Valby CH140 to buy or not to buy

[JimR]

I recently found a Valby CH140 6 inch wood chipper with the hydraulic feed that appears to be in very good working condition and looks really good. Is this company still in business? I haven't been able to find any info on them. Are there any folks out there still using your Valby's and how have they held up. This one is a direct drive unit.

 

[RoyJackson]

Valby makes (or made) great chippers. I recommend you buy it quick...good used chippers don't stay on the market long.
I couldn't find any info online either...very disappointing. I hope they're still around...

 

[JimR]

Valby makes (or made) great chippers. I recommend you buy it quick...good used chippers don't stay on the market long.
I couldn't find any info online either...very disappointing. I hope they're still around...

I too have noticed that they do not stay up for sale very long. I could buy a cheap China made chipper. I fear that they are not built like the Valby's or other higher end chippers. I know the Chinese bearings are not up to par with other brands out there.

 

[Drewdaman]

Hey Jim, I'm looking at purchasing a similar unit in California, did you ever buy the one you looked at? If so, I'm curious how much you paid and if you are satisfied with your purchase. Thanks for any info you are willing to share.
Drew

 

[oosik]

Drewdaman - four and a half years ago I upgraded from my Wally BX42S to a Wally BX62S. At that time there was a Valby dealer in NW Montana. The Valby I was interested in would handle either 8" or 9" material and was $6000+ new. Price and dealer location kept me with Wallenstein.

 

[oosik]

I continued my search for Valby chippers. Appears they are still being made - there is at least one dealer.

Three River Forestry - Mindoro, WI - (608) 857-3357 - www.threeriverforestry.com

 

[JimR]

Hey Jim, I'm looking at purchasing a similar unit in California, did you ever buy the one you looked at? If so, I'm curious how much you paid and if you are satisfied with your purchase. Thanks for any info you are willing to share.
Drew

I did buy that chipper. It works just like it should and what I had expected. The only downside is that you need to stay away from trying to chip very small brush or a lot of green leaves on branches. They tend to clog up the cutters and collect down inside the cutter housing. I now keep a few wrenches in my tool box just in case I have to flip open the top to clean it out. That is much easier to do than trying to clean it out from the shoot end. Keep the cutters sharp. I also grease the cutter wheel bearings and driveshaft every time I use it. I paid $2250.00 for my used one. It does have one hydraulic feed roller on it.

 

[RoyJackson]

I did buy that chipper. It works just like it should and what I had expected. The only downside is that you need to stay away from trying to chip very small brush or a lot of green leaves on branches. They tend to clog up the cutters and collect down inside the cutter housing.

For leafy stuff, a chipper/shredder works much better. I recently sold a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder and am replacing it with a dedicated chipper (Woodmaxx 8H). The new owner of the Woods unit is very happy and, I hope I'm as happy with the dedicated chipper.
I had owned the Woods unit for 8-10 years and thought it was great for the typical residential/farmette clean up work....especially the shredder part