Bandit 18xp vs Vermeer bc1800

[NWPEZ]

Not too far diverted from my last thread but trying to make a big purchase desicion. Neither of my dealers have the machine i want available to demo. I’ve run the 15 version of both but only in diesel. It can get either with same setups and essentially same price and terms, Gas on both. I know @Treetopflyer is a backer of the 18xp. If any one runs one of these machines or has feedback it would be greatly appreciated! I’m leaning bandit but Vermeer dealer is far superior on service and customer support. Need help! Haaa

 

[Boomslang]

I've used both of these machines at my old job. Both chip wood.

Go with whomever offers better support, because those larger machines shake themselves apart if you're feeding big logs on a regular basis.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I owned previously a 1989 6 inch wood chuck with Hercules gasser then went to a 2001 12 inch bandit with John Deere diesel
. That was the chipper that made me a bandit fan and ran that for many years until it was my major production bottleneck and time and age told me upgrade time! During that time I’ve worked with quite a few other various brands shapes and sizes with other companies. Which kinda solidified my bandit brand enthusiasm. Frankly I’m out of the vemeer loop , have a few friends who use them and they work welll for them but around here they’re not so happy with the service when they do have to bring to them..I know early 2000s bc1800xl were legit..
I’ve heard a lot of sensors and safeties maybe overdone on recent stuff? I’m interested in others takes on the 2 different models as well..
I don’t have a reason to chip big wood too often with how I run day to day, and that could be piece to ours staying in good shape. Keep them knives sharp and anvil tight too so any chipper that’s key for longevity.. the bandit 18xp can eat big brushy limbs and tops well,
solid oversized feed tray is perfect for machine feeding , not too high..
chipping straight pieces of softwood mostly because it’s not as hard on the machine .. I’ve measured 20 inch diameter pine right through. Sooo musing yes I have been impressed with how well our 18xp has held up so far . Dealer support definitely important. Maintenance and inspection goes a looonnngggg way no matter what you buy. I do my own mechanical stuff , any job I can handle to save the money , so a superior product is always high on my list personally. I don’t have time to bring the unit anywhere and need it to work tomorow ..I try to look at stuff that will provide the most up time and productivity!

 

[NWPEZ]

I owned previously a 1989 6 inch wood chuck with Hercules gasser then went to a 2001 12 inch bandit with John Deere diesel
. That was the chipper that made me a bandit fan and ran that for many years until it was my major production bottleneck and time and age told me upgrade time! During that time I’ve worked with quite a few other various brands shapes and sizes with other companies. Which kinda solidified my bandit brand enthusiasm. Frankly I’m out of the vemeer loop , have a few friends who use them and they work welll for them but around here they’re not so happy with the service when they do have to bring to them..I know early 2000s bc1800xl were legit..
I’ve heard a lot of sensors and safeties maybe overdone on recent stuff? I’m interested in others takes on the 2 different models as well..
I don’t have a reason to chip big wood too often with how I run day to day, and that could be piece to ours staying in good shape. Keep them knives sharp and anvil tight too so any chipper that’s key for longevity.. the bandit 18xp can eat big brushy limbs and tops well,
solid oversized feed tray is perfect for machine feeding , not too high..
chipping straight pieces of softwood mostly because it’s not as hard on the machine .. I’ve measured 20 inch diameter pine right through. Sooo musing yes I have been impressed with how well our 18xp has held up so far . Dealer support definitely important. Maintenance and inspection goes a looonnngggg way no matter what you buy. I do my own mechanical stuff , any job I can handle to save the money , so a superior product is always high on my list personally. I don’t have time to bring the unit anywhere and need it to work tomorow ..I try to look at stuff that will provide the most up time and productivity!

Appreciate the comment. I too have been a bandit man from day one. 90xp upgraded to 12xpc and currently 15xpc. The current machine has broken my heart. Coupled with the toss around of dealers, 3 diffent ones in 2 years in my area. Service is next to impossible and it seems like the best buddy give you the shirt off your back help stopped the minute I purchased that new 15xpc. I’ve never liked all the sensor shit on Vermeers but rdo up here has a great rep of taking care of there customers. Multiple folks I know that have gone that route have been impressed in that department. They’ll come pick it up from you and bring you a machine if it’s down. Bandit dealer is lucky to return your call. F ing frustrating.


