Mark Rieckhoff, environmental segment manager for Vermeer, discusses the current trends in chippers ans shredders, tips rental companies should give customers and more.
RER: What should a rental company consider when selecting these types of products?
Rieckhoff: Rental companies should answer the following questions before deciding on which type of brush chipper to purchase:
- Who are my local competitors?
- What machines do other rental stores have in their inventory and what can I do to differentiate my rental business from my competitors to provide additional value to my customers?
- What are the demographics of my customer base and is the customer base in my area large enough to keep a machine utilized enough to justify having it in my rental lineup?
- Do I intend to rent chippers to homeowners or contractors? Remember that extra time is required to train homeowners since this may be the first experience they have in operating a brush chipper. Contractors require larger machines that will require making a more capital-intensive investment.
- What is the capital investment I can afford to add chippers to my rental business? The capital investment a rental company can afford determines the type of chipper that can be purchased.
How can rental companies keep their chippers and shredders in tip-top shape?
To keep brush chippers in tip-top shape, Vermeer recommends following the guidelines within the manufacturer's operator's and maintenance manual. These manuals contain detailed guidelines for how to properly set up and operate a brush chipper and a suggested timeline for specific brush chipper maintenance needs. Two specific maintenance needs include regular checkups on the shear bar and knives. The shear bar and knives greatly affect the performance of the machine and should be kept adjusted and sharpened within factory recommendations to achieve optimum performance. Dull tooling requires more horsepower to accomplish the same amount of work. Dull tooling places undue forces on the drive line and lowers overall productivity.
Pre- and post-rental inspections are also important for rental businesses to conduct. Pre-rental inspections are important so machines leave the rental store in the best working condition — helping keep customers satisfied with the brush chipper's performance. Post-rental inspections allow rental stores to identify any damage caused by the rental customer.
Vandermolen
Vandermolen introduces the AVP Model 25Qi160. The 25Qi series brings the all vegetation processing capability into a more affordable size without compromising any of the features, namely, fast, non-clog feeding of all types of vegetation through one hopper, without slowdown and limitations caused by vines, clippings or leaves as in units with power feed systems. The 25Qi is powered by a 16-hp Vanguard engine and in addition to mulching leaves, clippings and general garden waste, it processes brush and fully dressed branches up to 4 inches in diameter. The hopper faces the rear, so the operator can feed from both sides for fast work.
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Morbark
The Morbark Twister 12 brush chipper is built standard with two knife drums. Making two cuts per revolution instead of one, the additional knife drum translates into greater productivity and increased efficiency. The Twister 12, designed to accept a variety of gas or diesel engines, is equipped with a clutch, eliminating the need for sliding clutch tables or over-center belt tighteners. The Twister is equipped with live hydraulics, allowing the hydraulic system to be operated without requiring the chipper to be engaged. With its air impeller system, the brush chipper directs a high volume of controlled airflow through the discharge chute.
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Bandit Chippers
Bandit has added a 20-inch diameter capacity drum-style, self-propelled whole tree chipper to its line of mobile chippers. The new 2090 Track Bandit whole tree chipper features a large 20-inch by 24-inch chipper opening and a powerful hydraulic feed system with the ability to pull whole trees into the chipper while crushing limbs and tops. The top feed wheel is 27 inches in diameter and 32 inches long with a bottom wheel 10-5/8 inches in diameter and 32 inches long. The 2090 is equipped with a Model 75 knuckle boom style loader and continuous rotation grapple. A Caterpillar 325 undercarriage moves the chipper over rough terrain.
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Vermeer
Vermeer's BC600XL disc-style chipper is capable of processing material up to 6 inches in diameter. The chipper is powered by a 27-hp Kohler Command gas engine that boasts an 8-percent increase in horsepower compared to its predecessor. The chipper features a 64-inch feed table and a bottom feed stop bar, designed to make it possible for the operator's leg to strike the bar and stop the feed either intentionally or automatically in an emergency. The Vermeer Auto Feed II system automatically monitors engine rpm and controls the feed roller accordingly to maximize efficiency while reducing engine stress, supporting ease of operation and reducing material jams.
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MacKissic
Merry Commercial by MacKissic's 12PHT-RL's tool steel knife mounted on a heavy 17-pound balanced flywheel chews up to 3-inch limbs at a rate of up to 10 or more feet per minute. The chipper/shredder's 24 free-swinging reversible hammers pulverize debris to create useful mulch and compost to beautify landscapes. The 12PHT is highway-towable with a 34-inch wheelbase for easy transport. Long seam welds and solid design guarantee years of durability. Four position baffle discharge and centrifugal clutch for no-load make it homeowner friendly.
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Bobcat
Bobcat's chipper attachment is compatible with select Bobcat skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, all-wheel steer loaders and the Toolcat 5600 utility work machine. Its compact size enables customers to use the attachment in confined or remote areas. Debris can be fed from the front or side. The chipper also features reversible tool steel blades and the discharge chute rotates 360 degrees.
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PowerTek
The 12-13 P stump grinders from Power-Tek are designed to be rental tough, yet are small enough to be easy to manage. The frame is constructed with 10-gauge steel and is 27 inches wide and 43 inches high. The manual drive stump cutter is equipped with a 13-hp Honda engine and a 12-inch diameter-cutting wheel. The 12-13 P stump grinder was manufactured with big jobs in mind.
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Rayco
The RG 20HD self-propelled handle bar stump cutter from Rayco provides 20 hp, fingertip controls, operator presence and engine shutdown for maximum safety. The RG 20HD is the largest, most powerful version of the Mini Work-Force line of handle bar stump cutters. The RG 20HD is designed to benefit customers, giving them versatility and productivity.
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Toro
The Toro stump grinder attachment, for use on Dingo compact utility loaders is designed to handle stump removal with ease. The stump grinder's 17-inch cutter wheel features 12 cutting teeth, a wheel speed of 2,000 rpm and a tooth tip speed of 148 feet per second. To ensure all stump material is sufficiently removed, the unit offers a 36-inch above grade maximum cutting height and 16.5-inch below grade maximum cutting depth. Operators can position the wheel index at a 30-degree angle in order to efficiently tackle troublesome roots. The hydraulic system produces 12 gpm of flow at 3,000 psi of hydraulic power.
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