| Overall: |
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5
out of 5
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| Durability: |
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4
out of 5
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| Performance: |
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5
out of 5
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| Ease of Use: |
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5
out of 5
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| Ease of Starting: |
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5
out of 5
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FEATURED REVIEW
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Model 420 w/ 2-way feed
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Date: July 5, 2008
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"First of all, the packaging was superior. The chipper was contained in very thick and sturdy double-lined cardboard on a wooden base, and I rolled it right out to the ground once all this packaging was cut away. Once I prep'd the engine, filled the tank, and checked to see that the feed chute and hopper were cleared, I followed the starts instructions....which Troy-Bilt has conveniently stickered to the hopper so you don't have to reference the manual at each start. This is a high torque engine, so you have to pull slow and steady....it doesn't take fast hard pulls like a gas mower. It started on the second pull....not bad for a machine that had just come out of a container. I let it idle a couple of minutes, then began to feed through some pine and elm limbs that were at 3 inches (yes, I measured). I had no problem! The pine limbs had to be turned more often....but even the knots were chewed up just fine. I love the hopper....I simply dropped twigs and pine cones into it. The hopper worked fine for an arm full of small twigs aroung 1/2 inch and smaller. I only bogged it down a couple of times with wet wood....and all I had to do was pull back on the branches that I was feeding through.
The chipper is made well and the 305CC Briggs and Stratton engine runs great. The only thing that I'm disappointed with is the lack of a fill tube for the oil and a dip stick. The engine has two holes near the bottom, on both sides, with yellow plugs, but oil will run out if you fill through these. There is also a hole on top of the engine with a flat slotted plug. I put oil in using this hole, but it was hard to get to....and I had to use a funnel with an extended spout. It would be easier to fill with oil, and check the level of it, if there were an oil fill tube mounted to the engine.
Still, the model 420 chipper is built very well. I like that it has pneumatic wheels, a handle to move it with, and a tow bar so you can pull it with a rider mower. I like the high capacity bag, though I have been blowing the chips down one of my hills. Overall, I give the chipper 5 stars."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Overall: |
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5
out of 5
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| Durability: |
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5
out of 5
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| Performance: |
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5
out of 5
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| Ease of Use: |
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5
out of 5
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| Ease of Starting: |
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5
out of 5
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FEATURED REVIEW
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worth every penny
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Date: June 17, 2008
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"I had a Maple tree fall the other day. Having worked with troy bilt chippers before I researched craigs list to see if I could get a good deal. Then decided to buy new. The one I have used in the past was a tomahawk. It seemed to work well but the debris has to get forced through and the screen clogs easy. I bought this one without a demonstration. Starting it up was as easy as filling with oil and gas. Turn the choke, switch to high speed, and pulled the cord 1 time fired right up. 1 thing to remember when using this machine and any chipper wear hearing protection, and safety gogles. I clogged up the machine but it was my fault, you have to feed the machine a little at a time and the engine sucks the branches and leaves right through. The mulch it makes is awesome, perfect to keep weeds down in the flower beds. I like this unit better than the tomahawk because it does not have a belt and clutch. One thing to remember do not shut it down with debris inside it, you will have to clear everything before starting back up. Overall a wonderful machine. I do not know why I didn't buy one sooner."
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| Overall: |
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1
out of 5
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| Durability: |
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1
out of 5
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| Performance: |
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3
out of 5
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| Ease of Use: |
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3
out of 5
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| Ease of Starting: |
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3
out of 5
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Worst purchase ever
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Date: August 19, 2009
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"I am the unfortunate owner of this machine. I bought it new 3 years ago. I have have had approximately 20hours of total use. It has been meticulously maintained. The first time I tried to use it this year, I drained the oil and refilled with new engine oil. Because it had stood for the winter, I first turned the engine over several times before filling the fuel tank with fresh gasoline. The chipper started easily, ran for 2 minutes and then BLEW A CHUNK OF ALUMINUM out of the side of the ENGINE! It at least needs a NEW ENGINE - after 20 hours of use!!!!!!"
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