|
Frequently
Asked Questions |
| Please check below to locate an
answer to your questions. Have one that isn't covered? If you
have an inquiry that isn't covered below, don't be afraid to ask!
Write us an e-mail at
info@mackissic.com or call 800-348-1117
to speak to a service technician. |
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|
GENERAL |
| How can I
locate a local MacKissic dealer? |
MacKissic is committed to
selling our products through a two-step distribution system. Our
distributors set up local dealers so that our customers are purchasing a
"value-added" product. Please refer to our
FIND A LOCAL
DEALER page to find the distributor for your area. Your distributor
will be able to locate the closest dealer for you. |
|
How can I purchase MacKissic products? |
MacKissic prefers to sell our products
through local dealers so that you have an opportunity to see, touch, and
try the product prior to purchase. Please refer to our
FIND A LOCAL
DEALER page to see if we have a distributor for your area. In areas where MacKissic does not have a
distributor, you may purchase products directly from MacKissic.
CONTACT
MACKISSIC
for additional details
about factory direct purchases. |
| Do MacKissic
machines come fully assembled? |
Most units require some minimal assembly such as
attaching handle bars. Your local dealer will be able to assist you with
set-up if desired. |
|
What oil should I use in my MacKissic unit? |
The engine manual with your Mighty Mac®, Merry
Tiller®, or Johnson Big Wheel® Mower will give complete instructions for putting
oil in your machine. Use a high quality detergent oil classified "For
Service SF, SG, SH, SJ" or higher. The engine manual chart shows recommended
SAE Viscosity Grades for a full range of starting temperatures. A SAE 30
oil is recommended for temperatures of 40°F and above. |
| What about
service? |
MacKissic's long-lasting, durable products require
very little service. Depending on the amount of use, you'll need to
sharpen a blade or cutter teeth, turn the hammers, check belts & screws, grease
bearings or other standard upkeep as noted in your owner's manual. Other
than that, changing the oil, air filter, spark plug, and winter conditioning are
the only maintenance that's usually required. You are always welcome to
CONTACT MACKISSIC for technical
support. The engines can be serviced by any engine service dealer
available in your community. In the unlikely event that your MacKissic
product requires warranty service, we will be glad to make the arrangements with
a service center near you. |
|
How do I order replacement parts? |
Your local dealer should be your
FIRST stop for
replacement parts. If a dealer is not available, you can call the
MacKissic parts department at 800-348-1117 for replacement parts. Please
have your model number and machine serial number handy when you call. |
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|
CHIPPER-SHREDDERS |
| What materials
can the Mighty Mac chipper-shredders process? |
The Leaf Shredder-Chippers (LSC models) are best
for processing leaves and small branches only. For other types of
organic materials, such as garden debris, tomato vines, corn stalks, palm
fronds, etc., we recommend a hammermill type unit - an SC763 or 12P model for
homeowners, the TPH-122 or TPH183 tractor-powered units, or the heavy duty SC183 or SC262 models for professionals and
commercial applications. Please DO
NOT
attempt to chip/shred plastic or styrofoam
in your MacKissic unit. These materials can melt from the
heat created by the machines and cause damage. |
|
Why should I buy a MacKissic Mighty Mac
chipper-shredder? |
MacKissic has been building tough, durable lawn &
garden products since 1947 & manufacturing chipper/shredders for 41 years.
In fact, our founder, Elton MacKissic, pioneered the use of the hammermill,
which is the heart of the unit. There are literally thousands of these
units in use today. The
Mighty Mac 12P, SC763, TPH-122, SC183 & TPH183 models utilize a heavy flail hammer that has 4 reversible cutting edges.
Because it is not a sharpened or serrated edge, it is much thicker and therefore
does not dull as quickly. The key to a successful chipping and shredding
action is the centrifugal force created by the weight of the entire rotor unit.
We use a heavy chipper flywheel with two additional rotors connected by hammer
rods on which the hammers rotate (16 hammers on
the SC763, 24 on the
12P and TPH-122, & 48 on the SC183 and TPH183); this complete unit rotates at
2100 rpm. Our
12P model is
powered by a 10 hp Briggs & Stratton INTEK OHV engine and is available in a 2
wheel model with wheelbarrow type handles or a 4 wheel trailer version that can be
towed behind a garden tractor or pulled by hand. This model was "Member Tested and Recommended" by
the National Home Gardening Club of America in their Nov/Dec. 2000 issue.
We offer a smaller model, the
SC763, with a 6.5
hp engine, and also larger more
commercial units if needed.
|
| Is there a
problem with material wrapping around the rotor when shredding? |
If the hammers are kept in good condition, this
generally prevents a wrapping problem from occurring. The hammers have 4
use-able sides and if kept rotated, you will not experience this problem. |
|
What size screen should I use? |
The shredder-chippers come with a
SCREEN AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT which is generally all that is needed for most owners. If
you want the final product from the machine to be finer, you can process the
material a second time with a smaller holed screen. If you are processing
a lot of wet material or find that the shredder is clogging, you may want to use
a bar screen which has larger holes and does not clog as easily. |
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