86 Morbark chipper mods

Norsetreeman

Norsetreeman

Location
Waterbury
Hey now I bought an 86 morbark for 3500 bucks just a couple issues with it so far but other than that mechanically sound. It's all I can afford right now I just started my business. I've been wondering what would it take to set it up to make the feed wheels open hydraulically. Is it even possible or would it be a ton of money and a waste of time an should I just stick it out til I can upgrade. It sounds like a good idea but I'm just not sure with how much work is involved. Just thought I'd ask you guys and be honest if it ain't worth it tell me so but I thought it would be a cool mod. As I'm used to machines that have that while working for other companies so when I use my chipper it's the only thing that drives me nuts well besides that fact I can't chip 12 to 18 inch pieces of wood but I can deal with that. Just let me know your thoughts I'd like to hear what ya think.View attachment 59548
 
You're upgrading an old, old machine.

My take is that it will do very well on its own. The more you chip, the more you often have to haul. Are you set up to haul a lot of chips?

Chips might be easier than wood to offload for you. That is a factor.

I have a friend with a pallet sawbuck. He is happy to have a trailer load of free and easy wood. He's super busy, and lives next door. He can drop off and pick up a trailer, or I can tow it home myself, if I'm not towing.

Looks like a great starter chipper.
How long do you think it will serve you? How much to upgrade? How much value will it add?
$800 in tires on a car with a ticking time-bomb of timing belts don't increase the value of a car much...I got a Land Rover newish, cheap, cheap ($2k, 25,000 miles) from a client with a bad fuel pump. $3500 for timing belts and head gasket. Not worth fixing. Wish I hadn't put $800 in tires on it. Been using them up, though, until I upgrade.
 
southsoundtree said:
You're upgrading an old, old machine.

My take is that it will do very well on its own. The more you chip, the more you often have to haul. Are you set up to haul a lot of chips?

Chips might be easier than wood to offload for you. That is a factor.

I have a friend with a pallet sawbuck. He is happy to have a trailer load of free and easy wood. He's super busy, and lives next door. He can drop off and pick up a trailer, or I can tow it home myself, if I'm not towing.

Looks like a great starter chipper.
How long do you think it will serve you? How much to upgrade? How much value will it add?
$800 in tires on a car with a ticking time-bomb of timing belts don't increase the value of a car much...I got a Land Rover newish, cheap, cheap ($2k, 25,000 miles) from a client with a bad fuel pump. $3500 for timing belts and head gasket. Not worth fixing. Wish I hadn't put $800 in tires on it. Been using them up, though, until I upgrade.
Click to expand...
I know and this right here is the other side to the story which makes sense and also gives me doubts on doing it. I could just save for my next better chipper instead, but I mean if the price is right and I can do most the work myself I'll do it just as a project and then when I get a new chipper hopefully I'll still have this one for a back up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: evo
Merle Nelson said:
I love hyd lift and crush but, when I was running a chipper with no lift on the feed wheels I found that finesse in feeding and saving the right pieces for last could prevent almost all need to jack up the feed wheel.
Click to expand...
Yeah your right gotta save the right piece or you will find yourself very frustrated tryin to get a piece to go through haha. Happens all the time and that's really my only reason for wanting to do this mod..
 
Save the right piece (s) stop before it disappears under feed wheel, back it out, save in tray for chipping on next job.

Deposit $800 to $1500 into savings account for next chipper. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom