Small Chipper in a Trailer. Am I Crazy?

[TheJollyLogger]

Ok. Your feed hopper is going to be 6' off the ground, making it a pain to feed. That chipper doesn't really throw chips, just kind of dumps them out, so every ten minutes you're going to have to stop and shovel chips to the side. Plus, you'll spend a lot of time cussing that chipper. Then, you've got a trailer full of chips that has to be shoveled out.

You're way better off throwing 4'sides on that trailer, putting a couple large flat branches on the bottom, and then filling it, cutting it down with a chainsaw as you go. Then, when you get to the dump, once it's half empty you can grab the branches at the bottom and drag the whole load out. Done in 5 minutes.

 

[waross]

Now that is logic I can understand and appreciate. And Jollylogger, that is what I have been leaning towards after putting it up in teh trailer and playing around with it. I figure just bring the clippings back to the yard nd chip them all up there. Wasn't planning on taking them to the dump anyway. I use the mulch or give it to others. Probably will eventually work on selling it as well.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

You get 168 hours a week. Use them wisely. Assuming you're climbing skills and gear are competent, from here on out almost every dime you spend on growing your business will be devoted to improving how efficiently you can process the wood. All that time spent running that little chipper is time you could be in another tree or knocking on doors.

 

[Philbert]

Lots of ways to do things. If that chipper really weighs 500 pounds, that could be a lot of weight to put on the tongue and hitch as well.

On a slightly related topic, I happened to see this trailer parked in front of my house today. City truck pulling some type of concrete cutting device. Ready made JLG trailer has 4 hydraulic cylinders that lower the bed to the street level for loading and unloading. Uses 'Z' axles instead of standard, full width axle.

Philbert

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Those are nice, Phil, but very heavy and expensive.

 

[Philbert]

Not implying that they are practical for the OP's application, but could solve some other equipment moving problems. Nice to keep in the back of your mind, and, as mentioned, he happened to park in front of my house . . .

Philbert

 

[Carburetorless]

Elephant in the room? StopGap?

What????

 

[Carburetorless]

Ok. Your feed hopper is going to be 6' off the ground, making it a pain to feed. That chipper doesn't really throw chips, just kind of dumps them out, so every ten minutes you're going to have to stop and shovel chips to the side. Plus, you'll spend a lot of time cussing that chipper. Then, you've got a trailer full of chips that has to be shoveled out.

You're way better off throwing 4'sides on that trailer, putting a couple large flat branches on the bottom, and then filling it, cutting it down with a chainsaw as you go. Then, when you get to the dump, once it's half empty you can grab the branches at the bottom and drag the whole load out. Done in 5 minutes.

Yep, I've done that.

I want a chipper that will throw chips 20 ft, and a chip box with a super reinforced front end and a piston that I can load black powder into, that way I can just blast the chips out.

Fire In The Hole!!! KAAAABOOOOOOM!!!

 

[Pelorus]

Intrigued by that JLG trailer per Philbert's post & photo.
Looked on their website, and saw this tandem axle model which appears very nice indeed.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I've used them, and they are nice not having to mess with ramps. For a guy stump grinding or something where you're loading and unloading all day long it's great. Only downside is price and weight, but hey, everything's a trade off in this business.

 

[Philbert]

After posting the photo above I found out my neighbor has something similar that he uses for his real estate management work!

Philbert

 

[TheJollyLogger]

A good neighbor to get to know better!

 

[capetrees]

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/hvo/4984493414.html

Something related for ideas.