Would you buy a Jinma Chipper?

[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.[/QUOTE]

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

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

That's beautiful man. :laughing:

 

[Builder]

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.

Looks like a garage queen. :laughing:

Sorry man, couldn't resist.

 

[KevinMcD]

I bought a "farm pro" 6" chipper through Tractor Supply. It looks like a Jinma painted yellow with a different sticker. To me it looks like all these imported chippers are the same, possibly with some mods done by the distributor. Quality control is an issue. Bought the chipper, set it up and there was banging in the housing. Inspection showed numerous problems. I returned it and, knowing what I was getting into, had them order me another one. Better Q.C. on this unit. I have had this for 2 years now and it works pretty good. Chips softwood no problem up to 4-5". Anything bigger strain my 22HP PTO. I wouldn't go with the 8". I've still had some issues. The drive system for the feed roller had to be fixed. My shaft on the gearbox bent, pillow block housing on flywheel bearing cracked and, IMHO, the emergency stop set-up is garbage. If you buy it (and use it) expect a lot of maintenance time. If I had it to do over, I probably would have spent some more money and got a chipper that was better quality. I never have enough money to buy the product I want, but down the road I'm always saying "why didn't I spend a little more". Just my 2 cents.
Kevin

 

[Builder]

I bought a "farm pro" 6" chipper through Tractor Supply. It looks like a Jinma painted yellow with a different sticker. To me it looks like all these imported chippers are the same, possibly with some mods done by the distributor. Quality control is an issue. Bought the chipper, set it up and there was banging in the housing. Inspection showed numerous problems. I returned it and, knowing what I was getting into, had them order me another one. Better Q.C. on this unit. I have had this for 2 years now and it works pretty good. Chips softwood no problem up to 4-5". Anything bigger strain my 22HP PTO. I wouldn't go with the 8". I've still had some issues. The drive system for the feed roller had to be fixed. My shaft on the gearbox bent, pillow block housing on flywheel bearing cracked and, IMHO, the emergency stop set-up is garbage. If you buy it (and use it) expect a lot of maintenance time. If I had it to do over, I probably would have spent some more money and got a chipper that was better quality. I never have enough money to buy the product I want, but down the road I'm always saying "why didn't I spend a little more". Just my 2 cents.
Kevin

I hear ya loud & clear.

I have found that's pretty much the story with all Chinese equipment. Great up front price, but a good chance it'll have a factory or design defect built right in.
When I go to other professional contractor's shops, I almost never see any Chinese equipment. It's usually Japanese, US, Canada or Euro made.
It's not meant as an insult to the guys who buy their stuff. Hey, when you save money up front, you have more to save or spend on another attachment.

 

[Dead Horse]

I have a Valby 150, so No comment on the jinma stuff.

I will say this though, even with a well designed and built piece of equipment it is easy to hurt it if you are not paying attention, especially if this is combined with miss matching the implement to the PTO HP.

There are a LOT of forces involved with a chipper as well as most rotational OR torque based farm equipment. The most important success factor is the "pilot".

 

[Baby Grand]

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.

I think I bought that very one. Picked it up a few weeks ago. Built like a tank and works great.

 

[DeeDubya]

I bought a "farm pro" 6" chipper through Tractor Supply. It looks like a Jinma painted yellow with a different sticker. To me it looks like all these imported chippers are the same, possibly with some mods done by the distributor. Quality control is an issue. Bought the chipper, set it up and there was banging in the housing. Inspection showed numerous problems. I returned it and, knowing what I was getting into, had them order me another one. Better Q.C. on this unit. I have had this for 2 years now and it works pretty good. Chips softwood no problem up to 4-5". Anything bigger strain my 22HP PTO. I wouldn't go with the 8". I've still had some issues. The drive system for the feed roller had to be fixed. My shaft on the gearbox bent, pillow block housing on flywheel bearing cracked and, IMHO, the emergency stop set-up is garbage. If you buy it (and use it) expect a lot of maintenance time. If I had it to do over, I probably would have spent some more money and got a chipper that was better quality. I never have enough money to buy the product I want, but down the road I'm always saying "why didn't I spend a little more". Just my 2 cents.
Kevin

I've got an 8" Liberty (same as Jinma) on a 29hp Branson (25hp PTO) and it works great. I'm sure I could bog it down with big hardwood. Why go oversized? The larger capacity makes it easier to feed brushy limbs with a lot of foliage. Besides, 6" and up hardwood is firewood and shouldn't be chipped anyway.

 

[MasseyWV]

I wouldn't buy a Jinma... anything.