If money is no object and maximum productivity is your priority, go with the Power King 14HP Kohler Chipper Shredder. Its powerful 14-horsepower, gas-powered engine and sharp blades pulverize logs up to 5-3/4 inches in diameter. Direct the mulch whenever you want it to go with the adjustable chip chute. This chipper weighs a ton—actually 452 pounds—so you’ll need a separate vehicle and included tow bar to move it into position.
One happy reviewer praised the efficient self-feed mechanism, allowing them to “start a 15-foot branch with 3-inch butt and walk away to get another.”
Pros
- Self-feeding
- Removable tow hitch
- Large rotational feed chute
- Hinged chip chute
- Long-lasting blades
- Easy start
Cons
What to Consider When Buying A Wood Chipper
“Choosing the right wood chipper can significantly enhance your mulching process and make your yard debris management more efficient,” says The Plant Bible chief editor and expert Zahid Adnan.
Determine your needs: Assess the volume and type of yard debris you’ll be chipping. Consider the size of your property, the density of vegetation, and the frequency of chipping. This will help you determine the power and capacity requirements of the wood chipper you need.
Consider the chipper type: Wood chippers come in various types, such as disk-style chippers, drum chippers, and shredders. Disk-style chippers are ideal for handling branches and larger wood pieces, while shredders are better suited for smaller yard debris like leaves and twigs. Choose a chipper that aligns with the type of material you’ll be processing.”
Power Options
- Electric wood chippers are the least powerful and better suited for thinner branches, from 1/2-inch to two inches in diameter. And because they need to be plugged in, their portability is limited.
- Gas-powered chippers are more powerful and more expensive, typically handling branches up to 3-in.-dia. But their engines are noisier, produce harmful fumes and require messy fuel mixes.
- PTO chippers are the most powerful and much larger than electric or gas. They hook up to your existing tractor and draw energy from the engine. PTO chippers would only be practical for clearing large amounts of land with lots of thick branches and logs.
Size and Weight
Dimensions vary depending on the type. Measure carefully and note the weight. It needs to fit in your garage or tool shed, and transport easily to where you need it. Electric chippers typically weigh from 25 to 100 pounds, whereas gas models weigh more than 100 pounds and PTO chippers up to 1,000 pounds.
Use
Some chippers process leaves and soft debris better than others. If you plan on using your chipper for sticks and leaves, go with a wider chute that can hold more debris.
Cost
Essentially, the more expensive the wood chipper, the larger the diameter of wood it can handle. Consider type and size chipper carefully so you don’t waste money on a model that’s too powerful, or buy one that’s not powerful enough. If you’ll only use your chipper occasionally, it might be cheaper to rent one from your local hardware store.
How We Found the Best Wood Chippers
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Is a wood chipper a good investment?
Nothing makes storm clean up and tree trimming easier than having a wood chipper. Renting a wood chipper is an option, although it might make sense for you to invest in the best wood chipper for your property.
What size wood chipper do I need?
The most important detail to consider is the machines cutting capacity for the diameter of the branches you need to mulch. Large branches or logs may need to be cut into smaller sizes with a chain saw or log splitter before chipping or shredding.
For light-duty, backyard brush trimming, an electric chipper with a large hopper would work well. For a large wooded property that requires major clearing, a power takeoff shaft (PTO) wood chipper connected to a tractor could be the right tool for you.
Can you put vines in a wood chipper?
Vines and wet materials have a tendency to tangle and clog wood chippers. A great workaround: Use hedge trimmers and lopers to break down vines before adding them to a chipper or shredder.
How do I sharpen wood chipper blades?
Depending on the conditions that your wood chipper is used, a rule of thumb is that blades should be sharpened every 25 to 50 hours. However, it is best to consult the manufacturers’ specifications. The general guidelines:
- Turn the chipper off.
- Unplug it if it’s electric, or disconnect the spark plug if it’s gas-powered.
- Remove the hopper feed chute.
- Check the user guide and remove the inspection plate.
- Remove the blades to be sharpened.
A machinist can sharpen the dull blades. For DIY blade sharpening, you’ll need a little bit of skill and a wet grinder, belt sander or hand sander. The blades need to be sharpened at the angle recommended by the factory.
