Wood Chippers Buyer’s Guide

Gardening and yard work can be frustratingly slow and tiresome, especially when you are left with piles of leaves and branches to clean up at the end of the season.

Sometimes you need a little help, and nothing works better than a wood chipper to get the job done. To find the best wood chipper for your needs and budget, you’ll want to consider your power, feed rate, capacity, and price requirements.

If you’re looking for more information about wood chippers or need some guidance on choosing the best one for you, read on.

What Is Wood Chipper?

Wood chippers are tools used to shred wood into small chips. There are several different types of wood chippers available for use, and which is most suitable depends on the wood being chipped and the chips’ intended use.

Wood chippers are often used to recycle wood and turn it into mulch or compost, which can then be sold or used for gardening.

There are two types of wood chippers, depending on how the blades are powered. Disc-style wood chippers use a high-speed motor to power large rotating discs, which slice through the wood and break it down into small chips.

Drum-style wood chippers are powered by a slow-moving turning mechanism, which uses fixed or rotating knives to cut the wood.

Important Features that you should consider before you buy a wood chipper

Just like any product, it’s important to check out the features that it comes with to make sure you get the best quality and value for your money. Below are the most important features that you should consider:

Size and Portability:

How far is the area where you will be using it? Is it easily accessible with your vehicle? How often do you plan to use it, and how long do you expect that you will be using it?

What are the conditions like, like the amount of ground cover, level of wetness, and volume of debris? The answers to these questions will help you choose a wood chipper that is just the right size for your needs.

The size of the wood chipper will also help you decide whether you need to tow it with a vehicle or carry it manually. That is why it needs to be portable so you can easily take it to different areas.

Motor Size:

The size of the motor will affect its performance when used, which is why it needs to be in proportion to the amount of work you expect it to do.

If it’s going to be used for a lot of heavy work, then a bigger motor will be needed. Smaller motors are enough for light work if you need to use them for extended periods.

The average motor size is around 5 HP, although you can go as high as 25. Remember that the higher its power, the more expensive it will be.

Anti-Jam Mechanism:

If you don’t want to spend a long time unjamming the wood chipper, you need to look for one with an anti-jam mechanism. This protection will set the blades free if it gets stuck, so they can keep working properly.

Feed Mechanism/Hopper:

The wood chipper needs to have a feed mechanism and hopper so that the wood can reach the blades. The feed mechanism is what will move the wood material to the hopper, which then gets it into position for cutting.

The operators normally do the feed, while there are also units with gravity-fed mechanisms. The hopper is responsible for holding and protecting the blades, so it needs to be made from high-quality material.

Blade Design/Pitch:

The blades are what cut the wood, which is why they should be designed properly. The blades will come in three types: drum style, flail or chipping blades, and flywheel.

The drum style is the traditional one that uses a single-edge blade, while the flail and flywheel use two or three times as many blades.

They also come in different diameters and thicknesses to match the needs of the work that will be done. The blades need to be durable, which is why they should have some hard metal like carbon steel.

You’ll also want to look for self-sharpening ones so they can keep cutting for a long time.

Is It Worth Buying A Wood Clipper?

We live in a world that is full of convenience. There are tons of things we can do to make our lives better with the newest technology.

A wood chipper is one of the most efficient ways to eliminate unwanted branches and leaves.

There are different kinds available on the market, from small ones used around the house to large commercial models used at landscaping businesses.

Are There Any Alternative Machines Or Substitutes For A Wood Chipper?

Yes, there are several alternative machines or substitutes for a wood chipper that you could use in place of a wood chipper, although none will give you the same results that a wood chipper can.

Some of these alternatives include:

Hedge Trimmers:

A hedge trimmer is a long, thick sword that can be used to cut down branches or shrubs. While this can be a quick way to cut down larger branches, it does not yield the same results as a wood chipper.

Chainsaws:

A chainsaw is another tool used to cut down branches, but it generally cuts only one side of the branch at a time. This means you won’t be able to remove the entire branch all at once, which can be a very slow process.

Shredding:

Shredding uses blades to cut the branches and leaves from large items such as lawnmowers and motorcycles, but generally cannot be used to chip wood.

To summarize, there are several different alternative machines or substitutes for a wood chipper that you could use in place of a wood chipper. These include hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and shredding. However, none of these alternatives will yield the same results as a wood chipper.

What Is The Difference Between A Wood Chipper And A Wood Shredder?

A wood chipper and a wood shredding machine are designed to process branches, twigs, and leaves into smaller pieces that can then be used for mulch, compost, or other landscaping materials.

