A chipper shredder is a must-have tool for gardeners and landscapers. It helps to shred branches, dead plants, and fallen leaves into smaller pieces by using either a gas engine or an electric motor. These chips can be used in various ways, such as to provide garden mulch, fire pit kindling, compost and many others. Investing in a chipper shredder is a cost-effective option than disposing the garden waste with leaf mulchers with an eco-landfill. However, figuring out which chipper shredder to choose is a bit tricky. To make the right choice, you have to consider few important factors. We have mentioned them below for a quick reference. Power Source – Electric motors or gasoline are the two main power sources available for chipper shredders. The strength and output power of a model will depend on its power source.
Electric Model – Perfect for cleaning small-medium yards (or) for people who need to chip or shred only small branches and leaves. Gas Models – Perfect for cleaning large yards or wood areas (or) for commercial usage to shred larger branches.
Branch Size – All chipper shredders have a maximum size limit when it comes to branch sizes. This is to ensure that a large branch won’t cause any issue with the motor. You can find supported branch thickness ratings in chipper shredders as 2 – 3 inches, where a 3-inch chipper shredder is a more powerful option. Engine Size & Performance – The engine’s size and its performance are measured in terms of horsepower (HP) or cubic centimeters (CC). Electric engines (1 – 4 HP) are less powerful than gas-powered models (4 – 10) and the range of engine size will be 120 – 330 CC. A more powerful engine with a higher number of flails/blades will handle a lot of wet, greenwood. We are here with some of the best chipper shredder options with their features along with a detailed “Buying Guide”. Here are the best chipper shredder models available. Go through the guide and pick the right one, as per your requirement.
Top Chipper Shredders Chart
Reviews of Chipper Shredders
1. Sun Joe CJ602E Chipper Shredder
Sun Joe is a highly popular option of electric power tools that offers various kinds of options. It even makes various chipper shredders, including the CJ602E. The Sun Joe CJ602E is present in the 1st position in this article as it is the cheapest option present in this article. And even then it offers an excellent performance with various features that makes it a great value for money option for many users. You get a 15 amp motor in this chipper shredder that is quite powerful. It offers a maximum supported branch size or thickness of up to 1.5 inches. Even though this is an affordable chipper shredder, you get a 2-year warranty with it. And since it also has a decent build quality, you can expect it to last for a long time without any issues. It has 6-inch wheels on the bottom that allow you to push it around your backyard easily. Since this is an electric chipper shredder, it has a comparatively lower noise level of 113 dB. Best Features:
15 amp electric motor Supports up to 1.5-inch thick tree branches 2-year warranty 6-inch wheels Noise level of 113 dB Hopper size of 2 x 5 inch Decent build quality Value for money
Components:
Chipper shredder User manual Warranty card
2. Worx Chipper Shredder
Worx is another popular brand of power tools that also makes electric tools. This is also true for this electric chipper shredder by Worx. Worx’s WG430 electric chipper shredder is present in the 3rd position in this article as it is one of the smallest options out there. As a result, you can easily store it in your garage when you are not using it. And as you can guess by its name, it offers a decently powerful 13 amp motor that is quite great to have when you consider the size of this chipper shipper. It is small and compact due to its foldable and bladeless design. This chipper shredder can be used with a maximum branch thickness of up to 1.5 inches that is quite similar to other electric options out there. You can use it to shred up to 53 gallons of wood every minute that is quite fast for its given price. It offers a mulching ratio of 11:1 that means the final wooden chips are quite small and compact. And this chipper shredder provides a 3-year warranty that is always great to have in any power tool. Best Features:
13 amp electric motor Supports up to 1.5-inch thick tree branches 3-year warranty 53 gallon per minute shredding capacity 11:1 mulching ratio Stores all wooden chips into a bag Weighs 20 pounds Small and portable for easy storage Easy to assemble
Components:
Chipper shredder User manual Warranty card
3. Sun Joe Chipper Shredder
As mentioned earlier, Sun Joe makes a lot of chipper shredder models with different features. And this one is slightly more powerful when compared with the previous one. Just like the previous Sun Joe chipper shredder, this electric CJ603E model offers a 15 amp motor that provides decent power. But unlike the last one, you can cut and shred tree branches with a maximum thickness upto 1.7 inches that is quite decent. Even though it has a larger branch capacity, it has a very similar physical size. As a result, you can easily store this compact chipper shredder in your garage when it is not in use. As this is also a Sun Joe chipper shredder, you get a 2-year warranty with it. You also get a pretty decent build quality with it, which means it can handle some abuse with ease. It comes with 7-inch wheels that allow you to easily move it from one place to another. And the hopper of this chipper shredder has an inbuilt lock for safety as it prevents children from getting hurt from this shredder. Best Features:
