Bc600xl/625a

[lumberjack333]

Just looking into getting myself a nice 6" chipper come this spring, checking out the vermeer models... hopefully get something at an auction for a decent price. I think 6" will be plenty for me for a few years, I probably wont be able to afford a heavier truck with a dump box for a year or two anyways. I have a 1/2ton chev now with two extra springs in the rear end so she can handle a loaded 7000lb trailer without a problem, chips shouldn't be an issue, just gotta deal with shoveling them out for a little while.

Anyways, my only concern with the new vermeers is the underpowered 25hp Kohler V-twin gas motor the have in the thing. I rented one a couple times last year and I found the 6" capacity more than adequate, but the little kohler struggled with solid wood over 3". Anybody have any input for me, different brand? I'd like to stick with 6" to keep the weight down, just get something with a little more power... even a diesel would be great if thats possible on a chipper that size.

Thanks guys!

 

[Tree Pig]

From the experience I have had with them the Vermeer 6 inch will do a lot better with sharp knives, feed set properly and the belt tensioned correctly which is not usually the way you get them from rental companies. I havent used them but I hear the 6" bandit chews up the big wood much better then the vermeer

 

[treemandan]

For around a 100 bucks you can set your truck up with a LOADHANDLER. They work, you should check it out.

 

[treemandan]

And about the chipper: it is what it is.

 

[fastbub]

I have one that gets along ok with the Kohler. It is a 6" chipper so it has its limits. You will fill up a 1/2 ton pickup quickly with it. The good news is that you can always find deals on ex-rental units.

Loadhandler works pretty good, you will dump about 75% of what is in the bed, then shovel out the rest.

Sorry for the hi-jack, but does anyone know what model of drive belt goes on the 625a with the kohler 25hp. I replaced it with a Gates from Napa before, but I seem to have lost the part number. Napa doesn't have a listing for chippers.

 

[lumberjack333]

Just checked out that loadhandler, looks pretty sweet! Thanks for the input guys, yeah your probably right SoM the rental unit was more than likely a little undermaintained and abused... Lookin at the Bandits now as well, the search continues!

 

[deevo]

Just checked out that loadhandler, looks pretty sweet! Thanks for the input guys, yeah your probably right SoM the rental unit was more than likely a little undermaintained and abused... Lookin at the Bandits now as well, the search continues!

Lumberjack 333 the Vermeer's aren't bad for what your going to be using them for, you can find more used Vermeers then you will Bandits. The rental companies around here use Vermeers more then Bandits I've found. The Bandits are better because of the opening is bigger and can handle the v's in the larger branches, you don't have to cut them every time like when using the vermeers. The rental companies usually try and get rid of them April/May you can do a search on Stephensons,United, CRS etc... they list all of their stuff they are selling. You can usually get a 625 for 6-8k depending on their hours and condition. You rarely see a Bandit on the block though, when they do they go fast! Squad 143 has a Bandit, I'm sure he can give you more input on them then me. They go for $16,000 and change new at Brandt in Milton. I'll keep an eye out for you. :greenchainsaw:

 

[Juicemang]

I have worked with a bc620 and a 65xp. When I purchase my first chipper it will be a bandit. Rent both chippers and you will see very quickly the vermeer is not equal. I would also Look at going new on a bandit. If you don't have any money to put down you should still be able to get a loan for around 400 a month. Their resale value is high so you won't find many good deals on used 65s. I wouldn't trust anything used from a rental yard. For a little extra money the bandit is more then worth it...

 

[lumberjack333]

Lumberjack 333 the Vermeer's aren't bad for what your going to be using them for, you can find more used Vermeers then you will Bandits. The rental companies around here use Vermeers more then Bandits I've found. The Bandits are better because of the opening is bigger and can handle the v's in the larger branches, you don't have to cut them every time like when using the vermeers. The rental companies usually try and get rid of them April/May you can do a search on Stephensons,United, CRS etc... they list all of their stuff they are selling. You can usually get a 625 for 6-8k depending on their hours and condition. You rarely see a Bandit on the block though, when they do they go fast! Squad 143 has a Bandit, I'm sure he can give you more input on them then me. They go for $16,000 and change new at Brandt in Milton. I'll keep an eye out for you. :greenchainsaw:

Thanks deevo, the ones i rented were both from United.. could have been the same one come to think of it. Being able to reduce brush into mulch will be a huge advantage for me, right now I'm using a 22ft flatbed tandem axle trailer and just piling brush on it. I can move quite a bit at once, but you just can't beat mulch for efficency... Plus that will leave the trailer free for logs, which are easy to unload with the tractor.

