Chipper Anybody using a Liberty Chipper?

[pepetres]

Cancelled a KPX/Liberty. Poor communications, put off constantly on possible delivery date, bad or evasive answers on parts, engineering etc.. ENUF
Google KPX/Liberty/Wasauna - it is per an Arizona friend - a Spa/Sauna outfit that also answers the chipper phone?!!? Pushy sales folk cannot answer tech or shipping questions.

Got a Jinma from Rodney - Ranch Hand Supply - after some straight answers to questions. Came when he said it would. Had new American grease zerks, was greased, blades/anvil set, belts set - in other words - prepped. Got an extra blades/anvil set with the stainless "feeler guage". Belts seemed to be a good quality - has previously been a problem we hear.

Cut a slot in the belt cover that drives the roller to facilitate removal. Did have the belt hang and smoke briefly when the roller stopped on a rotten spot in a 4inch and did not want to climb out. Had to fix the hang up with the lever - not a big problem.
Did buy a longer upper arm ($18) for the 3 point hitch as the upper connect point is several inches back from the 2 lower hitch points, just leave it on the chipper. Running on a 4WD Kubota L2800.

Neighbor thought we had bought a machine gun - based on what she could hear.

 

[MickeyNew]

The best thing I did to my Jimna was get shorter bolts to hold the chute on. The original ones were extending into the chute probably 1/2". That was causing clogging and some jamming. Much better now.

I also replaced the bolt on the back leg with a pin with snap ring. Much easier to use.

 

[Sunrise Acres]

It is the same as the China model I have. The chipper is fine, the drum feeder is not. You will dismantle it after most uses. The belt will smoke more than your tractors exhaust. The drum roller has a tough job when pulling the brush into a small hole and must move up and down a lot. The gap around the belt drive shaft also collects a lot of chips pushed out from the chipper. You need to close the hole up with a bushing.
I am considering changing the belt drive to a chain and sproket.
Has anyone done this yet?

I paid $2000.00 for a new unit delivered.

You get what you pay for on this one. Spend more!

 

[2cknights]

I ordered a Liberty Chipper from KPX then found this thread. They had already stalled on the shipment once, so it took about 5 seconds to make the decision to cancel the order and call Ranch Hand Supply. Ronald was great about answering my questions and I ordered from him. We decided that since it was so near Christmas, he should ship it on the following Monday. I expect delivery sometime this week and want to thank everyone for the information given. -Carey

 

[nuffer460]

2cknights, Ronald has a great setup. You will like your chipper. I had two minor issuses. Ronald took care of both. The biggest problem was operator error.:laughing: I set the gap on the knife / anvil to close. Broke the knife and anvil. .030 is a great working gap. Ronald, I still love my chipper!! :thumbsup:

 

[2cknights]

I got my chipper from Ranch Hand Supply. This is really a better chipper than I thought it would be. Ronald did a great job setting it up. I have used it for about three hours and I think I'm gonna like it for a long time. Someone on one of the other threads was asking about a foot pedal to raise the infeed roller. I had a piece of 3/4" conduit on hand and decided to try it to see if it was heavy enough to raise the roller. I 've used it for a couple of hours and don't see any reason that it won't work permanently. I just formed it to fit and removed the end plugs from the roller arms and inserted it on each side and let spring tension hold it in place. I may go back and shorten it a little so it won't stick out so far. It's easy to remove when not in use. Here's a link to the picture of it. -Carey

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232fp733::>nu=32<;>898>974>WSNRCG=35;884:;;3337nu0mrj

 

[DavisHollow]

Nosy question, but how much did you pay? How many hours do you expect to get out of it between servicing?

I almost bought a Liberty 8" chipper, now I'm thinking this might be a better choice.

 

[2cknights]

DavisHollow, Sent you an email. But all the information is here: Jinma Dealer, Wood Chipper , Compact Jinma Tractors

 

[sigjig]

I just found out the Jima and Liberty chipper are made in China! No thanks.

 

[grsthegreat]

I just found out the Jima and Liberty chipper are made in China! No thanks.

Ive had my 6" Jimna for 4-5 seasons now, cant recall which, and except for reversing the blades 1 time, it still works flawlessly. Very well built.

