Final Review: Harbor Freight Predator Chipper
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- Опубліковано 22 чер 2020
- After many hours and many acres of chipping, this is my final review of the Harbor Freight Predator Chipper Shredder. So far, it's been a great machine, but it is not without some issues.
Overall, I would recommend it and I am happy with my purchase!
www.howlingfarms.com
Fantastic review. Thanks so much for all of that insight!!
Thanks for a thoughtful review. It's hard to get accurate reviews, so thank you.
Thank you. Was just looking at them , thinking this is the way to go!
I've had mine 5 years and it gets a workout with hundreds of thick crepe myrtle branches every year. I still can't figure out how to fix the bag to stay on the outlet chute, at least they could have a 4 point bolt extension to grasp the bag. All the top bolts on the muffler have shaken loose and disappeared and I can't find a replacement that fits and I have 40 years of saved nuts and bolts. If you chip wet branches with leaves, they can fill the unit and stall it. If you cannot pull the rope, don't go crazy and break it. Remove the plug so the engine will rotate, get your hands into the outlet chute and turn it backwards until it moved freely. You will then see pounds of solid wet debris in the back small access panel as you rotate the cutter, it gets thrown to the top of the chamber jamming the cutter and you can't see it from the small access opening until you rotate the cutter. I turn the gas flow off and run the unit dry while spraying WD40 in the in top inlet for storage. Why the gas cap to the rear and the goofy discharge? Yes, that damn bag stitching, what the hell, this is tough work, they should replace every one sold. It has been reliable and taken large branches without stalling. I like the gentle but real pull when feeding branches that does not scare you like it will pull your arm in. Just imagine designing a workhorse like this, I'm an engineer and it is pretty damn good.
Use a fishermen's bag knot on the bag and throw away that clip
You can run stuff through the chipper shredder twice to get it finer, or more than twice.
Important to see these issues you highlighted. Did you happen to make Harbor Freight aware of the issues you found?
Im debating between this, the champion, and powerhorse from northern tool
Had mine for two years. Broke a shaft the first year. Replaced it and worked fine. Until the chipper wheel key broke and ruined the shaft. Lots of larger branches get put into it and it handles them fine up to about 2". 3" is a stretch. Checked out other brands that claim 3" capability. Seems they all use the same 212 cc motor which would mean I would have had the same problem. The muffler rusted out, but they are cheap (left it out in the rain uncovered) If you are good with tools, this one does a decent job. My blades still cut clean and the motor starts and runs great. That is probably why they use the for mini bikes and go carts. The stress of chipping seems to be a bit rough on these things.
Watched a video review from 7 years ago said the blades did not come sharp. He said after sharpening the blades it work a lot better, Guess they started sharpening the blades now.
Anyone know where to buy a replacement rotor assembly?
Great review. I purchased one and really like it. Have you had sharpened the blades yet?
Turn your bag inside out. Then sew it all the way around, but afterwards keep it inside out when you’re using it. The stitching won’t get snagged.
Good review. Did you ever put green blackberry bushes through it?
If you can fabricate you can make it a tow behing for a lawn tractor using 2x2" angle iron and figure out how to bolt it on also take the stand on the motor side off. Id figure a way to hitch pin the tow bras to it so you can remove them to store it.
I also think a home made canvas bag would be better. Like lawn mowers use.
In the process of fabricating a bracket with removable arm to allow me to tow this guy around. Hopefully will get it done soon. Sourcing the material has been delayed.
Have you shredded any leaves through it? How did it work?
Great review! Something else that this is good for is making cracked corn for livestock.
I expect I'll probably choose the Harbor Freight one, and get the 2 year warranty/replacement deal.
I saw a demo of this here on UA-cam but when they were done they had a pile of twigs mixed with some chips, kind of turned me off on it. I want chips not twigs. Were they doing something wrong?
Just sharpen the,blades!
Wheres it made?
Can you mulch leaves through the top?
Yeah
What about tree limbs size? Thanks for your video.
We were getting good size limbs in there. Most of the stuff over 3 inches we use for firewood. I would also say that the greener (fresher) the branches, the more difficult it was to get thicker things in there. If it's dead and seasoned wood it chipped up quickly.
I will be flipping the leaf chute so it won't obstruct the gas tank ;-). Also, sharpen those blades! It will pull those branches right out of your hand!
Whats the motors horse power?
6.5hp
@@HowlingFarms
It works but you really need 8 to 10hp i watced one of a guy in Colorado when he put any size stick in it it stalled out, high altitudes have a power robbing effect on engines. You should search youtube and watch it.
Transmission fill funnel. Problem solved.
Clogs up of sticks are too live. Now figuring how to sharpen the blades.
It's fairly easy!
Never had a problem putting gas in it. WTF?
why dont you get to work with the machine little girl??? probably got the softest hands
Gay
Hypercritical babble on petty issues!!!
Bought this shredder - what a piece of junk. First time - didn't work. Exchanged it - missing parts. Exchanged it again - faulty operation. Went to return it, they wanted a $30% restocking fee that no one told me about. Manager hung phone up and told me I as dishonest and refused to give me her boss' number. I will NEVER buy anything from Harbor Freight again - cheap tools that break and aren't worth saving $10. By the way - bought both shreders they offer - the small one is weaker than a paper shredder the bigger one is unsafe and very hard to operate - especially since they don't tell you you have to hire a professional mechanic to install the high altitude kit. This company is very dishonest.
You cant say they are junk just because you had a bad apple. I have had mine for 7 years and use it weekly on our property (23 acres). They are great units for the price.