Bandit 200xp vs 250xp

[chiselbit]

I'm likely going to purchase one of these, would like some input from people that have ran both. How are they different? I see the 250 weighs a thousand pounds more and has a little more horsepower, what else?

 

[chiselbit]

Anybody?

 

[Roger_Barnett]

I believe the 200 is similar to the 150... in that the feed rollers are smaller than the 250 XP's, and thus have less crushing power, which I believe, also have a larger infeed opening and wider and larger feed wheels. Mine has an opening probably 18" wide, and the machine will chip 14" wide wood as long as the height of the material is under about 10".

I have had my 1997 250XP since 2000, and it remains a beast. The only problem is that the feed wheel grabbers (knives, teeth, whatever ya wanna call them) are so worn down that they don't hold back small material, hence twiggy things such as cedar or the worst, hazelnut, end up in long pieces, since they get pulled through way too fast. And that is with the new larger knife disc...which cost $7000, including labor, to replace a few years ago....

Just look up the specs for any machine that you find. I imagine that there are way more 250 XP's available, as it is probably the best selling self feeder of all time.... I dunno if the Vermeer 1000 has that kind of market penetration, but it can't hold a candle to the 250.....

 

[chiselbit]

Thanks Roger. I looked at a 250 today and it is a large heavy machine. Specs on line said 6800 pounds,tag on frame said closer to 8000.The 200 and 150 have a funnel like deflector thing between the feed wheels and the disc that looked like it might cause some hang ups,, good to hear your 250 is a beast. That's what I want, without getting into the really heavy machines. I live in the mountains and I'd like to go as light as I can. Thanks for your reply.

 

[matdand]

Check out the 200UC.

 

[chiselbit]

Looked good. Nice and light but no winch option. Think I'll settle down and just keep going as is for awhile. I tend to get all worked up and it's "gotta happen right now!!"