Page 18 - OPE Mar-Jun 22

MARKETPLACE
Chippers, Shredders & Splitters
Experienced Fleet Manager Josh Granger (photo below) looks after arborist Treefellas’ Bandit chippers and warns new players not to skimp on maintenance, saying: “The cost of an engine replacement can be absorbed by a bigger company but it’s very hard on a one-man band.”
NEW MORBARK CHIPPER JUST LANDED
STEVENS GROUP IS “very excited” about the new EB1215 Morbark chipper that
has just landed in New Zealand!
Setting a new benchmark for 12-inch chippers in New Zealand, Stevens Group says
this 12” drum chipper will power through the toughest material with its 97hp CAT diesel engine, Twin Feed roller, Torque Max infeed system, lift & crush, electric brakes with handbrake kit, cone holder, adjustable height tow ball and optional winch – and all at a very attractive introductory price!
Call the team at Stevens Group for more information on 09 275 0443.
www.stevensgroup.co.nz
In terms of the machinery being used, it’s a case of horses for courses, Josh says: “All of our chippers have pros and cons, and you need a combination of machines for different jobs.
“For example, our 12-inch Vermeer doesn’t have a winch but is brilliant for small take- downs and trimming. In general, we find Vermeers to be brilliant. You could chip a hammer with one, break a blade, and that’s all the damage you’ll do.”
Josh says Treefellas’ Bandits and Morbarks are “more versatile with their winches” while for large trees their two 15-inch Bandits are the go to units.
In terms of operating insights, Josh shares: “You need to check them over every couple of days but as long as the guys aren’t raking up stones and putting them through the tray, you can keep an edge on chipper blades pretty well.
“The Morbarks require more sharpening and more frequent blade changes than our Vermeers, and I’ve found that the big Bandits don’t like chipping palm unless they have sharp, sharp blades.”
Staying on top of maintenance
As you would imagine Treefellas Fleet Manager Josh Granger’s main tasks is keeping the fleet rolling which means staying on top of maintenance.
“When I first started in this role 15
years ago, it was a case of fixing something when it was broken but now it’s all about preventative maintenance and we rarely suffer any breakages these days. The chipper
fleet might look a bit dented, but they surely work.”
Which isn’t the case universally and fettling the machines is clearly a trap for new players in the tree care market who, Josh suggests, might buy a new chipper or two and enjoy low maintenance costs for the first couple
of years but skimp on maintenance at their peril.
“I’ve spoken to some two or three years further down the track when big bills have rolled in and they’re finding it tougher,” he says.
“For instance, the cost of an engine replacement can be absorbed by a bigger company but it’s very hard on a one-man band.”
Plus, while the complexity of chippers has stayed more or less the same over time, Josh Granger says that the drive to lower emissions has meant more weight in and around the engines of larger machines and less sheet metal, which could also mean reduced longevity.
“So there’s been a trade-off to keep overall weight to 3.5t and it’s possible the new models coming out may not be as robust
as they once were,” he says, before quickly adding: That doesn’t apply to our 12-inch Vermeer, which is exceptional.”
What’s the typical lifecycle of a chipper in Josh’s experience?
“In a perfect world, I think you’d want to move chippers on after 5,000 hours, not so much because of the engine or bearings, which can still be fine if looked after, but because the stress starts to crack the frame, causing greater vibration and impacting harmonics.”
Still, says Josh: “Chippers we have that have done more than 5,000 hours might not chip as well as newer ones but are still working fine.”
And given that new commercial chippers are currently harder to source and more expensive than ever, it’s a good thing
for Treefellas that someone with Josh’s experience is managing the upkeep. n
Entry-level Intimidator
BANDIT CHIPPERS HAVE a
reptation as being high-quality, long-lasting machines that serve tree care professionals, rental companies and municipalities needing a productive and cost-effective machine.
Powered by either diesel or petrol engines, the Bandit Intimidator 12 XP 12-inch hand-fed chipper is compact yet powerful with a 24-inch diameter chipping drum and 2495kg towing weight.
components and assembled with solid welded construction for maximum longevity, it features Bandit’s unique slide box feed system and powerful feed rollers.
Bolt-in blades are easy to change through the chipper hood and all service areas including grease points are easily accessible. Plus, the drum turns at lower rpm with high torque to achieve valuable fuel savings.
Built tough using the highest quality
www.hydralada.co.nz
018 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT MARCH-JUNE2022
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