TMD that loadhandler rig looks awesome, but will it be able to handle the weight of a pile thats 3ft deep? I'm planning on building a box for the truck the same height as the cab with a tarp over it to contain everything and boost capacity a little bit... I guess if I have to shovel a bit off to dump it will still save me time/labor, and on the smaller days it'll work like a charm I'm sure.

 

[lumberjack333]

I was just looking at the Bandit 65XP specs on their website... with the diesel in it at 45hp I bet that thing would rock. Just not sure if I want to spend the money on it, this will be my first chipper. And for this season will only be used 1 maybe 2 days a week in most cases. I guess it all depends on what I can find used at what kind of price... I'm fairly mechanically inclined so I don't mind getting a deal on something thats a little scratched up and leaky, throwing a few new seals in. Sandblast and a coat of paint, company logo on there... Uh oh, daydreaming again.

There is a shop here in Barrie deevo, Wights Small Engines on essa rd. I went to highschool with the son of the owner, good friends with him. I know they deal in Bandit, so maybe I'll demo one this spring and see how I like it compared to the Vermeers. If you're interested and havn't seen one in action you could come out and try er' as well.

 

[TreeClimber57]

Just looking into getting myself a nice 6" chipper come this spring, checking out the vermeer models... hopefully get something at an auction for a decent price. I think 6" will be plenty for me for a few years, I probably wont be able to afford a heavier truck with a dump box for a year or two anyways. I have a 1/2ton chev now with two extra springs in the rear end so she can handle a loaded 7000lb trailer without a problem, chips shouldn't be an issue, just gotta deal with shoveling them out for a little while.

Anyways, my only concern with the new vermeers is the underpowered 25hp Kohler V-twin gas motor the have in the thing. I rented one a couple times last year and I found the 6" capacity more than adequate, but the little kohler struggled with solid wood over 3". Anybody have any input for me, different brand? I'd like to stick with 6" to keep the weight down, just get something with a little more power... even a diesel would be great if thats possible on a chipper that size.

Thanks guys!

We have no issues with our 6" - (we also have a 12" but the 6" likely gets the most use).

If rental.. were the knives sharp? Key to keep the knives sharp and a spare set of knives on hand. I have seen one guy who actually put a diesel on a Vermeer 620 - seemed to work ok. Forget diesel he used, but think it was an Italian brand. I have found Vermeer to treat their customers (even of used equipment) very well.

 

[highasatree]

It all depends on your situation. I'm working on my 5th Vermeer 6" chipper. Because of my location, I have to unhook the chipper from the truck and push it back into the driveway everyday. We've had no trouble feeding debris into it because we know its capacity and will cut the crotches accordingly

 

[bighugetrees]

Bought one brand new in 2001 and shoveled chips for 6 years from f250. Finally bought a one ton dump which I should have done the same time I bough the chipper. I work this set up 3-4 days a week max. If going to work everyday of the week, then you need to go bigger(something I am finding out). All comes down to how you like to spend your time. Cost of machine and maintenance is the best thing for me.

I have been looking to go bigger. Lots of used stuff for sale in our area. Economy is really thinning the heard right now.

 

[deevo]

Bought one brand new in 2001 and shoveled chips for 6 years from f250. Finally bought a one ton dump which I should have done the same time I bough the chipper. I work this set up 3-4 days a week max. If going to work everyday of the week, then you need to go bigger(something I am finding out). All comes down to how you like to spend your time. Cost of machine and maintenance is the best thing for me.

I have been looking to go bigger. Lots of used stuff for sale in our area. Economy is really thinning the heard right now.

