Vermeer BC1000XL weaknesses

[dmd]

Going to look at a used BC1000XL. 600ish hours 2010 model with 85hp diesel. This would be my first chipper. Can anybody with experience point me at some things to check out other than the standard stuff. Looking for problem areas peculiar to this machine or heck any advice would be appreciated. What kind of price would you expect.

 

[Gorman]

The condition of the knives may be a good indicator of how it was maintained. I'm not a Vermeer guy personally.

 

[BigWood]

Thier weaknesses are everything between and including the hitch and the tail lights. Unless you've got your heart set on one then check everything you would if it was a car; tires, paint, lights, leaks, run it, have a look at the filters( most guys I know write the hours they changed them at on the filter), see if the previous co has service records. Just beware, I can put new knives in the biggest, dead piece of shit behind the shop.

 

[Gorman]

Check for vibration in the drum and bearings. I believe I heard of some of these needing new drums which were boku bucks.

 

[brendonv]

Imo they are junk. They chip straight, perfect wood nicely. Brush you need to cut every little crotch. Drum bearing mounts cracked, chute cracked, light dont work. Stupid ass green button and bump bar. No thanks. Oh, they bounce like crazy en tow. I giggle when im following my buddy and see it floppingg everywhere.

 

[frashdog]

There is a reason vermeer's 12" weighs a lot less then a 12" bandit.
Gets on even more unfairness when you compare their 9" chippers.
There's always a market for cheaper chipper....that's why I still see chuck and ducks behind utility crews round my house. How bout altecs with the swooped chute and no hydraulic throat action! Nothing wrong with it, just buyer be aware of where it stands in comparison.

 

[Crimsonking]

We started with a bc1000 and it held up for a few years, but if you want production, go bigger or go with a different company. I've not used any besides Vermeer, but I've heard some say good things about morbark. We have a 1400 and an 1800. The 1400 has a reputation as a lemon, but ours does well, and has a winch, which I would not go without if you choose a larger machine. Honestly, the 1400 is like a stihl 440, big enough to work, small enough to buy.

 

[classictruckman]

Everything on the bc1000s is controlled by computers and electric/hydraulic solenoids.

Our 2011 bc1000 hasn't seen a service guy yet, our 2007 has seen him so many times I've lost count and usually only for a broken wire, or bad sensor.

 

[AmericanArborist]

I had a bc1000xl for 2 years. I had to replace the drum once and the drum bearings twice. We worked the poor little guy pretty hard. Lots of proprietary parts that would break and need special orders or a trip to the vermeer dealership to fix. My advice would be to look at something else. However, if its a good deal and you can make money with it, the chipper might be good until you can upgrade.

 

[familytreeman]

try a Morbark instead if you can! they are great machines

saw 2 of the bc1000 that were constantly in / out of the shop too frequently for just about ever

for brush only chipper i did like the curbside vermeer 1250

 

[Gorman]

I'm not sure where morbark is now with prices but bandit is way out of the park. I have a bandit and can attest to the value of reliability. I've been looking at Terex (woodsman) chippers.

 

[Crazy_Jimmy]

Weve had one for 4 years and really like it , its good for a pruning crew or small removals , we also have a Morbark and its been good as well

 

[sac-climber]

Everyone has pretty much said it already...IMO the major fall back to the BC1000 is they can't breath. In fact before I left my old job we were in the process of ditching the Vermeer for a new 990xp with the 89hp GM. Way more capable machine.