Sharpening Chipper Blades

shaggs · 2nd January 2008, 08:51 PM

G'day Everyone,
Just wondering how many of you out there sharpen your own woodchipper blades and how.
What do you use and any particular method?
I sharpen mine myself but get them "professionally" done every 3rd or so sharpenings, depending on their state.
I swap and change from anything between wet bench grinder(slow)

, bench grinder

, and linisher.
Whatever process it gives me plenty of time for

.
Whats your thoughts

JayD · 2nd January 2008, 09:00 PM

Hi shaggs,
I linish them with a course belt, making sure they don't get to hot..Works well for us. It takes about an hour from removal to bolting it all up again.

Tree Machine · 2nd January 2008, 09:47 PM

I sharpen mine about twice a week, while they're on the machine. Three minutes each time.

I've been spanked for sharing my cowboy method (A.Lopa, Ekka) and maybe it is a little crude, raw and shoot-from-the-hip, but my knives stay truly sharp and pleasant, always. After ~ 6 months I flip em over to the new side and start over. When side 2 is worn, a new set goes on and the old ones get sent back to the manufacturer for pro sharpening.

Mine's a small chipper, very few guys use 6" machines, so I may be off the chart with nothing much of value to offer the group.
I'll just be polite and step out

(Very interested to know how others do it, though.)

shaggs · 2nd January 2008, 10:05 PM

TM
Don't step out!!!! I have a 6" too! Its times like sharpening that I'm glad its a small machine.
Get back on there

JayD · 2nd January 2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tree Machine

I sharpen mine about twice a week, while they're on the machine. Three minutes each time.

I've been spanked for sharing my cowboy method (A.Lopa, Ekka) and maybe it is a little crude, raw and shoot-from-the-hip, but my knives stay truly sharp and pleasant, always. After ~ 6 months I flip em over to the new side and start over. When side 2 is worn, a new set goes on and the old ones get sent back to the manufacturer for pro sharpening.

Mine's a small chipper, very few guys use 6" machines, so I may be off the chart with nothing much of value to offer the group.
I'll just be polite and step out

(Very interested to know how others do it, though.)

Our's is a 6" and it does a big job, be proud TM, You are out there doing it and NO one gave it to you,We love our little chipper we can get to the piont of work 98% of the time,less dragging=more profit..all our gear is for restricted access.

Including our Johnny Loader..LOL.

Tree Machine · 3rd January 2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggs

TM
Don't step out!!!!

Get back on there

Heh, heh

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD

We love our little chipper we can get to the piont of work 98% of the time,less dragging=more profit.

A-men to that.

Tree Machine · 3rd January 2008, 06:13 PM

I know Streyken got a 6" this last year, too, and he's been real pleased with it.

I would imagine sharpening knives on small machines and sharpening knives on large machines would be pretty much the same, but I don't know really for sure.

It all depends on how accessable the knives are, whether you can sharpen them on the machine, or have to take the knives off to do it.

One thing's for sure; You will feel the effects of dull knives much more readily on the smaller units. Bigger power lets you get away with not staying on top of this quite as tightly.

Therrin · 4th January 2008, 01:29 AM

This is a little off topic, but I'm looking to pick up a chipper in the next couple months. Is a 6" a good machine to start with?

JayD · 4th January 2008, 02:16 AM

Hi Therrin,
A six inch chipper is a good little machine,It takes care of all the canopy and a fair share of the wood usually whats left is fire wood, But you have to match your chipper to your truck..If you have a small truck a 18" chipper would fill the truck in a blink of an eye making it more work to process your by product.Just be realistic about what you do and how big you need to go.

Tree Machine · 4th January 2008, 04:40 AM

That's the big question. I have guys lined up to come get free firewood.
I LIKE cutting firewood, I like not having to handle the big wood myself, I like not having to go dump chips very often and overall, I like having a small truck and chipper.

This is not for everyone. It makes me a load of money, but if you had three guys on the ground, mostly takedowns and just needed to move from job to job as fast as possible, my setup would cost you your butt.

