vermeer vs brush bandit

I think the 1590 is a better machine than the Vermeer 1800s I worked with in the past. That was 5 years ago and maybe the 1800s have been improved. But the crane operator we use regularly sees a lot of different chippers, and he says Bandit.
 
We have a vermeer 1400xl with winch. I like it but not overly impressed with it. I do like the clean lines of the vermeers, not a big fan of the horizontal feed wheels though. In the short time we have had this chipper, there has been a few issues I don't care for. The one that gets to me the most, is the switch that controls the idle up when the clutch is engaged, this switch goes out about every 4-5 months give/take. Not only does it go out but it likes to work and not work before it goes out which adds to the insanity. I don't understand why we have to go through this reoccurring problem over and over. If it were me one phone call to the right person over at vermeer and this problem would be solved, but that's me. Anyway, I would go Bandit all the way, just stay well above the 150 models. Good luck.
 
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Mark
whats the plan with the old 12in gona keep it or ditch it and run the 18in only?

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Definately keeping it. I wont be getting a new chipper this year. Im still catching up from last years shopping.
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Steve. We are keeping the 12 and buying the new chipper. We are so busy right now we are looking to start another crew for a few days a week. Just bring in a couple of subs. I'm going to be running both crews. I'm basically putting trees on the ground loading up my gear and driving to another work site to put there trees down. Its a lot of climbing but hopefully it means no more dragging brush so I can put all my energy into the climbs.

I talked to my boss today. He is compairing engine sizes so we don't get stuck with a nice chipper with no power. That's what I love about this site. I got the warning before we spent a penny. Thanks
 
hey guys, thanks for all of your help, we bought the brush bandit on friday, looking to pick it up come monday or tuesday if all goes well, very impressive machine, cant wait to break it in, thanks again
 
Great choice!! I'm trying to get Dad to buy some upgrades for his and get it repainted, along with the truck. He's had A Morbark Model 17 for about 15 years now and in my mind, could use some work. One of the biggest things that suck is you have to manually crank the feed wheel up to access the drum/anvil. And just 6 months after he bought his they came out with hydrulics to do the job. Really sucks cranking the feed wheel up.
 
when i read you are climbing and chipping.I think you should just do climbing and some chipping dont kill yourself climbing is enough.Some of these bosses dont know what it is like to climb and get on the ground and hump brush.
 
its a 1590 with 145hp, the one we looked at has a cummings, not sure if we are going to take the one they had on the lot, might go with a different engine (cat, john deer) has a 17inch x 21inch feed, hydrolic wheel opening which is nice for larger wood, and a strong winch. it is a drum style chipper

if we go with the cummings engine then we will have the chipper by the end of the week, if we opt for a different engine then we will have to wait 5 weeks or so, but we get to pick the color of the chipper, at this point we are just trying to get a second chipper as soon as possible to keep up with the work load, weighing a few options here and there but either way im just excited to have a new, larger capacity chipper that isnt a vermeer (the 12 inch vermeer and i dont see eye to eye these days

sharkfin- thanks for the concern, my ground crew is second to none, they have been taking care of me the best they can when it comes to humping brush, i have been very fortunate that as of recently i havent had to hump much brush, just a bit here and there, we are looking to switch over to 2 crews with me as the only climber, breaking a guy loose with the bucket and a ground guy and small chipper, once i get my tree down on my job i will drive over to there job and either finish what he has started or do the climbing that may be needed on that job, im looking forward to focusing on climbing 100% and having the added responsibility of running another crew, its going to be a lot of work, but im actually looking forward to it
 
I too am comparing the vermeer 1800xl with winch to the bandit 1590 with winch and down pressure cylinder. I like the concept of being able to apply down pressure on the feed cylinder on the bandit but it seems to defeat the purpose of the auto feed. someone still has to man a control for the bigger material. my concern with the vermeer is its ability to grab and drag the bigger, longer material without the optional down pressure cylinder the bandit has. vermeer swears by the vertical feed rollers. I've owned a 1250 and it pulls the logs, but 19" diameter is a different ball game. vermeer looks easy to maintain and seems better protected for outdoor storage and weather. only way to tell is day to day use after i own the machine.the bandit is less expensive, but in the big picture the cost difference isn't that much. appreciate any insight. anxious to upgrade.
 
We recently upgraded from a Vermeer 1400xl to a 1800xl w/winch with 140hp JD engine. We love it. I have no issues with its ability to grab and drag big material. I have used a variety of chippers over the years and personally I believe the vertical feed rollers grab material easier and with less side swing than the horizontal rollers. You can sit a big piece of wood on the feed table and it will easily take it in with no fuss, with just a slight push. The new Vermeers have spiral teeth on the rollers to grab material and press it down against the feed table. IMO, works great. Very user friendly.
 
Sounds like you have made a great choice familytree!!! We own a Vermeer stumper, but there always seems to be little things that break on it. Right now we're getting ready to attach some new parts (can't remember what they are) but it almost always seems to be down/ From what I have seen on the Bandits they are a great and sound machine.

Also, how's it working out for you guys so far??
 
We have a Bandit 280 HD w/ 200hp JD and 4k lb winch (kind of wimpy winch). It is an awesome machine. MW had the opportunity to test a Vermeer for a week or so. Had some issues, especially getting the snot beat out of him with the horizontal infeed whipping brush back and forth, but said it was a good chipper for palms. That's probably not a sell point for you though!
 
morbark 2400 xl,20 inch feed, diesel engine, w/ a winch.i feed w/ a skid steer & a set of forks all day.you'll never believed you worked without 1.
 
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3000 cheaper and with a winch would sway my decision. There is a lot possible with the winch. As far as the speedline it would depend on the weight of the pieces. The winch needs to be able to handle the loading.

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My only chipper is a 250XP, Its winch isn't all that strong, but we use it for tensioning speed lines as long as the load isn't over 200-350 lb or so, with adequate results.

Likely my next chipper will be a 1590.Never seen one in operation, but have heard nothing but good.
 
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