Bandit is focussed on equipment for the hand-fed wood chipper and stump grinder markets.One new product, four product updates and two products that will be released in the near future were unveiled recently:
- New: 75XP hand-fed disc chipper – This seven inch (18 cm) chipper has larger knives and chipper bearings than the 65XP model. The bearings are located on the back side of the disc, allowing the feed wheel to operate closer to the disc for more efficient chipping. Engine options up to 44 hp (33 kW) are offered. The chipper is capable of handling brush and small trees.
- Update: 1590XP hand-fed drum chipper – This now comes with the option of wider horizontal feed wheels (25 versus 20 in / 64 versus 51 cm). This allows the chipper to crush and compress branchy material. The updated model offers engines up to 180 hp (134 kW).
- Update: 490XP drop-feed drum chipper – This small four inch (10 cm) chipper is now available as a self-propelled machine.
- Update: Grapple options for loader-equipped hand-fed chippers – improved brush grapples are now available on larger hand-fed chippers with built-in loader options. The grapple is designed to grab and crush branchy material.
- Update: Stump grinder cutting wheels – Sandvik stump grinder wheels and teeth are now available as options with Bandits handlebar, self-propelled and tracked stump grinders.
- Coming soon: Bandit SVC (Screen Vacuum Chipper) – This drum chipper has been designed to produce chips of a more consistent size. To achieve this, a screen is used in the drum housing that allows material to exit only once it has reached the correct size.
- Coming soon: Hybrid technology for chipper and horizontal grinders – Energy from the chipper and grinder is captured and stored while the machine is running, but not processing material. This energy is then returned to the head to supplement engine horsepower (kW). This is achieved without using an excessive amount of batteries or complex electrical components associated with many hybrid systems. This system can potentially double the available processing power, allowing the user to operate smaller engines. The system can be used with petrol (gasoline), diesel or electric motors. Bandit is currently field testing the prototypes.