looking to buy my first chipper

[climber338]

Hey guys i will be starting my company in the spring and i would really like to invest in a chipper. I can find so many vermeers around but they are so beat up from the rentel companies. I have a smaller salsco dealer and i was just wondering what you guys think of the salscos. Id really like to got with a bandit 65 but they are so pricey that i cant afford them right now. Im thinking about going with the best 6 inch chipper i can afford right now ($6000ish). I also have no idea what is considered high hours on say a vermeer bc625 or a bandit and would like to figure that out to. The last thing it like to know is how much does a yard of chip wiegh about. I know pine is going to be less than oak but a ball park would be nice. Thanks

 

[derwoodii]

Try an get a Bandit 65 it will be worth it. Mines been a u beaut chews all I give it. Only non use trouble in 10 years was last month with the Kohler petrol donk spark coil died at 1500 hrs.
If $ funds wont allow get a cheap 2nd duck n chuck drum to get your work up and running or cut n stack then get a subbie chipper team to clear away. I used to leave a slab a beer (24 cans) under the pile.
I say 2000 hours is sun set for most 6 inch chippers after that it full rebuild and or new motor or trade up.

Don't know your other brand of chipper and can't do the math to convert weight. A metric guess 1m3 chipper pine is about 150 / 200 Kg its really about how much h2o is in it.

 

[Ellistrees]

You should be able to find good used bandit for under 5k

I got my chuck & duck up for sale $3200 and it's in really good shape.
It'll take almost anything you can throw at it and want more.
It's diesel and has no problem with a constant stream of 6-8" logs. It's a 12" opening but I can't imagine chipping up good firewood that size.

I see them on ebay around the same price also. I think better to go oversize and used than undersize.
I gave about that much for mine and selling it for that only so I can justify going up to a hydraulic feed machine.

As far as the weight, I have found a load of chips weighs about the same as a load of stack firewood of the same type. How many pounds depends on how green the wood and the wood type.

 

[fishercat]

i agree on the chuck and duck.

i'd rather have a chuck n duck than either the Bandit or the Vermeer.

if you get the Vermeer,i can help you go through it. they run pretty good when everything is adjusted correctly.i just did the main bearings on mine and it was pretty easy.don't buy parts from Vermeer what ever you do.i know where to go for a hell of a lot less.

the factory autofeed controller is junk as well.much better aftermarket ones are available for half the price Vermeer wants for theirs.

i'm down by Hartford.PM me if you need a hand.

 

[treeslayer]

the best bet is be willing to Travel!!

Look around, in a big radius (500 miles or so) find one online, post it here for evaluation.

So many good deals out there it ain't funny. $6000 will get you a heck of a machine in this economy.

Look at Morbark, my opinion the best.

 

[climber338]

thanks guys. ill start looking around some more and see what i come up with. The guy that i work with told me to stay away from the chuck and ducks becuase how how dangerous they can be (hes told me stories about stupid groundies). If i can stay away from them i think i will. Fishercat i might just take you up on that offer if i get a vermeer. I would like to know my equipment so i dont have to send it off to the shop every time something goes wrong with it.

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Think about how far you have to go for service for each brand as well. It might be smart to stay away from a brand that the dealer is 700 miles away from for example.

Iv'e always heard that chips weigh about 500lbs/cubic yard.

Mike

 

[climber338]

Thanks mike i didnt even think about that there is a vermeer dealer that is about 40 miles away and a salsco dealer that is alittle closer. The closest bandit dealer i think is over 2 hours away and i dont even know about morbark. That would be a pain if all i need is a small part and i had to drive 2 hours or so. Thanks for the wieght per yard too i only have an f250 and im trying to figure out if i need more springs. Thanks again.

 

[fishercat]

let me know.

thanks guys. ill start looking around some more and see what i come up with. The guy that i work with told me to stay away from the chuck and ducks becuase how how dangerous they can be (hes told me stories about stupid groundies). If i can stay away from them i think i will. Fishercat i might just take you up on that offer if i get a vermeer. I would like to know my equipment so i dont have to send it off to the shop every time something goes wrong with it.

as for chuck and ducks,they are only as dangerous as the person/persons operating them.

if the groundies are too stupid to work near chuck n ducks,they are too stupid to work around ANY CHIPPER,chainsaws,or trees for that matter.

chuck n ducks are awesome.don't be scared of them.

 

[fishercat]

try the Salsco before you buy one!

Thanks mike i didnt even think about that there is a vermeer dealer that is about 40 miles away and a salsco dealer that is alittle closer. The closest bandit dealer i think is over 2 hours away and i dont even know about morbark. That would be a pain if all i need is a small part and i had to drive 2 hours or so. Thanks for the wieght per yard too i only have an f250 and im trying to figure out if i need more springs. Thanks again.

i have never heard anything good about them.

i ask for a day long demo.no an hour.

a week would be even better.

 

[Tree Pig]

i have never heard anything good about them.

i ask for a day long demo.no an hour.

a week would be even better.

I think we should go to Cherise and demo one ourselves this spring right from the factory.

 

[fishercat]

let me know....................

I think we should go to Cherise and demo one ourselves this spring right from the factory.

what day you're gonna get out of bed before noon and it's a done deal.

 

[Koa Man]

Other than a C&D, a 9 inch chipper should be the minimum you should consider for commercial tree work.

 

[climber338]

as for chuck and ducks,they are only as dangerous as the person/persons operating them.

if the groundies are too stupid to work near chuck n ducks,they are too stupid to work around ANY CHIPPER,chainsaws,or trees for that matter.

chuck n ducks are awesome.don't be scared of them.

You do have a good point ill keep my eyes out for won. Just comparing the prices i could maybe afford some good groundies lol. Ill keep my options open to what ever come by i really cant be to picky to stuff that is cheap.

 

[climber338]

I think we should go to Cherise and demo one ourselves this spring right from the factory.

count me in im just north of the boarder and Do any of you guys go to new england grows in boston. i went there for a field trip with stcc (landscraping) last year and will be going again this year if we get the funds. The show is awsome if you have never been and well worth the trip. There are alot of good little tips and tricks to be learned from some of the guys there plus they have the seminars so you can get those out of the way to.

 

[clearance]

The old chuck and ducks are reliable and easier to work on and have less parts, cheaper parts than any others. Dangerous? I havent heard of anyone going through a chuck and duck and coming out as chips yet.

 

[climber338]

The old chuck and ducks are reliable and easier to work on and have less parts, cheaper parts than any others. Dangerous? I havent heard of anyone going through a chuck and duck and coming out as chips yet.

Thats what i was thinking and i bet there alot lighter as well. I want every piece of my equipment simple enough so i can even work on it. The guy i work with said that a newbie got his finger cliped buy it and didnt even notice that his finger nail was gone along with the tip of his finger until he grabed another branch. That must have been a pretty scary job feeding the chipper after seeing that happen but as long as my ground guy is not an idiot and feeds it right i bet it will be just fine for the next few years.

 

[clearance]

The Whisper with the 300 Ford is the best, imho.

 

[rob b]

Dont waste your money on a 6 inch disc if your going to do any amount removals, check craigslist i found a 12 inch disc for $1500 that needed a battery and a tune up, lot of chippers in the albany area, about every dealer is in albany

 

[fishercat]

there is a nice chuck and duck in Ashford CT.

You do have a good point ill keep my eyes out for won. Just comparing the prices i could maybe afford some good groundies lol. Ill keep my options open to what ever come by i really cant be to picky to stuff that is cheap.

it's on craigs list for 2800.let me know if you need the link.