Small chipper suggestions

[jamesw]

there is a jo beau on ebay at the moment for £2300 BIN:001_cool:

[dillsue]

Just a quick word of caution on small gravity fed chippers. The HSE and the EU machinery directive require the lower level of the infeed hopper to be a minimum 1400mm above ground level. Very few of the gravity fed chippers around seem to get anywhere near this height. Just be careful if you are letting someone else use your chipper for work and the hopper is less than this height!!!

[PeteB]

Oddly enough, the JoBeau, GreenMech CS100 and its for runner the GMR100 had all been put to the HSE for their approval. If they didn't comply, why would they still be on the market?

[dillsue]

Oddly enough, the JoBeau, GreenMech CS100 and its for runner the GMR100 had all been put to the HSE for their approval. If they didn't comply, why would they still be on the market?

 

I dont know about the HSE giving specific machine approvals but I do know that this document exists on the HSE web site.

 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/sectors/ag_food/1_02_07.pdf

 

If you look at the Timberwolf TW13/75 you'll see that its chute height is really high and awkward to load. Maybe they designed it like this to comply with legislation? I cant think of any other reason why they would make it so awkward to use.

 

In the meantime I'm on with extending the chute on my machine so others can use it and I can sleep easy.

[PeteB]

Thanks for that, very informative. I'll pass it on. I do believe, however, that the JoBeau and the GreenMech do comply as they come under a "reach distance" regulation which is stronger than the "height" regs. Do you agree?

[Andy Collins]

As many know, I am not short, am long in the arm and have a Jo-beau, there is no way I can reach down and touch anywhere near the blades.

[Stephen Blair]

i am not as tall as big andy but tall enough, there is no way i can get near the blades, i have tried when its not running, i can just touch the rubber curtain and no more and it is over a foot away from the blades..and i use a brush for pushing stuff in, it is perfect for the job as it is approx 2 inches wider than the chute so it doesnt hit the blades.

[dillsue]

Guys. If you check the HSE document linked to above you'll see it refers to an EU standard which needs to be complied with for machinery to meet with the EU machinery directive and be CE marked. If a machine doesnt comply with the machinery directive it cannot legally be sold in the EU. I dont beleive that there are any regulations that are "stronger" than EU legislation. The machinery directive is one of a number of what are called Essential Health and Safety Requirements(EHSR's) that everything sold in the EU must comply with. Older machines that predate CE marking may be exempt from compliance BUT still need to comply with PUWER. Meeting the current EHSR's should keep you safe on the PUWER front.

 

Some of you are suggesting that you cant get near the blades on machines with lower chute heights. This may be true but nor could the guys who have been dragged into power feed chippers until they fall or are dragged in! I think the idea of the 1400mm minimum height is so that it is virtually impossible for anyone to lean over, loose balance and fall into the hopper at which point their arms would definitely reach the blades.

[PeteB]

I will make suitable enquiries as to what is what as this is turning into a case of "You say,I say".

 

All I know is that JoBeau and GreenMech had all the rules and regs before them before we each made them. The HSE have been involved with GreenMech when we first bought in the GMR100 and there was a design change to satisfy all bodies before we sold the first one.

 

Dillsue, I would appreciate knowing who you are and your role in life as you appear to be quite knowledgable. Are we to be party to that information?

[jamesw]

JO BEAU WOODCHIPPER M300 WITH 13HP HONDA ENGINE on eBay (end time 08-Dec-09 18:00:42 GMT)

 

still there