Help needed - Morbark Chipper

[Thor's Hammer]

Hey Guys, been offered this chipper. Guy says its a Model 18 Morbark, 1993 build. Its recently had a new perkins 140hp engine.
I think its actually a model 17, and I've not heard great reports on this model. Any input appreciated.

 

[Mr. Sir]

Call Morbark with the serial number and they'll give you all the info you need.

 

[Altissimus]

Before I purchased , I rented and rented (alot of makes and sizes) ... I cannot say enough positive things about my Morbark investment ! I run a small machine for my small operation , but in every size range Morbarks are worth owning , running , and fixing ..... Good Luck .. Dave

 

[NeTree]

Looks pretty rough, to me.

 

[MasterBlaster]

+10!

 

[Jonseredbred]

sometimes there is gold in rough stuff.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

If it comes at the right price, rough does'nt bother me. Easy enough to shotblast and repaint.
I just want some feedback on the model 17.

 

[NeTree]

My experience with Morbark in general hasn't been bad at all. If you can get it cheap, go fer it.

 

[Jonseredbred]

$3,000 US dollars??

 

[Thor's Hammer]

I know that Morbark have always been very well built.

He's asking $7500 for this one. Bear in mind that chippers of this capacity are rare in this country.

 

[Mr. Sir]

I did have that issue with the knives. Although Morbark covered the parts to the tune of nearly $8K, I had to provide the labor and down time. And now I'm very cautious not to chip anything over 12". :what:

That chipper looks to be worth no more than $2500 plus about another $2500 for the newish Perkins; no way I'd give $7500 for it.

 

[NeTree]

I'd give him $2500-$3000 US, tops... including the new perkins.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Hmm. He's been offered that figure back in trade in - But bear in mind a 35hp 6" chipper is $25000 over here. Economies of market size and all that...

 

[Mr. Sir]

Obviously, local market conditions and economies affect the price. Over here, a brand new Morbark Model 17 would cost abot $35K-$38K. And maybe less than that since sales have been down lately.

 

[Al Smith]

But bear in mind a 35hp 6" chipper is $25000 over here. Economies of market size and all that...

Wow .

 

[PCTREE]

Ive got a Model 17 and I really like it. Basic design with little to go wrong. It will eat anything that you can put in by hand and dose a respectable job with the loader. The only downside that I have encountered as opposed to a disk is that if you get metal in your wood it can really do a number on the drum We chipped a 14' maple once that had a 1/2 inch lag bolt in it and it took a LOT of welding to get it back to usable . Over here drum costs about $4000

 

[NeTree]

I know of one that swallowed a 12 foot grade 70 log choker, and didn't get damaged too bad.

 

[Newfie]

I know of one that swallowed a 12 foot grade 70 log choker, and didn't get damaged too bad.

Prove it!

 

[NeTree]

I'll take pics of the drum tomorrow... I'm sure the dents are still there...

 

[Newfie]

I'll take pics of the drum tomorrow... I'm sure the dents are still there...

They are.

 

[PCTREE]

With mine the impact caused all 4 bolts that hold the blade on to shear and then the blade turned and stabed through the drum and peeled it back. The drum then tore the covers up and grenaded the bearing housings. I had $75 on that tree

 

[cory]

I had a model 17 for about 7 years, it was a very good chipper, no problems to speak of. I traded it in just cuz it was getting old. Someone bought it and rolled it over on the highway the first week. Someone else bought it and repaired and I heard it is running well for him.

 

[Koa Man]

The Morbark 17 I had was the worse chipper I ever owned. It would choke on palm fronds and palms are a big part of what we do in Hawaii. It would get clogged more than 10 times a day chipping palm fronds. It also got clogged chipping Christmas trees.

On the other hand, the Morbark 2070 is one of the best chippers I very saw chipping palm fronds. It was even slightly better than the Gravely 395 chipper I had, which I thought was the best palm chipper around.