buying used Bandit 150, advice?

[Matt Michael]

I've committed to buying a 1999 Bandit 150xl chipper with a blown engine. Yes, I'm getting it real cheap.

It's got the 4 cylinder gasoline GMC industrial motor, about 80 HP, but it's messed up in unknown ways. Bandit has been very helpful with specific info and has provided a source for a new replacement engine. But, I'm thinking about simply overhauling what is there if it's not too screwed up.

Anyway, it's a pretty exciting project for me. I'm in no hurry and want to essentially rebuild whatever it needs to be in tip top form for next season.

I'm interested in hearing advice from anyone who has experience with these units as to things to watch out for, operating tips, overhaul advice... That sort of thing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ArborquipSP]

The bandit 150 is a good machine. But we don't see many of those GM engines here in California and the ones we do see arnt that good. The problems I have seen with them is the electronic governor does not work and is expensive to replace as well as most engine parts. I would consider a repower with either a diesel. Do you have any pictures of the machine? Another thing to check are the disc bearings. If they are bad with a running engine they will make noise or have a lot of play in them if you pry on the disc.

Scott

 

[ducaticorse]

As far as a rebuild first see if the crank is stuck. If it is, you may want to move on to a new block. You need to check the heads, and valves. Trickle down compression test. The Governors are a PITA if not working correctly, and will cause overrevving, and bent valves. They are hella expensive to fix too, and I'll guess that if its a gas blown motor, the governor was the cause, unless the guy ran it with out oil, or rad fluid.
As for the machine itself, pull off the bell housing on the pto, make sure your bearings are tight, make sure the clutch doesn't have grease all over it from idiot maintenance work. A remaned PTO is about 1500 all said and done. Make sure the feed rollers are sharp those are about 600 a piece. Check over the hydro lines, you wont really be able to tell if they'll hold or not unless they're under load i guess. Look around for cracks that may need welding.
This is all a BIG PITA BTW. Sometimes its better to just buy a working unit. none of this stuff is cheap, but it is easy to do if you know what you are doing.

 

[2dogs]

Yeah, look for cracks low down on the machine. Also if this has a waterwheel type disc then consider cutting two of the vanes off. Check with Badit or your dealer regarding this because it can make a huge difference in throw and reduce plugging. The (axel) springs bend pretty easy so check those also. The PtO/clutch is a big issue so make sure it is OK.

 

[Matt Michael]

Well, I took possession of this unit and removed the engine a few days ago. It's now in pieces at the machine shop. Doesn't look too bad but there are a few parts missing, valve cover, distributor... This is a in line 4 cylinder gas GM 3 liter industrial motor which seems to be based on a common GM car engine of around 2.4 L size.

If anyone has experience with this type of motor and knows a source for industrial motor parts I'd like to hear about it. I know about Power Great Lakes. Handy but they want nearly $200 for a valve cover! Thinking I can do better or even do all right with some auto parts.

The rest of the unit looks OK and Bandit sent me a very comprehensive manual that covers maintenance and inspection.

Thanks!