Best 12" chipper on the market

[a_lopa]

What do YOU think is the best 12"chipper on the market and why?

personally im all for the bandit range 150-250xp due to the long life span and bullet proof design,theres a few imposters out there at the moment are the going to last the long haul?alot of other manufacturers drum types arnt holding up here down under chipping hardwood all day with bearing failures before 1000 hours,i dont think they have much hope of making 4000 hrs.

 

[ggttp]

I'm a fan of the Vermeer 1230A. I have never ran or even seen a bandit run so i could not compare.

I own a bc1230A and a bc1000

The bc1000 is great for chipping limbs and moderate size logs.
The bc1230A i great for every thing.

 

[phillytreeking1]

Bandit 250 xp hell of a machine i run all bandits

 

[rbtree]

Consensus among many is that the Morbark and Woodsman are better built (heavier sheet metal, etc) than the Bandits. I've never run them. I'm plenty happy with my 250XP w/winch and live hydraulics (features that may not be available on a Vermeer 1230 or 1250, a machine that pales in comparison to the Bandito.)

I'd think long and hard about the Dynamic ConeHead if I get another chipper..and it would be the 15 inch model.

 

[Beast12]

I'd think long and hard about the Dynamic ConeHead if I get another chipper..and it would be the 15 inch model.

Ya, you would WANT to think long and hard. We bought the DC-50 Discone model about a year and a half ago. Too many problems to list. Is a GREAT machine when it is working. Have had more down time than both of our old chuck and ducks that are in excess of 30 years old.

We got rid of one of the old chippers and were going to sell the other one but we still use it for when the DC-50 goes down (and it does).

-Matt

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Ya, you would WANT to think long and hard. We bought the DC-50 Discone model about a year and a half ago. Too many problems to list. Is a GREAT machine when it is working. Have had more down time than both of our old chuck and ducks that are in excess of 30 years old.

We got rid of one of the old chippers and were going to sell the other one but we still use it for when the DC-50 goes down (and it does).

-Matt

Boy does that sound like the new vermeer chippers, great when they work.
Too many gadgets and poor support.

 

[jazak]

Hands down the Morbark 12.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Ya, you would WANT to think long and hard. We bought the DC-50 Discone model about a year and a half ago. Too many problems to list. Is a GREAT machine when it is working. Have had more down time than both of our old chuck and ducks that are in excess of 30 years old.

We got rid of one of the old chippers and were going to sell the other one but we still use it for when the DC-50 goes down (and it does).

-Matt

Hey Matt, that sounds bad. What specificaly is going wrong for you?
I'm a Dynamic dealer, so may be able to help you out.

 

[Beast12]

Well, let me see

1) Hydraulic motor for the feedwheel was leaking hydraulic oil - fixed under warranty
2) One of the hydraulic lifts for the feedwheel was leaking hydraulic oil - fixed under warranty
3) BOTH fenders cracking really bad - new ones given to us under warranty but not installed yet
4) 3 broken feedwheel springs - 2 replaced under warranty
5) NUMEROUS problems with the wiring coming apart - I took every connection apart and soldered and shrinkwrapped them (they were just crimped on)
6) Diesel tank rubbing against frame ended up getting a crack in it and leaking - fixed by us out of warranty but Dynamic said they would pay
7) Voltmeter has not consistenly worked for over a year - didn't fix because there is one on the Tachometer
8) Small diesel fuel line got a crack in it and spewed diesel fuel all over the road - this just happened a couple weeks ago and we just fixed it ourselves

That's what I can think of off the top of my head. I think that is all of it though. Like I said earlier it is a great running machine...when it is running.

-Matt

 

[jazak]

My buddy just bought the 21" discone. No problems so far.

I'm still going to stick with Morbark though, as Discone is new to the industry.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Matt, sorry to hear about your problems. Getting stuff fixed under warrenty is good, but still a pain in the backside when it breaks on site.

I'm running a 16" and 22" Conehead, no problems so far... but for the European market we do a few mods. (the wiring being the first!)
Also, all our future 22" machines will be fitted with a tier3 440hp V6, as the US versions dont have enough power.

