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We Know: How to Buy a Wood Chipper
About Wood Chippers
Wood chippers are used to cut up branches and leaves. The resulting debris can be bagged and thrown away or it
can be used as mulch for gardens.
Most wood chippers use from two to four rotating knives to cut the material. Periodically, the knives must be
sharpened, after about every 25-30 hours of use. Some wood chippers use rollers to feed the material toward the blades,
others do not.
Things to Know About Wood Chippers
Keep these things in mind when shopping for a wood chipper:
- Don't chip material that contains rocks, nails, or dirt.
- Wood chippers can be electric or gas powered. Electric machines are generally quieter to run and if necessary can be
used inside, but they require proximity to an outlet and a heavy duty electrical cord. Gas chippers must be used
outdoors, but they're more portable because they don't rely on an electrical outlet.
- Wood chippers vary dramatically in size and weight. The smallest ones can be picked up, while the larger ones are
mounted onto a trailer.
- More power means the wood chipper can handle more work, but if you're getting an electrical model, can your wiring
system handle the added amps? Electric machines tend to be less powerful than gas chippers.
- Determine the average diameter for the branches you want to chip. Use that to narrow down your choices for wood
chippers.
- A reduction ratio of 10:1 means that ten bags of material will become one bag after feeding the material into the
wood chipper. A reduction ratio of 12:1 would mean reducing twelve bags into one.
Wood Chipper Models
There are a number of wood chipper models on the market, including:
- Patriot Electric Chipper/Shredder/Vac, from Green Culture: Handles branches up to 2.5" in diameter. Electrical
model. Sells for around $900.
- Electric Chipper and Shredder, from Green Culture: Handles branches up to 1.5" in diameter. Electrical
model. Sells for around $280.
- Black/Yellow Electric Chipper/Shredder, from McCulloch: Electrical model. Sells for around $200.
- Troy-Bilt 6.5 HP Chipper/Shredder (model# 24A-414B766): Gas powered. Handles branches up to 2" in diameter. Sells for
around $600.
- Yard Machines by MTD 6.5 HP Chipper/Shredder (model# 24B-464B062): Gas powered. Handles branches up to 3" in diameter. Sells
for around $500.
- Troy-Bilt 5.5 HP Chipper/Shredder and Vacuum (model# 24B-060F063): Gas powered. Handles branches up to 1.5" in diameter. Sells
for around $540.
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