Roger Dodger
ArboristSite Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2014
- Messages
- 50
- Reaction score
- 9
Hi Everyone, first time poster here. I've been lurking for a while, especially regarding chippers, and I have a few questions regarding specifically the 3" chippers from Echo-BearCat.
First off, I've just cleared approximately 1 1/2 acres of brush and probably a few thousand small saplings measuring under 3" cross-section. (mostly under 2"-2 1/2" sumac) I've probably got 5 large piles scattered across the acreage, and some of those piles measure 30 feet across, and five feet high. My goal is simply to get rid of these brush-piles, and I'm not looking to keep any material for composting, etc.
I'm fully aware that renting a larger 5" chipper with hydraulic feed and a built-in blower is the preferred option, since that would be the quickest method, but,,,,, I have no way of getting that chipper anywhere near the brush-piles. (no road) I need a mobile chipper, that one man can wheel to the brush-piles, and a decent 3" chipper appears to be my only option at the moment. (aside from burning). I realize that I'll be stuck with cutting branches off those trees in order to feed them properly into the machine, but I have no real choice in the matter.
I have an Echo-BearCat nearby who offers great service, and I'm thinking of buying the most powerful of the 3" chippers in BearCats' range. BearCat has four models of 3" chippers, and the one I'm considering is the SC3342 with a 342cc Briggs and Stratton engine. (16.5 ft/lbs gross torque/ 11-12HP). This particular unit swings a 27 lb rotor with 2 knives at 3600 rpm, and it has 12 serrated knives for shredding. (I don't really plan on using the shredder)
http://www.bearcatproducts.com/data/upfiles/media/Chipper-Shredder Page 3 - 5_2.pdf
My question for you is this; Is it more desirable to get the highest horsepower-rating possible? On the surface, the answer would seem obvious, but, my dealer only has the slightly smaller SC3305 in stock. (8-9HP I believe, and same rotor-weight, same number of knives). Mind you, he's willing to order the larger unit for me, and it's a few hundred $$$ more. For me, performance is more important than price, so the extra money isn't a factor here. That said, BearCat also has a 265cc Subaru engine version available, and it also has the same 27 lb 2-knife rotor, turning at a slightly higher 3800 rpm. Apparently, that unit develops something like 9HP. Is that 265cc Subaru engine any better than the Briggs and Stratton 345cc.? BTW, Echo is currently throwing in a free 31cc chainsaw (cs310) with the purchase of any of their 3" chippers.
Thank you in advance. This forum is a wonderful resource, ans was very handy when I researched and bought my chainsaw last week. (Echo CS590 TimberWolf).
First off, I've just cleared approximately 1 1/2 acres of brush and probably a few thousand small saplings measuring under 3" cross-section. (mostly under 2"-2 1/2" sumac) I've probably got 5 large piles scattered across the acreage, and some of those piles measure 30 feet across, and five feet high. My goal is simply to get rid of these brush-piles, and I'm not looking to keep any material for composting, etc.
I'm fully aware that renting a larger 5" chipper with hydraulic feed and a built-in blower is the preferred option, since that would be the quickest method, but,,,,, I have no way of getting that chipper anywhere near the brush-piles. (no road) I need a mobile chipper, that one man can wheel to the brush-piles, and a decent 3" chipper appears to be my only option at the moment. (aside from burning). I realize that I'll be stuck with cutting branches off those trees in order to feed them properly into the machine, but I have no real choice in the matter.
I have an Echo-BearCat nearby who offers great service, and I'm thinking of buying the most powerful of the 3" chippers in BearCats' range. BearCat has four models of 3" chippers, and the one I'm considering is the SC3342 with a 342cc Briggs and Stratton engine. (16.5 ft/lbs gross torque/ 11-12HP). This particular unit swings a 27 lb rotor with 2 knives at 3600 rpm, and it has 12 serrated knives for shredding. (I don't really plan on using the shredder)
http://www.bearcatproducts.com/data/upfiles/media/Chipper-Shredder Page 3 - 5_2.pdf
My question for you is this; Is it more desirable to get the highest horsepower-rating possible? On the surface, the answer would seem obvious, but, my dealer only has the slightly smaller SC3305 in stock. (8-9HP I believe, and same rotor-weight, same number of knives). Mind you, he's willing to order the larger unit for me, and it's a few hundred $$$ more. For me, performance is more important than price, so the extra money isn't a factor here. That said, BearCat also has a 265cc Subaru engine version available, and it also has the same 27 lb 2-knife rotor, turning at a slightly higher 3800 rpm. Apparently, that unit develops something like 9HP. Is that 265cc Subaru engine any better than the Briggs and Stratton 345cc.? BTW, Echo is currently throwing in a free 31cc chainsaw (cs310) with the purchase of any of their 3" chippers.
Thank you in advance. This forum is a wonderful resource, ans was very handy when I researched and bought my chainsaw last week. (Echo CS590 TimberWolf).