There seems to be a big step between the Bandit 75XP and the next size up in terms of size and design that make it an important consideration to know what side one should be on. The 75xp has up to 35hp gas engine, 90° disc, is only ~2000 lbs., and has a 7x12" infeed. Here is a picture of my Thursday jobsite where I removed a shumard leader down to 9-10" diameter about 18" above the acute codominant junction, leaving a low limb on the removed leader and the better of the two leaders (which angles slightly away from the house towards the cul-de-sac). The remaining leader also received a structural and reduction cut where 3 branches emanated acutely from a union. I took the middle of the three for a ~4" diameter cut, resolving it to a very nice angle with the main leader pointing slightly away from the residence. Ideally, I would have pruned this tree for its first time about 10-15 years ago, but now was the second best time for it. The client was also given the option to cable and brace and chose this path, which I slightly preferred. The next step is to return in a year to make small structure prunes, then in two years to make reduction cuts to the two side branches - all pending how the tree responds. Note that I have a rope management inadequacy at my base tie in the one picture. The knives are about 2/3rds through their cycle.
When the debris were all on the ground, the 75xp handled it all as fast as we could operate, including a 7x12" crotch (see last picture). We had to turn it off twice to keep up. I cut up the >7" diameter pieces into about 7 chunks, put 6 in the chipper intake and one in the van and dumped them on my very small burn pile. The chips were applied as mulch to the front landscape beds. This was a 3-4 hr. project. with the two of us, from arrival on site to dumping the lumps.
The 90° disc makes the best looking square-cut chips. A 90XP - the next size up - is a 45° disc and reportedly makes more fibrous chips. Drum chippers are known to produce even stringier chips, but I defer to those who use them regarding that. Having done one large 30" diameter laurel oak removal for a friend with the 75xp, I would definitely use a large drum chipper for that work.
The 90XP is also surprisingly much heavier than the 75XP, so my mini skid is not suitable for pushing it around. I cannot currently push around my chipper because the square tube on my bmg is dented and will not accept the hitch attachment.
I'm supportive of other people's opinions about other chippers and I think to some extent the chipper you have chipping is the best one. The 65XP, of course, is almost identical.