15 amp electric motor Supports up to 1.73-inch thick tree branches 2-year warranty 7-inch wheels Inbuilt safety lock for the hopper Small and compact Works with 120-volt electricity
Components:
Chipper shredder User manual Warranty card
4. Earthwise Chipper Shredder
Earthwise is a brand that belongs to the family of American Lawn Mower Company, which is dedicated to supplyingthe best gardening tools and machinery. The electric chipper from Earthwise runs with a 15-amp motor that can run with 4500 rpm speed. Due to this fairly high power, it can mulch various yard debris including sticks of 1.75-inch thickness. The chipper is slim and very lightweight which means you will be having more room for collecting and processing your yard waste. Moreover, it comes with durable rear wheels that let you move the chipper around your house without much effort. And, the chipper comes with a large 1.2-bushel bag to collect all the processed yard debris. It is designed as an environment-friendly tool. Its electrical design works as efficiently as a gas chipper and does not release any harmful fumes into the environment. Best Features:
15-amp electric motor 4500 rpm speed 1.2-bushel collection bin Durable rear wheels 31 pounds weight Easy to handle Easy to clean Easy to maintain Robust build
Components:
Electric chipper User manual
5. Landworks Chipper Shredder
Landworks is a brand of power tools that is mainly known for making gas-powered options. And it offers high-performance chipper shredder like the one present in this article. This Landworks gas-powered chipper shredder is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is one of the most potent options present in this article. It can offer a high level of performance as you get a 212 CC gas engine in it that delivers a power of 7 HP. While you can find the same engine in many chipper shredder options, all of the similar options out there are much more expensive than this one. Since it has a highly powerful engine, you can use it to shred and cut tree branches with a thickness of up to 3 inches without any issues. You also get a 3-year warranty with this gas engine that is always great to have in any power tool like this chipper shredder. You can fill up to 0.7 gallons of gas in its fuel tank that allows you to use it for a long time at once. Best Features:
212 CC gas engine 7 HP engine power Supports up to 3-inch thick tree branches 3-year warranty Engine speed of 3600 RPM Comes with EPA and CARB safety certification Comparatively compact size 7-gallon fuel tank
Components:
Chipper shredder User manual Warranty card
6. SuperHandy Chipper Shredder
SuperHandy is a lesser-known brand of power tools, but it offers multiple models. And its chipper shredder is a gas-powered one that offers decent performance. This chipper shredder from SuperHandy comes with a 212 CC engine that is quite similar to other gas-powered options out there. And as you would expect, this engine results in a power of 7 HP that makes it quite powerful. As a result, you can use this chipper shredder to easily cut and shred of tree branches and twigs that have a thickness of up to 3 inches. Its 4 stroke engine is quite efficient and works with 87+ unleaded fuel without any issues. And it has a 0.7-gallon fuel tank that should last you for a long time for shredding and cutting tree branches. This powerful gas engine also comes with a 3-year warranty that is quite decent. You even get safety certifications, including EPA and CARB, with this chipper shredder that makes it quite safe for users. Best Features:
212 CC gas engine 7 HP engine power Supports up to 3-inch thick tree branches 2-year warranty 6-inch wheels Noise level of 113 dB Hopper size of 2 x 5 inch Decent build quality Value for money
Components:
Chipper shredder User manual Warranty card
7. GreatCircle Chipper Shredder
Coming to the last option present in this article, we have GreatCircleUSA. This USA based power tool brand also makes great chipper shredder options. The GreatCircleUSA gas-powered chipper shredder present in this article comes with a 212 CC engine along with a 7 HP power. And just like other options in this article, this one also has a maximum branch thickness of 3 inches. You can thus use it for most backyard applications without any issues. It comes with EPA and CARB safety certifications that are always great to have. It has a highly reliable 4 stroke engine that comes with a 3-year warranty and a great build quality. This engine has a maximum speed of 3600 RPM that is quite decent for cutting and shredding wood. You can simply store all of the wood chips into a side bag for easy storage and cleaning afterwards. Best Features:
212 CC gas engine 7 HP engine power Supports up to 3-inch thick tree branches 3-year warranty Comes with EPA and CARB safety standards Uses a reliable 4 stroke engine Engine speed of up to 3600 RPM
Components:
Chipper shredder User manual Warranty card
What to Look for While Shopping for a Chipper Shredder
There are various things to consider when selecting a chipper shredder for your yard’s cleaning requirements. Let’s get into the details.
