Would you buy a Jinma Chipper?

[Red Horse]

I am looking for a used pto driven chipper for clean up around the house. My PTO HP is 20....I have a budget of about $1500 but I saw these Jinma 6 and 8" versions on ebay for under $1800 with delivery.

I burn everything over 3+ inches so I am wondering if folks are happy with this chinese made chipper?

I am in no hurry - I can wait until a good used one comes my way.

I too was in the market a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if its still available but there was a very clean Patu 40 on Craigs list (hartford) that as I see you are from Conn might be a good deal-guy wanted 1500. they are made in Finland. I ended up buying a Valby-thx in part to some of the knowledgeable posters on TBN-thks Roy Jackson- as the Patu was smaller.

In any case I would buy a used "Fin" before I bought a new "M in C". Is some China product good? I'm sure it is but it seems like there is too much gambling when it comes to that stuff.

 

[grsthegreat]

The only time mine has ever jammed was when there was too large of a gap between the knife and the anvil. After setting this to the thickness of a dime, ive had no further issues. The original knife blades went 2 seasons before i reversed them, and an additional 2 seasons on this side. I bought a new set of blades and had the old set sent down to be resharpened. Other than this i have had NO ISSUES with it. I did no initial readjustment out of the crate with mine.

I probably should have checked the knife/anvil spacing but didnt. And again it only jammed 1 time.

I do LOTS of chipping every season as i have 20 acres of trees i maintain. Im sure there are other brands that are made better in the USA...but im happy with mine. I couldnt afford a USA brand as they wanted 3x the cost, and didnt come with a chute....that was extra.

The Jimna came with everything standard.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've been looking for a chipper for the same uses the op listed. I don't burn so I've been looking for 5" cap units. I looked at the jinma style and woods(bearcat) 5000 chipper shredder, champion, salsco. The jinma's are not even close to the quality of the others. All were used and I completely dismissed the jinma's after seeing them first hand. I think if you examine them side by side you'll agree.

Matt:thumbsup:

 

[Builder]

I looked at one a few months ago I found on CL. When I went to go see it, I couldn't believe how bad the paint had fallen off for its' age and the seller said he had to rig the self feed because it was underbuilt by Jinma.

I find you're usually better off buying a used US/Japanese/Euro made piece instead of a new Chinese piece.

 

[grsthegreat]

to each their own....mine is over 5 years old..still looks brand new. Then again i take care of my stuff. Everything is always stored in shop

 

[RaytheOne]

I've had mine for 4 years now, with no troubles. Other than binding up the feed roller, which was my fault, it's been good. They are "rough" in fit and finish, but for the money, are hard to beat.
If you have the money, no doubt, there are much better units out there. I would guess I have maybe 150 hours on mine, and I haven't had to reverse the knives yet.
I burn wood, so mostly smaller stuff, but I've chipped some good size cedar with it. Works better with short lengths, if you are using it to capacity.

If used with care, I think they are a good value for the money.

 

[texas42]

I struggled with the same question two years ago. But from the comments on this forum, I decided to go with the Wallenstein and have never been sorry. Its direct drive, no belts, well made and works great. The 4 x 10 inch opening takes anything I want to chip with no problems. I guess in this case you get what you pay for.

 

[Willl]

Would you buy a Jinma Chipper?

I bought one about 4 years ago and have been through the 'must do mods' on it already. It is what it is. Cheap.

If I had a chance to do it all over again, I wouldn't. Not just a Jinma, but I wouldn't get a chipper at all.

Found out feeding a chipper just ain't all that fun, I now just toss them into a pile and let 'em rot.

 

[5030]

I looked at one a few months ago I found on CL. When I went to go see it, I couldn't believe how bad the paint had fallen off for its' age and the seller said he had to rig the self feed because it was underbuilt by Jinma.

I find you're usually better off buying a used US/Japanese/Euro made piece instead of a new Chinese piece.[/QUOTE]

For me, any piece so long as it's a good piece, will do.......

I couldn't resist that......

 

[grsthegreat]

Well...heres a current pic of mine...5 years old. doesnt look like cheap paint or crap to me. It all in how well someone takes care of their stuff. I use mine alot.....i have 20 acres of trees i maintain.