I feed almost exclusively with mini and we chip everything we can. Try our best to do maintence but some things are out of our wheel house. I really want that big bad ass 18xp but I’m terrified of the service and support.

 

[Treetopflyer]

Appreciate the comment. I too have been a bandit man from day one. 90xp upgraded to 12xpc and currently 15xpc. The current machine has broken my heart. Coupled with the toss around of dealers, 3 diffent ones in 2 years in my area. Service is next to impossible and it seems like the best buddy give you the shirt off your back help stopped the minute I purchased that new 15xpc. I’ve never liked all the sensor shit on Vermeers but rdo up here has a great rep of taking care of there customers. Multiple folks I know that have gone that route have been impressed in that department. They’ll come pick it up from you and bring you a machine if it’s down. Bandit dealer is lucky to return your call. F ing frustrating.


I feed almost exclusively with mini and we chip everything we can. Try our best to do maintence but some things are out of our wheel house. I really want that big bad ass 18xp but I’m terrified of the service and support.

Maybe ax19 through rdo is way to go ?
What went wrong on the 15 xpc

 

[Boomslang]

I feed almost exclusively with mini and we chip everything we can. Try our best to do maintence but some things are out of our wheel house. I really want that big bad ass 18xp but I’m terrified of the service and support.

This sounds exactly how how we used to run my last job. You're FEEDING that chipper. And maintenance is a Friday afternoon with some beers.

It was a 5 year old 18xp and had rattled itself apart. Bolts missing, welds breaking, and some blown hydraulic motors. The clutches were unreasonable touchy and a few grand a pop to replace.

I mean anything will chip when new. It's how much do you want to spend down the road in repairs and maintenance. And typically having better service nearby means easier access to parts, which means less down time too.

 

[NWPEZ]

Maybe ax19 through rdo is way to go ?
What went wrong on the 15 xpc

Ax 19 is too much. It’s over cdl and overkill they made the ax17 to be basically a lighter version of the ax19. But it’s 130k so F that haaa. I ran it and I wasn’t 130k impressed that’s for sure!

ranted about my 15xpc issues on the other thread. Long and short def and electric issues between engine and cpu. Coupled with other minor stuff. It would be ok if the service and warranty would have worked as it was supposed to but it didn’t. Tons of downtown, out of pocket, and countless hours of phone / email frustration. This all said the newest bandit dealer does seem better, but even the recent issues I’ve had to work with them on have not gone as smooth as I would hope for.

Could be an isolated experience but losing faith in the bandit support and I guess if I look at it the diesel machine. I love the thing when it’s running and belive if support would have been better I wouldn’t even be asking this question regarding brand change.

 

[NWPEZ]

This sounds exactly how how we used to run my last job. You're FEEDING that chipper. And maintenance is a Friday afternoon with some beers.

It was a 5 year old 18xp and had rattled itself apart. Bolts missing, welds breaking, and some blown hydraulic motors. The clutches were unreasonable touchy and a few grand a pop to replace.

I mean anything will chip when new. It's how much do you want to spend down the road in repairs and maintenance. And typically having better service nearby means easier access to parts, which means less down time too.

Haaa yeh beer thirty maintenance is about all can pull off these days! Myself and my two guys. When not working trying to keep up with the family and all of the lovely back end business. Routine knives and fluid changes no problem but I don’t want to be doing major repairs in my driveway on a 80k low hour machine!

 

[RyanCafferky]

Go Bandit. Vermeer machines are very safe. If I had multiple crews of folks I was worried about chipping themselves I would own Vermeers. But since I hire folks with common sense, we run a Bandit because it is made to EAT, loves to EAT, and EATS all day. Find a good mechanic other than your dealer. I was fortunate to get connected to an awesome mobile mechanic. Makes all the difference having a good mechanic to support you. Especially if they come TO YOU to work on your equipment.