But if it were a facet of your overall machinery lineup, a key part of your truck/chipper artillary it would serve a priceless function, swiftness, maneuverability, economy.

Seen like this (in perspective) awesome chipper for the beginner or the highly advanced.

(and dang easy to sharpen the knives!)

ronnyb · 4th January 2008, 09:09 AM

We have a Bandit 90XP behind a Dodge 1 ton dump truck. The chipper is a 9inch, with a 86hp Perkins diesel. I really like this set up, the chipper pulls easily, and I can cut down on my chipping time with a slightly larger chipper. I've used the 6 inchers before, and it takes quite a bit longer between cutting more wood and cutting the branches so that the chipper will take them. 12 inch chippers are a couple thousand pounds heavier, and you can really notice that when driving. We started buying our chipper knives from Zenith Cutter, they are cheap ($17) x4 =$68/set. It was costing us $20/ knife to have them sharpened. Now we just flip them and then throw them out.

Ekka · 5th January 2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tree Machine

I've been spanked for sharing my cowboy method (A.Lopa, Ekka) and maybe it is a little crude, raw and shoot-from-the-hip, but my knives stay truly sharp and pleasant, always.

Hmmm, dont recall could you share that method again please.

shaggs · 5th January 2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therrin

This is a little off topic, but I'm looking to pick up a chipper in the next couple months. Is a 6" a good machine to start with?

I know its a little off topic but;
My opinion 6" make a great first chipper. Be aware there are a big difference in type/size of whats classed 6" (like some guys!!!). Infeed openeing is a major one. Some have 6"x6" others like bandit have 12"x6". The differences are quite big and do your research.

I think the best thing about starting with a small chipper is that it teaches you to look after a machine like that and whats involved, just on a smaller scale. Everything from blade sharpening, belt tensioning, oil changing, filter servicing, dealing with blockages etc etc. Basically your not jumping in the deep end.

Therrin · 5th January 2008, 07:05 PM

Hopefully it'd be more difficult to get sucked in the deep end as well...

I'm starting to look for used chippers for sale in my area.
As far as the amount of operational hours go, whats "slightly used" "moderately used" and "this thing's almost dead, used" ?

Mmm, lemme know if I should re-thread this question.

TrevMcRev · 6th January 2008, 01:41 AM

When i sold my bandit 6" it had only 980 hrs and was excellent. Low hrs really for a 5 year old machine, coz i ran it efficiently as decribed in the bandir intimidator thread in the video section.

12" wide infeed is a major + over other 6"machines.

P.L. · 6th January 2008, 06:21 AM

A 6" chipper is a good way to start, but you spend a lot of time cutting the wood to fit and handling branches. My Morbark will handle 18" and it makes the job much easier, less cutting less handling material and less time on the job. My motto is if it fits, it's chips!

arbdog · 9th January 2008, 06:31 AM

My cousin does ours at work, as hes a engineer so we dont have to worry about that ( i think he just uses a linisher on em ). Our chipper is a timberwolf 150hd 6", and its perfect for us. Its light, it processes to the maximum size we want as all else we sell for firewood and you can get parts 6 miles from where we live.

2nd January 2008, 08:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Sharpening Chipper Blades G'day Everyone, Just wondering how many of you out there sharpen your own woodchipper blades and how. What do you use and any particular method? I sharpen mine myself but get them "professionally" done every 3rd or so sharpenings, depending on their state. I swap and change from anything between wet bench grinder(slow), bench grinder , and linisher. Whatever process it gives me plenty of time for . Whats your thoughts

2nd January 2008, 09:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 931	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades Hi shaggs, I linish them with a course belt, making sure they don't get to hot..Works well for us. It takes about an hour from removal to bolting it all up again. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory

2nd January 2008, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades TM Don't step out!!!! I have a 6" too! Its times like sharpening that I'm glad its a small machine. Get back on there

4th January 2008, 01:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,270	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades This is a little off topic, but I'm looking to pick up a chipper in the next couple months. Is a 6" a good machine to start with? __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

4th January 2008, 02:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 931	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades Hi Therrin, A six inch chipper is a good little machine,It takes care of all the canopy and a fair share of the wood usually whats left is fire wood, But you have to match your chipper to your truck..If you have a small truck a 18" chipper would fill the truck in a blink of an eye making it more work to process your by product.Just be realistic about what you do and how big you need to go. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Last edited by JayD : 4th January 2008 at 04:44 AM.

