Used chipper shopping

If you're a newer company I'd venture to say that even a 12" chipper would be a damn good starting point. I have a 12" disc chipper that has served us very well and still is. Maintenance is the key to chipper life, keep the knives sharp, keep the belts adjusted, change filters, change oil, and grease, grease, grease! I live in Iowa, the winters aren't quite as cold as you get but I use Howe's diesel additive during the winters, my truck, chipper, and loader always start, haven't had a gelling issue yet. (knock on wood)
 
Simpleiowaguy said:
If you're a newer company I'd venture to say that even a 12" chipper would be a damn good starting point. I have a 12" disc chipper that has served us very well and still is. Maintenance is the key to chipper life, keep the knives sharp, keep the belts adjusted, change filters, change oil, and grease, grease, grease! I live in Iowa, the winters aren't quite as cold as you get but I use Howe's diesel additive during the winters, my truck, chipper, and loader always start, haven't had a gelling issue yet. (knock on wood)
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The diesel additive is a great tip.
At the previous places I've worked I learned maintenance is key. An ounce of prevention is worth a mile of cure or something like that. A 12" will do just fine, an 18" would just do it better I'd be happy with a 12".
 
Brando CalPankian said:
The diesel additive is a great tip.
At the previous places I've worked I learned maintenance is key. An ounce of prevention is worth a mile of cure or something like that. A 12" will do just fine, an 18" would just do it better I'd be happy with a 12".
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If you're hauling it all right now in a trailer a chipper is going to save you so much time just in hauling. Getting started as a company is a little frustrating but you'll get there. Get a couple reliable guys and some decent used equipment and things will start rolling. First big purchase I financed as an LLC was a forestry bucket truck and a month later bought a good used chipper cash.
 
ATH said:
I was going to suggest that you'll almost always get w better rate through the dealer on new equipment - especially as a new business...

I'm gonna guess a business line of credit is going to be a few points more than 6.6% and it will most likely have an annual fee to go with it. It's one thing to get started with that, but it will eat your lunch if you start operating on credit all the time. Plenty of businesses do...but it cuts into profitability.
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I financed my chipper and mini through the dealer (DW financial and JD financial) which was seamless. DW agreed to 3mo delay on the first payment with no extra fees when I asked, same as what Morbark is advertising, which helped plump the account with the immediate increased income.
 
Simpleiowaguy said:
If you're hauling it all right now in a trailer a chipper is going to save you so much time just in hauling. Getting started as a company is a little frustrating but you'll get there. Get a couple reliable guys and some decent used equipment and things will start rolling. First big purchase I financed as an LLC was a forestry bucket truck and a month later bought a good used chipper cash.
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I'm renting chippers right now, which kills me in costs and lost efficiency. It's just my wife and I until I get enough work and cash flows to bring some folks on. I am only doing it part time as I have a job too. I'm focusing on climb work since everyone and their mom has buckets and lifts. Chipper is king. The tech advancements of multiple feed rollers and crush cylinders is partially hanging me up, as it would increase efficiency huge.
 
Serf Life said:
I financed my chipper and mini through the dealer (DW financial and JD financial) which was seamless. DW agreed to 3mo delay on the first payment with no extra fees when I asked, same as what Morbark is advertising, which helped plump the account with the immediate increased income.
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This is great advice. I have really good credit so there should be no issues getting one. Glad to know they are better than used car salesmen
 
Only thing I'd add is that in my limited experience, the gas chippers do better at not clogging with heavy needles and such, but don't eat logs as quickly. If you're doing mostly pruning, gas is great, but I would only consider a diesel if I had lots of wood to process
 
Brando CalPankian said:
I'm renting chippers right now, which kills me in costs and lost efficiency. It's just my wife and I until I get enough work and cash flows to bring some folks on. I am only doing it part time as I have a job too. I'm focusing on climb work since everyone and their mom has buckets and lifts. Chipper is king. The tech advancements of multiple feed rollers and crush cylinders is partially hanging me up, as it would increase efficiency huge.
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If they are dependable, having the chipper delivered to your work site for a fee by the rental company may be cost-effective compared to driving twice, eating time, and incurring risk of an accident while driving.
 
Matias said:
Only thing I'd add is that in my limited experience, the gas chippers do better at not clogging with heavy needles and such, but don't eat logs as quickly. If you're doing mostly pruning, gas is great, but I would only consider a diesel if I had lots of wood to process
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This is helpful info. I'd been on the fence with gas. If it eats logs a little slower it's okay. Biggest thing is cost of maintenance over time. Modern diesels are expensive because of the tier four stuff, and more complicated. I work on them for my primary job right now. Not the end of the world but something to consider. If the price is right I'd be happy with a gasser.
Did find a 2016 Altec 1317 gasser for about 10k. V6 vortec is a hell of a motor. It's not pretty but has a winch. Was unsure about Altec as they stopped making chippers so idk how parts will go in the future. For now they have parts but they quit making them for whispers.
 
Brando CalPankian said:
Might could just put a clutch in one right when I buy it.
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save your money until it does fail
Brando CalPankian said:
Great idea. I called Altec directly and they said they have parts but weren't able to tell me more. I'll give them a call soon
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I have an altec chipper. They are very supportive and get parts to me quick, usually two days or less... and a lot of times they tell me what I can use as a replacement that would be readily available at an automotive store or implement.
 
Simpleiowaguy said:
save your money until it does fail

I have an altec chipper. They are very supportive and get parts to me quick, usually two days or less... and a lot of times they tell me what I can use as a replacement that would be readily available at an automotive store or implement.
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Really!? That's amazing news. It's a pretty good deal, 1500 hours on it. The paint is rough but if it works fine I can clean it up. That makes me feel better about it tbh. I heard good things about Altec chippers, was bummed to find they don't make them anymore
 
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