I purchased a new model SC3213 and the chipper blades were over a quarter inch from the anvil. I tried loosening the friction ring and hit it in the opposite direction of travel to loosen but it did not loosen so had to get a bearing puller to move the ring so that I could pound the shaft in and get the distance to one eighth inch spec. I later had to get the wet screen to process green branches as the original screen clogged up too easily. When moving a distance, tilt the machine to the engine side rather than using the chipper chute handle. I use the shredder for leafy parts and stems greater than half inch goes in the chipper side. The engine should be at just above idle and engage the belt, then slowly raise throttle to full power. When not in use I engage the belt so spring tension is not stretched.
I have exactly same chipper shredder, it is a great machine. Negative issues are : seems to wear the belt regularly, I always carry a spare belt. The screen is hard to remove if it machine jams and needs to be cleaned out.
i have the 8 hp version with twin belt drive and blower attachment used it today to chip up a large pile of Branches .its a bit awkward to get into the trailer but when set up it works a treat ...if you know how to use it .I.e do not shove to much material into the shredder chute .it will cause a stall as what will happen is when it does touch the shredder knives it will pull in too much so smaller amounts at a higher rate is the answer .Chipping wise because the blower drives off the main rotor the engine labours a little on diameters above 45mm if they are too long so all you do is hold the branch back a bit till the revs pick up until branch is the length of the chipper chute then let it go as when the revs die down by that time then the branch is chipped .It is a great bit of kit but as mentioned do not be expecting to use it like a full on hydraulic roller chipper .I do garden work for a living and use it occasionally .The engine is very reliable .I would agree that it is best suited to being situated in a fixed location unless you have a low loading van or trailer .or an extra pair of hands as it is heavy .The blower can be dismantled which helps a bit with the weight .Blower will blow 7-8 ft if no headwind .i will be after one of the newer design 15hp chippers which all debris goes down a single chute but the bearcat 8hp is a great for the meantime .Thanks for posting .
This would be really nice to have but when ever I do my pruning it's on larger branches so I'll probably need a chipper or break them down before shredding.
Based on your demo I got myself a Bearcat 3" chipper/shredder and it love it. But now it's a year later and after much use now I have some sharpening to do. I can how to remove and rotate the chipper blades -- that's easy. But I can't figure out how to remove the shredder knives so I can rotate them. That's a complete mystery. Now I'm assuming that I don't need to undo the bearing plates and completely remove the rotor/flywheel assembly, but maybe I'm wrong. This would be a good time for a demo on how to maintain those shredder knives!
Wow! If you wore the knives out after 1 year you've done a ton of chipping. I didn't make that video yet but perhaps I should. It's not a big deal to do but you need to be patient and the bolts may be frozen so you need to be patient.
Michael Corden it's a little time consuming to replace the shredder knives I've only ever done it once on my machine. The trick to removing them is to insert a rod into the small hole located to the side outer casing near the discharge opening, line your rod or bar up inside with the supporting bar holding each group of knives. Tap the rod through to release each knife until the bar goes out through the hole on the other side of the machine. I sprayed everything with a good release oil before carrying this out as you may find the bars are well in there. Also make a note of where the knife spacers are located on the supporting rod as you tap them out. Reverse the procedure to put them back in. Hope that helps.
I did it. Before starting I made a diagram of the spacer & knife locations on each rod. Then I flipped the knives one rod at a time. For each rod I used a new nut as recommended by Bear Cat. Done.
Very good Michael, I just reversed my shredder blades too, it's time consuming (pain in the butt) but I got it done. I'm going to order new chipper blades from Baileys .com for only $15 each
Thank you for posting this. Are there chipper shredders that will chip woody branches, chip green stems such as cauliflower and also shred wet and dry leaves? I've a small productive garden which also has fruit trees and I don't have space (or money) for many machines. I collect leaves from the whole street and the park (2,500 Litres) and would need a bigger hopper, take them home in a wheelie bin, bag them until partially-decomposed then transfer them to a mesh cage to decompose fully. It takes a few years but I'd like to cut down the finishing time and transfer the shredded leaves direct to the cage.
