Woodsmans do have a tendency to "self feed" even when the autofeed kicks on. Do you know what RPM your engine runs at with the clutch engaged and what RPM your high and low limits on the tach are set at?
GIve me a call at 989-817-4586, I'm guessing he just put some random log splitter valve on it because it looked the same and that is your problem. I should have something that will work for you.
I looked at a few of the 1215s we've had through here an they all had a AutoManufacturing brand clutch/pto on them. I would guess you smoked the clutch when you plugged the drum. That probably glazed the disk some but you'll probably be fine at least for a while anyway. I don't remember who...
Personally, I would go with the Altec, they're super simple. The only thing the Vermeer has going for it, in my opinion, is the dealer network. Both are good machines for the price point but it's hard to beat simplicity especially in something that shakes and vibrates as hard as a chipper does...
I don't have a ton of knowledge on the DRM 1217 but the DC1217 is essentially a Woodchuck Hyroller 1200 which is almost a carbon copy of a Bandit 150/200. I wouldn't be afraid of a Woodchuck or Altec especially when you consider they're usually priced quite a bit cheaper.
The machine changed hands a few times before it made it to our shop but we're guessing the bearing got the shaft that hot that the belt tension just folded it over but that still seems pretty far-fetched. We'll probably never know for sure haha
Does the chipper condition match the hours? A lot of times the autofeed tachs get changed and the hours from the old tach don't get programmed into the new one. If it's super nice, they're probably original, if it looks like it has 5000 hours on it, it probably does.
Those engine are internally balanced and if that balancer goes it is catastrophic. You might have something going on there or an injector out causing a miss. I would definitely get it to someone for a second opinion.
That little puff on startup shouldn't be anything to worry about. That and that one in the video has a 4045 Deere on it, that is as reliable of an engine as you can get in that size.
If the price is right, I wouldn't be afraid of it. There are a few more moving parts but as long as you stay up on the maintenance it shouldn't prove to be that big of an issue.
Just the engine shakes when the clutch is disengaged or is it worse then the disk is turning? It's amazing how many machines come in here with the disk or drum way out of balance.