Getting the Brush Off
It begs the age old question: How much wood could a brush chipper attachment chip if you could clip it to your tool-carrying skid steer? Well, two separate models from attachment innovators Bear Cat and Bobcat Co. can each continuously chip brush up to 3 in. in diameter for standard models and brush
up to 5 in. in diameter for high-flow hydraulic models.
With that kind of chipping power, many contractors,
landscapers and large property owners with acreage can depend on a compact loader with a brush chipper attachment to clear the way for extra free time and more profits. Yet, like any loader attachment, there are important selection and operation aspects to
consider before running to the dealer or rental yard for an impulsepurchase.
Whether you are clearing your overgrown backyard, trimming brush near a golf course or traveling to the boonies where a larger, trailer-type chipper can’t go, you will want to make sure that your chipper and tool
carrier can handle the job. Although the compact size of a chipper attachment offers added versatility, it’s best to strike a balance between machine and attachment. Say you need to fit your skid steer and chipper attachment through backyard gates or between houses, you need the correct size skid steer or compact track loader (they both use the same attachment plate) matched with the right size brush chipper attachment. You will also need to
consider the size of the brush you need to cut, which
will help determine the feed roller opening that will accommodate your work load.
“A good rule of thumb is that a chipper can efficiently handle material half the size of the feed opening in
diameter,” says Joe Dietz, international sales manager and Bear Cat product manager. “Chipping limbs or trees that are consistently larger than 6 in. in diameter is a job better suited for a larger chipper.”
Once you decide if the chipper attachment can handle the job, you need to make sure that the attachment will
fit your loader’s hydraulic prowess. The big decision will be between a standard hydraulic flow and a high-flow hydraulic attachment. While the decision largely rests on the capabilities of your loader, the workload will also dictate the decision. The larger, high-flow attachment can chip larger brush with a required flow of approximately 25 gpm and a maximum flow of approximately 37 gpm, but the standard attachment is a bit smaller and is easier to maneuver in tight spots requiring approximately 15 gpm and a maximum flow of approximately 22 gpm.
Two other aspects to consider are the discharge chute and the operation controls. First, inspect the discharge chute of each model. Some chutes offer a 360-degree rotating chute and an adjustable deflector that helps
to precisely place the material. Also, many chipper attachment controls are located on the attachment itself rather than in the loader’s operator compartment. Some chippers offer remote controls outside the cab, which activates the compact loader’s engine on/off function, the loader’s hydraulics, feed roller on/off and feed roller direction. While the operation is a one-
person job, it’s always a good idea to have another
person assisting for safer operation.
If you’ve rented a chipper attachment before and are looking to buy (or believe in love at first sight) you can expect a standard hydraulic chipper to run between $7,000 to $7,500 and a high-flow hydraulic model to run about $9,000 to $12,000 depending on manufacturer and features.
Although brush chipper attachments are used primarily by landscapers, the market for chippers is expanding to park and recreation departments, pruning services and fruit and nut farms.
“Municipalities use the chipper attachment for projects where their larger chippers cannot fit,” says John Sad, attachment product representative for Bobcat Co. “And, since many public works departments already own compact loaders, adding a brush chipper attachment to their fleet is
a natural decision.”
Brush Up On Safety
and Maintenance
Safe operation of a brush chipper attachment is of the utmost importance. Of course, before you use the attachment, be sure to read the operator’s manual and observe any decal operation procedures.
Beyond what you read, Sad recommends that the material should be fed into the chipper from the side of the feed table, always feeding the cut end of the brush first to provide smooth operation and reduce the chance of brush limbs catching on the edges of the feed table. Once the feed roller starts to pull the brush into the chipper, let go of the brush and step away from the chipper table. If
the brush does get caught in the feed chute, reverse the direction of the rollers to dislodge the material.
It is also important that you do not use any type of
tool to push the branches into the feed roller, and when
chipping dry branches, be sure to alternate with green, fresh cut branches to lubricate the chipper blades. Keeping the chipper blades lubricated will provide a longer service life and reduce the frequency of blade sharpening. Finally, operators should always wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and face, eye and hearing protection.
“Don’t wear loose clothing that can become snagged on branches,” adds Dietz. “Always be aware of your work area, make sure you have a stable location for the chipper and be sure of your footing.”
Yet, there is another aspect of safe operation that
is often overlooked with many attachments — maintenance. A well-oiled machine will ensure smooth and proper operation. Be sure to check the chipper’s blades at the recommended intervals to make sure that they are sharp and not chipped or damaged. If edges are dull, you can take the blades to a qualified sharpening
service instead of plunking down the change for a new set of teeth.
“Blades are the heart and soul of the machine and directly impact its performance and operational life,” says Dietz. “Chipper blades are typically good for approximately 10 to 15 hours of chipping and then should be reversed.”
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