Heavy-Duty Vermeer Wood Chipper – BC1800A 18" Towable Chipper

Used Vermeer BC1800A Wood Chipper — 18" Towable Chipper, Perkins 115hp | Bernardsville, NJ

What You're Getting

This 18 towable chipper is a 2001 Vermeer BC1800A, a commercial-grade wood chipper with an 18-inch chipping capacity, a Perkins 4-cylinder turbo diesel rated at 115 hp, and the ability to process whole logs and large limbs efficiently. For tree care contractors, land-clearing operators, municipal or utility crews, and equipment resellers looking for a high-capacity used machine, this overview focuses on the specs, condition, work-ready advantages, financing options, and pricing details that matter before you buy. It has been very well maintained and is ready to hook up and go to work today. No reconditioning needed. No guesswork about condition.

The numbers: 4,151 documented hours on the engine. 8,800 lb. working weight. 15'L x 7'W x 9'H. An 18" chipping capacity that handles whole logs and sprawling limbs without pre-trimming. If your jobs involve large-diameter timber, dense brush, high-volume land clearing, or commercial landscaping and yard clean-up, this machine is built for exactly that workload, reducing large debris into mulch for landscaping while helping crews maximize throughput, limit downtime, and control job costs.

Why the BC1800A Still Commands the Job Site

Not every 20-year-old chipper earns a second look. The Vermeer BC1800A does, and for specific reasons that hold up under scrutiny.

The chipping drum architecture on this unit is engineered for throughput, not show. A 40" wide by 24" high throat opening swallows wide, leafy limbs whole — the kind that would stall or jam smaller machines mid-cycle. The drum system is built to maximize processing speed while keeping downtime to a minimum, which is the calculation that matters on a commercial job site billing by the hour.

At 4,151 hours on a Perkins diesel, you're looking at a machine that's been used — but not abused. Perkins 4-cylinder turbo diesel engines are known for long service life when properly maintained, and this unit's condition reflects that. The asking price reflects honest market value for an 18" commercial chipper at this mileage point, not wishful thinking.

Compare that to a newer, smaller-capacity chipper in the $18,000–$22,000 range. You'd sacrifice 4–6 inches of chipping capacity and a significant chunk of throughput. For contractors working large lots, storm cleanup, or commercial land clearing, that capacity gap shows up in job time — and job time is money.

Full Specifications

Machine Identity

• Make: Vermeer

• Model: BC1800A

• Year: 2001

• Serial/VIN: 1VRN1312411002530

• Stock#: MAD-180001

• Location: Bernardsville, NJ 07921

Engine & Powertrain

• Engine: Perkins 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel

• Rated Output: 115hp

• Fuel Type: Diesel

• Hours: 4,151

• Clutch: Heavy-duty spring-loaded automotive-style drum engagement

Chipping Capacity & Feed System

• Chipping Diameter: 18" (45.7 cm) maximum log diameter

• Throat Opening: 40" Wide x 24" High infeed opening

• Feed System: SmartFeed auto-feed — monitors engine RPM, stops or reverses feed rollers automatically to prevent jams and engine stall

• Feed Rollers: Dual high-torque vertical rollers with aggressive teeth grip untrimmed brush and drag it directly into the cutter drum

• Output Capacity: Up to 86 cubic meters of wood chips per hour

Discharge

• Discharge Chute: 270° to 360° manual swivel with adjustable height deflector

• Chip broadcast: Loads directly into a dump truck bed or distributes across a work site

Chassis & Towing

• Hitch: Heavy-duty pintle hitch for commercial medium-to-heavy duty haul trucks

• Suspension: Single-axle Dexter Torflex rubber torsional suspension — reduces road shock during highway transport

• Brakes: Electric brakes, wired to a 7-way commercial trailer plug

• Tires: 235/75R17.5 commercial trailer tires

• Weight: 8,800 lbs.

• Dimensions: 15'L x 7'W x 9'H

Safety

• Operator Control Safety Bar: Four-position upper/lower feed stop control bar spanning the full infeed area — immediate emergency stop or manual roller reversal

Condition

• Excellent — Very Well Maintained

• Ready to Work — Hook Up and Go

Who This Machine Is Built For

The BC1800A is not a residential or light-commercial unit. It is a high-capacity, commercial-grade chipper that earns its keep on large-volume jobs.