 

[diltree]

best 12" chipper?? Bandit 1290 drum..... hands down

 

[ctkiteboarding]

I've had the tried and true bandit 100 w ford gas forever and moved to the 250 xp this yr, also a strong machine , but i am sick of the feed system and might go to a woodsman if i can find one reasonable w 500 hrs or so ,, any converts to woodsmans out their ? R

 

[a_lopa]

What dont you like about the feed system?

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Its hard to argue with the 1290, as it uses the same 37" dia drum as the 22" 3090 chipper!
Still using that twin roller sysytem though.
Unless you run your bottom trapdoor open, they have a habit of jamming up.

Morbark, Woodsman and Conehead all go for the Oversized toproller system. seems to perform very well...

Heres our 22" Conehead working

 

[a_lopa]

Looks ok,how does it go on hardwoods?

Had a guy offer me good money for my chipper today 4k more than i paid.

 

[ctkiteboarding]

any dead wood splits and then jams it seems to alway have to be reversed and re feed,, pain in the arse

 

[Beast12]

Well, let me see

1) Hydraulic motor for the feedwheel was leaking hydraulic oil - fixed under warranty
2) One of the hydraulic lifts for the feedwheel was leaking hydraulic oil - fixed under warranty
3) BOTH fenders cracking really bad - new ones given to us under warranty but not installed yet
4) 3 broken feedwheel springs - 2 replaced under warranty
5) NUMEROUS problems with the wiring coming apart - I took every connection apart and soldered and shrinkwrapped them (they were just crimped on)
6) Diesel tank rubbing against frame ended up getting a crack in it and leaking - fixed by us out of warranty but Dynamic said they would pay
7) Voltmeter has not consistenly worked for over a year - didn't fix because there is one on the Tachometer
8) Small diesel fuel line got a crack in it and spewed diesel fuel all over the road - this just happened a couple weeks ago and we just fixed it ourselves

That's what I can think of off the top of my head. I think that is all of it though. Like I said earlier it is a great running machine...when it is running.

-Matt

Well, I guess I can add to this list. One of the drum bearings went out. Machine is JUST over 2 years old (around 1000 hours) and we have to replace one of the sealed bearings.

I believe it is because of the design of the machine. I think woodchips were rubbing against the side of it and caused one of them to rip the protective shield off the bearing. This shield keeps the grease in and the dirt and woodchips out.

So, this machine will probably be down for a week. I am SOOOOO glad we kept our old reliable (usually) chuck and duck.

-Matt

 

[gdn]

morbark 13 with winch excellent chipper, only 2 blades auto feed very robust maintain and it won't break. And it has winch. For tree removal often a trunk can be 4-5m long 12" diameter and feed rollers don't hiccup. We only chip hardwood and stones over here, prob about 3-5hrs the chipper is chipping each day, and do blade flip once a week (about 1/2hr to do)
would recommend getting air wrench for chipper maintenance (blades, anvil)
did i mention it has winch? (maybe i should be moaning about the lack of them on our other chippers...

my chipper experience : chipstar disc chipper (good if run properly)
Big Morbark - not sure which model and i think larger capacity/motor but it is drum with 4 blades and doesn't chip as good as the...
!Morbark 13 best chipper!
and also we have crappy old vermeer 1250 that is crap with no winch

 

[Beast12]

Well, I guess I can add to this list. One of the drum bearings went out. Machine is JUST over 2 years old (around 1000 hours) and we have to replace one of the sealed bearings.

I believe it is because of the design of the machine. I think woodchips were rubbing against the side of it and caused one of them to rip the protective shield off the bearing. This shield keeps the grease in and the dirt and woodchips out.

So, this machine will probably be down for a week. I am SOOOOO glad we kept our old reliable (usually) chuck and duck.

-Matt

The bearing will be here on Monday. The bearing and the block it sits in is going to cost us $700 out of pocket. We COULD get just the bearing but that would take 10 days longer and still be about $450. Must have the big chipper back. We will make the $250 easy on saved fuel and labour costs.

-Matt