The main difference between the two is that a wood chipper can reduce branches and twigs down to the finest size that is small enough for a wood stove or fireplace.

While a chipper shredder can reduce branches and twigs down to a size that is suitable for use in a compost bin.

A wood chipper has either one or two rotating blades attached to a motor that spins very quickly. When branches or twigs are fed into the chipper, they get caught between the rotating blades and are cut into small pieces.

These small pieces are then expelled out of the opposite end of the chipper so that they can be collected and used for whatever purpose is needed.

On the other hand, a wood shredder uses a series of fixed blades that are situated between two large drums that rotate around each other. As branches and twigs are fed into the shredder, they sit between these two drums.

The drums spin quickly while simultaneously pushing the branches and twigs into the fixed blade set. The branches and twigs are then shredded into smaller pieces as they push through this blade set.

These wood shreds can be used for composting, mulching, or as a fire starter material for your fireplace or wood stove.

What Is Better, A Disc Chipper Or A Drum Chipper?

When you are in the market for a wood chipper, you will come across two options: disc and drum. The question then becomes, what is better, a disc chipper or a drum chipper?

Let’s take a look at some of the differences between these two machines.

The disc chipper will use a spinning disk with blades to shred the wood into smaller pieces. The drum chipper is similar in that it uses a drum that has several blades on the outside edge.

However, the drum chipper will have a feed table at the other end of the machine from the blades. This table will have a chain to gather the wood and feed it into the drum, where it will be shredded.

The disc chipper is more portable as it does not need a feed table. The main benefit of the drum chipper is that it can handle a higher volume of wood in one go.

If you want something that can handle a large quantity of wood, then the drum chipper may be the better choice. The disc chipper may be a better choice if you need something that can easily move from job to job.

When choosing between a disc chipper or a drum chipper, you must consider your needs and the type of wood you plan on using it for.

By considering both of these factors, you will be able to choose the best machine for your needs.

Is Gas-Powerd Or Electic Wood Chipper Better?

There isn’t a clear answer as to which type is better, but some differences are worth considering. Gas-powered Wood Chippers are larger and more powerful than Electric Wood Chippers.

They are generally better at taking on tougher jobs, like chipping large branches and stumps. However, this also makes them more expensive, often costing twice as much as comparable Electric Wood Chipper models.

While Gas Wood Chippers may be better at tackling larger jobs, they also require a fuel source and can get very loud while running.

In contrast, Electrical Wood Chippers are cheaper, less noisy, and easier to use in smaller spaces.

Are Wood Chippers Safe To Use?

Wood chippers are a useful tool to cut large pieces of wood into smaller, more manageable sizes. However, these tools can be dangerous if used improperly or without the proper safety precautions.

Before buying your first wood chipper, get informed about how to use one safely and what features your ideal model should have.

Some important safety precautions to take when using a wood chipper include:

• Always wear safety glasses, ear protection, and heavy-duty work gloves.
• Keep bystanders at least 25 feet away from the chipper’s feeding area. Never allow anyone to stand behind or come near the area where wood is fed into the chipping mechanism without wearing all necessary protective gear.
• Be aware of the amount of wood you are feeding into the chipper at any one time, and make sure to stop before reaching the maximum capacity for your model.
• Never stick your hands or other body parts into an active chipping mechanism, even if it has been turned off. Wait until the chipper has come to a complete stop before approaching the feeding area or inserting any other wood.
• Use extreme caution when operating your wood chipper near large trees, as falling branches and debris can easily cause serious injuries. Always be on the lookout for potential hazards and ensure that anyone nearby knows the risks.

Does Wood Chipper Produce Mulch?

After the wood is shredded into smaller pieces, it can be used as mulch or compost. You may have these products already since your municipality likely uses a chipper to shred leaves and other yard debris.

Mulch made from fresh tree limbs and branches will decompose within a year and create soil for garden beds and trees.

Can You Put Lumber In A Wood Chipper?

It is possible to cut wood for lumber using a wood chipper, but this will produce much smaller pieces than most lumber yards.

For thicker boards, use the table saw, or band saw to cut them into thinner pieces that can be chipped more easily.

Final Thoughts

A wood chipper is a powerful tool that can help you to turn larger pieces of wood into more manageable pieces suitable for landscaping and firewood.

However, choosing the right type for you will require research and consideration of your needs and the features most important to you.

Ensure that you consider all of these factors before making a final purchase, and invest in the necessary safety gear as well.