bandit 200 feed wheel torque arm purpose

[Joster19]

last year I noticed my 1998 bandit 200 XP lower feed wheel was really bouncing around, the torque arm had a lot of where it fits over the projecting steel rod to the rear. We welded it to that rod which kept it for a while but then it snapped this year. I can get a replacement torque arm from bandit but I am concerned it have a lot of play also. from the diagram in the manual, I see that there is supposed to be a 'torque arm stop' that attaches to the feed wheel slide box assembly. this stop is square.
is the torque arm system mostly just to keep The hydraulic feedwheel motor from going too far up and down?
does anyone have a video of their bandit 200 or a similar model that could give me an idea of how much play I should be expecting?
this chipper has unknown amount of hours, the past owner has made some jerry-rigged modifications- trying to work with what I have and not place undue stress on the feed wheel motor

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[Z'sTrees]

Are you talking about the piece that bolts to the feed wheel motor and keeps it from turning?
If so there is supposed to be some play, so dont weld it up solid.
I cut replacement out of a piece of plate when the one on my 200+ busted. It's a pretty simple part and all that reallly need to line up are the bolt holes. Everything else can be close enough...

 

[Joster19]

Are you talking about the piece that bolts to the feed wheel motor and keeps it from turning?
If so there is supposed to be some play, so dont weld it up solid.
I cut replacement out of a piece of plate when the one on my 200+ busted. It's a pretty simple part and all that reallly need to line up are the bolt holes. Everything else can be close enough...

correct. Thanks for your thoughts!
If you or anyone else has a video of one of these at work that would be helpful to get an idea of how much play should be allowed.

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[Z'sTrees]

I no longer have the bandit, iirc i cut the new peice to have about an 1/8" of play in either direction.
Landmark machinery might have a new part for you, worth a call.

 

[kenten]

Don't know if this will help or not, but here is a pic of the feed rollers on our 2022 Bandit 200UC. There is a square rubber cushion where the torque arm hits the stop. I have wondered too why they have this arrangement. I imagine the purpose is to reduce shock and wear and tear on the hydraulic motor but don't really know.