Bandit Vs.Morbark

BigWood

Participating member
Location
Toronto, Canada
Currently we are looking at new 18 inch class chippers. I'm waiting for a Bandit 280xp HD disc and a Morbark 18R to be built so we can demo them. Almost didn't even talk to Morbark (last hurricane was a P.O.S.) but the dealer is a real stand up and knowledgable dude. I'm just wondering if anyone has a preference or any input.
 
I've owned both and prefer the Morbark. Seems to be more solid and more reliable.

Like anything else, individual results will vary. Availability of service should be a major factor in your purchase decision.
 
The Hurricane with the big engine is superior to any WTC I've ever fed with a crane.

Being able to control the feed wheel pressure exerted hydraulically is one of their greatest features compared to a BC1800's spring pressure, which can be like an old man with no teeth gumming a pork chop for who knows how long before being able to swallow it at last.

Time is money in this biz.

Jomoco
 
Not to contradict (? spelling)....but BB here. That is all I have owned, so maybe a little bias.
A big part is service..service..service. Put that in your equation IMO.
 
I admit that Bush Bandit and Morbark are indeed two separate chipper MFRS.

But did you know both firms sprang from a common family source, namely old man Morey?

Jomoco
 
Both are great. I've used morbarks and BB's and they are both really well made machines. Personally I would rather have a drum.

jp
grin.gif
 
I did a crane job in the fall for a guy who had a bc1500 ( I could be wrong on the #s). I was frankly shocked at what the thing would eat. Guess he had the autofeed turned way up, but it would out chew our hurricane.

Still haven't figured out the drum/disc debate though. The reasoning behind our 2machines to demo was the in feed system. The bandit hd has the infeeder off a whole tree chipper and the morbark has a butt load of down presure. As long as these machines will drag anything and everything in with very little manual assistance, what do I care what does the chipping.

I'd love for someone to explain why one is better than the other. I'd hate to blow $80k on an ignorant decision.
 
Look for items like towing weight, engine options, number of axles and reliability of electronics. Both machines will chip brush, but how expensive is it going to be to get to the job site? Some manufactures offer different engine options, is there a dealer for the engine in your area? Do they stock the parts you need? Are the easy to work with?

Same with the electronics. The best chipper in the world is a hunk of metal if it is not running.

Look closely at engine size, a bigger motor might cost more but burn significantly less fuel per hour. We all know that stuff ain't getting any cheaper anytime soon!


Consider your axle options. Two axles take twice the tire, but may be necessary for the weight. Single axles are generally shorter and easier to back and can be pushed by hand if necessary.

Also beware if you cannot get only the options you want and nothing else. Somebody else's chipper may not fit your operation. If you feed with equipment a lot then a welded indeed is great. If not then it's a money vacuum.

In short go with services as stated, fit the machine to your operation now and/or as it will be. Look at maintenance, fuel costs, emissions and over the road costs and keep the weight within your licensing and needs.

Tony
 
We have a 2006 BC1800xl 1700hrs with the john deer 115 hp engine for sale for $20000 its way more machine then we need. Never had a problem with it Destroys big wood when it needs to. bluerivertreecare.com
 
Well, finally got to demo the 18R today. Morbark gets a big "atta boy" from me and a thank you hug from my crew. I fed it sugar maple lifts and whole 30 foot cedars with the crane all day. The boys didn't start a saw all day because something wouldn't go through. The sales rep delivered it to my site and even worked with us all day!!!
Bandits gonna have to strap on the big boy pants to beat it!
 
a drum style chipper chips with the wood grain, a disc style chipper chips against the grain . i like the drum style . it seems to take more stuff that is hard to chip like vines , rakings , etc ..... honestly i like the old drum style chippers ( chuck & duck ) . i know i know get with the times but my chipper has less moving parts then these new ones , does not have any computer crap . best of all it is very light ( not much in fuel to haul around ) . fits anywhere . i also like the ease of changing knives on the drum chippers . there really is a lot i could explain here , that is a really diverse question and a good one . but if i had to choose drum all the way . never care for the disc style chippers i have worked with in the past . hope this helps . 80k damn that is alot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Morbark all the way here. We've been rocking a Model 17 bought brand new in '94, 110hp JD engine(biggest model and engine at the time) and it's still going strong. This thing will eat just about whatever we feed it.

On some of my travels I've heard ppl praise Morbark as well. Not so much the BB's, but ppl can't seem to stop praising their Morbark.
 
WARNING. Morbark is allergic to ash. Fed it some on Friday nite and I thought it was going to choke to death! NOT impressed. Autofeed is gonna take some dialing. Seems to do the same thing our other drums do, "self"feed. Drum starts dragging material in through the feed rollers
And there's not a damn thing that the autofeed can do about it. Something I have yet to se a disc machine do. Think I'd rather have the cute little beaver on the 18R sticker take care of my brush.
Doesn't mean I don't love you anymore Stewie
beerchug.gif
she just needs some tweaking.
 
Really?, I've had that problem with other drums but not our 20R,

Be careful though, ours has too much horsepower, something I never thought I would say about a chipper. I changed the knives last month and there were some gouges 3/4" to1" deep (not that you could tell from it chipping) and keep in mind that we're very careful about what we put into it.
 

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