The right buyer for this machine fits one of these profiles:

• Tree care contractors running multi-crew operations where a smaller 9"–12" chipper creates a processing bottleneck on large removal jobs

• Land clearing operators working acreage where volume throughput — up to 86 m³/h — directly determines how many jobs you complete per week

• Municipal or utility crews dealing with storm debris, right-of-way clearing, or large-scale brush processing where downtime is not an option

• Equipment resellers sourcing well-maintained commercial chippers at an honest price point for resale or fleet leasing

If your current chipper is undersized for the logs you're feeding it, this machine ends that problem. An 18" capacity at this condition and price point is not common inventory.

What "Excellent Condition" Actually Means Here

Condition language in used equipment listings gets abused. Here's what it means on this specific unit.

The BC1800A at 4,151 hours on a Perkins diesel sits at a point where the engine has been broken in and proven, but is not near the end of a typical service life for this powerplant. Perkins diesel engines, with proper maintenance, routinely run well past 10,000 hours in commercial applications.

The machine is towable today, operational today, and has been described as very well maintained by the seller. A pre-buy inspection is strongly encouraged — not because of concern about condition, but because any commercial equipment purchase at this price point warrants a hands-on look. Run it yourself before you wire a dollar.

What you are not paying for: reconditioning markup, dealer prep fees, or warranty premiums that add $5,000–$8,000 to the price of a comparable dealer-sourced unit. At $18,000, this machine is priced as a working asset, not a showroom piece.

The SmartFeed Feed System Advantage — Why It Matters on Your Job Site

Most chipper downtime comes from one of two causes: jams and engine stall. Both drain billable hours faster than any other mechanical issue.

The BC1800A's SmartFeed system addresses both directly. It monitors engine RPM in real time. When the load spikes — a dense, knotted log or a large-diameter limb hits the drum — the system automatically slows or reverses the feed rollers before the engine bogs. Feed resumes when the drum recovers speed.

The result is fewer jams, fewer restarts, and a crew that spends more time chipping and less time clearing a blocked feed throat. On a full work day with a two- or three-person crew, that difference compounds into meaningful time savings. It also reduces the kind of repeated jam-clearing that accelerates wear on rollers and drum components over time.

Frequently Asked Questions — Vermeer BC1800A

What is the chipping capacity of the Vermeer BC1800A?
The BC1800A handles logs and timber up to 18 inches in diameter. The infeed opening measures 40" wide by 24" high, which accommodates wide, leafy limbs without requiring pre-trimming.

What engine does the Vermeer BC1800A use?
This unit is powered by a Perkins 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel producing 115hp. Perkins diesel engines are a proven choice in commercial chipping applications for their durability and service accessibility.

How many hours does this BC1800A have?
4,151 hours. For a Perkins diesel in a well-maintained commercial chipper, this represents a machine that has been used in production but is not approaching end-of-life.

What towing equipment does the BC1800A require?
The BC1800A uses a heavy-duty pintle hitch configuration designed for commercial medium-to-heavy duty haul trucks. It is wired with a 7-way commercial trailer plug and equipped with electric brakes.

How much does the Vermeer BC1800A weigh?
8,800 lbs. gross weight. Plan your tow vehicle accordingly — this requires a capable commercial truck, not a half-ton pickup.

Is financing available?
Yes. Fast, easy application and approval available. Apply directly through the financing link or call Jay Trevorrow at 973-886-3020 for details.

Can I inspect this machine before buying?
A pre-buy inspection is actively encouraged. Contact Jay Trevorrow at 973-886-3020 or jay@ironmartonline.com to arrange a viewing in Bernardsville, NJ.

Is this chipper sold with a warranty?
This unit is sold as-is, which is standard practice in commercial used equipment transactions. That is why an in-person inspection before purchase is strongly recommended.

The Bottom Line

An 18" commercial wood chipper with a Perkins diesel, SmartFeed system, and 4,151 hours in excellent condition does not sit long at $18,000. Comparable units from dealers in similar condition carry $24,000–$30,000 price tags once reconditioning and margin are factored in.

This machine is priced to move to the buyer who knows what they need and is ready to act. It hooks up and goes to work today.

Call Jay Trevorrow: 973-886-3020
Email: jay@ironmartonline.com
Location: Bernardsville, NJ 07921