Does anyone have a recommendation on a wood chipper?

[LaydeeBug]

I realize they're not in season right now, but my branch pile is getting out of control.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[hlthe2b]

1. Seems like the one featured in this did the job....

(sorry, couldn't resist)

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[Old and In the Way]

2. I love my Patu DC 40....

but you'd need a tractor to run it.



Are you looking for a self-powered unit?

I've got 50 acres that I'm delimbing trees, chipping them, and using the chips for walking paths. Keep the plant growth minimized and makes for a nice walking surface.

[LaydeeBug]

3. wow! That's *huge*. I just have a small half acre with some trees (and tree weeds)

I've just broken down to realize that I am getting a riding lawn mower. The terrain needs to be dethatched and aerated and it's uneven and kinda hilly.

And enough's enough.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Probably overkill for you!

The Troybilt suggestion is a good one, I think. I find chipping to be cheap therapy....I get all of my frustrations worked out chipping up the piles of brush.

[Worried senior]

10. We have a troybilt one

also and it works pretty good.

[Denninmi]

4. How much do you want to spend?

This may be too much for you, too big, but I love mine. Not the exact same model, since I got mine about 20 years ago, but it looks the same. Hopefully they haven't cheapened them since then.

http://www.troybilt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category2_10001_14102_54996_54996_54996_-1

[LaydeeBug]

6. Of course, I'd just love a free one, but reality sets in and...sigh

That's probably about right. I am pretty sure I need a 3 to maybe even three and a half inch capacity for my huge elm tree, so I was thinking it'd be close to 8 or 9 hundred.

I am not sure if I want one I can attach to my soon to be new yard tractor.

[bvar22]

7. No such thing as "too much horsepower" in wood chippers.

Get the biggest one you can afford.
I would stick with Brand Names.


We have a small 5HP that is mostly worthless when it comes to actually chipping wood,
but it does wonders turning leaves, weeds, paper, and cardboard into shredded layers for the Compost bins.

We have raised beds in our Veggie Garden, and we put our beds to sleep for the Winter
by stretching a tarp over the raised bed,
screwing it down on the corners with a screw gun,
rolling up the "wood chipper" and sticking the outlet under the tarp,
and then dumping old grass clippings and leaves into the hopper,
and taking the tarp off when full.

Its EZ, fast, works well,
and leaves an excellent layer of shredded compost/mulch over the bed until its time to plant again.


...but like I said, 5HP won't really chip any wood unless you have a LOT of time & patience.
If you are planning of chipping anything with a bigger circumference than a broom stick,
10HP is the minimum I wold look for.

YMMV.

ALWAYS wear gloves and safety glasses.
NO loose clothing, dangling belts or straps,
or anything that can get caught in the machinery.

Happy Chipping!
It IS fun to grind up an ugly pile of stuff.
Real Power Trip.

[BlueToTheBone]

8. Unless you get a giant one

they're worthless. I owned a 4" one and spent my life unjamming the thing. Find a tree service and they'll come in and chip the whole pile in a minute.

[Botany]

9. in the biz .....

not unless you are thinking about getting a big strong commercial grade
chipper the other ones are kind of useless. A better use of your $ is to
hire a commercial tree company to come by and chip the wood for you.


Get some bids and you will be fine.