cardboard in a chipper/shredder
louisianagal
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (26)
bob64
16 years agolouisianagal
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Should I buy a used Bearcat Chipper/Shredder?
Comments (23)CornShucker, "The other issue is that, so far, nobody here has been able to give me any thoughts about how the Bearcats do in the shredding department. I want to be able to feed it corn stocks, grape vines, tomato vines and garden debris. Nobody here apparently has used one of these Bearcats for that. I'm going to try to keep this thread alive long enough for a Bearcat owner to show up and give me specific advice." Well, no BearCat user has come forward yet, and I have never used or even seen an actual BearCat, but I am going to venture that if Home Depot makes good on their promise to put that BearCat 70380 in working order, that it will be able to handle your corn stalks, grape vines, tomato vines, and garden debris just fine. It could also process dead leaves from trees very well. I am basing that statement on this BearCat Model 70380/70580 Spec Sheet. (If the print is too small, you can magnify it, because that is a PDF document.) Or you can read this BearCat 70380 information. Notice that the 70380 has swinging serrated knives and a shredder exit screen with holes. It's not exactly a hammermill because it has knives instead of hammers, but the principle is basically the same. The swinging hammers or swinging knives keep "punishing" the material until it is able to escape through the holes in the screen. Also, notice that interchangeable screens are available to let you control how fine or coarse your product will be. If you do buy that BearCat 70380 from Home Depot, you might want to consider purchasing at least one of the optional screens with smaller holes to get a finer product with more surface area for faster composting. I notice it also has an available screen for wet material. If it were me, I would get all of the optional screens: the .75" screen, the .375" screen and the Wet Debris screen. But I would for sure get at least one extra screen and, in my case, it would be the three-eighths screen for the finest possible product texture. MM...See Moreopinions on a Mighty Mac chipper-shredder
Comments (19)I have a later 9hp version, and I bought a blade replacement kit, which consists of a new tool steel blade (not just anything will sharpen that) mounting bolts and a small tube of Loctite. The Loctite is the high temperature kind, and I was unable to loosen it with my Propane torch. I had to use a MAPP torch to get the bolts hot enough to get loose. Wear thick insulated gloves when feeding a limb to the chipper, because the impact of the blade on the limb sends powerful vibrations into the limb. You need ear protection and eye protection. I use my chainsaw helmet when using mine, because it provides both. Check with MacKissic to see if they still have interchangeable screens for it. I use a 1/4-inch screen for fine composting, a 1/2-inch screen for garden path and mulching material, a 3/4-inch screen for re-processing compost piles, the standard 1-inch screen for faster chipping, and a special oblong holes screen for wet material. Or, for wet material, just remove the screen and just let the stuff go directly through. Wet material will clog a screen that has small holes. It's good that you lubed the main bearing. That needs to be done every 10 hours of use. If the tires are pneumatic (from the picture it looks like they might be solid rubber) make sure they stay aired up. You need to keep your neighbor in beer for a long time. He just gave you about $1000 worth of equipment on today's prices. ZM PS When feeding material to the shredder chute, to be on the safe side, keep your elbows outside and below the rim of the chute, to make it impossible for your hands to get pulled in. Be aware that sometimes the hammers will "grab" what you are feeding in and jerk it suddenly in. To be on the safer side, just throw stuff into that chute and let gravity take over. If you accidentally throw a rock or a piece of metal into the chute you will hear a scary loud clattering. Don't panic, just kill the engine and step back until everything stops. I once had a chamber load of stuff catch fire somehow. Same deal. Kill the engine and step back. When things cool down, you can always drop the screen to clean out the hammer-mill chamber. This post was edited by zenman on Sat, Aug 23, 14 at 20:06...See MoreGood compost chipper/shredders?
