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Implements & AttachmentsWood Chippers for Tractors
A PTO wood chipper turns brush into mulch, but it is one of the most dangerous attachments on a farm. Respect the feed area and the rotating parts every time.
Key points
- Chippers are among the most hazardous PTO attachments, so never reach into the feed chute.
- Wear fitted clothing and protective gear, and feed branches as the manufacturer directs.
- Shut off and wait for all motion to stop before clearing a jam.
- Do not exceed the branch size the maker lists.
How does a tractor wood chipper work?
A tractor-powered chipper takes branches through a feed chute where rotating knives or a drum cut them into chips. It usually mounts on the three-point hitch or is pulled behind, and a PTO shaft supplies the power. Many feature a discharge chute you can aim.
Chippers are sized by the maximum branch diameter the manufacturer lists. Do not feed larger limbs than the manual allows.
Which jobs suit a chipper?
Chippers turn pruned limbs, storm debris, fence-line clearing and orchard prunings into chips you can use for paths, mulch or composting. On a farm with an orchard row, pruning season can produce a large amount of brush that a chipper handles without burning.
Think about how much brush you handle in a year. A homestead might use one rarely, and renting could make more sense. A busy farm or landscaping side business may want to own one. Chips can be used as mulch or path cover, but fresh chips from some species may not suit every plant, so check with your extension office before spreading them near crops or garden beds.
What are the biggest hazards?
Chipper injuries happen when clothing, gloves or limbs are pulled into the feed rollers or the knives. The machine pulls material in with great force and does not stop for a hand or sleeve. Many deaths and amputations have occurred with chippers.
Never reach into the feed chute. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry or dangling straps. Feed branches the way the manufacturer's instructions describe, and step aside as the branch is drawn in. Never push material with your hands or lean over the chute. Branches can also whip as they are drawn in, so keep your face and body out of the line of the feed table.
- Keep all guards and chute shields in place
- Never reach into the feed chute
- Wear eye, hearing and head protection
- Stay clear of the discharge
- Shut off the PTO and engine and wait for the rotor to stop before clearing a jam
How do you set up and operate it safely?
Park on level ground and set the chipper so that the discharge sends chips away from people, vehicles and animals. Confirm the PTO speed matches the chipper. PTO speeds are commonly 540 and 1000 rpm, and an incorrect speed can damage the machine and create danger.
Use a helper only if you have a clear plan, and stay in sight of each other. Keep a clear exit path, and keep children and pets away. Have a way to stop the machine quickly, and learn where the emergency stop and shutdown controls are. Check overhead before you start so that tall brush piles and chipper chutes stay clear of power lines.
What do you do about jams and dull knives?
If the chipper jams, shut off the PTO, shut off the tractor, take the key and wait until everything has stopped moving. Only then clear the jam with a stick or the tool the manual describes. Do not reach in while the machine is still coasting.
Dull knives make the chipper pull poorly and increase vibration. Follow the manual for knife inspection, sharpening and replacement, and use the correct parts. For damaged rotors or bearings, take the chipper to a qualified shop.
How do you choose and maintain a chipper?
Compare the branch size capacity, the feed design, the PTO needs and the tractor requirements from the manufacturer. Ask the dealer about safety features such as an emergency stop bar or a feed control, and check the availability of parts and knives.
Grease the fittings the manual lists, check the driveline shields, and clean out the chips and sap after use. Store the chipper under cover, and look for cracks in the frame and chute. A damaged chute or missing guard is a reason to stop using the machine until it is repaired. If a rented chipper arrives without a manual, ask for one before you start the PTO.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.