BESTCO VLWCX 5" Chipper

[KTuk4J]

Been putting the BESTCO VLWCX 5" chipper to hard work for over a week now and it's a beast, sucks in and spits out what it's advertised to do. One of the heaviest flywheels you can get for the size at 115lbs, most others are 90lb. The bearings are massive, and everything appears heavy duty and high quality.

I'm now interested in their 9' dig self contained tractor backhoe, FH-BH9 for about $3000- $4000 less than having a BH77 installed

 

[fog107]

thanks for the review
ive been considering the same chipper

 

[KTuk4J]

Ok, using the heck out of it with a massive clean up after the worst Ice storm in history....

It chews up to 5" and spits out chips like it's hungry for more, loves the big stuff and has hundreds of hours of use for it ahead. The 2650 is racking up the hours but saving my butt.

I can use all the chips it makes as well for trails and driving paths.

 

[Raymo853]

What convinced you, like me, to get the premium VL-WCX5, versus the standard, FH-WCX52? I chatted up one of their reps asking for the differences. They responded with what seemed like scripted marketing copy about how it were just higher quality components and parts without specifics on what parts. The only obvious thing I saw was the paint color. Well that and the increased number of stickers on our version.

 

[KTuk4J]

What convinced you, like me, to get the premium VL-WCX5, versus the standard, FH-WCX52? I chatted up one of their reps asking for the differences. They responded with what seemed like scripted marketing copy about how it were just higher quality components and parts without specifics on what parts. The only obvious thing I saw was the paint color. Well that and the increased number of stickers on our version.

Ditto.....

And I actually missed that the FH had a 10lb heavier flywheel.

 

[marrmanu]

I have the Betstco Bx42 which works just fine for me. One issue is the mounting bolts on the flywheel shaft were a little lose on arrival and I try to check them before each use because they seem to loosen up a bit.

 

[Raymo853]

I see one more difference based on the photo. Our more expensive version does not come with the built in stand. The cheaper one does. That makes me sad, without one I cannot put mine down the whole way without risking bending the PTO shaft.

I may try to make one out of the shipping cage.

 

[Raymo853]

I found the best two ways to jam our chipper. To jam the output, put in green pine tree branches with lots of needles. To jam the input, put in small logs with medium side branches.

 

[KTuk4J]

I see one more difference based on the photo. Our more expensive version does not come with the built in stand. The cheaper one does. That makes me sad, without one I cannot put mine down the whole way without risking bending the PTO shaft.

I may try to make one out of the shipping cage.

View attachment 58142

The drive shaft should have enough angle without hurting the PTO.
The biggest problem is the 3 point won't drop low enough to mount /dismount so I use pallets to put it on.