Ive found some good information in the site already, like buy one bigger than you think you need and look for hammers not fixed blades, anyone have suggestions on what brand to go with, i know troy aint around no more (original mfg, name lives) how about some others?
I just bought the 10 HP Troy built chipper shredder about $799 at Lowes. Holds 5 bushels in the bag and can feed up to 3 inch tree limbs (I tried and it works - it does bog down but doesnt die). Didn't use the bag. I was going to get the 6.5 HP but thought like a man and did my best Tim the tool man and bought the biggest on hand.
Works great! Reduces everything I fed in: Shredded tree mulch from commercial cutters I had remove trees ... came out nearly dust
Bark, limbs and up to 3 inch branches about the size of a dime on the discharge side.
All of this was a boon to composting as the smaller pices break down faster and were easy to shovel with grass into a newly formed 150 degree pile.
Go as big as you can and get hearing protection. The shredders sometimes come with eye protection - mine did. Also, look at included saftey features ( mine has a fitted plastic plunger that fits the feed chute - allows you the opportunity to resist just reaching in this once....
Mighty Mac, I've had it for over ten years and is still going strong. I'm not sure what the model is nor if it is still available. It is an 8 hp and at that time was also available in 5 hp. I've done a few searches, Mighty Mac is still available but different models. As of two years ago, parts were still available for my model (hammers and blades) an important feature to me. I would also say get the largest and most powerful you can afford or have the room for. I know my composting wouldn't be the same without it.
Look at this link. I don't have a chipper-shredder, but have a Troy Bilt Horse Model tiller, which is 25 years old and still going strong. I hadn't heard any thing about Troy going out of business. They are still selling tillers etc, and providing parts support. ???
I have had a 5 HP Troy-Built for about 10 years and it works good. You have to change the shredder bars a, or at least turn them after a yaear of fairly heavy use. I think you can turn them 4 times before you have to get a new set. I also had to get a slot screen for when I'm shredding green mataerial. Thae agraeens bunch up in thae upper portion that have to be cleaned out every few minutes. Also thae screen also gets clogged up Other than that it has helped me make great compost.
great, thanks to all if there is more keep them coming, and yes i believe troy was bought by MTD, everything is still available as i know of.. but dont quote me on that.... """I also had to get a slot screen for when I'm shredding green mataerial."""
great thanks for that one, i plan on swippin the neighbors clippins, though i dont like the chemikills they use ill make a bin for the front/septic area, nonfoodstuff...
I have a chipper/shredder I bought from Sears about 8 years ago, takes 3" limbs and does a great job. It is a 5 hp, with hammers and blades. I left it out in the weather for 3 years when I had to move for a job but left it at my other place.. Just got it here to my new place 3 months ago. I poured out the old gas, cleaned up the shoots and changed the oil, cleaned the sparkplug, put new gas in it, pulled the starter cord, and it cranked on the third pull.
check to see if there is a governmental rebate in your area. i bought my 10hp for 350 (floor model discount) then the city gave me a $100 rebate. it's to encourage composting instead of putting materal in the landfill.
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Posts: 692 | Location: SoCal Zone 11. MO Zone 6 | Registered: February 11, 2002
I think Troy-Bilt is out of business and someone else bought the name and several lines with the exception of the c-s's. Try checking the website to find a c-s or replacement parts.
Dirt
Trust me! I'm from the government, I'm here to help!
Posts: 1988 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: February 11, 2002
My mistake and apologies. I checked the website after the fact and what do you know - a chipper-shredder. BEWARE, DO NOT buy that style, it is not the Troy-Bilt chipper-shredder of old. You will regret the day. Of course that's just my opinion and may be dismissed at will.
Dirt
Trust me! I'm from the government, I'm here to help!
Posts: 1988 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: February 11, 2002
Ok, that's several suggestions. I've been wandering too about which to get, and also: what about a chute that would direct the output into a garden-tractor wagon or a pickup truck? Do any of them have that as an option? The one's I saw in the store either just dump it on the ground or else have a teeny little bag that you can attach (doesn't seem as convenient).
My 1994 circa Troybuilt had a bag as an option but I thought it was overpriced. What I do is spead out a 10 foot by 10 foot tarp and park my chipper on one end with the discharge chute facing towards the other end. When the pile gets to big, I roll the chipper off grab two corners of the tarp and drag it to where I want to dump it. If somebody else can grab the other two corners you can even pick it up and dump it into a truck. Drats! Now I know what I have to do this afternoon.
Has anyone checked with "Consumer Reports" ? This seems like a good item for them to check out. I do not subscribe, but use it at the Library once in a while.