Having a chipper this size would be handy for you. You need one if dealing with leaves. I have an old Roto Hoe 5hp. It basically chops piles of leaves down in size down, (maybe 5:1 or more?). It also cuts the compost time way down. Like, instead of a a pile of leaves that sits there for weeks, my shredded leaves are steaming in a few hours if I wet them and add a little compost to the mix. The difference is really amazing. They are handy even if you don't compost - you can fit a massive amount of chopped leaves in a bin compared to moving them whole and loose. As you've said, the hopper is the bottleneck in the system. You have to tend the hopper on one of these, (I use a thin stick), but not that bad compared to the thousands of dollars a commercial unit costs. Also, even though they are made to chop branches it's not the fastest operation with one of these. It'll chop sticks and branches and pine cones, but it'll slow things down and it makes noise. They will chop leaves and small branches at just above idle. I don't even use hearing protection usually when there's just leaves, I can talk over the engine noise. All the videos show them running at high RPM for dramatic effect or something. I keep mine quiet. Dry leaves work faster than wet leaves. In fact when the leaves are dry and crunchy 3 people can work at a steady pace, one person loading leaves, one tending the hopper, and one moving the chips. I deal with the leaves from a white oak, red oak, couple apple trees, 5 maples, plus misc. - all full sized. A mountain of leaves compacts down to 2 small piles. (My bins are 2 foot by 15 foot rolled fencing. Makes a circle about 5 foot in diameter.)
i see you fed only dried leaves and branches can we feed fresh and green leaves. These might probably turn mulchy and soggy and maybe not exit as smooth as dried ?
Only put dried vines into machine or they will wrap around the impeller. "Green" branches chip easier over dry ones, any type of vegetation is shreddable, if it is stingy, let it dry. Also a hint do not put material longer that 8-12 inches into shredder chute, will jam up. DO NOT put any thing 1/2 or larger in diameter into shredder chute, will damage the machine.
Yes like the other poster said, dry is best. I have a totally different machine all together but I experienced a situation where the bark from a large branch wrapped around the blade almost like a rope and then sandwiched between the blade/rotor and deck. Man was that a job taking that apart.
Great video with some excellent advice. I like finely shred my leaves and I'm looking into obtaining a chipper/shredder. I'm wondering if you have any experience in shredding wet leaves? Cheers and thanks for posting.
Are there settings to determine the fineness of the wood chip? Could I put wood chips through it again to make an even finer chip? Would like to use it for compost.
The only way to adjust the size of what comes out is to get a different screen. If you go to the bearcat website they list the screen sizes that are available. The size that comes with the machine gives you fairly finely shredded material that is suitable for composting. A finer screen ( smaller holes) will give you a finer shred but there is more chance of clogging. I tend to put most stuff through the chipper since it results in a finer product for the same size screen. The big thing for the chipper is to keep the blades sharp. I got a spare set of blades and change edges every hour or two. I then sharpen both sets of blades and end up with four sets of edges.
Could you do a video to explain the start up operation please. I actually paid for a brand new machine but had to take back my money when the company selling the machine could not demonstrate how to start up the machine. He actually enganged the drive belt when the engine was in full rpm and a weird sound and smoke appeared.
As the saying goes, they don't make them like they used to. I once had a 1988-era 8HP Troy-bilt Super Tomahawk chipper shredder, until some scum thieves stole it from my garage. That Troy-bilt was built like a tank. It had heavy 10-gauge steel side walls. Unlike your Bear Cat, the Troy-bilt had no narrowing constriction in the hopper throat. The full throat on the Troy-bilt design was a good thing because it allowed very gnarly branches to be fed into the hopper. It had 2-belt clutch drive for easy starting. It cost $1200 back in 1988. In today's money it would cost $2600. Thank you for showing the throat constriction at 4:14 in your video. I was under the impression until I saw your video that the Bear Cat had a full unrestricted throat. Now, I'm not sure I want to buy it. DR is another brand that has that tiny throat constriction in the hopper. I'm still looking. Maybe I can find a decent used Troy-bilt Super Tomahawk on Craigs list.
Hi. Your videos are always really good. I check often to see if there are new ones. I am curious if you have looked at the Harbor Freight Chipper shredders? I was thinking about buying one of those.
