Chipper Chute Blower

[brendonv]

The only problem I can say about my Woodsman is it's ability to throw lighter material, dead, etc out of the chute. It's a brush chomping, crotch crushing monster though.

On Vermeer's smaller machine comparable to mine, they route the machines exhaust into the chute. This really helps to throw the material I am speaking about.

I'm considering adding an electric blower into the shoot, similar to how Vermeer routes their exhaust, but I do not want to do that with the exhaust on mine.

I'm picturing a heavier duty version of a stove fan like pictured. Anyone know where to look?

 

[SouthSoundTree]

Seems like the exhaust is a great way to go. If you don't mind me asking, what's your resistance to that? Exhaust has some good pressure. Seem like an add on fan wouldn't add that much.

 

[Husabud]

My guess would be overheating the chips. Brendon, the squirrel cage type fans put out impressive amounts of air.

 

[brendonv]

Basically Vibration concerns between the two. The Vermeer has this issue and you have to regularly replace the coupler from what I understand. Vermeer uses no muffler, not sure not having back pressure on my engine which is different than theirs will hurt anything. A over all PITA factor with the metal work too. A blower would require a hole, light welding, and wired to a keyed power source.

 

[Old Monkey]

I've thought about doing something like this. Every now and again on dry stuff I use my backpack blower to help blow everything through the chipper. It even cleans out the trap. A blower on the chute would be interesting. I wonder if Ed has ever seen such an animal?

 

[MasterBlaster]

There's no such thing as too much blowing capacity.

 

[PCTREE]

B I have been toying with putting one on my chipper for years. Always thought about putting a big fan on the end of the pto shaft.

 

[emr]

Is there any way to mod a blower from a chuck and duck to yours? I have no idea how those work but I would love one on our Chipmore. Ours wouldn't even fill our truck half way so I know your gripe Brendon.

 

[Husabud]

I don't have much trouble with stuff getting through, just dust. My 200 xp does just fine just real dusty. I thought about adding a misting system to control the dust just don't want to add too much weight. I think if it was on the truck side, like a mist curtain, I might be ok. As it is I have to replace my sacrificial 1/2" ply three times a year on the front of my chip box.

 

[brendonv]

Bud, the disc chippers really throw chips amazingly. I hear chip discharge is a problem on a lot of drum chippers. It throws live stuff great, it'll struggle on dead trees, cedar, etc.

 

[Peter]

Sure ed has retrofitted blowers to chippers, I seem to remember having a conversation with him about it.

My tiny chipper routes the exhaust through the chute, Greenmech have always done it. It still has a muffler though.

 

[Husabud]

Gotcha Brendon. I haven't used a drum so I didn't realize that. Does any body deal with the dust issue?

 

[Thor's Hammer]

I've fitted industrial blowers to drum chippers before. The best way is to take a belt drive from the drum to gear up the blower. If you want to go expensive, you can use a hydraulic drive paddle blower above the drum. The absolute simplest way for Brendon is to route the exhaust into the discharge an angle to create a suction / blow effect. Use a flexible pipe coupling between the exhaust and the drum. The differing vibration frequencies will cause it to break eventually, but you should get it to last 4 -5 years between replacements.

 

[brendonv]

How intense do you think I can get with re-routing the exhaust? The muffler outlet is on the front side of the chipper, it'd have some crazy bends. I can easily run it off the turbo, though it wouldn't have a muffler...

I can't do a belt drive as there is no room between the blocks and side of the housing to install a pulley.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Not worth a belt drive blower on your machine. Can you post a picture of the engine and muffler?

 

[brendonv]

I can get a better one.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Cant really see much from that angle Ben. Is there a removable engine cover at the back?

 

[PCTREE]

yup loose the muffler and put a piece of flex pipe straight on the turbo, the discharge chute will quiet it down enough. Only downside is your chute will not last as long I would expect due to being hot/warm.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Actually Paul, I think the chute will last longer, as the exhaust will stop wet chip sticking in the chute and causing corrosion. As you say, take the gas stream straight from the turbo outlet and into the discharge, about a foot down from the rotation ring.

 

[brendonv]

Should the outlet welded to the chute housing be angled towards the discharge or straight in?

It has removable back panel, pretty easy to do but I am just worried about losing the muffler.

 

[brendonv]

Ill get another pic tomorrow too, Thor. My chippers on a job site.

 

[PCTREE]

I would say angle the inlet up ,pointing towards the discharge chute as much as possible to get everything headed in the right direction. I often wondered if a screen should be put over this in case the chute does get blocked up to stop chips going down the pipe?? If I ever get the time and motivation to restore my "Franken-Chipper" I really want to make this mod along with a bottom feed wheel or ideally a conveyor. Plenty of more pressing projects though.....

 

[Burnham]

Seems like a screen of fine enough mesh to stop anything from dropping back down the exhaust would restrict flow too much.

 

[Peter]

No screen on mine.

Pipe enters at about 30 degrees from horizontal, pointing up. No flexi linkage.

 

[brendonv]

Thanks so much for that pic!