Buying my first chipper, need advice

[TreeandLand]

I am sick of dumping brush at the dump, or burning it in the backyard. I must get a chipper, but I want to make a good decision. Is a 6" chipper enough, or should I go bigger? I don't want to borrow more than 10 grand, and I don't want to buy something that needs a lot of work and money put into it. What do you recommend?

 

[tomtrees58]

go 12"

 

[jefflovstrom]

6" is very small, never used one. All our chippers are 15" and bigger. Since you know your price range, you have answered half of your question.
Jeff

 

[pdqdl]

The 6" chippers are great for getting rid of 6" brush...that doesn't have any forks or side branches. Unfortunately, the throat is typically so small that you must slice each branch into little pieces to get it to feed. In the end, you might as well pile it on the truck and cut it down to size with your chainsaw.

12" is my minimum standard, too.

If you are doing good enough business to make money at it, then you should be able to finance a new chipper that will be reliable. I bought my Bandit 200xp many years ago, and I have never regretted it. The POS chuck 'n duck chipper I had before that was costing me way more than the new one.

The labor you might save costs as much every week as an entire monthly payment! On the other hand, if you are working by yourself, and you are just getting by...perhaps you should look for a used unit.

 

[jefflovstrom]

The 6" chippers are great for getting rid of 6" brush...that doesn't have any forks or side branches. Unfortunately, the throat is typically so small that you must slice each branch into little pieces to get it to feed. In the end, you might as well pile it on the truck and cut it down to size with your chainsaw.

12" is my minimum standard, too.

If you are doing good enough business to make money at it, then you should be able to finance a new chipper that will be reliable. I bought my Bandit 200xp many years ago, and I have never regretted it. The POS chuck 'n duck chipper I had before that was costing me way more than the new one.

The labor you might save costs as much every week as an entire monthly payment! On the other hand, if you are working by yourself, and you are just getting by...perhaps you should look for a used unit.

How do you always say what I was saying but did not say it? Again, I agree. Go $20k and make it back.
Jeff

 

[lone wolf]

I am sick of dumping brush at the dump, or burning it in the backyard. I must get a chipper, but I want to make a good decision. Is a 6" chipper enough, or should I go bigger? I don't want to borrow more than 10 grand, and I don't want to buy something that needs a lot of work and money put into it. What do you recommend?

Spend more money and go big!

 

[Mikecutstrees]

10K will probably only get you something needing lots of work. You will probably have to spend 15-20K for a good 12" chipper. Look around though, alot of good deals out there. The problem with most 6" chippers is that limby material doesn't feed well. My 12" has a 12"x17" opening which accepts most material without much sidetrimming. A $15,000 machine will probably only cost $250 per month which shouldn't be a huge deal. Good luck.... Mike

 

[ATH]

You said you only wanted to borrow 10K. Are you financing 100% or are you going to contribute something out of pocket? (In other words: is 10K your entire budget, if not - what is your budget?)

 

[TreeandLand]

My Budget

You said you only wanted to borrow 10K. Are you financing 100% or are you going to contribute something out of pocket? (In other words: is 10K your entire budget, if not - what is your budget?)

Thanks everybody for all of the insite. I was thinking of buying used, and making 10k my entire budget. Borrowing money makes me nervous, so I didn't want to make the monthly payments too big. I will be meeting with a credit union loan officer soon to see what my borrowing options are. $250 a month isn't much in the summer, but it will be harder in the winter when things are slow.
But, the thing is....who wants to make payemnts on a machine for five years if it's not the right machine? I will pay more if I have too.

 

[TreeandLand]

Financing

Yes, I will be financing 100%. I have money in the bank, but I figure it would be smart to keep it there so I can use it for the payments.

Who else has used an 8" chipper? I worked for another arborist one winter who had a Morbark 8", and it seemed to have plenty of power. He also had a Morbark 12" that was a monster. I'm not sure that my business is big enough yet to buy and maintane something like that. How much does one of those weigh? I would guess between 2,500 and 3,000 lbs. It was a $30,000 chipper.
My business is mostly landscape maintenance, and this summer we did two days of tree work per week at most. I think it will only pick up from here though.