Comments (4)Problem is with composting in a bin or whatever, one needs to carry the stuff to the bin, then afterwards haul the stuff where you want to use it. It seems to me, your very early in the process of potential joint problems since your still doing this. My suggestion is to begin experimenting with composting in place. Less chance of accelerating damage to the joints. We need to consistently keep moving, but not stress our body. And hands and wrists are much more important than the average person realizes. Not being able to wipe, because of wrist problems can be the end result, where you thought not being able to open the door was the worst of it. Every single thing you do each day adds up. Review all the things and start working on ways to make things easier on yourself. It will pay off in the long run. An appointment with a physical therapist is a reasonable option, having an expert to help guide me, early on was one of the smartest things I did and paid off in lower medical costs in the long run. Since I've changed doorknobs and faucets to levers, found a mouse that works for me, learned to crochet to strengthen my hands and wrists... some folks take up knitting for the same reason, but not holding the hook in the normal way. Changed my keyboard layout to Dvorac and learning that was a trial, but super helpful..and continues paying off. Then all the more obvious things like household and garden tools designed to be wrist friendly. Do take care. Being tough and working through the pain does NOT make sense once you realize you can cause damage to your body that can NEVER be undone. If it hurts... STOP. Be kind to yourself and with luck we will both continue in the garden till the end. I know my quality of life would diminish significantly without my garden. I agree with Ltilton, chippers are chippers and shredders are shredders. Folks that try to get one to do both, are the ones writing bad reviews on the machines they bought. Each machine does exactly what it was built to do, and does anything else poorly. I did buy a Worx leaf shredder for specific things. It works great for my needs. The plus there is it nests together in a small stack that fits on a shelf on my back porch. I only bring it out now and then during the summer for certain projects. For your cardboard go to the vermicomposting forum and search for the paper shredder they prefer for cardboard. I forget the brand name, but there was one several folks use and really like. This post was edited by plaidbird on Fri, Jul 4, 14 at 17:15...See Morehand cranked shredder/chipper?
Comments (19)13 years late, but I had to share this. In France these things existed for years for shredding up animal fodder, and you can still occasionally find them second hand, like in this photo. In India they're still used and still manufactured. And here's the good news - there's a small French company that has just started manufacturing a hugely improved version. Forget the negative comments about it not being mechanically possible; this video gives the lie to all that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VMuOFdi9MY&t=2s...See Morekqcrna
16 years agojoepyeweed
16 years agoKimmsr
16 years agodavid52 Zone 6
16 years agolouisianagal
16 years agokqcrna
16 years agoryanzone7
16 years agoiamlook
13 years agoadirondackgardener
12 years agogardurnit
11 years agoRebecca Keener
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoLarry Welch
8 years agorayzone7
8 years agotoxcrusadr
8 years agoUser
8 years agojapus
8 years agoUser
8 years agoRacheal Ehrmann
4 years agoRacheal Ehrmann
4 years agoadirondackgardener
4 years agoHU-163934076
3 years agoHU-598166765
3 years agoarmoured
3 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGet on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load
Full StoryFALL GARDENING5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees
Full StoryHOLIDAYSHow to Care for Your Christmas Tree
Keep your tree looking lush until the last ornament is packed away with these tips for watering, using stands and more
Full StoryPETSHouzz Call: Send in the Design Cats
Post your best photo of your cat at home, in the garden or with you in your studio. It could be published in a featured ideabook
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES7 Ecofriendly Gardening Ideas That Also Cut Chore Time
Spend less time weeding, less money watering and more moments just sitting back and enjoying your healthy garden
Full StorySTORAGE10 Ways to Get More Storage Out of Your Space
Just when you think you can’t possibly fit all your stuff, these storage ideas come to the rescue
Full StoryMONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTSYour Spring Organizing Checklist
Use these ideas for clearing out the clutter and keeping rooms neat and tidy
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSHouzz Call: Where Are the Craziest Places You Grow Edibles?
Basil in a bathtub, spinach stacked up a wall ... If your edibles occupy an odd spot, we’d like to know
Full StoryFALL GARDENING8 Must-Have Tools for Fall Backyard Prep
Autumn outdoor work feels overwhelming, but these handy tools can keep it under control
Full StoryLIFE10 Best Ways to Get Organized for a Big Move
Make your next move smooth, short and sweet with these tips for preparing, organizing and packing
Full StoryColumbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
kimmq