Keep an eye out for us then!
Thanks!:greenchainsaw:

 

[treemandan]

Thanks deevo, the ones i rented were both from United.. could have been the same one come to think of it. Being able to reduce brush into mulch will be a huge advantage for me, right now I'm using a 22ft flatbed tandem axle trailer and just piling brush on it. I can move quite a bit at once, but you just can't beat mulch for efficency... Plus that will leave the trailer free for logs, which are easy to unload with the tractor.

TMD that loadhandler rig looks awesome, but will it be able to handle the weight of a pile thats 3ft deep? I'm planning on building a box for the truck the same height as the cab with a tarp over it to contain everything and boost capacity a little bit... I guess if I have to shovel a bit off to dump it will still save me time/labor, and on the smaller days it'll work like a charm I'm sure.

Would you believe that thing actually works? No kidding! I would get the heavy duty one, its like rated for 3000 lbs and has steel brakets. I have the 2000lbs with plastic brackets I think, I used to load my pick-up with 2 foot sides and it would just crank it out no problem. A little is left behind ther tarp and wheel wells but if you do some modification you can get better results.It really does work cept it does just pile the load right off the tailgate and you will find you might have to pull the truck up a little to make room for the stuff to come off. I used mine for when the dump truck is down but a motivated man can fork a load off a pick-up pretty quick too.

 

[treemandan]

I have one that gets along ok with the Kohler. It is a 6" chipper so it has its limits. You will fill up a 1/2 ton pickup quickly with it. The good news is that you can always find deals on ex-rental units.

Loadhandler works pretty good, you will dump about 75% of what is in the bed, then shovel out the rest.

Sorry for the hi-jack, but does anyone know what model of drive belt goes on the 625a with the kohler 25hp. I replaced it with a Gates from Napa before, but I seem to have lost the part number. Napa doesn't have a listing for chippers.

There is a Vermeer dealer in Jersey, don't know how close to you but you could either go there and get it, have them mail it to or give you the part number so Napa can cross-reference it maybe. When you get the new one staple the package to the owner's manual.

Oh and BTW I noticed Gates made a decent belt back in 98 or so but these days? THEY SUUUHUUCK! or so it seems to me.

 

[Tree Pig]

Would you believe that thing actually works? No kidding! I would get the heavy duty one, its like rated for 3000 lbs and has steel brakets. I have the 2000lbs with plastic brackets I think, I used to load my pick-up with 2 foot sides and it would just crank it out no problem. A little is left behind ther tarp and wheel wells but if you do some modification you can get better results.It really does work cept it does just pile the load right off the tailgate and you will find you might have to pull the truck up a little to make room for the stuff to come off. I used mine for when the dump truck is down but a motivated man can fork a load off a pick-up pretty quick too.

I forked a load out of the back of a truck once and said I would never do it again. Good to know this thing is a good cheap option in a pinch.

 

[treemandan]

I forked a load out of the back of a truck once and said I would never do it again. Good to know this thing is a good cheap option in a pinch.

Are you saying you forked yourself out of the back of a truck? No, sorry, just couldn't resist a little harmless humour, meant nothing by it.
Maybe I just don't remember how bad it is to fork a load out though but it seemed to go quick. I pitch through my legs like a dog digging and it help to have the tailgate off if using a pick-up.

 

[Tree Pig]

Are you saying you forked yourself out of the back of a truck? No, sorry, just couldn't resist a little harmless humour, meant nothing by it.
Maybe I just don't remember how bad it is to fork a load out though but it seemed to go quick. I pitch through my legs like a dog digging and it help to have the tailgate off if using a pick-up.

Well I guess this is kind of fitting because the chipper was a vermeer 6 inch and as anyone that has used them will remember they make real nice small chips. The tree was a live maple with tons of green. Combine that with this chipper and you get a tightly packed load of chips that dont lend them self to being removed by anything other then dumping very easy. I guess if it was a bigger chipper the larger chips would have left more dead space and made it a hell of a lot easier the get the pitch fork in.

 

[rydnruff]

i have a vermeer 625a for sale if anybody is interested