2nd January 2008, 09:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 569	I sharpen mine about twice a week, while they're on the machine. Three minutes each time. I've been spanked for sharing my cowboy method (A.Lopa, Ekka) and maybe it is a little crude, raw and shoot-from-the-hip, but my knives stay truly sharp and pleasant, always. After ~ 6 months I flip em over to the new side and start over. When side 2 is worn, a new set goes on and the old ones get sent back to the manufacturer for pro sharpening. Mine's a small chipper, very few guys use 6" machines, so I may be off the chart with nothing much of value to offer the group. I'll just be polite and step out (Very interested to know how others do it, though.)

3rd January 2008, 06:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 569	I know Streyken got a 6" this last year, too, and he's been real pleased with it. I would imagine sharpening knives on small machines and sharpening knives on large machines would be pretty much the same, but I don't know really for sure. It all depends on how accessable the knives are, whether you can sharpen them on the machine, or have to take the knives off to do it. One thing's for sure; You will feel the effects of dull knives much more readily on the smaller units. Bigger power lets you get away with not staying on top of this quite as tightly.

4th January 2008, 04:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 569	That's the big question. I have guys lined up to come get free firewood. I LIKE cutting firewood, I like not having to handle the big wood myself, I like not having to go dump chips very often and overall, I like having a small truck and chipper. This is not for everyone. It makes me a load of money, but if you had three guys on the ground, mostly takedowns and just needed to move from job to job as fast as possible, my setup would cost you your butt. But if it were a facet of your overall machinery lineup, a key part of your truck/chipper artillary it would serve a priceless function, swiftness, maneuverability, economy. Seen like this (in perspective) awesome chipper for the beginner or the highly advanced. (and dang easy to sharpen the knives!)

4th January 2008, 09:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
ronnyb Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 64	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades We have a Bandit 90XP behind a Dodge 1 ton dump truck. The chipper is a 9inch, with a 86hp Perkins diesel. I really like this set up, the chipper pulls easily, and I can cut down on my chipping time with a slightly larger chipper. I've used the 6 inchers before, and it takes quite a bit longer between cutting more wood and cutting the branches so that the chipper will take them. 12 inch chippers are a couple thousand pounds heavier, and you can really notice that when driving. We started buying our chipper knives from Zenith Cutter, they are cheap ($17) x4 =$68/set. It was costing us $20/ knife to have them sharpened. Now we just flip them and then throw them out.

5th January 2008, 07:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,270	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades Hopefully it'd be more difficult to get sucked in the deep end as well... I'm starting to look for used chippers for sale in my area. As far as the amount of operational hours go, whats "slightly used" "moderately used" and "this thing's almost dead, used" ? Mmm, lemme know if I should re-thread this question. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

6th January 2008, 01:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 734	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades When i sold my bandit 6" it had only 980 hrs and was excellent. Low hrs really for a 5 year old machine, coz i ran it efficiently as decribed in the bandir intimidator thread in the video section. 12" wide infeed is a major + over other 6"machines. __________________ Melbourne Arborist, Total Tree Care, Pruning, Tree and Stump Removal

6th January 2008, 06:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
P.L. I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 3	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades A 6" chipper is a good way to start, but you spend a lot of time cutting the wood to fit and handling branches. My Morbark will handle 18" and it makes the job much easier, less cutting less handling material and less time on the job. My motto is if it fits, it's chips!

9th January 2008, 06:31 AM	#17 (permalink)
arbdog Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: england Posts: 101	Re: Sharpening Chipper Blades My cousin does ours at work, as hes a engineer so we dont have to worry about that ( i think he just uses a linisher on em ). Our chipper is a timberwolf 150hd 6", and its perfect for us. Its light, it processes to the maximum size we want as all else we sell for firewood and you can get parts 6 miles from where we live.