Jinma "clone" 6" Chipper

[quikduk]

I bought my chipper a while back but still haven’t had a chance to use it yet due to various projects and a hectic schedule. I picked it up from the West Coast shipping warehouse. I was gratefull to finally have it but I was still a bit frustrated at the dealer. If saving the money wasn't the object, I would have ordered from Tommy for sure. My first "reserved" order got sold out from under me due to someone not doing the paperwork. Then I was promised another...but the dealer (KPX Tractor) didn't want to bump someone else when they could bump me again. After many discussions and delays re: the customs agent and they didn't get to the warehouse until late...but no one called me to inform me of this fact.

Since I had already taken some time off, I was reluctant to do so again so the dealer agreed to ship it to me. Again, no follow up phone calls until I had made several myself. I finally got a half commitment to one being held for me at the warehouse and I could pick it up but they needed the release paperwork. Hah! I should have known...it wasn't and if I hadn't seen them in the warehouse for myself, I would have canceled the order and paid the extra $400 and change to go with Tommy.

I went and had breakfast. When I came back, still no release so I called the dealer again. They promised one within 15 minutes. 5 minutes later, the warehouse received it, loaded it for me, I strapped/chained it down and off I went. 15 minutes later, I got a call telling me it was clear and o.k. to have the warehouse get it for me....but I was already down the road.

[quikduk]

The moral of this long rant is...I don't know. I do know I am waaaaayyyy too patient and polite and I won't make this implement purchasing mistake again. For me, the extra $400 for shipping was too much to bear at the time and I know that was still cheap for shipping. I wish I could have worked out a drop-shipment from Tommy since his chippers come into my local port anyway. I have to manage every $ with the wife AND kids in school. I got an extra set of knives and setting bar in the deal so that helps a little. They said that they have a 2 year warranty (probably parts only) and I had a chat with them about my experience and it helped a bit since the mfr. also sent me two more sets of knives and setting blades so now I have three spare sets.

OAN, I think that KPX is similar to KWIC Industries in that they act as a drop ship dealer with min. or no inventory on hand. This is o.k. if you have the correct contacts and leverage but they don’t have this and their office staff was having “organizational difficulties” during my purchase…nice.

When I got it home I had to unload it. I used the tractor and some chain to lift it off and carry it to the garage. From there I had to push it in far enough so I had working room around all four sides.

[quikduk]

Here it is partially assembled. It should be noted that the exploded parts diagram is worthless and there was no assembly manual. The dealer provided a video link but it isn’t worth much either. I had printed a bunch of Jinma chipper pics to follow just in case…but they were all different from our chipper…except one rear shot…so that is what I used to assemble the thing. I did use the dealers info and assembly/disassembly pics to lube all of the zerks and check the belt tension, as well as drain and re-fill the gearbox. I used Sta-Lube 140 grade gear oil with anti-wear and anti-foam additives since I had some sitting around.

[quikduk]

I was going to make a cart to roll the thing around in the garage but I decided to weld/mount some HD casters and wheels to the base unit instead.

Lets just say that the +300# they are each rated at is not even close. I cut them off and made a removable base out of 2x2 .120 wall angle with 6-600# swivel casters and a larger footprint since this thing is REALLY unstable and I don’t want 800# falling on anyone, especially the family.

The big yellow wrap around bar is to disengage the feel roller drive shaft in case of an emergency. When you push it down it moves a lever that separates the feel roller driveshaft coupling. The drive shaft is a male/female sliding shaft arrangement.

You can also see that the feed table/chute has a large (heavy) extension table/chute bolted to it. I surmise that this, as well as the disengagement lever is to keep you further away from the rotating bits for safety rather than right next to the machine. The black lever on the right allows you to slide the spring loaded feed roller up to clear jammed material. The spring pressure is quite high and there is no partial-open lock. I know I need to modify this feature by adding a foot operated arm. I also still have to swap out the feed roller belt, check the knife clearances...and eventually work out a hydraulic feed roller mod. and a rotating chute mod.



I believe that this is the same model that Rob got so we’ll see how they both hold up to “our” testing procedures.

[3RRL]

Ken,
I just assembled and tried out my WC-6 Chipper.
The picture off the Internet is the same as yours, but the actual WC-6 is different looking than the the picture (and yours).
Where is the gear box oil drain?
Take a photo and show me, please.
Rob-

[quikduk]

I'll get a pic tonight and post tomorrow.

If I remember right, there is a pipe plug below the fill plug...but I'll check. I think the gear boxes are the same.

Re: the pics, they have no intelectual property rights over "there" so they use whatever pic/design/part is handy/cheap/available.

I think that is why so many parts/items look similar and are called the same name.