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Loaders, Excavation & Property MaintenanceWood Chipper Buying Guide
A chipper turns brush piles into mulch, but it also pulls whatever you feed it with no mercy. Pick one that matches your brush and uses safety systems you will actually keep in place.
Key points
- Choose a chipper rated above your usual branch size.
- Pick safety features and feed controls over raw power.
- Keep PTO shields in place and match the speed to the machine.
- Keep knives sharp, and disconnect power before any work on the rotor.
- Rent if you chip only a few times each year.
What will you chip?
Describe your material before shopping. Light brush and branches, thick limbs, or small logs each call for a different machine. A 5-acre homestead trimming fruit trees and clearing storm debris needs less than an orchard operation pruning many rows each winter.
Every chipper has a maximum branch diameter. Buy one rated above your usual material and never feed larger stock than the manufacturer allows.
Brush with thorns, vines or wet green leaves chips differently than dry hardwood. Tell the dealer what you cut most, and ask how the machine handles it.
What types of chippers exist?
Common styles include drum and disc chippers. Drum chippers tend to feed material aggressively. Disc chippers handle branches differently and often give a more uniform chip. Both have trade-offs for feed, noise and maintenance, so ask the dealer to explain how each performs on your material.
Some units are PTO-driven and mount to a tractor. Others have their own engine and tow behind a truck or ATV. Match power and feeding to your equipment and your needs.
A tractor-mounted chipper adds weight and swings the discharge chute. Make sure your tractor is stable with the machine mounted and the manual approves the pairing. Check the three-point hitch category too.
- PTO-driven: use your tractor, no extra engine to service
- Self-powered: portable, independent of a tractor
- Hand-fed or hydraulic-fed
- Gravity feed hoppers versus infeed rollers
What safety features should you look for?
Feed systems pull material in whether you want it or not. Safety features matter more than horsepower. Look for a feed control bar or stop mechanism that is easy to reach, a hopper designed to keep hands away from the blades, and guards on rotating parts.
Never reach into the hopper or chute. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves with loose cuffs or anything that can catch. Wear eye, ear and head protection. Keep bystanders away from the discharge.
Ask for a demo where you can see how the controls work and how quickly the feed can be stopped. Operators should be able to reach the stop without leaning into the hopper.
- Reachable emergency stop or feed control
- Proper infeed hopper length
- Shields on belts and shafts
- Clear operating instructions on the machine
What about PTO safety?
PTO-driven chippers must be matched to the right speed, commonly 540 or 1000 rpm, and driveline shields must be in place and turning freely. Keep clear of the rotating shaft, never step over it, and shut off the tractor before working near the driveline. Follow the manual.
Do not use a chipper with missing or damaged guards.
Check that PTO shields are intact and that the driveline is the proper length so it does not bottom out when lifting the machine. Ask the dealer if a shear bolt or slip clutch protects the drive.
How do you maintain a chipper?
Knives dull with use and dirt, and dull knives pull poorly and cause overheating and clogs. Sharpen or replace knives as the manual says, and torque bolts to the stated values. Check belts, bearings and grease fittings, and keep the hopper and chute clear.
Always disconnect power, remove keys and wait for rotating parts to stop before touching blades or clearing jams.
Keep spare knives and bolts on hand. Dull knives waste time and leave you tempted to push material in by hand, which is dangerous.
What are the common mistakes?
Overfeeding, feeding wet or green material that clogs, ignoring stones and metal in the brush, and running a dull knife are common. Another is feeding material that is wider than the machine can take. Keep dirt and rocks out and read the manual for feed directions.
Plan where chips will land, since a big pile can bury things and heat up as it breaks down.
Never use a chipper when you are tired, rushed or alone. Clearing storm debris with a helper who can shut the machine down can prevent a disaster.
Should you buy, rent or hire?
If you chip a few times a year, renting is cheaper than owning. If you manage large piles or work for others, owning may pay. Check insurance coverage, and ask a lender or accountant for help comparing.
Ask what training the dealer or rental yard provides, and ask your insurance agent whether coverage includes powered machinery you rent.
Sources and further reading
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