.

 

[capetrees]

Get used to it. Soon, every Sunday will be known as tinker day.

 

[treeman82]

I've known guys who tow around 1890 Intimidators and 2400 Hurricanes with F550s. It doesn't bother their trucks... but they also use manuals. The problem they run into with that size machine however on that size truck is chip capacity... but those guys do a lot of land clearing type of jobs.

 

[TackleTree]

Thats what that thing was made for. In the biz long enough, you will encounter these types of things. Jack of all trades. Saw fixin, truck tuning, chain sharpening, chipper repairs...etc you get the picture.

 

[khamman76]

thanks again for the replies. my business partner and i are on our way to pick up the chipper. i dont have too many concerns towing the chipper, however the truck is automatic, but am worried about braking abilitiy. our plan is to leave the chipper on site as much as possible while we dump chips thereby reducing the amount of time we will have a full load of chips. we've found in our town that chip disposal is pretty easy considering a lot of the clients and clients neighbors are happy keeping the chips. the 15" also has a heavy duty winch and i've found through the years that the winch capability is quite important when you are getting on in years. the 12" comes equipped with only a light duty winch. well we'll see how it goes. thanks again for the information.

 

[tree MDS]

thanks again for the replies. my business partner and i are on our way to pick up the chipper. i dont have too many concerns towing the chipper, however the truck is automatic, but am worried about braking abilitiy. our plan is to leave the chipper on site as much as possible while we dump chips thereby reducing the amount of time we will have a full load of chips. we've found in our town that chip disposal is pretty easy considering a lot of the clients and clients neighbors are happy keeping the chips. the 15" also has a heavy duty winch and i've found through the years that the winch capability is quite important when you are getting on in years. the 12" comes equipped with only a light duty winch. well we'll see how it goes. thanks again for the information.

What kind of chipper? how many horse? Are you very expierienced at treework??

 

[tree MDS]

Thats what that thing was made for. In the biz long enough, you will encounter these types of things. Jack of all trades. Saw fixin, truck tuning, chain sharpening, chipper repairs...etc you get the picture.

Yeah and add to that: social worker, phychologist, substance abuse counselor, bondsman- the list goes on and on.

 

[teamtree]

I run a BC1400XL behind a chevy 3500....no major problems here in 5 years

7500# chipper on 10000# truck

 

[MuniciPAL]

have you considered electric breaks for your chipper? i know a guy that has a dash mounted unit installed just for hauling firewood trailers.
what kind of truck do you plan on purchasing khamman76?
may i suggest an international 4700, those drive better than my moms chev malibu.

 

[Wortown Mick]

We tow an 1890 intimidator with a one ton w/ chips without a problem. Its never the go power its the slowin down thing..

 

[Bearcreek]

thanks again for the replies. my business partner and i are on our way to pick up the chipper. i dont have too many concerns towing the chipper, however the truck is automatic, but am worried about braking abilitiy. our plan is to leave the chipper on site as much as possible while we dump chips thereby reducing the amount of time we will have a full load of chips. we've found in our town that chip disposal is pretty easy considering a lot of the clients and clients neighbors are happy keeping the chips. the 15" also has a heavy duty winch and i've found through the years that the winch capability is quite important when you are getting on in years. the 12" comes equipped with only a light duty winch. well we'll see how it goes. thanks again for the information.

A friend of mine that I work with tows a 18" Morbark with his f450 all the time. The 550 is basically the same truck plus some extra springs. The brakes on those trucks are awesome. Heavy duty disc all around. The automatic tranny, however, is a piece of :censored:. His is a 99. They may have improved the transmissions over the years, not sure. I tow a 15" Morbark with a 3/4 ton Dodge Cummins manual tranny and it has plenty of power to spare.

 

[phillytreeking1]

I tow my 1590 with a 550 powerstroke 6 speed no problems at all . Plus the 4x4 always comes in handy

 

[Wortown Mick]

I tow my 1590 with a 550 powerstroke 6 speed no problems at all . Plus the 4x4 always comes in handy

You got it, backing across plywood or turf with an empty 2wd chip trucks no fun. 4x4 is a lifesaver.

 

[custom8726]

We tow an 1890 intimidator with a one ton w/ chips without a problem. Its never the go power its the slowin down thing..

X2, we also tow our 1890 around with a 1 ton powerstroke on occasion when we need 4 wheel drive or space is limited.

Where abouts in upstate N.Y, are you?

 

[460magnumMOD]

what kind of truck do you plan on purchasing khamman76?
may i suggest an international 4700, those drive better than my moms chev malibu.

The 4700 is an awesome truck for an upgrade in the future. They seem to be everywhere, parts are readily available and they are just great work horses. As far as the 550, thats a great truck. Ford just had a problem with under sizing the auto tranny coolers. Heat is their #1 killer. Throw on bigger coller and your tranny will thank you for it.

 

[limbwalker54]

FYI The F-550 IS NOT just a 450 with extra springs.


Take a look closer. You'll see a spicer axle underneath with a HUGE pumpkin similar to that that would be in the 650 and up, or a smaller international.

Springs are different too, they have more leaves but in addition they are thicker, and wider.....





Back to the original question though.... yup, it'll pull her just make sure the electric brake option is added to the chipper if it doesn't already have them.

Plan on rebuilding the ford automatic every 100 thou or so.

 

[custom8726]

The first auto craped out on the powerstroke within 10k of pulling the chipper loaded. we bought a wrecked 5sp powerstroke and switched the auto over to a manual tranny and have not had an issue since.

 

[tree MDS]

FORD SUCKS!! Thats the problem. I got a buddy thats 350 needed a new tranny (standard) after like thirtysomething thou- cost 2800 just for the part!! My old 88 GMC?? I just go to the bone yard and pick one up for under 5 hunge, done. That reminds me I should have that one sitting outside rebuilt...