1. Bin or Bag Capacity
Some residential chipper shredders come with either debris bins or bags to gather all those shredded or chipped material to dispose of/discharge them properly and easily. If you are looking for a chipper shredder that is equipped with a bag/bin, then check out the capacity of its storage container. The size of the discharge container/bag will make a difference in their working efficiency. When working on a large lawn/big cleanup project, then go with a chipper shredder having larger bags. Yet remember that larger bins will be heavier to empty. If you are more concerned about its weight, then go for a smaller bag/bin that allows you to empty them most often, rather than the risk of getting an injury while lifting an overfilled bag.
2. Power Source
The chipper shredders run on either gasoline-powered engines or electric motors. The power type will let you know the output power and strength of a particular model you buy. An electrical chipper shredder is an ideal option for small-medium yards (or) for those who need to shred/chip only small branches & leaves. Gas chipper shredders are a great option for larger yards and wooden areas (or) for those looking to work with larger branches or big projects.
3. Engine Size & Performance
Since the chipper shredder is a power tool that works on the engine. So, it is essential to consider the size and performance of a given chipper shredder’s engine. It is measured in horsepower (HP for performance) and cubic centimeters (CC for size). In some cases, the specification on the model will list both units. Horsepower (HP) refers to the amount of power an engine generates while working (or) performance rate. Usually, gas-powered engines are more powerful that generate more force compared to electrical and offers high HP. Residential chipper shredders offer an HP rating between 4 – 10 HP, in which electric motors have a low rating that ranges from 1 – 4 HP. Cubic centimeters (CC) is another way to rate an engine’s power that is used to measure volume. A general rule is that a model with a higher CC/HP will come with a more powerful engine and thereby provides more power and more work can be done quite easily and effortlessly. The size of the engines range will be 120 – 330 CC. When the number of flails/blades and engine’s power come together, it let you know how the chipper shredder will shred or chip limbs, particularly those that are still green (not dried). So, a larger and more powerful engine having a higher number of blades will perform well and let you tackle a lot of green, wet wood easily. A mini wood chipper will serve if you only have branches/twigs from bushes or shrubs.
4. Drive Type
Direct drives and clutch drives are two different drive types found on the engines of chipper shredders. Let’s know about them in detail. Direct Drive – Here the blades will engage and activate by turning soon when you start the engine. Units having direct drives are quite less expensive, yet they jam more often. In case if you want to pick a direct drive machine, then prefer to choose the model having a reversible feed to clear the jams and continue doing your work perfectly. Clutch Drive – It let the blades engage only when the material is placed in the unit. This clutch drive model will be stopped if nothing is going/placed in the machine. Thus, it prevents jams, which occurs commonly on direct drive models. So, these models are safer and at the same time, they are more robust and can easily handle heavier loads.
5. Size and Number of Blades and Flails
Usually, wood chippers work with steel blades or knives, which are attached to a rotating flywheel. So, when the engine starts spins, the blades and wheel spin, and thus branches or limbs gets chipped into smaller pieces. If a shredder with blunt flails is attached to the rotor assembly rather than sharp knives, then it pulls separately the wood and lawn debris into shreds when the engine runs. So, a model with a higher number of shredding/clipping parts works quickly through the material. The same applies here to a machine having larger blades/flails. So, we came to know that a unit with more flails or blades will do a better job of maintaining your yard. Look for hardened steel parts (especially chipper blades) while shopping for a chipper shredder. As a medium to hard plain carbon steel undergoes heat treatment, quenching, and re-heating and thereby creates a robust internal core and hard external casing. Thus, hardened steel is a specific steel type that is used to make heavy machine parts and tools. Also, blades built with hardened steel are more durable and break or chip less often and lasts longer.