+Land Designs Unlimited LLC Have you heard of PowerTek brush chippers? They are gas driven and are they good chippers like Bandit? I want to get a Powertek brush chipper one day. If they are not good then can you please tell me why?
That is an old old unit.The leafy stuff he shoved into chipper chute should have been put in shredder chute. A good entry level C/S would be a MTD built one (Troy Bilt or Cub Cadet) MacKissic makes more pro models. Wear steel toed boots, long pants and shit, leather gloves, eye protection, a Wood cutters helmet with face screen and hearing protection should be required, sh#t comes flying out of the chipper chute. I have one of those washable forest fire bandana face protectors that keeps the dust out of my lungs. I have 3 C/S a 2 inch Craftsman, a 3 inch Troy Bilt and a 3 inch Cub Cadet. I use to C/S small branches and pine branches. My machines make a finer mulch than what is shown here, plus I have multiple sets of blades so I swap out and have professional sharpened.
+Land Designs Unlimited LLC am not from around can you help me with a list of dealers then I will get in touch with them and see if I can make a deal with one of them
where can this be purchased? I just returned one from Harbor Freight, it jammed a lot and the clean out area was very inaccessible and also very tight to get hand or tools in there to clean out. Palm fronds wound around the spindle, it was horrible.
***** The worst one I ever did was on the splitting wood video, I swing the maul pretty hard and the block basically exploded and a chunk of firewood flew and smacked the camera. Like you it was an old $20 camera at that time! Sometimes when I mill lumber and it's windy I worry about fine sawdust getting inside the camera, but so far it's been ok. Without risk there can be no reward! lol
what happen to part 2 I looked all the way back till 4 years ago I may be blind I guess or you did or didn't make or if you did it is gone I guess some 1 stole it ..........lol
dan burda at shredders online in google search can help get correct blades. you cant sharpen yourself. to many angles involved. had duerr chipper shredder 8hp tecumseh direct drive let someone try to sharpen blade,locked up and tipped over entire machine,had to buy complete hub $450 later 1995 machine
Sounds like a lot of hassle. Most people buy a chipper/shredder that's ready for use, not one they have to modify to work as it should. I hope the companies who design these machines are reading this.
How would this handle yard material that has been composting over winter? I am looking for a machine that can take my compost pile (almost fully decomposed) and break down the final bits before I put it on my garden.
A first class, well spoken, intelligent presentation. Thank you
he's not a millennial so he's coherent and can maintain a thought and stay on subject! Amen
@@gary37rn84 Lol!
This is a great video. I agree there are a lot of other videos out there that don't go over basics. Thanks for making this!
This is the one that we would like to buy and this video has done the job. Better than the actual sales guys at the store.
Great video on a residential grade chipper. I've searched youtube for information such as this and you just provided the best example. thanks.
The sound is very relaxing. I play it on a loop while I sleep. Thanks!
Boy, that's an old model and in good shape. Much appreciated.
I purchased a new model SC3213 and the chipper blades were over a quarter inch from the anvil. I tried loosening the friction ring and hit it in the opposite direction of travel to loosen but it did not loosen so had to get a bearing puller to move the ring so that I could pound the shaft in and get the distance to one eighth inch spec. I later had to get the wet screen to process green branches as the original screen clogged up too easily. When moving a distance, tilt the machine to the engine side rather than using the chipper chute handle. I use the shredder for leafy parts and stems greater than half inch goes in the chipper side. The engine should be at just above idle and engage the belt, then slowly raise throttle to full power. When not in use I engage the belt so spring tension is not stretched.
Great informational video for someone who is looking to purchase their first chipper shredder.
Great video. Now I know that I can't afford the chipper I need. Thanks! Best chipper/shredder video out there.
Thanks.
I have exactly same chipper shredder, it is a great machine. Negative issues are : seems to wear the belt regularly, I always carry a spare belt. The screen is hard to remove if it machine jams and needs to be cleaned out.
Buy Kevlar belts!
