Chipper Knife for Vermeer BC1800XL

This is a replacement knife for the Vermeer BC1800XL, one of the most common large drum chippers on tree crews. Sharp knives keep the machine self-feeding and save fuel, belts and bearings.

Fit and when to change

Vermeer has built the BC1800 family over many years and updated parts along the way, so confirm the knife against your chipper's parts manual and serial number before ordering. Measure your old knife and compare the bolt pattern and bevel.

Change or sharpen knives when brush stops pulling in on its own, the engine bogs on material it used to eat, or chips come out stringy. Check the anvil at the same time. A worn anvil gap makes sharp knives cut poorly. See other chipper knives if you run more than one machine.

Knife life depends heavily on what goes through the machine. Brush dragged across gravel, roadside trees with embedded wire and dirty storm debris all dull knives faster. Shake out root balls and keep the infeed area clean, and a set will go much longer between sharpenings.

Swap knives safely

Shut the engine off, pull the key, wait for the drum to stop completely and lock the drum as the manual describes before you open the housing. Follow your company's lockout procedure. Wear cut-resistant gloves, clean the knife seats, replace damaged bolts and torque them to the manual value. Never reach into the infeed or housing while anything is turning.

Knives are usually changed or rotated as a set so the drum stays balanced. If one knife is chipped badly, replace or grind the whole set to match. Keep a sharp spare set in the shop so swapping does not cost a day of production.