New chipper can’t decide.

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scottpaton22

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Hey guys. Needing advice. Here in northern Australia. Updating my backup chipper to a late model 18 inch.
looking at two models Vermeer bc1800xl and a bandit 1590xp or possibly the 1890xp hd
Now I’ve never had the pleasure of running bandit. I’ve owned a bc 1500 and a bc1400Xl
Both to your belief have been crazy good machines. Can’t fault them. No vibrations and nothing major gone wrong. Have put over 4000 hours on both machines. Now upgrade time there is bugger all on the market currently and brand new have long wait times. I’m on the list at both dealers. Looked at a 1800xl 2015 but it was in pretty rough condition and looked a little neglected lots of hydraulic leaks on the chute and fair amounts of rust around the feed rollers like it hasn’t been cleaned regularly. Also appeared the auto feed wasn’t adjusted right my 1500 would chew the 10 inch log better imo. Again not a fair test was only a video of it I seen as it’s 3000kms away. But wanting to know should I hold out for a 1800xl or go over and try the green hulk haha.
there is two 1590xps available now with low hours 2017 and 2018 models both very tidy but only have the 140hp option. Is the hp a huge difference. We do a fair amount of big stuff but have loaders and excavators to load logs if need be but would be nice to use the 18inch capacity. Also never used the horizontal feed wheels with lift and crush. Do you find this easy to use and learn? I have a few girls on our team who work great but they do take a little longer to get the idea of new concepts with machinery but once there better than the blokes. Thanks in advance hope for a quick response have the cash waiting for the right machine happy to spend up to 100k for the right unit
 
I had only used vermeer units until I took that job in Alaska. I think it was a 1590, don't know what Powerplant it had. Took at least 3 hours to win me over, lol. The lift and crush is awesome, and easy to use. Maintenance was simpler, and didn't have as many electronics to malfunction. Just my experience.
 
I had only used vermeer units until I took that job in Alaska. I think it was a 1590, don't know what Powerplant it had. Took at least 3 hours to win me over, lol. The lift and crush is awesome, and easy to use. Maintenance was simpler, and didn't have as many electronics to malfunction. Just my experience.
Thanks mate, that’s good feedback. Wouldn’t mind working in Alaska over the tropical heat this time of year over here haha. I do believe they are simpler and easier to keep clean which is another big bonus. I’m trying to hunt for a 1890xp hd as it has a larger throat opening for the I feed rollers. The 1590xp looks like it could be a pain with Twisted branches that we get on some of our big mangos and the likes. Appreciate the feedback mate. Lots of guys are similar though. Worst thing is apart from two bandits that look like they have been ran over by a train here locally the nearest nice machine is over 1200kms away to tryout. Might have to go for a drive :)
 
Thanks mate, that’s good feedback. Wouldn’t mind working in Alaska over the tropical heat this time of year over here haha. I do believe they are simpler and easier to keep clean which is another big bonus. I’m trying to hunt for a 1890xp hd as it has a larger throat opening for the I feed rollers. The 1590xp looks like it could be a pain with Twisted branches that we get on some of our big mangos and the likes. Appreciate the feedback mate. Lots of guys are similar though. Worst thing is apart from two bandits that look like they have been ran over by a train here locally the nearest nice machine is over 1200kms away to tryout. Might have to go for a drive :)
The lift and crunch as you call it... like that by the way... did make it feel like a larger chipper... and honestly I don't remember the size, may have been an 1890... but having the "crunch" option versus the spring loaded wheels of a vermeer was amazing when it came to crushing yokes and sucking it in...
 
The lift and crunch as you call it... like that by the way... did make it feel like a larger chipper... and honestly I don't remember the size, may have been an 1890... but having the "crunch" option versus the spring loaded wheels of a vermeer was amazing when it came to crushing yokes and sucking it in...
That’s awesome. I’m not married to vermeer. The nearest dealer is around 500kms for vermeer and 1200kms for bandit. But I’m also a qualified diesel mechanic and my dad is a boiler maker. Between both of us we can fix 98% of problems. We have a few girls on our team and ease of use for them (ie a switch over reaching on a machine or climbing is a big plus) again not a big deal. Mechanical levers also mean less issues. I know I’ve been through a pile of micro switches on vermeer over the years and a few issues with there smart feed but nothing major. My biggest dislike about the vermeer is maintenance (have to remove lots of guards) and also the inability to clean areas behind them guards. I also believe the chute could be a lot better on vermeer. The bandit chute looks like a tank. Thanks for your feedback mate.
 