What model is your chipper Shredder
I nearly got bummed the last time I wondered around on Craig’s list
i have the 8 hp version with twin belt drive and blower attachment used it today to chip up a large pile of Branches .its a bit awkward to get into the trailer but when set up it works a treat ...if you know how to use it .I.e do not shove to much material into the shredder chute .it will cause a stall as what will happen is when it does touch the shredder knives it will pull in too much so smaller amounts at a higher rate is the answer .Chipping wise because the blower drives off the main rotor the engine labours a little on diameters above 45mm if they are too long so all you do is hold the branch back a bit till the revs pick up until branch is the length of the chipper chute then let it go as when the revs die down by that time then the branch is chipped .It is a great bit of kit but as mentioned do not be expecting to use it like a full on hydraulic roller chipper .I do garden work for a living and use it occasionally .The engine is very reliable .I would agree that it is best suited to being situated in a fixed location unless you have a low loading van or trailer .or an extra pair of hands as it is heavy .The blower can be dismantled which helps a bit with the weight .Blower will blow 7-8 ft if no headwind .i will be after one of the newer design 15hp chippers which all debris goes down a single chute but the bearcat 8hp is a great for the meantime .Thanks for posting .
Yes
Any update for this?
This would be really nice to have but when ever I do my pruning it's on larger branches so I'll probably need a chipper or break them down before shredding.
The hydrangea(?) in the back looks like he had a bad day at work. I also approve of this video.
How is the machine holding up in 2021?
What an excellent video!
I realize this is an older video, but what brand chipper is this, and are you still happy with it? Thanks
You and George castanza go to the same barber ?
It's so satisfying to watch those branches getting chewed up.
I have this model and have been trying to figure out how to change the shredding knives. It has me stumped. Did you make a video about this?
They want you to take to a dealer.
Based on your demo I got myself a Bearcat 3" chipper/shredder and it love it. But now it's a year later and after much use now I have some sharpening to do. I can how to remove and rotate the chipper blades -- that's easy. But I can't figure out how to remove the shredder knives so I can rotate them. That's a complete mystery. Now I'm assuming that I don't need to undo the bearing plates and completely remove the rotor/flywheel assembly, but maybe I'm wrong. This would be a good time for a demo on how to maintain those shredder knives!
Wow! If you wore the knives out after 1 year you've done a ton of chipping. I didn't make that video yet but perhaps I should. It's not a big deal to do but you need to be patient and the bolts may be frozen so you need to be patient.
Michael Corden it's a little time consuming to replace the shredder knives I've only ever done it once on my machine. The trick to removing them is to insert a rod into the small hole located to the side outer casing near the discharge opening, line your rod or bar up inside with the supporting bar holding each group of knives. Tap the rod through to release each knife until the bar goes out through the hole on the other side of the machine. I sprayed everything with a good release oil before carrying this out as you may find the bars are well in there. Also make a note of where the knife spacers are located on the supporting rod as you tap them out. Reverse the procedure to put them back in. Hope that helps.
I did it. Before starting I made a diagram of the spacer & knife locations on each rod. Then I flipped the knives one rod at a time. For each rod I used a new nut as recommended by Bear Cat. Done.
Very good Michael, I just reversed my shredder blades too, it's time consuming (pain in the butt) but I got it done. I'm going to order new chipper blades from Baileys .com for only $15 each
Thank you for posting this. Are there chipper shredders that will chip woody branches, chip green stems such as cauliflower and also shred wet and dry leaves? I've a small productive garden which also has fruit trees and I don't have space (or money) for many machines. I collect leaves from the whole street and the park (2,500 Litres) and would need a bigger hopper, take them home in a wheelie bin, bag them until partially-decomposed then transfer them to a mesh cage to decompose fully. It takes a few years but I'd like to cut down the finishing time and transfer the shredded leaves direct to the cage.
Having a chipper this size would be handy for you. You need one if dealing with leaves. I have an old Roto Hoe 5hp. It basically chops piles of leaves down in size down, (maybe 5:1 or more?). It also cuts the compost time way down. Like, instead of a a pile of leaves that sits there for weeks, my shredded leaves are steaming in a few hours if I wet them and add a little compost to the mix. The difference is really amazing. They are handy even if you don't compost - you can fit a massive amount of chopped leaves in a bin compared to moving them whole and loose.
