Last verified against the primary source on Sep 12, 2026.
Used pricing varies; see sources. Biggest documented cost risk: radiator damage from jackknifing the tow, about $1,300 plus shipping from Altec. Buy only after inspection.
Confidence 54%Comparable set not yet verified
As of Aug 19, 2026What can make the cheap machine expensive?
| Component | Severity | Documented repair cost |
|---|---|---|
| Feed-chute sliders | medium | not yet verified |
| Bearing over-greasing | medium | not yet verified |
| Wheel-hub bearings | medium | not yet verified |
Feed-chute plastic sliders: wear item, "thousands of hours" typical life…
Cost not yet verifiedBearing over-greasing: the same servicing tech explicitly warns against…
Cost not yet verifiedWheel-hub bearing heat: tech also warns against over-packing the wheel…
Cost not yet verifiedThe towed DC1317 radiator sits where a jackknife smashes it, an owner: "for the third time in 3 years someone jackknifed one of my chippers and busted the radiator. It's 1300 or so direct from altec plus shipping." ~$1,300 + shipping from Altec (or a local radiator-shop rebuild). Train operators on backing/turning.
$1,300–Not yet verifiedA DC1317 owner: "my tachometer/hour gage wont come on... If i continue to hold the key in the on position the engine runs but when i left off it shuts down." Points at the ignition/Murphy-switch wiring + gauge circuit, a used-unit electrical gremlin to check.
Cost not yet verifiedfor the third time in 3 years someone jackknifed one of my chippers and busted the radiator. It's 1300 or so direct from altec plus shipping I'm having it rebuilt from the local radiator shop but it takes a while.
Common questions
What fails on the Altec DC1317?
The most cited concerns in our evidence record: Feed-chute sliders, Bearing over-greasing, Wheel-hub bearings. See the risk breakdown above for details and sources.
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From the research record
- PRICE: Sourced from https://www.machinio.com/altec/dc1317/wood-chippers via the r.jina.ai proxy (14 listings returned): - Low end: 2019 DC1317, 675 hrs, gas-powered — $1,050 (Lexington, KY). - Mid-low: 2013 DC1317, diesel, government surplus/as-is, no key — $8,500 (two listings, Covington, TN). - Mid: 2013 DC1317, 2,872 hrs, "runs" — price on request (Eli
- FAILURES: - Feed-chute plastic sliders: wear item, "thousands of hours" typical life per the dealer-service video, but the unit filmed had one worn enough to need replacement and prone to leaking as they age (video transcript: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2baBBfqE2s @ 00:07:30-00:09:41). - Bearing over-greasing: the same servicing tech explicitly warns a
- REPAIR: - Disc/main bearing replacement part cost: "there's the brand-new bearing it's a couple hundred dollars for that part" — again from the brand-unconfirmed "Replace Chipper Bearings" video, presented as a disc-chipper-class cost analog only, not a confirmed Altec OEM price (video transcript: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn5AkDC9Gkg @ 00:02:43-00:0
- LIFE: - Plastic feed-chute sliders: "thousands of hours" typical life per the DC1317-specific service video (video transcript: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2baBBfqE2s @ 00:07:33). - Machinio hours distribution for units still asking a price: mostly und
- VIDEO (00:01:43 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2baBBfqE2s): "the old dirt and replace them as needed just going to"
- VIDEO (00:01:47 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2baBBfqE2s): "and replace them as needed just going to"
- VIDEO (00:01:47 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2baBBfqE2s): "and replace them as needed just going to point this out right back here"
- REPAIR PART (chipper knife, AFTERMARKET Altec-compatible not OEM, ACE 451-BAN-7254375|13; fits DC1317 per vendor title): $53.86 (price as of 2026-09-12). Source: https://americancuttingedge.com/altec-model-dc1317-compatible-brush-chipper-knife-451-ban-7254375-13
Sources
- youtube.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
- machinio.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
- youtube.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
- youtube.comweb · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
- Altec DC1317 parts thread: radiator + tach failuresforum · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-12
- Compatible chipper knife 451-BAN-7254375|13 (DC1317): $53.86 (aftermarket)oem-dealer-part · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-12
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