Jensen a328t chipper, step up from a Forst? give us your thoughts..

[Mick Dempsey]

So here’s my scenario.

 

My Forst ST8 has done 2 years now, not without incident, but that’s a different issue.

 

What I have in mind is to get a a328 tracked to keep the hours off the Forst especially on the all day chipping jobs, plus as a back up.

 

1: They’re very cheap for a hell of a machine (68 horses as opposed to 44 for the forst)

 

2: In France a British bought road going chipper will be impossible to register, so illegal to tow, and hard to resell, I can easily put the Jensen in the Ifor to get it to the job.

 

I have shown some ankle to a couple of dealers and have seen a vid of one in action.

 

I was kind of unimpressed but there are all sorts of factors, blunt blades, bone dry wood, and that sometimes video doesn’t do them justice.

 

I really want a significant increase in throughput to make it worthwhile.

 

I would have thought a lot of you guys have used a 328 in the past (probably in utility) and a Forst more recently and could tell me if there is a real step up.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

[swinny]

What kind of rollers and design do they run Mick?

 

cone shaped rollers and that the top roller comes up in an ark not straight up and down? How many springs on the top rollers?

[Mick Dempsey]

From what I’ve seen, standard over and under.

 

 

[bigtreedon]

So here’s my scenario.
 
My Forst ST8 has done 2 years now, not without incident, but that’s a different issue.
 
What I have in mind is to get a a328 tracked to keep the hours off the Forst especially on the all day chipping jobs, plus as a back up.
 
1: They’re very cheap for a hell of a machine (68 horses as opposed to 44 for the forst)
 
2: In France a British bought road going chipper will be impossible to register, so illegal to tow, and hard to resell, I can easily put the Jensen in the Ifor to get it to the job.
 
I have shown some ankle to a couple of dealers and have seen a vid of one in action.
 
I was kind of unimpressed but there are all sorts of factors, blunt blades, bone dry wood, and that sometimes video doesn’t do them justice.
 
I really want a significant increase in throughput to make it worthwhile.
 
I would have thought a lot of you guys have used a 328 in the past (probably in utility) and a Forst more recently and could tell me if there is a real step up.
 
Thanks in advance.
 
 
 

Hey mick I have used both I had only used the Jensen I would be singing it's praises saying how it chipped every thing u put in it but I have used both and the forst chips faster maybe doesn't handle cord wood as well because of its smaller engine but in my humble opinion didn't handle brash as well I must add the last 328 used was off a hire fleet that had not great blades I hope it didn't taint my views as I used one befor that which was in good nick but still rate the forst for brash

[Mick Dempsey]

Ahhh, thanks Don, I appreciate the input, i had suspected the Jensen  was getting a bit long in the tooth compared to more modern stuff.

 

Think I’ll keep my powder dry so to speak.

[s o c]

I’ve just sold my 328 tracked chipper and would agree with bigtreedon .

Also at 2600kgs it’s a bit of a pig to tow.

great for leylandi take downs and woody stuff and great for pulling over trees.

for brash and bushy stuff we we’re finding TW230 better and more user friendly ( haven’t used first)

[Ty Korrigan]

On 14/07/2018 at 18:19, Mick Dempsey said:

 

2: In France a British bought road going chipper will be impossible to register, so illegal to tow, and hard to resell, I can easily put the Jensen in the Ifor to get it to the job.

You probably already know this but post Oct 2012 they should all be type approved and have a CofC which makes registration possible. I guess you are considering a pre-Oct 2012 model?

 Regards

Stuart

 

[Ty Korrigan]

Oh, my GM200 is going up for auction Wednesday in Rennes.

It's a 2017 with 136 hours.

 I'll be there to see what it goes for.

Might even bid on it myself!

  Stuart

[Mick Dempsey]

Yes Stu, not going to dig too deep for a back up.

 

Did not know know that about post 2012 stuff, thanks.