 

[deereman75]

wow I am used to hearing not-so-good things about jinma`s but it seems that they are good, it just needs a full servicing before use. (i wont buy one tho, try to never buy stuff made in china)

 

[grsthegreat]

wow I am used to hearing not-so-good things about jinma`s but it seems that they are good, it just needs a full servicing before use. (i wont buy one tho, try to never buy stuff made in china)

i can relate to those thoughts, however everything is made in china.

I have a USA made piece of equipment i just bought for a job.....the gears and all the hardened bolts are stamped. CHINA

mind you, theres a nice big made in USA sticker on it../ Not sure who/where the case was made.

 

[DeeDubya]

I ordered a Liberty Pro 8" last week and paid too much for it. I had done a little shopping and thought it was a good deal because of the free shipping (about $360).
Yesterday I learned that Value Leader (BETST) same machine is about $400 less and also with free shipping.
I don't know that the two are exactly the same machine but they do look very similar. I hope I get the improved feeder roller shaft which was a weak point on earlier models.
I understand too that being from China there could be similar looking knock-offs with some parts being identical and others not.
As far as Chinese products in general I've seen some pretty impressive metal castings. Everything from huge milling machines to small tools... they have a handle on metal casting.

 

[DavisHollow]

Well you can be proud and buy nothing or you can sometimes buy Chinese made items and get on with your life. Why does it matter, we're over-spending $1.44 trillion this year, the Chinese are going to own America anyway so I'm going to chip some cedars while I'm still living...

 

[Combustix]

Bought a used jinma 6" on craigs list for just under a grand. Ran well but had to replace feed roller and shaft from gear box $135 for all parts. Went to dealer who sold it originally shook his head as prior owner was tough on equipment. A few more repairs and have been a happy chipper ever since. Kinda miss burning my old brush and stick piles though

 

[DeeDubya]

Bought a used jinma 6" on craigs list for just under a grand. Ran well but had to replace feed roller and shaft from gear box $135 for all parts. Went to dealer who sold it originally shook his head as prior owner was tough on equipment. A few more repairs and have been a happy chipper ever since. Kinda miss burning my old brush and stick piles though

That's a deal. Do they have the newer style universal joint feeder shaft available instead of the ball and socket type?

I miss burning too, but nearly the entire state of Texas has been under a burn ban for months now. Not that it isn't necessary. Many people now days just don't know jack about being safe with a fire. And unfortunately, the under brush is getting thicker and thicker, making it more difficult to stop a fire once started.
So... back to chipping.

 

[Combustix]

That's a deal. Do they have the newer style universal joint feeder shaft available instead of the ball and socket type?

I miss burning too, but nearly the entire state of Texas has been under a burn ban for months now. Not that it isn't necessary. Many people now days just don't know jack about being safe with a fire. And unfortunately, the under brush is getting thicker and thicker, making it more difficult to stop a fire once started.
So... back to chipping.

No this one was a ball and socket on the feed roller, the prior owner had pretty much rounded out the socket as well as the shaft on the feed roller. Was using nails as shear pins as a cotter would snap instantly until I got the replacement. Dealer recommended drilling hole and adding pin for extra strength, which I did, though I have not used it since, will probably start gathering some sticks when I get home from work soon.
Got lucky on the sale as owner was moving to Tenn from WA and was in a hurry.

 

[DeeDubya]

Got my CC statement today and see that Liberty charged my account the same day that I placed the order. I ordered it on 05/09 and the invoice shows a ship date of 06/30.
The problem I have with this is should they default on shipment it might be too late to dispute it through the credit card company. Plus they are using my $2600 for 2 months.
I can see charging maybe a week ahead but 2 months?

 

[wedge40]

I dont think they can legally charge your card until the item has shipped. Or at least most reputable place do it that way.

Wedge

 

[DeeDubya]

Quick response. Liberty's GM "Alex" responded to my email with a reply and a phone call to say that they do normally charge when an order is placed; however he offered to charge 30% and the remainder when shipped. Also, he confirmed that I was getting a $100 credit and free blade set as was shown on their website when I ordered.
Good service.