Buying a brand new chipper or older/used?

ward

ward

Participating member
Location
Unincorporated Clackamas, OR
My old Morbark model 290 has been giving me grief endlessly. Those who have been down the path of buying new equipment know that it is easier to get financing, but it is a heck of a lot more expensive. Is it worth it to buy new or should I buy used without financing?
 
For me the chipper is my money maker. Without it work takes longer and I pay more at the dump. I am also not a mechanic. I bought a new chipper instead of new dump truck. I am also a fan of financing and paying more than I have to. Frees up cash in case of unforeseen situation. Bought new and paid off in 18 months, have not had an issue except routine maintenance. I don't need to worry about machines history and I don't worry when I start chipping everyday. Just what worked for me.

Chris
 
I buy my chippers new. We use our chipper everyday, if our chipper doesn't work we don't work. I buy my stump grinders used, we don't use it everyday. If it doesn't work all it does is prevent me from getting paid for the job that day. I can follow up and grind the stump at a later date. Also I work on my own equipment and still I don't want issues with my chipper.
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes, the broken down chipper is the worst kind of thing you can face. I think I'll be buying new as you guys recommend. Demo'ed a Brush Bandit 990XP today with 84.5 hp Perkins Diesel. Wow. I am in love. Thanks again for the input--it helped.
 
The thing about new chippers is they come with tier 3 or tier 4 engines. These have ECM's (electronic control modules) which are very sensitive to vibration and the elements. These are not well developed systems. Tier 3 and 4 standards were pushed through before the bugs were worked out on the American brands. These systems are far from acceptable and we will be struggling with them for a while. It occurred to me that the Japanese and Germans have been producing low emission diesel engine longer then anyone else. The older, non-ECM engines are much less trouble, easier to work on and will out last the newer engines. I will take a 2000 JD 4045 engine over a new tier 3 or 4 engine any day and will put money on the fact that the 14 year old JD will be running long after that brand new Cat engine has been scrapped. I have a long list of costly ECM fixes that would not have never been issues with older engines. I just spent $1,600 to have one wire replaced on a Tier 2 Cat engine. I couldn't figure out what the problem was, two mobile mechanics couldn't and I had to send it to the shop ($1,600). This is common.
So, in my humble opinion, if you can find and older unit with low hours and no ECM, you are far better off.
 
I think that buying new is the right way to go.being afraid of tier 3 or tear for admission regulations is sort of like being afraid of the new chain saws. Not saying that the last posterdidn't have some good points about bugs being worked out, but we do have to embrace new technology.

I have a Carlton chipper that is now 4 years old, and it had small bugs, but nothing that I wouldn't take on again. I would do it over again, and next chipper I buy will be new as well.
 
if you buy new you KNOW what the chipper went through in terms of tlc. Knowing is half the battle. You also get a warranty. Be careful with the financing though, I got screwed when I financed my chipper years and years ago. I financed 20k at 11 percent. Not bad, but they snuck a $5,300 fee in there and I was stuck with it.
 
If you posses intuitive trouble shooting skills and your technical prowess impresses others...Buy used and save thousands!

If you think changing the oil is a big deal... Buy new and cry to the dealer when it breaks!

I could not imagine paying $60k for a new chipper at this stage of my business. Last year we got a second chipper, a 10 year old bandit 1890 with cummins 3.9turbo. Paid $16k with 1200hrs municipal owned..I replaced the tires, fixed the lights and brake wiring, fixed a leaking hydraulic seal, found a tarnished fuse holder causing random shut downs, replaced a sticky Murphy switch. Replaced fluids and filters. Cleaned out fuel tank and replaced lines. Replaced and adjusted blades and anvil. Some paint and I could probably sell her for around $30k.
 
That's the spirit Frashdog. Did you get that one out of Seattle?
Winch, its not about being afraid of new technology, its about be smart enough to know when your being screwed. Its a simple fact that the newer engines are extremely unreliable and extremely expensive. Talk to a Cat technician some time if you don't believe me.
So yes, if you aren't a mechanic and hire someone to change your blades for you then you probably are better off being new. But if you know what your doing with a wrench and know equipment then buying used is a no-brainer.
I have personally watched as Bandit 250's went from listing at $35k to $38 to $42 and now $52,000. And as the price goes up the quality goes down as the manufactures cut corners to save on costs. They are coming up with some good options though. They have brought back the GM Vortex industrial gas v6, good options that will save you big bucks. And there are more choice on smaller engines which the Japanese excel at.
 
CTE, I'm not trying to get into an argument with you, a used equipment dealer, about whether buying new or used is the smarter thing to do.

I don't think anyone on here hires someone to change their blades. Just an assumption, though. Most of the members on here, though, are arborists and tree guys/gals -busy doing tree work. I don't know about everyone, and won't speak for the masses, but last time I checked this forum isn't populated by mechanics.

Everything - food, fuel, steel, is getting more expensive. Bandit may be getting too expensive too quickly and cheapening their brand at the same time, who knows? Maybe you should check out some of the other brands to see if they have made similar price spikes. I bought new and will again, as I am too busy to be dealing with equipment nightmares from the last guy.
 
Imo your chipper needs to run in top shape every day. My first chipper was used, no issues actually sold for a profit. Second chipper brand new, loved it. Third chipper needed a bigger one. Found new used (only 250 hrs) parked in a corner of a barn in Nebraska. 20hr one way its been a game changer now for me. I always try to look for new/used. I say that meaning having super low hours. They are out there. I paid half of what bandit wanted for a lesser chipper as i was pricing them. Thats including me adding the winch package and fuel picking it up.
 
Winch, its pretty ridicules to open a statement with "I'm not trying to get into an argument" then follow that with a statement that is clearly written to start an argument. I'm pretty sure you know what I meant when I wrote "mechanic".

Prices are up clear across the board. Tier 4 engines greater than 100 hp are $10k to $15k more than tier 2 engines. One can save money by running under 100 hp and more when under 75hp.
 
Winch said:
I don't think anyone on here hires someone to change their blades. Just an assumption, though.

Everything - food, fuel, steel, is getting more expensive. Bandit may be getting too expensive too quickly and cheapening their brand at the same time, who knows? Maybe you should check out some of the other brands to see if they have made similar price spikes. I bought new and will again, as I am too busy to be dealing with equipment nightmares from the last guy.
Click to expand...
You know what they say about those who assume...
I know "tree guys " who bring there chains to the dealer to get sharp... And one who brought a saw back when the chain came off the bar.. For real! Sound like you might not be adept in the art of technical prowess. That's fine, most are not.

Bandit know's the industry market demand and supply...great if you work with in a market which allows for small fries to purchase new. My market has no big guys... Lots of woodchucks with "real" jobs doing tree work for fun... Till I'm that big guy with the effer 655, I'm buying used stepping stones for my path...
 
Buying used can lower monthly payements which frees up cash for other equipment. Nothing like having a brand new chipper but lifting rounds into the truck.

New machines will break also and not all dealers handle warranty the same way.

On the other hand, when your used equipment breaks, it can easily cost you a few months of payements to get it back on the road.
 
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