vermeer chipper

[Wolfking42084]

I guess the vermeer fans are going to love this. I have been using a ragged out Brush Bandit 200 for some time now. It got stolen and hasn't been recovered in the past 2 months, so i've been renting a vermeer bc1000. I have always had a dislike for vermeer because of their 6" chipper I can once. I have to say that a love the vermeer. I don't know if it's just because i've never had a "good" brush bandit, or whether the vermeer was good. I've always been fond of the disc style chippers more also and now that I have ran the drum, it's really doing well in vines, which I thought it wouldn't. Since my old POS got stolen, I gotta figure out which one I like better and which one to buy.

 

[tomtrees58]

i have a 1230 got it new its good tom trees

 

[thejdman04]

Company I used to work for had the bc1000 xl, our chipper would constantly get jammed and burn belts, even with the feed set all the way to slow.

 

[capetrees]

I have a Vermeer BC 100XL and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! I bought it used but essentially new after most of the guts were replaced prior to me buying it. I have never had a problem with performance unless something broke and those issues were minor. Never have a vine broblem, never burned a belt, nothing. And the Vermeer reps fix it overnight for me. It's bee great and with just aboput 1000 hours on it, I see no reason to get rid of it for a long time. If you do buy one, new or used, make sure when you start out, everything is set to factory spec. Keep your blades sharp, belt tentioned propery and bed knife set correctly (most likely the reason for the vine buildups others have posted).

I must admit I've never used any other chippers but have noticed that not too many use Vermeers while at the same time, constantly upgrade their Morbarks and Bandits. Is it because Vermeer costs more or they trade the others in because they wear out or break down more? I don't know. I do know y vermeer is great and would definately go with the same size again if I had to.

 

[Wolfking42084]

I was honestly making my judgement about vermeer, after running their 6" machine, unfair I know. I still think BB is a great company and they make great machines, but I won't down vermeer anymore. I have a foley grinder to sharpen the blades on so that is always a priority of mine. Anyone know of a used bc1000?

 

[fishercat]

they like bearings in the feedwheels.

i have a 1230 got it new its good tom trees

it's mostly because no one cleans all the crap out on the top of the wheels.look in there,you will see what i mean.

 

[fishercat]

i actually have their 6" chipper.

I was honestly making my judgement about vermeer, after running their 6" machine, unfair I know. I still think BB is a great company and they make great machines, but I won't down vermeer anymore. I have a foley grinder to sharpen the blades on so that is always a priority of mine. Anyone know of a used bc1000?

it is a good chipper.i never liked them bigger than that.it has saved us many times.if you keep the belt adjusted,blades sharp,and replace their junk autofeed controller with an aftermarket,they are good machines.

 

[woodchux]

it is a good chipper.i never liked them bigger than that.it has saved us many times.if you keep the belt adjusted,blades sharp,and replace their junk autofeed controller with an aftermarket,they are good machines.

What aftermarket controller are you using?

 

[tomtrees58]

it's mostly because no one cleans all the crap out on the top of the wheels.look in there,you will see what i mean.

we clean them ever month tom treesopcorn:

 

[Wolfking42084]

The safety lever on the infeed tray is a pita, but a real life saver literally. Does vermeer only make chippers with the one infeed wheel or do some have 2?

 

[treevet]

The safety lever on the infeed tray is a pita, but a real life saver literally. Does vermeer only make chippers with the one infeed wheel or do some have 2?

Both mine (bc1250a and bc2000) have 2 rollers.

Vermeer are great chippers.

Vermeer techs are top class. I got 10 plus years with their stuff (2 chippers and 2 stumpers). I had a 16 inch 8cyl Mitts and Merrill for 25 years prior to these.

I am not the kind to say they are better than others when, unlike some people, I would be saying it without ever using any other chippers.

 

[fishercat]

these folks.

What aftermarket controller are you using?

http://radioremote.com/home.htm

great product.

 

[pdqdl]

I bought a new Bandit 200XP in 1997. It's the best machine I ever bought. I'll bet I haven't spent over $500 in maintenance parts since I bought it. Practically everything is still original, despite everything we have done to it.

Let's see...New electronic control, worn out hydraulic feed control valve, alternator, at least two new replacement sets of belts...that's about it. Oops! We had a battery explode on it once, but you can't blame bandit for that.

We even rolled it once, and it only damaged the radiator and top chute.

 

[brushbandit]

I bought a new Bandit 200XP in 1997. It's the best machine I ever bought. I'll bet I haven't spent over $500 in maintenance parts since I bought it. Practically everything is still original, despite everything we have done to it.

Let's see...New electronic control, worn out hydraulic feed control valve, alternator, at least two new replacement sets of belts...that's about it. Oops! We had a battery explode on it once, but you can't blame bandit for that.

We even rolled it once, and it only damaged the radiator and top chute.

I also had a 1997 Bandit 200XL bought new that I just sold. It was an excellent machine for us. I replaced it with Bandit 1890 which we like so far.

 

[fishercat]

i hear ya.

I bought a new Bandit 200XP in 1997. It's the best machine I ever bought. I'll bet I haven't spent over $500 in maintenance parts since I bought it. Practically everything is still original, despite everything we have done to it.

Let's see...New electronic control, worn out hydraulic feed control valve, alternator, at least two new replacement sets of belts...that's about it. Oops! We had a battery explode on it once, but you can't blame bandit for that.

We even rolled it once, and it only damaged the radiator and top chute.

we have a 2002 250 xp with 1500 hours.oil changes,fuel filter,and grease is all we've done.

 

[Little Monkey]

i have used both brush bandit and vermeer extensively,
given the choice i would pick brush bandit hands down,
if you maintain them regulary grease etc.. they will last for yonks ( a technical irish term for ages ) however if you are a bit lazy they will burn bearings etc..
they are more rugged and better built and i love the roller crush and winches you can get on them.
the vermeer bc 1000 is a very popular model over here and is a good chipper
as most of the firms here are slack arse lazy ho-ha's( more tech jargen)
and maintainence is least proirity the vermeer do quite well as they
can take the neglect of grease and some T.L.C,,
that said they really are no match for the bandit.

 

[Wolfking42084]

Good deal, thanks for all the input guys. Hopefully i'll get something again soon.

 

[treevet]

i have used both brush bandit and vermeer extensively,
given the choice i would pick brush bandit hands down,
if you maintain them regulary grease etc.. they will last for yonks ( a technical irish term for ages ) however if you are a bit lazy they will burn bearings etc..
they are more rugged and better built and i love the roller crush and winches you can get on them.
the vermeer bc 1000 is a very popular model over here and is a good chipper
as most of the firms here are slack arse lazy ho-ha's( more tech jargen)
and maintainence is least proirity the vermeer do quite well as they
can take the neglect of grease and some T.L.C,,
that said they really are no match for the bandit.

Doubt the accuracy of that last statement. Research done by ho-ha's quite likely.

 

[Little Monkey]

please elaborate treevet

 

[B-Edwards]

I was honestly making my judgement about vermeer, after running their 6" machine, unfair I know. I still think BB is a great company and they make great machines, but I won't down vermeer anymore. I have a foley grinder to sharpen the blades on so that is always a priority of mine. Anyone know of a used bc1000?

Nope but I have a bc2000 with `1550 hours for sale.