When it comes to horizontal grinders, three American manufacturers dominate the market: Bandit Industries, Morbark (now part of Alamo Group), and CBI (Terex Environmental Equipment). Each builds machines differently, and the best choice depends on your material, throughput needs, and budget.
We see all three brands come through our marketplace regularly — here's an honest comparison based on real-world performance and market pricing.
| Feature | Bandit | Morbark | CBI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower range | 200 – 1,050 HP | 350 – 1,200 HP | 540 – 1,500 HP |
| Feed system | Top-feed roller | Feed wheel + chain | Force-feed chain |
| Best for | Land clearing, C&D, biomass | Logging slash, stumps, pallets | High-volume biomass, wood waste |
| New price range | $350,000 – $900,000 | $400,000 – $1,100,000 | $500,000 – $1,500,000 |
| Used price range | $75,000 – $600,000 | $50,000 – $700,000 | $200,000 – $900,000 |
| Popular models | 2460XP, 3680 Beast | 3800, 4600, 6600 | 5400, 5800, 6800CT, Magnum Force |
Headquarters: Remus, Michigan
Bandit is the most recognizable name in horizontal grinding. Their Beast Recycler line (2460, 3680, 4680) is designed for versatility — these machines handle land clearing debris, C&D waste, pallets, railroad ties, and biomass with equal capability.
What sets Bandit apart:
Considerations: At the top end of the throughput range, Bandit machines work harder than CBI machines of similar horsepower. For extremely high-volume biomass operations (500+ TPH), CBI may be the better choice.
Headquarters: Winn, Michigan (now part of Alamo Group)
Morbark has been building wood processing equipment since 1957. Their horizontal grinders are built like tanks — heavy, durable, and designed for the toughest materials including stumps and contaminated wood waste.
What sets Morbark apart:
Considerations: Morbark's acquisition by Alamo Group has changed parts and service dynamics. Some operators report longer lead times for parts compared to the pre-acquisition era.
Headquarters: Newton, New Hampshire
CBI builds the biggest horizontal grinders in the industry. If your operation processes thousands of tons per day, CBI machines are purpose-built for that throughput level.
What sets CBI apart:
Considerations: CBI machines have the highest purchase price and highest operating costs. They make economic sense at high daily throughput — if you're grinding less than 500 tons per day, a Bandit or Morbark may be more cost-effective.
Several other manufacturers compete in the horizontal grinder space:
Horizontal grinders work harder than most equipment. Here's how to evaluate hours:
We carry Bandit, Morbark, CBI, and other horizontal grinders from dealers across the East Coast. Every listing includes full photo galleries and verified specs. View all grinders for sale.