Looking to purchase a chipper need advice

[shooterschafer]

Hello all it's been a while since I have been on here. I just landed a big contract and my old method of dealing with brush isnt going to cut it. I am in the market for a 12 or 14 in. chipper. There isnt many options here in Colorado as far as used chippers go. So far I have found a 2006 Vermeer bc1000xl (700hrs) and a 2000 Bandit 250xp (1800hrs). The vermeer was a rental and the bandit was owned by the city. I am sure someone on here has had experience with these chippers so what are the pros and cons of each? I also found a 2000 vermeer bc1000xl with 2000hrs but I think the guy wants a bit much @ 18k. Any input is much appreciated !

 

[Thillmaine1]

Bandito

Stick with bandit. Vermeer has plastic shrouding around the machine, and a million microswitches making it near impossible to completeley chip a top without hitting 4 buttons and resetting the bar. Bandit is a better machine, tougher, and a 250 is a staple in the tree care industry. They are built with all steel, and their customer service is A plus. Easy to work on, easy to change the knives and many enginer options. If you can, try and get a john deere motor, they seem to work better and harder then catepillar.

 

[shooterschafer]

Thanks man, I know the 1 vermeer I looked at had a cracked engine shroud with a big hole in it! I haven't went to look at the bandit yet, thats in order for this week. Does $15k sound about right for the 250xp with that many hrs on it ? I imagine if it was owned by the city it was well maintained.

 

[epicklein22]

Thanks man, I know the 1 vermeer I looked at had a cracked engine shroud with a big hole in it! I haven't went to look at the bandit yet, thats in order for this week. Does $15k sound about right for the 250xp with that many hrs on it ? I imagine if it was owned by the city it was well maintained.

That might be a tad high on the 250xp. At 1800 hours, it could be worn into the ground, or still in good working condition. Lots depends on typical maintenance and what kind of material they were feeding it.

Buddy and I have a '95 250xp that has over 4500 hours and still is relatively tight. Has been reliable. Has some quirks and needs some TLC in certain departments, but the clutch is good, bearings tight and the cummins motor is strong! Dropped a $1000 just in a radiator rebuild, so take those simple type of things into consideration (tires, radiator, hydro hoses).

 

[gorman]

Bandit dude. Always go with Bandit for chippers. Mine has around 1400 and there has never been a problem. I can't imagine a city worker trying to force a machine to do 110%. Usually they throw small brush in and then take a sip of their ice coffee.

 

[mattfr12]

Thanks man, I know the 1 vermeer I looked at had a cracked engine shroud with a big hole in it! I haven't went to look at the bandit yet, thats in order for this week. Does $15k sound about right for the 250xp with that many hrs on it ? I imagine if it was owned by the city it was well maintained.

15k is a decent price I sold a 2007 250xp with winch and 900 hours for 23k

 

[charles schwab]

I am looking to buy a new bandit....the question is 255xp...disk or 1390xp drum...I am familiar with disk chippers but the dealer seams to be stering me to the 1390xp saying its easier to change the blades ect. The price is vertually the same...this is a huge decission I am going to live with for a long time...any comments that might be of any help would be appriciated

Charles Schwab

 

[jefflovstrom]

I am looking to buy a new bandit....the question is 255xp...disk or 1390xp drum...I am familiar with disk chippers but the dealer seams to be stering me to the 1390xp saying its easier to change the blades ect. The price is vertually the same...this is a huge decission I am going to live with for a long time...any comments that might be of any help would be appriciated

Charles Schwab

Not a fan of disk,,Morbark drums for me,,
Jeff