So get this.....I rented a pretty big chipper from the local rental place this weekend. One neighbor approached me and said he wanted to share the cost and would need it for about three hours. I figured that would be cool and save me $75. So I agreed to it, then another neighbor says he wants in. That would drop the price to $50....good deal. I went to the first neighbor's house and decided to bring it over with the XP on a 2" ball to move it around their tight driveway situation. I got it there and he had multiple piles all over the place. I decided to park the two and leave the XP hooked up......I would drop by to move it now and again, which I made clear to him. I moved it a couple times and finally parked it near his last and biggest pile. Then I went into town for a few minutes to pick up my wife's b-day gift. I get back and he's moved this chipper up a hill and down the road 2/10 of a mile to other neighbor's house on his own accord......WITH THE BRAKES LOCKED in 4x4! I couldn't believe it. I was so ****ed when I saw it at the other neighbor's house. I guess he was just trying to help, but I told him I would move the machine. So I get home and can hear the chipper off in the distance for a couple of hours. Then I hear it slow down and go to idle. I figure he's just about done and I start walking over. I then hear the XP moaning as this guy is trying to pull this chipper up over a steep hill with one wheel buried in the mud. He's got it up on his paved drive spinning all four WITH THE BRAKES LOCKED in 4x4! I couldn't believe it. I specifically told him I would move the machine. I ripped into the guy in front of his shocked wife and told him "I specifically told you NOT to move the machine" He just said "Yes, I'm sorry." I made more of a stink because the chipper was now stuck (forward and back) and the pressure on the rear hitch was huge. We had to use a large 2x6 and pry it out under full load. Finally we got it free.............So with all that there was no smoke or burned belt and the brakes look fine. Who knows how much damage they really did, or how many miles collectively these two took off the XP's brakes and belt, but I gotta say it took this abuse better than I would have thought! Figured it would smell like melting rubber and brake, but did not. After I calmed down, I was pleasantly surprised and amazed it just sat there and spun all four on dry pavement.

 

don't those new xp's come with a removable key
:>(

 

I didn't want to take the key just in case the guy got into trouble and needed to quickly move the chipper. What kind of trouble? I don't know......Just figured it was wrong to take off with the key with such a nasty piece of equipment attached to it. There was a lot of people and kids in the area. I was REALLY wanting to take the key though...I needed to use my truck too. Oh well.

 

I don't blame you, I would be flaming too. You would think you could trust your neighbor. The guy must not know how to operate a quad if he didn't feel the effects of the brakes.

 

I felt bad later for yelling at him, but damn. How many times should I have to say it. If somebody told me not to move their machine, I wouldn't move it. Part of the problem for them (I think) is that the weight of the chipper may have disguised the drag of the brakes? As if they thought the chipper was heavier and harder to pull than it was? -Never again though.

 

I get the same kind of thing when I hire people to run my mowers. They have no idea that the brake is on cause they have no expirience running hydros. What I can't forgive though, when these guys think the blades are going when the mower is running and the drive around for an hour not cutting a blade of grass and think they are done with the lawn when all they did was leave tracks in it. GRRRRR.

 

i hope he used low range when he was moving it and when he had it stuck or could have taken some life out of the belt. i know when i rented a big chipper as you, it was a big load on the wheeler as being as heavy as it was.

 

I pulled an industrial sized chipper up a wet grassy hill that my GMC with rear locker could not. This was with a 500cc in low range. It is amazing what they can do. I wouldn't recommend doing for too long though. And I don't think I would leave the key unless the others were schooled on how my particular quad works.

 

NO WAY!! would i leave the key in it, u were kind enough to tow the chipper over their, moving it is his problem.

 

I would say that next time they can rent the chipper themselfs. That way when they knock the teeth off of it it will be on their credit card and can use their own vehicle to move it.