Newbie Question About Chippers

J

JohnnyApplsees

Hello, guys and ladies. Wondering if someone can help me with a chipper question.

I have a truck and will soon buy a chipper that can handle 12 inch logs, no bigger. I need to know how I can make the bigger pieces small enough to fit into the chipper.

I did see a thread on here having to do with it some, but I don't understand all the terms used.

It would be much easier for me to be able to turn the entire tree into chips, instead of having to dump the chips in one place, then drive to someone else who will take the rounds, make firewood out of it, then sell them. Of course, there's always pine rounds, which nobody around here wants.

Is there a good way, other than using a log splitter, to make the rounds smaller so I can get them in the chipper? I know some people will do a cross cut, but is there a special chain for that? Whenever i have tried a cross cut, the chain doesnt want to really cut and the chain also gets dull fast.

I apologize for my greenness. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Johnny
 
JohnnyApplsees welcome! I view this forum as one of the most amazing tools available for learning how to do what we do better. Hope it serves you well too.

Are there any of those terms you need to ask about the meaning of because they sounded key to making things more workable?

Also, how are you ripping? Leave round standing staight up like it grew-hard, flop it over on its side and rip lengthwise with the grain-much less hard.

Had a buddy who used to put a lot of big wood through his chipper that way. I thought, man thats got to be a good way to beat a (then) 35k machine to death that much quicker.


Regards, Merle
 
I run a 18" Bandit 1590, with the big engine... It easily handles a 20" log. You wont find me ripping any 30-40" logs to put them through the chipper. I will drop the chipper and use the lift gate every time.
 
Johnny, Nick is right. One or two pieces to get the job done is one thing. Doing everyday just to get rid of wood is tough. Hard on the body and equipment. My chipper is a 10" model, when I first started out I spend extra time finding people that wanted wood through out my service area. I do have a very nice spot to dump junk, but also have a nice list of people that want it. Check around, craigs list is helpfull sometimes, find someone with a log truck. They pick it up and then they deal with it. Look for a mulch co. It sucks but when you first start out thats what it is. In time buy another truck and a dump trailer.
PS no need for a ripping chain. Like merle said lay the piece down and cut it length wise. cuts good.
 
This always amazes me. In the uk, i think i speak for most contractors, when i say we struggle to get rid of wood chip or find space to store it. i can make more money by logging the larger wood and selling it. The thought of chipping logs seems (i don't mean it in a horrible way) crazy! I know its just different set ups and situations.
What do you do with all the wood chip?
 
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This always amazes me. In the uk, i think i speak for most contractors, when i say we struggle to get rid of wood chip or find space to store it. i can make more money by logging the larger wood and selling it. The thought of chipping logs seems (i don't mean it in a horrible way) crazy! I know its just different set ups and situations.
What do you do with all the wood chip?

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Find a big hole and fill it!
 
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What do you do with all the wood chip?

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When a client doesn't pay the bill they trade dump fees back with me. The first load goes tight to the garage door...hopefully when they're home!

Kidding!
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Johnny,
I know what and why your thinking this way. I was there too. I started on a motorcycle, just doing the trees and stacking the brush n wood. gradually moved up to a truck with a box then on and on to bigger and better in time.
I would cut the larger wood long enough to lift it up say 4-7 feet high depending on size, then cut down all the way almost to end then either cross cut on opposite side if needed or just slam it down and it would break, thus fitting into chipper all your worries go by by! right? Wrong... you start over loading your hydraulics and blow a line, then a feed wheel motor, not to mention your killing your self but we never realize that anyway. Alright to get the last of things done is one thing. To constantly do that forget about it. Start thinking of a loader of some kind you like, there are so many options, tractors, skid steers mini loaders and such, used is a great option, then you need a strong hitch and a trailer to tow it with your truck. Now you can make more money removing the wood and finding other ways to make money with that machine. Less on your body and equipment. Start thinking this way for now then start thinking Log loader or skip the tractor skidsteer and go right to Log Grapple loader! Good luck
 
I give my firewood away for free. I leave it stacked neatly near the curb and make a phone call. The guy who wants it goes and gets it. I don't make money on it but then I don't have to handle it.
I advertised free firewood and interviewed a few guys and picked the most competent one. The guy with a good pickup, not the guys with a minivan or a tiny trailer.
Then you can cut your branches to match the size of your chipper and make the rest firewood.
 
Got to think long term. All the material you'll produce has a market value. Do the research to find ways to repurpose it. Wood chips for mulch and wood depending on species for all sorts of uses regardless of species. At the very least you can build up a list of firewood users to contact.

Where are you located?

It's time to stop wasting a valuable resource!
 
My second chipper was a brand new bandit. Best business decision I ever made. Just make sure you change the coolant and use the anti-pitting additive if the engine has cylinder sleeves. Knowing what has been done to and with a chipper is half the battle. All used pieces of equipment are dodgy. You will be lied to if you buy one. Caveat Emptor.
 
WOW Thanks to each and every one of you for the replies. I learned a lot.

One of the problems is that it costs $25/yard to dump the logs but only $1/yard to dump the chips. Big difference. I suppose I could give away a lot on craiglist. I've done that for customers, but I'm in NJ and with all the trees cut up recently, there's a glut of firewood. But there are still people who will come get it. But even they can't haul away a piece that's 30 inches in diameter and 2 feet long. That has to be cut just to get it in the truck. I would have to rip those pieces.

Plus, nobody is going to want to take pine. That has to go in the chipper or just have to pay to chuck it.
 
You might be surprised to find that there are those that want pine. Where in NJ are you?
The storm brought out a lot of timber buyers. If you can keep the big diameter logs in lengths of 8'6" min. then they might be interested.
 
Hi treehumper. Yes, I'm in Morris County. I have seen one guy who takes pine logs but only for drop off. I can't keep them that big if I'm cleaning up. :(
 
I dont own a 1590, my company does so I cant speak to its cost and maintenance.

From a use standpoint it is a dream to work with though!
 
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