18" vs 15" chipper?

[JJM IV]

What are the pros and cons of each, for a single crew biz? I have a 2005 18" Morbark with 1234 hrs that has become a maint nightmare and a solid 12" Altec that has been great! I want to load machines with my Bobcat (root rake grapple) or Mini (branch manager).

 

[Merle Nelson]

This will be interesting. After a lift the one more big purchase I can see wanting is a big chipper. I mainly focus on trimming now but, my area is seeing more and more die off of a whole set of trees at one time.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

This will really depend on your market. Pruning vs. removals, size of your removals, how much crane work (if any), size of the tow vehicle (gcvwr and chip capacity) and your crew size. Also look ahead, what is the market going to do. We are facing the beginning stages of EAB so big nasty removals are coming for sure. What stage are you in? Has it passed through and now you are just in maintenance mode.

But if you have been operating with an 18” chipper.... you will probably hate life going back to a 15” as your big chipper, assuming you would keep the 12”. With machine feeding, a solid tray (probably like your morbark) is a must. Our folding tray requires extra care and finesse not to wreck it.

 

[JJM IV]

Great insight! All makes sense!

 

[Gorman]

I do a decent amount of removals. I noticed a lot more $$& coming in when I got a 15” over my 12”