Are Timberwolf chippers really that good ??

[combined tree services]

Hiya chaps , the reason for this post is that i have been looking into getting another chipper to two behind the ranger or transit(if i buy another one) . I used to run a timberwolf TW190 and found it to be a great chipper and appart from needing to change the flywheel bearings at 600 hours, i put this down to being un lucky and that was that , i then sold the chipper to buy a mog and ever since i have been questioning whether it was a good idea as i quite missed it . Any way over the last couple months or so i have heard from several other TW190 owners that they have had the same problem with the bearings as i did , the most recent that i heard of was this week was a tw190 that has only done 350 hours and needed its bearings replacing . So i thought i would ask you guys and see what your thoughts are ?? sure;y it is not acceptable that a machine worth nearly20k should require such works after so few hours . I should point out that this is not an oppertunity to slait Timberwolf but it is hopefully an oppertunity to gain some knowlege and possibly some info from Timberwolf .

[armchairarborist]

after trying out loads of different machines im still glad i bought my tw190..

[combined tree services]

you aint had it long have you ? i remember you posting that you had just got it . Much like you i love using mine and did not regret getting it BUT what does get me it that i should not have had to have the flywheel bearings changed after only 600 hours , we looked after the machine like a baby , and like i said in my first post i have now heard of one company having to change the bearings after 350 hours

[Rupe]

600 hours is only 25 days constant running. Any bearings should last longer than that!!

 

I've not kept a timberwolf (I have the TW150) long enough to change the main bearings, the last one got traded in after four years with about 850hrs on it, but I would not be happy with a chaangign them within that time.

 

If you needed a bearing change in the first 12 months would that be covered by warranty?

[Tree Man Tom]

Bearings on timberwolfs are there down fall. But just look how many tree teams are running timberwolfs, surley that says something.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

This bearing issue is appaling!

 

I had a small diesel twin roller timberwold a 125/d or something like that, they no longer make them but it was IMO the best one they ever made, one man could push it about the place, i think it only wieghed 540kg or 640kg.

 

They now only do a similar with a pertol engine and one roller:thumbdown:

 

The day they re make the old rugerini engined diesel powered twin rollerd one is the day i go back to wolf and get geared up again!

[Ian C]

I got told by a t/w dealer anything between 250 and 500 hrs for the bearings! my Greenmech has 800hrs on now not a sniff of trouble.

[skyhuck]

The 150 was the same fly wheel housing as their first Entec machines, so although those small sealed (ungreasable) bearings were a mistake it was not possible to solve the problem without redesigning the whole machine.

 

If they have made a similar mistake with the 190, which a totally different design, thats a real shame and very much a missed opportunity too get rid of their reputation for poor bearings.

[combined tree services]

it really is unacceptable your right . as for how many tree teams use timberwolf chippers i can only assume that it is because they are either the cheepest on the market or because people really are like sheep lmao ,

[Mesterh]

I think because they weigh under the magic 750kg also helps the sales.

 

If I had one I would seriously look at getting an upgraded greasable bearing in there, cant be rocket science to get one fitted/made up.