Echo Bear Cat SC3206 Chipper Shredder 3" - 206cc Briggs Single Belt Engine

This is my 3rd Bear Cat 70050 series chipper/shredder. My first was purchased in 1996 after I realized that after two years of spending up to two weeks a year burning tree and shrub prunings from my property. The second companion was purchased in 2005 as a backup. Even though it is if fairly easy to change output screens, I found it simpler for me to go have a separate unit for primarily wet debris. Both of these were burned up in our wildfires in 2017. The only complaint I've had was the chips were not directed further away from the output chute and had to shovel away.
For the replacements for the burned units, I purchased from other makers, which was a mistake. After less than two seasons using them, I had to spend more time on maintenance on them; rather than actual work. Problems ranged from the difficulty of changing chipper knives, stripped undersized bolts, worn-out bearing causing metal fatigue and stress fractures in the main rotor housing units. Salvaged parts from the worst unit, the rest was sawed up and hauled off to the metal recycling plant.
So with over 20 years of fairly trouble-free operation with Echo Bear Cat units, it was the simplest decision to go back to what has proved to be the most dependable. I had the new unit out of the shipment container, assembled and tested in less than two hours. So far, in less than a week, I have produced about four cubic yards of quality mulch from pine branches for my friend's RV parking area.

Model SC 3306E. If you can feed it, it will chip it / shred it without blinking. The problem is feeding. The chipper side with 3" throat is great for fairly straight un-branched limbs - even thicker 2"+ stuff I would usually burn in the fireplace. For crooked branches or shrubby material, you have to trim a lot before feeding into the chipper or push a lot to feed it in the chipper. For safety, the design of the top feed path for the shredder is angled and has rubber flaps. This makes it very difficult to feed brushy /branched material as these hang up on the rubber flaps or bind in the angle and throat of the feed shoot. You have to mash up the brush and push it in with your hand or heavy push stick thus defeating the safety. But once the shredder flails grab the brush, it will usually pull it in - and quicker than you can say wham-bang, it is shredded and out. Originally I purchased to help with end of season cleanup of commercial flower gardens. I found that most of the flowers stalks/leaves were too "fleshy" and the shredder would clog up even using the large slotted course wet debris discharge screen. If the unit had a straight top feed for the shredder it would work a lot better. Another nice feature would be pinch rollers with a hand crank to help "mash down" the shrubby branches and feed into the chipper or shredder. Weight - the unit is really heavy. I recommend the purchase of either one of the towing packages. Got the electric starter - didn't need it. It starts easily with the manual pull rope. Was a little pricey through the local dealers.

I'm a reseller, and my clients buy this item regularly it a very good quality product

"It's made in Fargo, ND...you KNOW it will work!". (you would have had to see the Coen Brother's movie to understand)
First, I will say that it is underpowered. IF I could have afforded the +300cc I would have gotten the Subaru engine model.
Strange way to power up as you have to SLOWLY pull up on the pulley lever to engage the flywheel/hammer/blade. I thought this was rather primitive.
The wheels! OMG it took me over an hour to get a wheel on the axle! The nut is welded to a square tube. It should have come with cutting oil to get it threaded on as it was like tapping a thread. I was also careful not to compress the bearings (too snug). I don't think the wheels had grease and the fittings were loose on one wheel. That was the biggest headache with the chipper. Seriously, I didn't want to use an impact gun, and only had a 1/2 breaker bar with large socket. Used a workbench vise to hold the square tube. Assembly require. Should also require patience and gorilla arms.
The unit was dented (minor, at top chute where handle attached) but I was not going to call this in. I waited two weeks for it to arrive. UPS Freight...sat on it and never called. I had to call SLE who then told me to call UPS and arrange pickup. SLE was great, but UPS never contacted me to arrange time.
Back to the assembly: you have to put the axle on and you better have some help. And the amount of carriage bolts for the chute was unnerving...do NOT drop any into the chute! (I didn't but I can see it happen).
Operation: I made sure there was oil in the motor/housing. I put two cans of TruFuel in (just say no to Ethanol!) and it started up. Then after RTFM, I engaged the lever SLOWLY and was good to chip! I can't see this able to chip 3" limbs. 1-1/2" sure but bigger and the motor stalls. You should prune off as much of the limbs too. I was able to put leaves in the top but careful to use a branch to help it feed. About feeding, it will pull that branch in like a pro chipper. Do not be careless, be careful. Wear safety eyewear (it will kick back and out, no kidding). Wear gloves. Wear hearing protection. (it comes with eye wear and disposable ear plugs). It is a dangerous machine and you need to be mindful...do not try to unjamb or force anything.
The good news is IT made a pile of shreddings in no time.
I recommend the bag (should have gotten it) or some tarp to pull mulching/chips around. The unit is not the easiest to maneuver around.
I gave 3 stars because of the assembly issue with the wheels. My neighbors will think I am nuts when I ask for their branches...

Chipper shrewder Sc3206. Bought 2 years ago ......starts easy, runs great, can pull it around the yard with small tractor or by hand, the price was right.