As you've said, the hopper is the bottleneck in the system. You have to tend the hopper on one of these, (I use a thin stick), but not that bad compared to the thousands of dollars a commercial unit costs. Also, even though they are made to chop branches it's not the fastest operation with one of these. It'll chop sticks and branches and pine cones, but it'll slow things down and it makes noise. They will chop leaves and small branches at just above idle. I don't even use hearing protection usually when there's just leaves, I can talk over the engine noise. All the videos show them running at high RPM for dramatic effect or something. I keep mine quiet. Dry leaves work faster than wet leaves. In fact when the leaves are dry and crunchy 3 people can work at a steady pace, one person loading leaves, one tending the hopper, and one moving the chips.
I deal with the leaves from a white oak, red oak, couple apple trees, 5 maples, plus misc. - all full sized. A mountain of leaves compacts down to 2 small piles. (My bins are 2 foot by 15 foot rolled fencing. Makes a circle about 5 foot in diameter.)
Will it shread leaves?
i see you fed only dried leaves and branches can we feed fresh and green leaves. These might probably turn mulchy and soggy and maybe not exit as smooth as dried ?
Thanks a million
Only put dried vines into machine or they will wrap around the impeller.
"Green" branches chip easier over dry ones, any type of vegetation is shreddable, if it is stingy, let it dry. Also a hint do not put material longer that 8-12 inches into shredder chute, will jam up. DO NOT put any thing 1/2 or larger in diameter into shredder chute, will damage the machine.
Yes like the other poster said, dry is best. I have a totally different machine all together but I experienced a situation where the bark from a large branch wrapped around the blade almost like a rope and then sandwiched between the blade/rotor and deck. Man was that a job taking that apart.
also can you tell what is the size of the motor? I think the HF one was 220 cc
Right on brother, well explained👍
Great video with some excellent advice. I like finely shred my leaves and I'm looking into obtaining a chipper/shredder. I'm wondering if you have any experience in shredding wet leaves?
Cheers and thanks for posting.
Are there settings to determine the fineness of the wood chip? Could I put wood chips through it again to make an even finer chip? Would like to use it for compost.
The only way to adjust the size of what comes out is to get a different screen. If you go to the bearcat website they list the screen sizes that are available. The size that comes with the machine gives you fairly finely shredded material that is suitable for composting. A finer screen ( smaller holes) will give you a finer shred but there is more chance of clogging. I tend to put most stuff through the chipper since it results in a finer product for the same size screen. The big thing for the chipper is to keep the blades sharp. I got a spare set of blades and change edges every hour or two. I then sharpen both sets of blades and end up with four sets of edges.
No.
Greener wood is easier to chip than dry, also pine is easier to chip over hardwoods
Good job, what a deal at $200, just wish I would have seen it.
What brand ?
Very good shredder.
I am in Pune ie Maharashtra.India.just want to know Dealers in Maharashtra.
Could you do a video to explain the start up operation please. I actually paid for a brand new machine but had to take back my money when the company selling the machine could not demonstrate how to start up the machine. He actually enganged the drive belt when the engine was in full rpm and a weird sound and smoke appeared.
Thank you.
Some thing was wrong with the belt /mechanism.
Great video. thanks
I can't find the 2nd video
How much should one expect to pay for this, used but in good shape? new? I see a used one for $675. Seems WAY high! Bear Cat Model SC3206.
Hi, which shipper will you recommend form coco palm leaves? , thanks
we are shredder machine manufacturer in China. pls contact me 8615713663150 on whatsapp
Am from india is it avalible in india
As the saying goes, they don't make them like they used to. I once had a 1988-era 8HP Troy-bilt Super Tomahawk chipper shredder, until some scum thieves stole it from my garage. That Troy-bilt was built like a tank. It had heavy 10-gauge steel side walls. Unlike your Bear Cat, the Troy-bilt had no narrowing constriction in the hopper throat. The full throat on the Troy-bilt design was a good thing because it allowed very gnarly branches to be fed into the hopper. It had 2-belt clutch drive for easy starting. It cost $1200 back in 1988. In today's money it would cost $2600.
