Vermeer BC600XL Blade Sharpening

Just another day, I decided we have to sharpen the two blades on the Vermeer chipper. It is not doing a good job with dull blades. I noticed the last half dozen time we were using it the time to chip a small branch is taking much longer.

[@richardschaffling9882]

That is nice you can open it up like that I have a promark 210 and it takes two people to take the knifes off

[@JourneymanRandy]

Many small maintenance jobs I do alone. That must be a pain to work on. Is there a way to modify it to make it easier to work on? Thanks for commenting and watching. Take care Richard

[@richardschaffling9882]

@@JourneymanRandy nope the way it is built is they have a access plate on both sides you take off and the blades just fit through so somebody needs to hold the Allen wrench and the other person needs to take the nuts off

[@JourneymanRandy]

As long as it chips wood well. It sure is nice to have a chipper. Take care Richard

[@d.gentry3086]

Hard to believe just 2 blades does that much work

[@JourneymanRandy]

I was surprised when I first realized only two small blades. My old chipper had three much larger.

[@AlfA01]

I have an Italian made chipper with the flywheel setup and similar blades to these in the video. My chipper won't pull limbs in. You basically have to sit and force them into the chipper, which isn't that fun. I've changed the spacers, sharpened the blades and still can't get it to pull the limbs in for chipping. It's driving me crazy! Any advice?

[@JourneymanRandy]

I would keep trying different blade positions. Our first chipper had no power feed. If the blades were not set correctly it didn't pull in the branches very well. Also they need to be very sharp and balanced. I use a fish scale to weigh them. Good luck Dan and thanks for watching and commenting.

[@justtinkering6054]

Do you ever change the bolts that hold the blade? I saw one video, where the guy was changing blades on a drum chipper. His blades were the kind with two edges. The kind you can flip. He didn't sharpen his blades. After he flipped them one time, he threw them away. He said to change the bolts when you change the blades. He said the bolts stretch and come loose. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@JourneymanRandy]

I have own a chipper for 22 years. I always reused the bolts. I will read the Vermeer manual. You have me thinking I should. I can see the high horsepower chippers would need new bolts. My two chippers are around 30 horsepower. I sharpen my blades often. It's easy to do and runs way better. Thanks for watching, great comment.

[@577buttfan]

I would love too find one of these used,great little chippers!

[@ronnieowen1239]

pro trick : you can watch series on Flixzone. Been using them for watching lots of of movies these days.

[@finleymaxwell2250]

@Ronnie Owen Yup, have been watching on Flixzone} for since november myself =)

[@JourneymanRandy]

Thanks

[@JourneymanRandy]

Thanks

[@jimmydickson8854]

Go and have a beer now mate ,old jimmy WA

[@JourneymanRandy]

Thanks Jimmy. I will

[@tumblevveed3586]

I’m looking at buying one of these units to expand my side business and was wondering what are some common issues you have seen with that BC600 chipper? Any issues with the auto feed system or chipper drive components? On a side question since some folks on here probably know their chain saw brands very well, dad had an old yellow and black gas chainsaw, probably 14”-16” from either the 70s or the 80s and was the smallest saw they had. It had no markings on it that o can remember (probably worn off) and I have no idea of the brand. Used it for years and while it was a bit small for large tree trunks, it worked great for everything else. Was the only saw we had that never gave any issues. When I was little, it would start very easy and I would almost clear a forest with it while they were all working on the big saws on the tailgate. Now years later after moving and other things, it’s gone. Any ideas of what it might have been?

[@JourneymanRandy]

The auto feed quit and its $600. I think it's worth replacing but we don't use it every day. It's only needed when chipping three or four inch diameter long pieces. The new model is a seven inch. This one only chips about 4 to 5 inches. I wish it was bigger. All y shaped pieces have to be cut or they dont go through. Yellow and black? Could be a Pioneer or a McColluch. Enter vintage Pioneer etc. in a google search then click image and you might see your model. I find things often using that. It's probably a pro saw. They run ten times longer. Stay away from home use. Semipro is ok if you use it one or two days a week. Thanks for watching and commenting. Let me know how the chipper works out.

[@tumblevveed3586]

@@JourneymanRandy Wow, that was a quick replay. The autofeed was my main concern on failing which is exactly what you said failed. But for around 2,000 hours, if that’s the only major issue, I can live with that. If it can chip 4-5” , that should be plenty for what I need as at the moment I just want to get something to start off with and if it goes well, ill work up from there. The limbs just take up way too much trailer space so making them smaller quickly will save a lot of time and trips. Also, your correct. It was the McCulloch brand. I think it was a Mini Mac 35 after looking up all the photos of their models. Just you talking about the Stihl chainsaw in your video for some random reason made me think of it. Thank you and have a great day.

[@Steve-Johnston]

My wheel keeps getting jammed. Any ideas why?? Full blades?

[@JourneymanRandy]

Keep your blades sharp. I always found chipping dead trees hard with no sap in the wood. Also six inch is big for this chipper. It's more like a four to five inch. Thanks for watching and commenting. Let me know if this helps.

[@DanielJohnson-ly1zr]

Hey Randy, great info. I just purchased a 2013 BC600 from a local rental company and am just getting to know the machine. You mentioned the required tools you keep in the cabinet and that one is 15/16". What size are the rest? The allen wrench? Have you done a video on changing the belt too? Thanks.

[@JourneymanRandy]

Unfortunately I can't remember. I always keep a blown plastic case of 1/4" and 3/8" socket set in my truck. It will pay for itself in no time. Also vicegrips hammer multi tip screwdriver etc. Never leave home without it. Thanks for stopping by Daniel.

[@DanielJohnson-ly1zr]

@@JourneymanRandy After I asked this question, I went out back and tore into the machine. Being a rental machine, it looks like the mechanics at the shop used whatever they had to keep it together, so there are a lot of nuts and bolts that don't look like original OEM. Anyway, I leaned the chute over and inspected the blades and took off the front cowling to see the belt. Like you said, it looks really simple to maintain. By the way, what oil do you suggest for the 27 hp Kohler with about 1,000 hours?

[@JD-ui7rs]

No torque wrench on chipper bolts. I believe my chipper calls for 300 ft-lbs. No way you are getting close with a wrench. missed the sharpening step.

[@JourneymanRandy]

Never needed one. I just video what I'm doing. Noisy sharpening isn't very interesting. Thanks for watching.

[@ManonLesperance]

Changer courroie 8:42

[@JourneymanRandy]

I have never had to change the belt on this chipper. I think there is a spare belt in the tool compartment. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@rontrulycanadian995]

stihl = junk

[@JourneymanRandy]

I wouldn't say that. When I started in the industry we had Echo saws then Jonsered and eventually Husqvarna all pro equipment. I was happy with most of them. Now our area has been taken over by Stilh. Other brands are hard to get parts for or the saw I want isn't in stock. Stilh is more organized and easier to keep running. I tried to stay away but I only punish myself if I do. I only buy pro saws and equipment. Home use are junk with all brands in my experience. Semipro is ok for par time use but if you go fulltime you should buy pro only. More expensive but they are made to last.

[@rontrulycanadian995]

@@facelesspsycho8252 The old saws were great....The new ones are JUNK.....I have a farmboss ms271 that I can't give away never mind use....JUNK