6. Capacity
Before deciding which model/type of chipper shredder suits perfect for your needs, you have to check out the size of tree branches you have to chip. Most residential chipper shredder models can easily handle branches up to 3-inch thick in diameter, which is quite enough to meet the yard cleanup requirements for most homeowners. A model with an electric motor is less powerful than a gas model, which makes it mostly offer a smaller capacity. So, the capacity mentioned on the specification of the product is the maximum diameter rating that the unit can handle, yet you may lose out on efficiency. In most cases, the tree branches with a larger diameter will bog down engines and thus rises the occurrence of jams and slow down your cutting or cleaning process. So, pick a slightly larger capacity than you need to grab a bit extra performance. Look for a heavy-duty chipper that is only meant to chip rather than this combination type when you need to chip larger branches. Or simply check out for professional or commercial models.
7. Reduction Ratio
A chipper’s reduction ratio will represent how professionally a machine can reduce yard waste. For instance, if you buy a chipper shredder with a reduction ratio of 10:1, it takes 10 bags of debris and diminishes it to a single bag. More powerful, larger chipper shredder models offer a higher reduction ratio due to their engine size and performance. So, the material breaks down more quickly and efficiently with a model having a higher reduction ratio, and thus, there will be less waste to dispose of after completing your work. The best residential shredder chipper models offer a reduction ratio of about 15:1 (or greater). While considering engine power, gas-powered models have a better reduction capacity compared to electric models.
8. Hopper/Feed Chute
The machine is equipped with long chutes, called hoppers, where the users can easily insert sticks and twigs by keeping their hands (fingers) at a safer distance away from the shredder’s sharp blades. Some models have a single-loading chute, whereas others offer two (one for small yard waste and another for branches). Let’s know about them in detail. Manual Feed – Here, in this feed, the user can push limbs and branches into the machine’s spinning blades. As the name implies, the user has to maintain pressure (manually), even while the spinning blade motion slightly pulls the branches into the blades. Self-Feed – Used for larger and more powerful machines. This self-feed chipper shredder comes with rollers inside the chute, which pull debris and branches actively into the spinning blades. Here the user has to load the branches into the chute and collect more when the machine is grinding away. Gravity Feed (OR) Drop-In Chute – This feed chipper shredder model features a flared opening at the machine’s top. Here the user has to load debris and twigs into the machine and its gravity will work to pull them into spinning knives. Horizontal Chute – With its upward tilt of 45°, this chute sticks on the sideways of the machine. Thus, it allows the user to feed debris from the side. This upward tilt will keep the small twigs and leaves from falling out.
9. Noise
Irrespective of the power source you choose, a chipper shredder will no doubt will make some noise while operating. But the range of its noise (how loud) will depend on the type and the size of the motor/engine of a particular model. Usually, electric models work quieter than gas-powered counterparts. The noise level of an electric chipper shredder will be roughly 85 decibels, whereas gas-powered models produce noise at a 110-decibel level (5 decibels higher than a chainsaw). So, make sure to check the noise level of a model before making its purchase.
10. Construction
Check for the models that claim walls constructed from thick, welded 10 or 16-gauge steel when you want to purchase a device for heavy-duty yard work. Make sure to avoid the unit made of plastic or lightweight sheet metal. Also, the durability and strength of the chipper’s knives should be of high quality. Most of these knives are built from a base material of carbon steel or another low alloy steel and coated with a harder alloy. While using low quality, softer material for the base will make the manufacturing process much easier. The soft base materials will allow for easy machining of the holes and knife profile. Then they go through a hard-facing process, in which the knives are sprayed or welded with thick coatings of tougher, wear-resistant alloy materials to enhance their durability. After achieving the required hardness on the knives, then they are ground to a sharp profile.
11. Maintenance
Maintenance of any tool is quite essential to enhance its working life and make it lasts longer. So, here are some maintenance tips for chipper shredders that you should know for their long-lasting performance.
Either it is a gas or electric chipper shredder model, check them every time before using them to ensure that no debris/waste got stuck in the blade or chute. This lets you know that blades will move freely. Since specific models require lubricating the chain regularly for its proper functioning. So, it is a must to read the user manual of the product/tool to know everything all about its maintenance (if anything is mentioned specially). Compared to electric models, gas counterparts need extra maintenance like regular checkups that include replacing air filters and spark plugs, checking and refilling the oil in the right quantity, etc. Whenever you found the chipper shredder works slowly or fails to crush debris efficiently, then it reminds you to sharpen their blades. So, irrespective of their type, you have to sharpen them for efficient grinding. Never delay any process related to its maintenance, as it will ruin the machine and shorten its working life. So, you should follow these basic maintenance tips regularly.