Thank you for showing the throat constriction at 4:14 in your video. I was under the impression until I saw your video that the Bear Cat had a full unrestricted throat. Now, I'm not sure I want to buy it. DR is another brand that has that tiny throat constriction in the hopper. I'm still looking. Maybe I can find a decent used Troy-bilt Super Tomahawk on Craigs list.
Was hoping for more general intro to chipper/shredders - this seems more like an advertisement for this specific Bear Claw machine.
Can I buy one
Great vid! Very Informative
Hi. Your videos are always really good. I check often to see if there are new ones. I am curious if you have looked at the Harbor Freight Chipper shredders? I was thinking about buying one of those.
+Land Designs Unlimited - LLC no you're right :)
+Land Designs Unlimited LLC Have you heard of PowerTek brush chippers? They are gas driven and are they good chippers like Bandit? I want to get a Powertek brush chipper one day. If they are not good then can you please tell me why?
That is an old old unit.The leafy stuff he shoved into chipper chute should have been put in shredder chute. A good entry level C/S would be a MTD built one (Troy Bilt or Cub Cadet)
MacKissic makes more pro models.
Wear steel toed boots, long pants and shit, leather gloves, eye protection, a Wood cutters helmet with face screen and hearing protection should be required, sh#t comes flying out of the chipper chute. I have one of those washable forest fire bandana face protectors that keeps the dust out of my lungs.
I have 3 C/S a 2 inch Craftsman, a 3 inch Troy Bilt and a 3 inch Cub Cadet.
I use to C/S small branches and pine branches. My machines make a finer mulch than what is shown here, plus I have multiple sets of blades so I swap out and have professional sharpened.
Thank you for this vide. Well done.
good details, subscribed
great information
how can I get that machine
+Land Designs Unlimited LLC am not from around can you help me with a list of dealers then I will get in touch with them and see if I can make a deal with one of them
Stress the hearing and eye protection along with breathing. They will thank you.
wow I have that same model I love it ?had the tirés filled with heavy foam so they are worry free 🙋
For a little chipper she certainly gets the job done. Slowly but surely.
How to contact your office
where can this be purchased? I just returned one from Harbor Freight, it jammed a lot and the clean out area was very inaccessible and also very tight to get hand or tools in there to clean out. Palm fronds wound around the spindle, it was horrible.
thanx
All I could think was..Man I hope that camera doesn't fall into the chipper! lol Great video.
***** Hahaha...I put my camera in harms way a lot, and sometimes I get a funny feeling and will change my mind.
***** The worst one I ever did was on the splitting wood video, I swing the maul pretty hard and the block basically exploded and a chunk of firewood flew and smacked the camera. Like you it was an old $20 camera at that time! Sometimes when I mill lumber and it's windy I worry about fine sawdust getting inside the camera, but so far it's been ok. Without risk there can be no reward! lol
what happen to part 2 I looked all the way back till 4 years ago I may be blind I guess or you did or didn't make or if you did it is gone I guess some 1 stole it ..........lol
wow, can some one share knowledge with me about blade material
It’s very hard
Nice job with this video, thanks.
Thank Mark.
Put that chipper to chip green branches not rotten small pieces of wood.
HM?
I believe 3/4 inch is only 1, 905 cm.
That is not very thick. There are electric shredder that can take up to 4.0 cm.
Another Chipper ! / Shreadder !! From ! WHERE ! BARBIE DOLLS !! COME FROM !!! MATELL !!!
India avibal price
Hummmm... nice mulch ready for bagging...LOL...
Indeed. Good Luck. :)
You got a good deal for $200.
dan burda at shredders online in google search can help get correct blades. you cant sharpen yourself. to many angles involved. had duerr chipper shredder 8hp tecumseh direct drive let someone try to sharpen blade,locked up and tipped over entire machine,had to buy complete hub $450 later 1995 machine
If I resume, this thing can mulch leafs and not much more. A toy.
the blades need to be sharpened occasionally.
Sounds like a lot of hassle. Most people buy a chipper/shredder that's ready for use, not one they have to modify to work as it should. I hope the companies who design these machines are reading this.
How would this handle yard material that has been composting over winter? I am looking for a machine that can take my compost pile (almost fully decomposed) and break down the final bits before I put it on my garden.