Your yard is your pride and joy as a homeowner. Your yard is your pride and joy. You may spend hours trimming and pruning the bushes, but what do you do with the branches and limbs that have accumulated? You can’t burn it if you live in a residential neighborhood. However, you can shred it to make it usable mulch. How can you do that?
Safety of wood chippers is also a major concern. Safety is a must when it comes to protecting your family and business associates.
You can get rid of all the debris with the best wood chipper available. You may now be curious about how much a woodchipper costs, where you can buy one, and what to look for before buying one. Here’s where we come in!
Types of wood chippers
There are two types of wood chippers that you will see when you look at them:
1. Electric-Powered – Although they may not be as powerful or as efficient as their gas counterparts, an electric powered chipper can still do the job. The motors of these machines are usually between 1 and 2 horsepower. Although they are not designed to handle large amounts of loose debris, larger models can chip smaller limbs. These machines require access to either an extension cord or an electrical outlet.
2. Gas-Powered – The best wood chipper for homeowners is a gas-powered machine. This is because it can be used to cut and shred branches and other limbs. These machines are going to have an engine somewhere between 4 or 10 horsepower–sometimes more! These machines are heavy and can weigh up to 200 pounds. If you have a lot of yard debris to remove, a gas-powered machine is the best choice.
3. Gas-Powered Walk Behind – These bad boys will revolutionize how you clean up your yard. These machines can be thought of as a vacuum for your garden. These machines will pick up leaves and other small debris and send it to the blades, where it will be crushed into fine pieces. You can then dispose of the mulch in a bag. The machines can have an engine with 5 to 8 horsepower, and can be as large as 28 inches in width.
Tips for buying a chipper shredder
- Think about the amount of chipping and shredding that you will be doing. A machine that is powerful enough to do the job you need, but not too powerful or large that you don’t use will be ideal. Small machines for home use are usually priced between $150 and $300. A larger machine may cost up to $1,500. Renting a machine is cheaper if you aren’t going to use it often (less than twice a year).
- You should consider the size and weight of the machine, as well as where it will be stored. An electric chipper shredder can weigh between 25 and 100 pounds, while a gas model can be as heavy as 1,000 pounds. To store large models, you will need 8 feet by 8 foot.
- You can move the chipper shredder with a trailer hitch or tow bar.
- An electric starter makes it easier to start a gasoline-powered chipper shredder.
- You can rake leaves and grass in the shredder with a tilt-down hopper
- Maintenance is easier with self-sharpening knives and blades.
Consider the features when buying chipper shredder
- Quality is indicated by a chipper shredder that is made from 12- to 16 gauge steel.
- Safety features like lids and baffles, or feeding chutes that prevent you from inserting your hand near cutting blades or flails should be considered. Look out for smaller diameter chutes or chutes that are longer than your arm to ensure you don’t injure your arm or hand.
- You should check for ease of material feeding. Check the dimensions of the shredding section, the height, and the maximum wood size it can handle.
- Feeder chutes that are narrower and less dangerous are better but take longer.
- The most convenient models are those with wheels.
- You should look for an easy cleaning process.
Safety tips for chipper shredders
- Shredders and chippers can be dangerous machines. Always take safety precautions.
- Before using a chipper shredder, make sure you read the instructions.
- To prevent an accidental start-up, disconnect the spark plug wire when moving or maintaining a chipper shredder.
- When using shredders and chippers, wear goggles, gloves and a hard hat.
- To prevent clothes from being caught in the machine, wear tight fitting clothing
- Before you use a machine with wheels, make sure that the brake is set.
- Avoid the blades, hammers and your fingers.
- Don’t force branches or any other material into the machine. The machine will pull the material down the chute.
- Avoid chipping branches that are larger than the manufacturer recommends.
- Machines can become tangled with fresh vines. For more information on the material that the machine can take, consult the manual.
Electric Motor Chipper vs. Engine Powered Chippers
The two most popular types of powered chippers that are available are electric-powered or internal combustion engines (gas and diesel). The smallest electric powered chippers have a chipping capability of up to 1.5 inches and are powered by the standard home power rating. These electric chippers can normally handle an amp rating of up to 14A and are usually 110V. Please consult a certified electrician before connecting them to your home outlet. Many industrial chippers can be powered electrically indoors and have large engines (30+ horsepower).
The most popular type of chipper is the one that uses internal combustion engines. They range in size from 1 inch to whole tree chippers, which can reach more than 2 feet. For residential and commercial applications, gas engines are more prevalent up to 37HP. Diesel power sources are more common than gas for applications higher than 37HP.
Residential vs. professional vs. commercial chippers
Your budget will determine the quality and performance of your chipper. Most retail outlets sell the cheapest units. They advertise that they can handle large branches up to 3 inches, but they are rarely able to accept the advertised maximum size. These chippers are usually thin in steel gauge and have lots of stamped and plastic parts so they can lower the price and thus the retail price. These chippers are priced from $600 to $1,500. These chippers are often referred to as residential grade.
If you have the money to spend on a machine that can deliver and lasts, you may consider purchasing a professional chipper. Professional chippers are generally equipped with heavier gauge steel engines and stronger components, such as blades made of tool steel. These will ensure that the chipper continues to perform well over the years.
A commercial-grade chipper, in essence, is a machine that is used to provide continuous service on a consistent basis. Each component of the machine is equipped to perform under all weather conditions and is designed for long maintenance intervals and wear. Tree care companies and municipalities are interested in these units.