Bandit 15XP Review (brand new)

flyingsquirrel25 said:
sounds like you have seen the same issues we have had. I have spare parts at my shop with Napa numbers (I think I’m headed out there today). I think PSI told me to ask for a 2005 blazer parts for the Cap and rotor but I try to get the numbers today. Also the fuel filter is a ford filter ‍:muyenojado:.
im not sure if I have the part number for the thermostat but I’ll look. There are two options and it’s the hotter one that is supposed to go in. I’ll try to get back to you later today!
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Thank you flying squirrel and everyone else
 
3/4/20 Update

380 hours on my bandit 15xp

Noticed a faulty lower feed wheel bearing
Called my dealer and it’s not covered...bummer

The bearing itself isn’t too expensive but the labor is probably up to a few hours to do.

My last machine was 12 years old and had around 3000 hours before a feed wheel bearing failed. Oh well...
 
Our bandit 990xp (12xp) had that happen as well at around 850 hours. We fixed it ourselves. It really wasn't hard. The whole thing comes out the bottom. Take the hydraulic motor and coupler off first. Leave the door on the bottom. Unbolt the 4 bolts on each side. Slide under the machine, hold it up, and release the door. Pull it out and snatch the bearings off each end. Reassemble with the feed wheel loose in the bearings. Put it back in the machine and bolt the bearing back down. Lock them down to the feed wheel once the wheel is centered. Hook back up hydraulic motor and your done. It took me and a helper less than two hours.
 
Fivepoints said:
Our bandit 990xp (12xp) had that happen as well at around 850 hours. We fixed it ourselves. It really wasn't hard. The whole thing comes out the bottom. Take the hydraulic motor and coupler off first. Leave the door on the bottom. Unbolt the 4 bolts on each side. Slide under the machine, hold it up, and release the door. Pull it out and snatch the bearings off each end. Reassemble with the feed wheel loose in the bearings. Put it back in the machine and bolt the bearing back down. Lock them down to the feed wheel once the wheel is centered. Hook back up hydraulic motor and your done. It took me and a helper less than two hours.
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Thank you. Much appreciated!
 
Fivepoints said:
No problem. Hopefully it made sense. The pin that holds the coupler to the feed wheel shaft is tapered and just knocks out. If you can change oil and change a tire, you should be able to do this.
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Got the tapered pin out

Can’t get the collar off the shaft

Did you use heat??
 
You mean the Jb coupler? Usually torches and cut it off carefully to not damage feedwheel shaft. Replace with new one...about $210 with new pin.
 
craneguy1 said:
You mean the Jb coupler? Usually torches and cut it off carefully to not damage feedwheel shaft. Replace with new one...about $210 with new pin.
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That’s it
I picked up the new coupler today from my dealer The mechanic there said that 9 times out of 10, he cuts the coupler off.

We used a cutoff wheel and it only took a few minutes. No shaft damage from our work but the is a good groove on the shaft from the failed bearing
 
Was that a grip tight style bearing? They've been using those on the motor side for a while. I had one loosen up also but caught in time to where it didn't do that much damage. They do say in the book to check them, but they really shouldn't come loose. I replaced an upper feedwheel assembly early last fall and my grip tight fastening job hasn't failed.
 
craneguy1 said:
Was that a grip tight style bearing? They've been using those on the motor side for a while. I had one loosen up also but caught in time to where it didn't do that much damage. They do say in the book to check them, but they really shouldn't come loose. I replaced an upper feedwheel assembly early last fall and my grip tight fastening job hasn't failed.
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Yes it is a grip tight bearing. The set screw was loose when we pulled it all off.

Obviously Someone at the bandit factory forgot to tighten and thread lock the set screw.

I’m taking those rubber protectors off. It’s because of them that I couldn’t see what happened until it was too late.
 
Serf Life said:
How is it running @MA Arborist ? Planning to but a new chipper in ‘21 and this thread makes me nervous. @chiselbit you also have a gas engine in the 15xp? @VenasNursery have you used the Morbark and Bandit 15” to compare? I know M is heavier with a smaller drum but otherwise similar specs.
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I’ve only ran Morbark but know a few with Bandits
As long as you don’t buy a lemon I can’t see going wrong with either
And any suggestions by me is don’t go with max horsepower for any machine
I had a m15r with a 170 hp Cummins 4 cylinder junk and had nothing but problems (complete lemon) it was the highest hp that Morbark put in a 15” machine
 
Serf Life said:
How is it running @MA Arborist ? Planning to but a new chipper in ‘21 and this thread makes me nervous. @chiselbit you also have a gas engine in the 15xp? @VenasNursery have you used the Morbark and Bandit 15” to compare? I know M is heavier with a smaller drum but otherwise similar specs.
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Ours is running fine. Have had zero issues with the motor, only thing that doesn’t work like it should is the, not sure what it’s called but a safety feature when the winch line is out the feed wheels don’t turn but you can push a lever and get a quarter of a turn on the wheels to suck material in before you release the winch. Well that lever works sporadically. And it’s just as easy to override it with the “lever” that gets closed on the winch when you stow the line. I did not like the battery box placement, quickly discovered it gets smashed when backing into a driveway on passenger side. Really limits how sharp you can turn that direction. I plan on relocating it to the center of tongue where it should have been located in the first place and then cut down the bottom plate till it’s just big enough to hold cones and weld on a gusseted piece of round stock or something to set the cones on. Otherwise I feel like it was a great purchase, increased productivity immensely as I was using 9” machines prior.
 
VenasNursery said:
I’ve only ran Morbark but know a few with Bandits
As long as you don’t buy a lemon I can’t see going wrong with either
And any suggestions by me is don’t go with max horsepower for any machine
I had a m15r with a 170 hp Cummins 4 cylinder junk and had nothing but problems (complete lemon) it was the highest hp that Morbark put in a 15” machine
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Morbark’s still weighs more than bandits so same stance that Morbark’s are built with more steel
And this only applies if you live in Michigan that Morbark’s service center is the BEST hands down no comparison
 
Pricing out a new 15xp 6.2 gas and salesman gave some add on options:
40 gal fuel tank vs 25
Hyd chute rotate
Spring assist trap door setup
Upgrade jack to spring extender
Hyd flow control for slowing/speeding infeed
Winch ($5k with 200’)

Haven’t used a variable speed controller for chipping different species etc, is it worth it when autofeed will kick in when needed?
 
Serf Life said:
Pricing out a new 15xp 6.2 gas and salesman gave some add on options:
40 gal fuel tank vs 25
Hyd chute rotate
Spring assist trap door setup
Upgrade jack to spring extender
Hyd flow control for slowing/speeding infeed
Winch ($5k with 200’)

Haven’t used a variable speed controller for chipping different species etc, is it worth it when autofeed will kick in when needed?
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Sounds like a GREAT machine with all those options
We have the adjustable hydraulic valve for our chipper
I had to zip tie it on the middle because it would come loose and feed to fast for 15” wood and larger
So I would not go with that option
Just my experience
 
VenasNursery said:
Sounds like a GREAT machine with all those options
We have the adjustable hydraulic valve for our chipper
I had to zip tie it on the middle because it would come loose and feed to fast for 15” wood and larger
So I would not go with that option
Just my experience
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Congratulations also
 
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