Wood chipper

[Kram]

Unsure what you mean in this context? Many of the bolts have plenty of excess

 

[MattF]

Apologies. I misinterpreted your post. I've just reread it.

 

[J1nx]

I’ve chipper envy looking at these. I very nearly went for the Crytec a couple of years ago but wasn’t sure how much I’d use it so went with a mains powered Forest Master and that’s been fantastic for what it is.

I process a lot of wood but only in the context of a home owner, not professional work. Anything big enough the FM won’t handle is firewood and it’s about the perfect size for smaller bits you need to get a burner going, roughly wrist sized for wet wood.

Before the chipper I just burnt it up but this does give me useful chippings for paths, plant beds and the chicken runs. Don’t have to wait for dry days and correct wind either. Saying that my bonfire is currently about the size of a 7.5t lorry still but that’s only a handful of times a year now.

 

[MattF]

Before the chipper I just burnt it up but this does give me useful chippings for paths, plant beds and the chicken runs. Don’t have to wait for dry days and correct wind either.

Similar here. What may take a hour or two with this chipper would've taken days to burn, weather conditions permitting.

 

[Dapph2]

As I recall, yes. I've never touched the blades as yet, as I can remember.




I find it easier to pull it from the front. The towball hitch handle is too low other than for basic manoeuvring though, hence why I use the strap.




That's how I do it. Pop some twiggy stuff in, then a branch to drag it all through.

The machine will have a lovely fragrance after chipping Laurel. I know it sounds sad, but I love that aroma. It'll chip freshly cut Laurel readily.

It was a Laurel cutback which originally prompted me to get this chipper.

Know what you mean if it is a bay laurel . I snipped off four leave to go in to tonight s stew ...... Heaven .
I'll likely be making some home made bay rum liqueur this year . A few years ago I made a litre of Bay leaf Vodka it went down well.

 

[Dapph2]

complain back to the company and get a new chute delivered to you is my opinion as its not safe in its standared usage

alterations cause damage

And invalidate warrantees unless approved by the maker

 

[Richiew]

I’ve chipper envy looking at these. I very nearly went for the Crytec a couple of years ago but wasn’t sure how much I’d use it so went with a mains powered Forest Master and that’s been fantastic for what it is.

I process a lot of wood but only in the context of a home owner, not professional work. Anything big enough the FM won’t handle is firewood and it’s about the perfect size for smaller bits you need to get a burner going, roughly wrist sized for wet wood.

Before the chipper I just burnt it up but this does give me useful chippings for paths, plant beds and the chicken runs. Don’t have to wait for dry days and correct wind either. Saying that my bonfire is currently about the size of a 7.5t lorry still but that’s only a handful of times a year now.

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I have the petrol version of that one. Very good round the garden. Its rated up to 50mm i think. Chops all the branches. Some marginally larger bits get chopped up with a chainsaw to go in the bin and anything else is firewood. You can get so much more in the wheelie bin when stuff is chopped so fine. Saves your hands from using loppers or secaturs. Just needs a minimum volume of cuttings to make it worthwhile dragging out and setting up.

 

[Kram]

@MattF I'm not so good at designing 3d prints but I was thinking a peice to block the hopper and prevent anything falling in while being stored, I'll have a go at designing at the weekend.

Same idea as above, but to go on the drum unit when the hopper/chute are removed to keep it blocked, particually the chute as the drum sticks out - for when I"m moving it by car,

A magnetic tray on the top/side of hopoper, for placing the nuts whilst removing, as theres no suitable flat surfaces if it did need to be opened.

 

[MattF]

Intrigued to see what you design for that. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Kram]

I’ve chipper envy looking at these. I very nearly went for the Crytec a couple of years ago but wasn’t sure how much I’d use it so went with a mains powered Forest Master and that’s been fantastic for what it is.

I process a lot of wood but only in the context of a home owner, not professional work. Anything big enough the FM won’t handle is firewood and it’s about the perfect size for smaller bits you need to get a burner going, roughly wrist sized for wet wood.

Before the chipper I just burnt it up but this does give me useful chippings for paths, plant beds and the chicken runs. Don’t have to wait for dry days and correct wind either. Saying that my bonfire is currently about the size of a 7.5t lorry still but that’s only a handful of times a year now.

View attachment 532604

I've been talking with somone who has the larger FM14 and he not very happy! The FM blades are seemingly made from brittle "cheese biscuit" steel and after light use, his have chipped and shattered.
This is somone that has larger road tow chippers and knows how to properly use them - so its not user error.
His chute also fell apart on its first outing after 4 hours. Note the spare set on exhaust, and those fitted, are both destroyed.

I've seen several reports that the FM blades are very poor steel. His unfortunately are 300mm long which makes it difficult to make up another pair, but it may be the way to go. We couldnt find any other importer/supplier of the same dimensions.
O1 tool steel should be quite suitable if well tempered.

I think part of the problem on a FM is the engine has one bang every two revolutions whilst the drum cuts twice per rev, so sets up it for a lot of vibration being direct drive.
I've no idea how the direct drive machines are coupled - perhaps they have a rubber cush drive in there?