Custom bought chipper?

[Gen. Grant]

I just purchase what was said to be a home made chipper for $1700.00. it was bought from an auction and has no title or Id#s the serial # provided on the paperwork is TC12421 ? This may only be a auction #.
It has a Hatz diesal engine that I beleive is an upgrade? After I was searching for more chippers on e-bay I saw a Identical match. I believe it is a Asplundh 12" Wisper Chipper.The one I saw has a White 4cyl. gas engine but, is the exact machine as mine.
Is this engine an up-grade,and if it is should I control the rpms to run at safe specifications?
The engine is a screamer and currently has 2 belts running it.The owner I bought it from says he ran it with three. The pullys has space for a total of four! Should it be run with four?
The adjusting screws to tighten the belts are under the feed chute above the frame. It looks like they welded nuts with theaded 5/16 bolts. Can I buy replacements through altec or should I machine proper adjusters to re-fit?

 

[B-Edwards]

The custom may just mean that they have installed an engine that was never meant or thought to be put on the machine.As in they bought the machine with a blown or removed engine .I have seen these with all kinds of homemade applied engines. You could put a 65hp wisconsin on it or a chevette engine, or a golfcart engine. Doesnt mean they will all work or perform as you would like and some will perform just fine. Post some pictures and you will get a more defined answer.

 

[chipdelia]

model plate

See if you can find the model plate. It is on the input hopper if it is a Whisper Chipper. It should be on the right side if you are looking at it from the from the trailer hitch, The side with the fly wheel. If it is a 12", it more likely came originally with a 6 Cyl ford 300. Don't run it much more than 2000 RPM's. You can tell if you are running it too slow as the chute will clog. Too fast and you will see the Bearing burn up and chips flying 20 feet or more.