 

[Treetopflyer]

Haaa yeh beer thirty maintenance is about all can pull off these days! Myself and my two guys. When not working trying to keep up with the family and all of the lovely back end business. Routine knives and fluid changes no problem but I don’t want to be doing major repairs in my driveway on a 80k low hour machine!

Schedule your maintenance or it schedules you ..
We do maintenance on Mondays with my two guys all day nothing but inspections and any job turning wrench ,filters, fluids , knives
Belts, wires , you name it. Of course there’s daily inspections which are super important feel like as an owner operator it’s a state of constant inspections lol grease all that but maintenance Monday has worked out great. It familiarizes everyone on team on the same page and the stupid little stuff can be caught early is the hope,. Prepares us for battle for rest of the week knowing it all ready. Since we stay ahead of it so to speak it allows me to stay up on business end as well so the maintenance isn’t just mechanical but people as well. I know we’re all different but this keeps us going pretty smoothly so far so good

 

[Treetopflyer]

Ax 19 is too much. It’s over cdl and overkill they made the ax17 to be basically a lighter version of the ax19. But it’s 130k so F that haaa. I ran it and I wasn’t 130k impressed that’s for sure!

ranted about my 15xpc issues on the other thread. Long and short def and electric issues between engine and cpu. Coupled with other minor stuff. It would be ok if the service and warranty would have worked as it was supposed to but it didn’t. Tons of downtown, out of pocket, and countless hours of phone / email frustration. This all said the newest bandit dealer does seem better, but even the recent issues I’ve had to work with them on have not gone as smooth as I would hope for.

Could be an isolated experience but losing faith in the bandit support and I guess if I look at it the diesel machine. I love the thing when it’s running and belive if support would have been better I wouldn’t even be asking this question regarding brand change.

I think you will have success with ford big block gasser in the 18xp
I went gas cause all that diesel extra business government mandatory shit shits up a good diesel

 

[Serf Life]

Schedule your maintenance or it schedules you ..
We do maintenance on Mondays with my two guys all day nothing but inspections and any job turning wrench ,filters, fluids , knives
Belts, wires , you name it. Of course there’s daily inspections which are super important feel like as an owner operator it’s a state of constant inspections lol grease all that but maintenance Monday has worked out great. It familiarizes everyone on team on the same page and the stupid little stuff can be caught early is the hope,. Prepares us for battle for rest of the week knowing it all ready. Since we stay ahead of it so to speak it allows me to stay up on business end as well so the maintenance isn’t just mechanical but people as well. I know we’re all different but this keeps us going pretty smoothly so far so good

You are making my lack of drive-in shop seem more dire! Mechanical maintenance outdoors just sucks now through March.

 

[Treetopflyer]

You are making my lack of drive-in shop seem more dire! Mechanical maintenance outdoors just sucks now thro

I’m a dirt floor mechanic too lol
new property and shop in my sights heavily for this reason !

 

[Sfoppema]

The newer 1800 vermeer is painful to watch chip. I sub a lot to other companies and the vermeer is frustrating to watch "chip". I don't know how but it's also more expensive. Wouldn't be caught dead buying one especially over an 18xp. If it's the only thing you've ever seen I'm sure guys think it's great but there are a number of basic design differences on a bandit vs a vermeer that don't even make sense. The vertical feed wheels don't make sense. The sensors don't make sense. It doesn't have an open close /lift/crush cylinder like a bandit does. Forget the vermeer. Unless you go for the 19 or 2100xl those appear to be productive

 

[Boomslang]

The newer 1800 vermeer is painful to watch chip. I sub a lot to other companies and the vermeer is frustrating to watch "chip". I don't know how but it's also more expensive. Wouldn't be caught dead buying one especially over an 18xp. If it's the only thing you've ever seen I'm sure guys think it's great but there are a number of basic design differences on a bandit vs a vermeer that don't even make sense. The vertical feed wheels don't make sense. The sensors don't make sense. It doesn't have an open close /lift/crush cylinder like a bandit does. Forget the vermeer. Unless you go for the 19 or 2100xl those appear to be productive

Vertical feed wheels has to be the dumbest "innovation" I've ever seen on a chipper.