That’s awesome. I’m not married to vermeer. The nearest dealer is around 500kms for vermeer and 1200kms for bandit. But I’m also a qualified diesel mechanic and my dad is a boiler maker. Between both of us we can fix 98% of problems. We have a few girls on our team and ease of use for them (ie a switch over reaching on a machine or climbing is a big plus) again not a big deal. Mechanical levers also mean less issues. I know I’ve been through a pile of micro switches on vermeer over the years and a few issues with there smart feed but nothing major. My biggest dislike about the vermeer is maintenance (have to remove lots of guards) and also the inability to clean areas behind them guards. I also believe the chute could be a lot better on vermeer. The bandit chute looks like a tank. Thanks for your feedback mate.
I guess the best reference I could give is after all those years running vermeers I know pretty much about them... the microswitches, yes, pulling panels, cleaning those odd spots out...
The only thing I know about Bandits is where to grease them and check the oil... and how to start them and chew wood...
I am sure they have their problems, but that whole season I just climbed, fed wood, and flipped the blades once, it was beautiful...
 
Have the 1390XP (southern Aus) with the 140hp Caterpillar. 2015 model, got it with 2 hours on the new motor. Have the extendable drawbar & hydraulic leg which really like as tend to run chipper on bigger trucks than normal in tree industry. Newer units are much smaller, lighter machines than the model I have, which I feel wouldn't stand up to the type of work we put the machine through.

For it's size, beast of a machine. Whatever fits in the infeed opening, goes through. Love the lift & crush, maintenance generally simple, just put a new anvil on mine near 1000 hours. Knives rotated every 50-75 hours, service every 100 hours. With the summer dust down here, keep a healthy protective layer of grime on the machine, but think I could sell it for substantially more than paid for it in 2017.

One thing that does frustrate me a bit is the small hydraulic leaks the Bandits are prone to in the various valves & blocks on the feed roller, winch circuits. Generally simple fixes, but the small weeps are almost constant in any age machine & make it look worse condition than actually is.

The 140hp would be a little undergunned on the 18" machines, particularly for our hardwoods, hoping my next chipper will be the 21".
 
I guess the best reference I could give is after all those years running vermeers I know pretty much about them... the microswitches, yes, pulling panels, cleaning those odd spots out...
The only thing I know about Bandits is where to grease them and check the oil... and how to start them and chew wood...
I am sure they have their problems, but that whole season I just climbed, fed wood, and flipped the blades once, it was beautiful...
Top stuff mate. Yep vermeer are awesome but there electronics have gone a bit to far imo. Pretty harsh environment for electronics. I know if you don’t use tech you get left behind but in a way less tech is good when your out of town on a job. Still thinking Alaska would be nice right now. I’m 32 metres up on a big gum now in 34 degrees with 90% humidity haha. Love it!!!
 
Have the 1390XP (southern Aus) with the 140hp Caterpillar. 2015 model, got it with 2 hours on the new motor. Have the extendable drawbar & hydraulic leg which really like as tend to run chipper on bigger trucks than normal in tree industry. Newer units are much smaller, lighter machines than the model I have, which I feel wouldn't stand up to the type of work we put the machine through.

For it's size, beast of a machine. Whatever fits in the infeed opening, goes through. Love the lift & crush, maintenance generally simple, just put a new anvil on mine near 1000 hours. Knives rotated every 50-75 hours, service every 100 hours. With the summer dust down here, keep a healthy protective layer of grime on the machine, but think I could sell it for substantially more than paid for it in 2017.

One thing that does frustrate me a bit is the small hydraulic leaks the Bandits are prone to in the various valves & blocks on the feed roller, winch circuits. Generally simple fixes, but the small weeps are almost constant in any age machine & make it look worse condition than actually is.

The 140hp would be a little undergunned on the 18" machines, particularly for our hardwoods, hoping my next chipper will be the 21".
Nice mate, good feedback. Yea I can’t stand hydraulic leaks haha as you said nothing major but looks awful. I’m the same boat as you I run 5 tonne for my smallest truck and a 8 tonne 4wd for my bigger truck. Having a large truck here isn’t an issue 90% of the time it’s actually a bonus when out of town. So weights not an issue. Yea I think I’m leaning towards the vermeer or the bandit 1890xp hd which has around 215hp I believe. 21 inch would be nice to but nothing around so I’m playing with options. I’d love to try a ax19 but I don’t even think they are in aus yet. Also heard they are a pin to hand feed with the offset rollers. Apparently all vermeers new machines have gone back to America as they got half way here and out adr rules changed so now have to be modified… there are 2 new machines near me but they could be accounted for I am waiting for a call back as we speak haha
 

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