What chipper to purchase?

[Tee Bones]

After a very hectic and profitable season this year our chipper decided to fall off into the chipper graveyard. We still have tons of work left to do and we have been forced to rent chippers for the last couple of weeks because we don't want to rush into buying a new chipper without doing some homework first. Renting them has helped in our quest, cause we can see what we like and dislike about the different brands and models of chippers. But I am wondering if some of you could tell me what you like and dislike about your chippers so that we can begin to narrow down our choices. Thanks for any input.

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Chipper advise

I have a BC1000 12" vermeer chipper. I like most the infeed opening 12"x17". this allows me to rip and chip soft woods up to 16" or so in diameter. It has ample power, especially if the blades are kept sharp. It's relatively light (5,000 lbs) and you can clear jambs easily with the simple jack system to lift the feed wheel. I have run an older morbark, a BC1400 and a BC600xl. Customer service has been excellent for me with the vermeer. I'm sure others have more experience with other chippers but mine fits my company well. It all depends on your particular needs....... Mike

 

[JS Landscaping]

At the company I work for we have 2 Bandit 1590 Intimidators, with john deere powerplants on both of them. They are some mean chippers, eat up anything you feed them with ease, havent had one jam yet on us. The drum style chippers seem much more powerful then the disk style I have run with the last company I worked for. Those were Bandit 254's. We also have a Bandit 250xp which is our back up chipper. All three units are under 2 years old, but the 250XP is rarely used. What size of a chipper are you looking for? I definatly suggest Bandit chippers, we have had very few problems with them.

 

[phillytreeking1]

Bandit

 

[Tee Bones]

We are looking for about a 12 inch chipper. We have had larger ones but they are so heavy and a pain in the rear to haul around. So far I like the rayco rc12 but have heard about a few mechanical problems with them. They destroy whatever you put in them but as we all know they certainly are not cheap. Need something strong tough and reliable. A lot of the other services around here use the vermeers as well, but don't know anyone with a bandit. Thanks for the feedback keep it coming.

 

[epicklein22]

Most companies around here run morbark. I like them and they really chip well with sharp teeth and with a properly adjusted clutch. The company I worked for still uses one that is almost 20 years old. Brush bandit is supposed to have the best new stuff out right now. If there is a new chipper around here, it is usually a brush bandit. I have heard good things about the JD diesel engines too.

 

[mckeetree]

I have only owned one morbark and it was worn out when I bought it. That being said I think they are some of the best machines out there.

 

[newsawtooth]

Rc 12

Tee Bones,

I know Rayco is relatively new to the chipper market, but they make a reliable machine none the less. I purchased an RC12 at the beginning of the summer for urban and forestry work. As you know they are very heavy and powerful. (I've only put thirty hours on it.) I cannot figure out why they do not sell more in my area (Front range Colorado).The hydraulic clutch is worry free, the feed wheel can be raised by the hydraulics, eliminating the need for a jack. My only real beef is the lack of a winch (which can be remedied) and how heavy they are (6400 lbs for a 12" chipper). I have a heard a story or two about some bad ones, but as of yet mine is a powerful maintenance free machine.

Brent

 

[BC WetCoast]

I've only run Vermeer XL1000 and a range of Bandits 90-250. I like the Bandits better for the following reasons:
- I like the horizontal feed rollers better than the vertical, they seen to grab better
- the disk chipper didn't get clogged as often as the drum especially when chipping wet cedar hedge clippings (could be operator)
- the Bandit has a longer wheel base and is easier to back up. We were running the vermeer with a cab over truck and backing it up was brutal (always jack knifing)
- both seemed to handle the big stuff equally well, although there was never a head to head comparison

Minor stuff I agree, but things to consider.

 

[CLEARVIEW TREE]

Bandit for sure!

I run a vermeer chipper, but soon will switch to a new bandit when i can afford it. My buds got one and don't know the model, but it's a 12" unit. Tough, reliable and the sob will blow the bark off trees at 25 yards!!!! It will also pull a hole tree limbs and all up to 12' thru itself without a scoff. Tough, tough, tough!

 

[JohnH]

BANDIT 1st then morbark. We have tried all the others and they dont cut it.

 

[TheKid]

a little biased here, cause i have friends and family that work for vermeer. we run the older, discontinued 935 with the deutz diesel and it is great for the kind of work we do. 9", disc. A lot of companies here use the bc1000 and it has a CUMMINS! I've used it and really like it. exhaust goes out the chute. brilliant. hope this helps.

 

[phillytreeking1]

Vermeer chippers are junk

 

[056kid]

After a very hectic and profitable season this year our chipper decided to fall off into the chipper graveyard. We still have tons of work left to do and we have been forced to rent chippers for the last couple of weeks because we don't want to rush into buying a new chipper without doing some homework first. Renting them has helped in our quest, cause we can see what we like and dislike about the different brands and models of chippers. But I am wondering if some of you could tell me what you like and dislike about your chippers so that we can begin to narrow down our choices. Thanks for any input.

What do you do with the chips?