Adding a crush cylinder to a 12" chipper

Jehinten

Jehinten

Been here much more than a while
Location
Evansville
I'm running a woodchuck wc17 with a Cummins diesel, the chipper works great with the exception of when there is a lot of little debris it has trouble pulling it in. I'm considering getting the components to add this feature. For you guys that have run both chippers with and without, how much of a difference does it make and what would it be worth to you to have one added to a chipper that was built without it? Another question I have with it is I know it can raise the feed wheel to allow material to be fed in, when feeding with a mini is does this option get much use?

I have 12" capacity but ever since getting the mini I have started only chipping 6" and smaller with the occasional 8" limb. All others get loaded with the machine into the chip box or trailer.
 
I think it was a $1200 option on a new build Bandit 3 years ago. So it is at least worth that. In practical terms I use down pressure frequently each day and lift pressure to clean out the throat often. So I wouldn't be without it if at all possible. It just speeds up my production.

Slipping on small stuff, is it possible tightening when the springs first kick in would help?
 
Have you tried sharpening the feed wheel grabbers? The vertical spring-tension setup is awesome on my old bandit and way better on brush than the '07 Morbark Twister with hydraulic. Not being able to lift it for big wood and to clean is a pain but one less system to maintain... If you are not chipping larger wood I would not put money towards a crush on an old machine as it won't add 3k worth of value or resale. Put the money in the "new chipper fund" perhaps.
 
Merle Nelson said:
I think it was a $1200 option on a new build Bandit 3 years ago. So it is at least worth that. In practical terms I use down pressure frequently each day and lift pressure to clean out the throat often. So I wouldn't be without it if at all possible. It just speeds up my production.

Slipping on small stuff, is it possible tightening when the springs first kick in would help?
Click to expand...


I have not tried tightening the springs. The only time it gives me trouble is when there are multiple 3-4" limbs in the in feed wheels.

$1,200 isn't bad, I figured I'd have close to that in it, I was quoted about $800 for the cylinder, mount, valve, and valve mount. I figured another few hundred for hoses and odds and ends.
 
I've run chipper with and without. I wouldn't want to go without the ability to lift the cylinder or to crush material again.
Yes, I feed mine with the mini and lifting the cylinder is beneficial. A lot easier on the equipment than just forcing it in with the mini. Having the ability to raise the feed wheel is safer for for your crew when hand feeding bigger material into the chipper.
Crush feature is handy when pulling branched or bushy material in. Way less cutting .
On a side note, I wouldn't want a chipper without a winch either.
 
squad143 said:
I've run chipper with and without. I wouldn't want to go without the ability to lift the cylinder or to crush material again.
Yes, I feed mine with the mini and lifting the cylinder is beneficial. A lot easier on the equipment than just forcing it in with the mini. Having the ability to raise the feed wheel is safer for for your crew when hand feeding bigger material into the chipper.
Crush feature is handy when pulling branched or bushy material in. Way less cutting .
On a side note, I wouldn't want a chipper without a winch either.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. I've never run one with a winch and now that I have a mini I'm not sure that I'd use the winch. So for right now I'm going to pretend that, that option doesn't exist. :D
 
Serf Life said:
Have you tried sharpening the feed wheel grabbers? The vertical spring-tension setup is awesome on my old bandit and way better on brush than the '07 Morbark Twister with hydraulic. Not being able to lift it for big wood and to clean is a pain but one less system to maintain... If you are not chipping larger wood I would not put money towards a crush on an old machine as it won't add 3k worth of value or resale. Put the money in the "new chipper fund" perhaps.
Click to expand...
I haven't tried sharpening, are you saying that the morbark has a hydraulic down? I'm looking at about $1,200 for the upgrade.
 
Yep to the Morbark 12". I haven't run a woodchuck or Bandit 12" with hydraulic as far as comparing. Bigger machines are different animals to compare down pressure, others may chime in on 12" hydraulic crush. That sounds like a reasonable price for an upgrade, personally would put the $ elsewhere (a winch sounds good) but that's me. Do give sharpening a go with a grinder before shelling out the cash though. Best of luck!
 
I put a cylinder on an old brush bandit years ago. Was cheap to do, I got a 2" cylinder from tractor supply for under $100 and a valve body. I'd say I had less than 300 in all told but I did the work. It was definitely a great addition to the chopper. As has already been stated sharpen your feed wheels
 
pctree said:
I put a cylinder on an old brush bandit years ago. Was cheap to do, I got a 2" cylinder from tractor supply for under $100 and a valve body. I'd say I had less than 300 in all told but I did the work. It was definitely a great addition to the chopper. As has already been stated sharpen your feed wheels
Click to expand...
 
Welcome to Tree Buzz Joey.

If you want a specific member to see something putting @ then their name gets a notification sent to them as I understand it. This guy did that post back in April so he may not be paying attention to this thread for instance. Let's give it a try @pctree

(Also I have heard that he pctree/Paul has had some difficult issues to deal with. Don't think bad of it if he can't get back to you right away.)
 
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