 

[Garden Of Eden]

Yes, I will be financing 100%. I have money in the bank, but I figure it would be smart to keep it there so I can use it for the payments.

Best business advice from people who've been there longer than me, pay cash for what you can. No payments are better than having the money to make the payment. Besides, walking in anywhere with 10k in $20 bills will make almost anyone studder. Most of the time it opens up the ability to haggle.

Either way, just trying to help.

God bless,

Jeff

 

[beowulf343]

Besides, walking in anywhere with 10k in $20 bills will make almost anyone studder. Most of the time it opens up the ability to haggle.

Lol, did that once-payed 12k in 20's-the guy was actually pissed that he had to count it all.

 

[pdqdl]

How do you always say what I was saying but did not say it? ...
Jeff

Proof that great minds think alike?

 

[Cutler tree]

look for a deal

I got my 1994 mobark model 13 (13" limb autofeed,300ford) for $2500. I had my father make a missing guard, and the piece on the end of the chute. I changed the oil and antifreeze, got the blades sharpened, put a coat of paint and a new set of decals and it's done me well. I probably have $3000 in it now, I looked on craigslist for a solid month every nearby city everyday but I got a smokin' deal. I did this in May or June, I would think that now that the season is about over someone will be ready to throw in the towel. You will also have all winter to fix it up, I did mine in 1 week after work and on the weekend. I also agree pay cash, but buy the smokin' deal

 

[pdqdl]

...
But, the thing is....who wants to make payemnts on a machine for five years if it's not the right machine? I will pay more if I have too.

Just go buy a Bandit 200xp, be sure to include the auto-feed and hydraulic lift on the feed wheels. You will not go wrong, unless you get one that was truly abused.

Mine has been abused for over ten years, and it still works great.

 

[lumberjack333]

Wallenstein makes a very nice 7" x 11" throat, 6" chipper. Powerd by the 35hp kohler. Only 6" chipper I'd ever buy, used it a few times in the past. Dual active horizontal feed rollers make it though...

http://www.embmfg.com/Forestry/Chippers/CR60.aspx

 

[jefflovstrom]

I got my 1994 mobark model 13 (13" limb autofeed,300ford) for $2500. I had my father make a missing guard, and the piece on the end of the chute. I changed the oil and antifreeze, got the blades sharpened, put a coat of paint and a new set of decals and it's done me well. I probably have $3000 in it now, I looked on craigslist for a solid month every nearby city everyday but I got a smokin' deal. I did this in May or June, I would think that now that the season is about over someone will be ready to throw in the towel. You will also have all winter to fix it up, I did mine in 1 week after work and on the weekend. I also agree pay cash, but buy the smokin' deal

Hey Cutler, do you have a Cummins, Perkins, Cat? Thats a dang good chipper there! We had to get rid of a 13' Morbark Tornado (2003 model) because of CARB. With the older Morbarks, the frame is not up to handling the weight. You will get massive cracks in the frame but wanna take it out anyway, cause it kicks butt. The one we got rid of had a Cummins and 13" but would cost too much to register with the DMV.We have CARB! Rhymes with 'AARRRGGG!'
Jeff

 

[ATH]

Lol, did that once-payed 12k in 20's-the guy was actually pissed that he had to count it all.

Sir...if it would make it easier for you, I can keep a couple of dozen of those

 

[Garden Of Eden]

Sir...if it would make it easier for you, I can keep a couple of dozen of those

I've had more than one guy stop counting part way through. I always insist they continue, that way we all can stay friends. lol Cash talks, and pays the bills. Can make money, not payments, with an owned machine. Makes it easier to say no to the low paying gigs.

Jeff

 

[rwbinbc]

Just had a vermeer 6" 620 sell on grandrapids craigslist for $1200, I own a 6" chipmore and it can be a pain sometimes but it saves alot over hauling brush. I work with a morbark 290 i believe 12" disc chipper around 100hp it works alot nicer but then again we had a 2400 hurricane $45000 new 18" that thing would eat a house, We backed the chipper up to tree that we dropped opened the feed wheels and back up some more "powerfeed" 15" pine trees like nothing If you do alot get a 12" if you dont get a smaller one. The 290 was bought for $7500 hell I know where a 18" vermeer is for $14000