[Ford-ferguson] Chippers for Ferguson TO-30

[Mike Sloane]

I am not familiar with any of the chippers you described, but I used to 
sell Woods products, and the only thing I will say is that the old rule 
of: "you get what you pay for" may holds true. If the tractor's 
hydraulics are in good shape, it will be able to lift the unit, but the 
front end is going to be very, very light. I also notice that the unit 
is rated as 18-70 hp, which puts your tractor down near the bottom of 
that range. (While the TO-30 originally was rated at 30 hp, unless you 
have completely overhauled your engine, it is probably putting out 
something like 20-25 these days.)

There are essentially two arrangements used on chippers: one is a set of 
free swinging "hammers" or knives, something like a flail mower, and the 
other is a heavy flywheel with fixed blades. From the limited 
description of the Liberty unit, they appear to use the flywheel method. 
Both systems work, but the swinging hammer arrangement has the advantage 
of being able to withstand jamming easier, as the blades will just 
bounce off of a particularly large piece of hardwood, etc. The flywheel 
type can get jammed and then takes a fair amount of work to free it up. 
I am guessing that the flywheel on the Liberty makes up a fair amount of 
the weight of the unit.

The comparable Woods chipper weighs 450 lbs. <http://www.tiny.cc/U86xX>, 
but it is double the price. I would say that the Liberty would probably 
be OK for use a couple of times a year to clean up around your place (as 
opposed to commercial operation), but it is your money, not mine. :-)

Mike

ceppard at joplin.com wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> Does anyone have any experience with PTO chippers?
> 
> I know most people burn their brush and small limbs, but seem like ever
> time I find the time the wind is blowing 90 mph or the weather is so dry
> that they have a burning ban.
> 
> I have been looking at the 6" Liberty Chipper on sale at $1,599 with $299
> nationwide shipping.
> 
> http://libertychippers.com/
> 
> It weights 800 lbs.  Is this too heavy for my old Ferguson TO-30?
> 
> This seem like an unbelievable bargain compared to the $2,500 to $3,500
> local price at a couple of dealers here.  On the internet DR wants
> $1,784.15 for their 4.5" chipper and Northern Tool wants $1,749.99 for a
> Merry Mac 3.5".
> 
> Anyone have any thoughts or experiences good or bad?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Clyde Eppard

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
<mikesloane at verizon.net>
Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

It's hard to argue against cynics - they always sound smarter
than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side.
-- Molly Ivins 1944-2007