chipper?

[frashdog]

I've used a few chippers from the 6" gas whimps to some 18" 100hp+ diesel work horses. Looking for some input in between. With my limited knowledge I'd assume diesel is the only way to go for 12" and bigger, no?

What would be minimum hp for a 9"-12", gas/ diesel?
Certain motors better, ultimate, not good, stay away from?

I'm looking for a chipper for mainly brush, we just chunk the big stuff and toss it in the truck. I know about the ability to feed so much more brush in with the big ones. I've used a 65 brush bandit with a 4cyl gas motor that did the job but was just not enough, the 6" gas vermeer was a joke. Can't justify an 18" diesel for my needs. Any recomendations?

Thanks

 

[jmack]

I've used a few chippers from the 6" gas whimps to some 18" 100hp+ diesel work horses. Looking for some input in between. With my limited knowledge I'd assume diesel is the only way to go for 12" and bigger, no?

What would be minimum hp for a 9"-12", gas/ diesel?
Certain motors better, ultimate, not good, stay away from?

I'm looking for a chipper for mainly brush, we just chunk the big stuff and toss it in the truck. I know about the ability to feed so much more brush in with the big ones. I've used a 65 brush bandit with a 4cyl gas motor that did the job but was just not enough, the 6" gas vermeer was a joke. Can't justify an 18" diesel for my needs. Any recomendations?

Thanks

dog what town are you at in the dacks?

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Chippers are contextual. You buy the one that suits your type of work, local economics, crew size, type of vehicle, disposal factors, local access ability and budget.

For example, I live in a steep, narrow bad access city in which if I had anything bigger than my 6inch chipper, I wouldnt be able to get into many of my jobs, it would seriously effect my fuel bills and would generally be a PITA.

Look at what your competition is doing, look at the guys that are set up doing something simular to you. That will give you the best idea.

 

[frashdog]

dog what town are you at in the dacks?

I live about 30 minutes south of Plattsburgh.

Chippers are contextual. You buy the one that suits your type of work, local economics, crew size, type of vehicle, disposal factors, local access ability and budget.

For example, I live in a steep, narrow bad access city in which if I had anything bigger than my 6inch chipper, I wouldnt be able to get into many of my jobs, it would seriously effect my fuel bills and would generally be a PITA.

Look at what your competition is doing, look at the guys that are set up doing something simular to you. That will give you the best idea.

Tree work is a side job for my partner and I. Work keeps getting better but will never be full time. I have 90 acres myself, so chipper can be used there mostly and job disposal is all there. Yes I prefer the smaller chippers for access issues, weight is an issue too I like to move the chipper around my property with my atv.

Competetion: one end is uninsured hacks dropping trees onto beer cans and then the other end full service bucket truck big chipper guys. We really do not compete directly with either. We fill a nich for 4-6hr climbing jobs tech. limb removals and pruning. Word of mouth keeps us going. I have a few landscaping buddies that give me jobs too. The great thing bout getting a chipper, aside from the obvious hauling brush sucks, the rental stores set the fees at what we can charge to do work with a chipper.

 

[maxburton]

I ran a Bandit 65 with a 4-cylinder 30hp gas engine for two years until my head exploded from frustration. Then I traded it in for a Bandit 90, 9 inch capacity chipper with a Cat 50 diesel. I love it! The two feed drums make all the difference. Honestly, though, if you're only doing pruning, you could get by with a 65. But my payments on the thing are only 500 a month, so for me getting it was a no-brainer.