 

[Al_trees]

When I compared vermeer and bandit I found the vermeer price out of this world. The sales rep told me "its a family company." I asked him if the vermeer family was going to come to my jobsite and help me chip with it to justify the ridiculous price.

Aside from that the vermeer I tried was absolutely horrific. What I mean is that it didn't chip. The stop bar is on the infeed where every other branch catches it.

Constantly restarting the feed wheel mechanism. Absolutely stupid. This was all by hand feeding. Now we primarily use a machine and I couldn't imagine someone having to climb out and in or on a machine to keep fussing with it.

I should add that asplundh loves using them because they are basically idiot proof. Makes sense if production doesn't matter and you have so many employees there are bound to be lots of morons.

 

[RyanCafferky]

When I compared vermeer and bandit I found the vermeer price out of this world. The sales rep told me "its a family company." I asked him if the vermeer family was going to come to my jobsite and help me chip with it to justify the ridiculous price.

Aside from that the vermeer I tried was absolutely horrific. What I mean is that it didn't chip. The stop bar is on the infeed where every other branch catches it.

Constantly restarting the feed wheel mechanism. Absolutely stupid. This was all by hand feeding. Now we primarily use a machine and I couldn't imagine someone having to climb out and in or on a machine to keep fussing with it.

I should add that asplundh loves using them because they are basically idiot proof. Makes sense if production doesn't matter and you have so many employees there are bound to be lots of morons.

Vermeer should make a switch for the side of the machine that turns off the feed table bar if you are machine feeding the chipper. I’ve been on jobs where we literally had someone leaning on that green button to keep things flowing.

 

[NWPEZ]

Haaaa. I agree with everything said in the last few posts. Vermeer are a pain in the ass and don’t compete with bandit. I will say the 1500 I ran was not bad. It had vertical feed wheels and I wrote it off before it even started. I too feed exclusively with mini and I stuffed the sh”t out of it and surprisingly it got it done. That said without someone leaning on the f ing green button it would have been impossible.
Vermeer’s prices are extortionate too! We demoed ax17 and they wanted 130k! Dealer here is good with there service and only reason I even considered is they met my bandit quote and brought apr down to 2.9 to match bandit too. Which was quite the drop I’d imagine! All said I’m having a 18xp gasser built. Rather roll the dice on service and have a machine that I know will eat and not fill with all the Vermeer bs! I ran my buddies 1200 Vermeer and his Vermeer mini while helping him this last week on a big spruce and affirmed my feelings. Vermeer makes clunky non “ educated” operator equipment. That slows down a good operator.

Thanks everyone for the input and backing up my feelings. Happy holidays!

 

[Bigdog12]

late to the party it seems but I'll defend Vermeer a little bit. for what it's worth the knee bar on the 1800 is pretty easily bypassed electronically or simpler yet a chuck of heavy rubber mounted behind it makes it much, much less sensitive. Should be able to eliminate button guy. Agreed it is annoying but shouldnt be a deciding factor IMO; whereas service should be heavily factored. Vertical feed wheels are easier to hand feed, machine feed I don't think it matters much. I have a 2002 bc1800 with 5900 hours my father bought brand new. Still a reliable back up. That being said my ax19 is superior to the 1800 and my 2100xl makes the 19 look like a toy. Also my 2100xl has a remote that controls damn near every function on the Machine.. shoot rotation/flipper, idle up/down, open/crush feed wheels, forward/reverse feed wheels, and whatever you wanna call hitting the green button the remote does that too.. if they offer a remote that's another good way to eliminate the "stand next to the chipper guy"

 

[Sfoppema]

The older 1800s were better than the present ones. The vertical feedwheel combined with the knee bar prevents you from putting a log in thats longer than 10 or 15 feet. A 12 inch bandit you can put a 100 foot long 10 inch log and it would suck it in. A bc1800 can't suck in a 20 foot 10 inch log because the vertical feedwheels allow the butt of the log to tilt up and get caught from being pulled in. A log that long needs to be held up by a machine or cut in half. Unbelievable for a 100,000 plus machine