small chipper question..curious about brand

[dblack]

hello everyone. I am currently in the market for a chipper. The absolute most i can spend is $6500. In my opinion that pretty much only leaves two options...either a dinosaur chuck and duck or a used 6 inch. I would prefer something safer than a chuck and duck. I have seen the vermeer 600 series and the bandit 65 and 75 series. I already own two kohler command engines so i am ok with that or a diesel on a 6 inch. my question is, which brand do you guys prefer? ive seen videos of the vermeer 6 inch chippers and wasnt impressed with the feed speed compared to the bandits. I have a local bandit dealer that would be very easy to get parts from...the nearest vermeer dealer is 50 minutes away. i have read that sometimes the bandits struggle with pulling stuff in. I will be using it to chip probably around 500 eight foot tall cedar trees, honey locust, and some other pine. I am looking for something that i can adjust the knives and do regular maintenance pretty easily. it must have hydraulic feed...i do not want a gravity fed harry homeowner chipper. are there any other commercial brands out there that you guys like or do you prefer the bandit or vermeer 6 inch chippers?

 

[esus]

I've only used a few smaller bandits, and I think they work well. The BC1000 I used worked. Just from the few times I've looked down the hopper of the BC600 and seen the tiny little square infeed, I really wanted to never own one. Having the extra width that the bandits and woodsman's have helps a ton.

I paid 5800 for my 98 bandit model 90xp. I think it was a good deal. I'm so glad I got the bigger one, as I was looking at 6" class because that was where my budget was pointing me.

 

[Steve-Maine]

I wouldn't buy less than a 12" disc cheaper with atleast 80 HP Diesel. I have seen some for sale from $6,000 and up. Once you use a large chipper you will never go back to a small one. Good Luck
Steve




OTE=esus;4331097]I've only used a few smaller bandits, and I think they work well. The BC1000 I used worked. Just from the few times I've looked down the hopper of the BC600 and seen the tiny little square infeed, I really wanted to never own one. Having the extra width that the bandits and woodsman's have helps a ton.

I paid 5800 for my 98 bandit model 90xp. I think it was a good deal. I'm so glad I got the bigger one, as I was looking at 6" class because that was where my budget was pointing me.[/QUOTE]

 

[ronnyb]

Check out machinerytrader.com or equipmentraderonline.com. You should be able to find something in the 9 inch range at that price.

 

[Goose IBEW]

I went the dinosaur route, but found a 1987 12" Badger disc style chipper with the hydraulic infeed. Once I saw how productive the 12" in feed is, I was very happy I didn't get 6 or 9 inch chipper.

 

[gdavis24]

For $5 to $6K you can get an early 90's 12 in hydraulic feed. ford 300 six and up. poor metal or paint and up. Woodsman, Bandit, morbark, and others. Try CL in NJ, CT, PA. All more capable and forgiving than a chuck and duck.