Wood chippers are used to break tree branches down into small chips, suitable for mulching or composting. They also work on pine cones and acorns. Leaf shredders do the same for tree leaves. Wood chippers often have a dual chipper/shredder feature, allowing them to handle both jobs.
Handling your own chipping and shredding means no more wasteful bagging and disposing of garden waste, then buying commercial packaged mulch or compost.
Brands include Troy Bilt, MTD (Yard Machines) and McCulloch. Examples of industrial/commercial brands (including PTO or 3PH, 3-point hitch models for tractors) are Jinma, Wallenstein, Vermeer, DR, Bear Cat and Morbark. The smaller commercial models are suitable for home use.
Some of the information in this article is based on wood chipper consumer reviews on the Amazon.com website.
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Professional or commercial wood chippers (like the one in the movie “Fargo”) cost thousands of dollars and can chew up large chunks of material. Wood chippers designed for home use, have more limited power. They can only handle branches that are one to two inches in diameter, perhaps a bit larger.
Dry, seasoned branches are easier to chip than fresh green clippings. The type of wood also matters. Feeding large branches slowly, makes it easier for the chipper to digest them. The maximum branch size specified by the manufacturer is therefore not exact.
Two-way chippers have a hopper on top for shredding leaves and twigs. A small side chute is for thick branches. Forked branches will need to be manually trimmed straight to fit into the chipper.
Clogging is a common problem with chippers. The blades can jam if over-sized, wet or damp material is fed into the chipper. Green leaves are also a problem. Even the output chute can get clogged up. When a jam happens, the chipper will need to be disassembled to remove the jam.
The blades will need to be sharpened after a few hours of continuous use (which can mean a year or two, for those with small gardens). Replacement blades should be available from the manufacturer. As with all equipment, it’s a good idea to check that spare parts and service shops are available, before buying a chipper.
Shredded or chipped mulch is thrown out through a small output chute (more like a pipe). A collection bag is tied around the chute to collect the mulch. The mulch can also be left to fly out and collect in a pile on the ground. A sideways facing chute is easier for bagging, while a downwards chute is safer as thrown material is less likely to hit someone (some wood chips are thrown with enough force to go through the bag).
Electric wood chippers cost about $200 to $1000. They are limited by household circuit capacity, to 15 amps, or about 2 horsepower. They can’t handle branches much more than one inch in diameter. Pine cones will be too large.
Their advantages are low maintenance and low noise, though hearing protection should still be worn. If the chipper jams, it can cause the circuit breaker to trip, which just adds to the frustration.
A thick gauge extension cord should be used, for the chipper to run at maximum power. Portability is still limited, but it’s usually possible to carry the branches to the chipper, and then take the mulch to where it is needed.
“Consumer” gas chippers cost from $500 to over $1000, with engine capacity averaging 200cc, and delivering 5 to 10 horsepower. This makes them two to four times more powerful than electric chippers. They can eat up branches that are two inches in diameter, possibly reaching three inches.
The main disadvantages are difficulty in starting the engine (with a pull-cord, like a chain saw or lawn mower), and the normal issues with having to maintain a gas engine.
Combination chipper/shredders don’t handle leaves well. A safety grate in the hopper inlet makes it difficult to quickly feed leaves.
Dedicated electric shredders look like a large bowl on legs, and are basically upside-down blade-less string trimmers. Nylon string is used to shred the leaves, so it’s not necessary to have a safety grate. The inlet opening is about a foot wide.
They work best with dry leaves. Wet or even green leaves can jam the cutter. A lot of dust is generated, more so than with a chipper/shredder because the nylon string doesn’t cut as cleanly.
Small twigs will quickly chop up the nylon line. Branches are even worse. It’s necessary to carefully sift through the leaves to separate out any branches, before feeding them into the shredder. This can be too much work for some people, a deal-breaker.
Like chippers, the higher the power, the better. Leaf shredders cost over $100. Examples of brands are Flowtron and Worx.
The availability of replacement nylon line should be checked before buying a shredder.
Wood chips are thrown out at high speed from the output chute, and also backwards from the input slot. Safety goggles should be worn at all times. A full-face shield is even better.
Gloves should be worn because the chipper can suddenly pull branches or vines into the machine. A respirator protects against dust, especially from dedicated leaf shredders. Hearing protection and a long-sleeved shirt is also a good idea. Basically, full body protection should be used.
A tamper or stick should be used to push material into the chute. Hands should never be used for this. The chipper should be disabled before being disassembled for unclogging. This means unplugging the power cord for electric chippers, removing the spark plug for gas chippers.
The National Ag Safety Database has more information on wood chipper safety.
Wood chippers are all about power. The more power, the fewer the problems with jams and branches that are too thick. Homeowners will need to find a compromise between power and price. If a low power electric chipper is sufficient, the price and maintenance effort drop dramatically. As with other heavy equipment, wood chippers can be rented.
If a lot of leaves need to be shredded, a dedicated electric shredder is worth the additional cost. A combined leaf blower and vacuum/shredder should also be considered. For composting, a tumbling composter can be used.
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