12" Intake Purchasing Decision

[MaryT]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into buying a 12" hydraulic gas engine chipper, probably used. The manufacturers I'm looking into are Altec, Bandit, Morbark, and Vermeer. The wood will be mostly cotton wood, tamarisk, acacia, I'll try to avoid palms but that will be inevitable. I'm not spending more than $17,000 on the unit.

In the five cities area (southern CA) Vermeer seem to be the most popular with arborists. From research I've done, Morbark is what I'm leaning toward for quality but they seem to be the most expensive. Is there a different option that is the best bang for my buck?

What are maker preferences anyone may have for this type of job? What experiences (good or bad) have any of you had with these brands of a similar make?

 

[Reach]

There are a lot of threads here on chipper purchasing, a search might get you some answers to your more general questions.

Personally, I find Vermeer machines to be over engineered, with far too many annoying and problematic electronics. Morbark is decent, but I find Bandit to be the most rock solid, simple, functional machines of the bunch. I know nothing about chipping palms, but suspect a disc chipper may be required, as drum chippers don’t like stringy material very much. That means, in your very limited price range, you’re looking at an older Bandit 200 or maybe a 250.

If you have specific questions I’m glad to answer, to answer all your broad questions there would take a small book.

 

[oldoakman]

First of all, welcome MaryT. I can't give you any definite recommendations, but look around your area and see what others are running and how close servicing dealers are. That will become important when you need repairs that you can't do in house. Vermeer, bandit and morebark are all good machines. Altec may become problematic for parts eventually as Altec has discontinued production I believe. Try to get service records with whatever you buy and try to match the machine size with your main workload and towing vehicle. Best of luck in your purchase.

 

[MaryT]

Thank you for your replies and recommendations, those are a great for helping me refine my search.

A large factor in my decision is based off of the fuel efficiency of the gas-powered chipper. Between the PSI 75 HP 2.4L that Morbark uses, and the smaller GM 3.0L engines of the Intimidator 12XP and 200/250, is there a noticeable difference in fuel efficiency? I know that will vary a lot depending on the shape the chipper is kept and what is being run though it.

Also, I had been looking for a hydraulic feed chipper, but there seems to be little adversity to hand fed, thoughts there?

Thank you

 

[Reach]

I do not know the gas engines at all, so I can’t speak to those. As for feed, hydraulic is the way to go. A “Chuck and duck” will likely give you far kore exercise than you want, especially if you want to chip pieces larger than about 4”.

 

[MaryT]

I've heard quite a bit about how diesel engines in chippers have really gone downhill and have been keeping my search to gas engines. Most of what I see for sale though are diesel (Because everyone wants to get rid of them?). Is this lesser diesel engine quality only a concern if I'm buying a brand new chipper?

Has anyone noticed this? I could have just been talking to a few more biased individuals.

 

[Reach]

I've heard quite a bit about how diesel engines in chippers have really gone downhill and have been keeping my search to gas engines. Most of what I see for sale though are diesel (Because everyone wants to get rid of them?). Is this lesser diesel engine quality only a concern if I'm buying a brand new chipper?

Has anyone noticed this? I could have just been talking to a few more biased individuals.

The new, emissions compliant, diesels have had some problems because of the new emissions technology. Older diesels however, do not have these problems, and with what your budget that is what you will be looking at. In my opinion, diesels are much more fuel efficient, have more torque which is the power that you really need for chipping, and are generally more problem free. However, when they do have problems, the repairs cost more.

The new, emissions compliant, diesels have had some problems because of the new emissions technology. Older diesels however, do not have these problems, and with with your budget that is what you will be looking at. In my opinion, diesels are much more fuel-efficient, have more torque which is the power that you really need for chipping, and are generally more problem free. However, when they do have problems, the repairs cost more.

We have several older diesels with no problems, two with cat/Perkins engines with high hours. One just turned 5000 hours, the other will break 6500 this week and neither has had any major repairs to this point.