Tarp

[Ent]

My guys let a tarp get fed through the chipper. A large chunk of it is now stuck at the bottom of the drum in between the knives and the drum wall causing it not to spin either way. I've taken everything off everthing besides the actual drum trying to get this thing loose so the drum will spin. Any clever ideas out there to get this thing out?

 

[RopeShield]

fire

 

[Bucknut]

Park a truck or some other immovable object behind the chipper. Use a winch or come-along to hook onto one of the knives while it's near the bottom of its rotation. It might just take a small bit of movement to free things up.

Otherwise I like the fire idea, as long as you have water on hand to put it out before it kills your bearings/paint/hydraulics/livelihood.

 

[ATH]

I was thinking the same thing...a little propane torch should do the trick.

 

[Ent]

Indeed, I was thinkink torch as well. Its a treestuff haul tarp, which is pretty thick poly, and apparently very tough. Not sure what thats going to look like melted is my only concern

 

[Ent]

Park a truck or some other immovable object behind the chipper. Use a winch or come-along to hook onto one of the knives while it's near the bottom of its rotation. It might just take a small bit of movement to free things up.

Otherwise I like the fire idea, as long as you have water on hand to put it out before it kills your bearings/paint/hydraulics/livelihood.

I cant get a purchase on the knives so I tried the fly wheel with as much pull as I felt comfortable. No dice.

 

[evo]

I thought of suggesting the torch idea then I decided against even bringing it up. If it's melts what happens, puddles of plastic stuck to things?

Sounds like it's really jammed up.. and you might need to pull the drum just for the sake of inspection.

 

[Ent]

I thought of suggesting the torch idea then I decided against even bringing it up. If it's melts what happens, puddles of plastic stuck to things?

Sounds like it's really jammed up.. and you might need to pull the drum just for the sake of inspection.

So I tested it out on a ripped piece of tarp and it burned ok without getting "melty". But after a couple hours with a small propane torch and then moving to a blow torch, progress has been slow. Too much tarp jammed in the least accessible part of the chipper. I've come to the conclusion I will need to pull the drum. So pissed off right now...I wonder if there is an acid that eats tarp but not metal?

 

[evo]

So I tested it out on a ripped piece of tarp and it burned ok without getting "melty". But after a couple hours with a small propane torch and then moving to a blow torch, progress has been slow. Too much tarp jammed in the least accessible part of the chipper. I've come to the conclusion I will need to pull the drum. So pissed off right now...I wonder if there is an acid that eats tarp but not metal?

I feel your pain. I picked out ample amounts of bailing twine from mine when I got it. It took hours and hours of pulling it out one fiber at a time. I’d be raging

 

[RopeShield]

Mb hot knife or hot chisel, rasp
Might get brittle and break up when coo

 

[evo]

The acid plan would require a lot of thought. Most acids are stored in plastic jugs. All strong enough to dissolve plastics should take its toll on steel.

 

[Merle Nelson]

If cold could get the tarp to crack and break...liquid nitrogen? Use tons of PPE.

 

[RopeShield]

Acid to dangerous FTN

 

[southsoundtree]

Razor knives, it's a tarp. Cut from both sides of the drum.

 

[southsoundtree]

Hope they didn't bend anything. I saw a rope around a disc chipper shaft on TB, which looked to have Bent thick steel.

 

[Ent]

Razor knives, it's a tarp. Cut from both sides of the drum.

I cut what I could reach, pulled with long needle nose pliers, burned the rest. The jam is not accessible from either side.

 

[southsoundtree]

Pics ALWAYS help.

Can you use some sort of hook to pierce for purchase, and pull?

Have you stuck a chainsaw in there, yet?

Some sort of rotary cutting tool?

 

[Bucknut]

Maybe a soldering iron? You sure it’s all at the bottom and nothing is wrapped around the drum spindle?

 

[Ent]

Maybe a soldering iron? You sure it’s all at the bottom and nothing is wrapped around the drum spindle?

Yes, I have removed all the side plates, top plate, bottom plate and chute/back plate. So it's pretty evident where the jam is. The angle to work on it is frustrating and literally in the worst spot. I will try and take some pics when I go out and work on it here in a bit.

 

[ATH]

Pics ALWAYS help.

Can you use some sort of hook to pierce for purchase, and pull?

Have you stuck a chainsaw in there, yet?

Some sort of rotary cutting tool?

An oscillating multi-tool may do better than a rotating tool???

Back to this fire idea...maybe get a small spray bottle and get a little (emphasize LITTLE) rubbing alcohol or diesel on the tarp. I'm assuming it won't soak in, but maybe just enough to get the burn where you need it???