ISO Morbark M12D Replacement

John_KAYS · Nov 30, 2020

What is a comparable chipper to the M12D? Now that Morbark discontinued the M12D, a chipper we currently own, we are wondering what to get next. Any suggestions?

We like the single infeed wheel with a compression system.
We are looking for something in the ~5K weight range
Our M12D has a 99hp Kubota

Seems like there is nothing that quite lines up...

Any recommendations?

Reach · Nov 30, 2020

The Bandit 12XP would probably be a decent comparable machine, similar weight, similar engine size, and about the same capacity. It has two infeed rollers though, with spring and hydraulic down pressure; I would definitely recommend trying one out to see what you think. It likely will actually feed better than your single roller does now.

John_KAYS · Nov 30, 2020

We rented a 200UC Bandit with the two wheel feed to try one out. We found the two wheels built up debris and jammed the feed. Maybe we are just used to the single feed wheel, but we would prefer a single...however it doesn't look like they make something we are going to be completely happy with - especially now that all diesel chippers have to be restricted on account of emissions.

John_KAYS · Nov 30, 2020

We also tried a 1215 Morbark...had a gas engine, 89hp I think. Found it to be underpowered. Had a single feed wheel, but no hydraulic compression system. Also it was a drum.

The 1215 was much more familiar, but like I said it had too little power. It would slow and drop rpm even chipping lighter weight white pine...we are talking under 6" diameter.

Reach · Nov 30, 2020

The 200UC is a very different machine, I can understand your not liking it as much as your Morbark for sure. Definitely give a 12XP a try, you might like it more than you think you will. Or not, but at least you’ll know. And your local Bandit dealer should let you demo one for a day for free.

As for the diesel issues, the emissions is a nuisance, but worth putting up with in my opinion. You might consider a gas engine, we got to work with one the other day in a 1390 Bandit (15” machine) and it did quite well, it just sucks down some fuel.

Reach · Nov 30, 2020

John_KAYS said:
We also tried a 1215 Morbark...had a gas engine, 89hp I think. Found it to be underpowered. Had a single feed wheel, but no hydraulic compression system. Also it was a drum.

The 1215 was much more familiar, but like I said it had too little power. It would slow and drop rpm even chipping lighter weight white pine...we are talking under 6" diameter.

For sure 89 hp gas would be underpowered compared to a 99 diesel, there’s a huge torque difference there.