12. Safety Mechanisms
They might be a chance of getting accidents with this type of power tool. It can be hazardous and may lose your fingers (or even worse). So, it is crucial to have some safety mechanisms on the chipper/shredder functions and engine while working with this power tool. So, here we are providing some safety mechanisms to be followed while using this tool.
The main safety mechanism is to restrict the working of the chipper shredder when the hopper is open. So, check out the model having a locking knob that automatically unlocks or shut off the rotor and flywheel assembly, whenever the hopper opens. Thus, it deters causing accidents. A few models feature built-in overload protection that shut down the engine automatically if it is too full, which minimizes the damage caused to the engine and protects you as well. Most models are equipped with a low-oil sensor that alerts whenever the oil level drops below a critical edge and thereby prevent the engine from seizing. Wearing a hard hat will protect you from the debris, as they might be thrown out by the chipper shredder. Also, make sure to wear safety glasses and hearing protection to protect yourself while operating the power tools.
13. Ease of Use
It is essential to take a look at some different aspects to know how easy your chipper shredder model is to operate. Here we are mentioning three crucial points that let you know how you use the machine with ease. Initially, check out how easily you feed material into the chipper. This means you have to work to push the material through a paddle (manual) or simply the machine pull the material itself (automatically) into the blades. Here the size of the rotor/flywheel will let you know the amount of suction and how hard to push the material through. So, look for a model that has good reviews and ratings on easy material feed with a bit of your support. The second thing is, how speedily, and effortlessly you can access and remove the blockages and clogs. And the final thing to consider is the portability of the chipper shredder. However, electric models are quite easy to portable than gas-powered models. We notice an electric model should be equipped with quality pneumatic or air-filled tires along with flat-free wheels for easy movement around the yard (easy to transport). While gas-powered units are larger, heavy-weight due to their gasoline engines. This makes it not at all portable (easy to transport around the yard) until you buy a tow-bar kit attaching to your lawn tractor or ATV.
14. Wheels
Wheels won’t matter most while choosing a light electric shredder. But if you are looking for gas shredders and larger electric shredders, then check out the models having wheels for easy transportation. They can be either smaller (light transport), medium-sized (utility), or larger (road-ready) wheels. The size of the machine will determine the size of the wheel and its portability. So, based on your lawn cleaning requirements and budget range, choose the model that aids you in a comfortable and easy cleanup.
15. Weight
One has to decide the weight of the chipper shredder model based on their frequency to move the machine around the lawn. Usually, the lighter models are less powerful, yet can be easily transportable, whereas heavy-weight machines are more powerful, yet less transportable. Check out the models, as per your requirement.
16. Feed Capacity
The feed capacity of a given model will let you know the exact amount of leaves or yard debris that fits into your machine at a time. So, look for the models having multiple chutes, as they may offer different values for the entry point or each chute.
17. Convenience
Chipper shredders with some features like tow bars, auto-sharpening blades, electric starters rather than pull starters or tiltable hoppers will make your usage even easier. So, choose the machine that makes you convenient and easy to operate without much more difficulty.
18. Extra Features
Some of these landscaping tools offer a few accessories that allow you to operate/handle them quite easily and effectively to complete your work. Here are a few essential accessories to check out in your models. Control System – A few self-feed models have sensors to adjust the rate of the material moving into the spinning blade automatically. It is accessible only on prosumer or commercial models, yet if the debris is fed in too quickly, then it keeps them getting stuck in the chute. So, if you are using a commercial model or want to have control over its working, then check out the model with this feature. Vacuum Chipper Shredders – A model with this feature will collect the debris by using its suction power without the need for a user to feed them into the chute. One can find two types of this vacuum chipper shredders. The lawn vacuum (suction only) is quite different from a vacuum shredder chipper (both suction and grinds up the debris).
One type of model resembles a standard lawnmower that not only cut the grass but also sucks up leaves and small twigs, grind/crush them, and finally discard those shredded debris into a bag. Another type of machine is designed to pull behind a lawn tractor for a complete yard cleanup with less time and effort.
19. Price
Gas-powered models are a bit expensive than electric models. However, for a decent quality chipper and shredder model, you need to pay at least $150 and up to several thousand dollars (as per your required features).
20. Warranty
Check out various models offering the warranty while shopping for the chipper shredder. The warranty period is a sign that indicates their confidence in their product. On average, the chipper shredder should come with a 1-year warranty, but most of the best chipper shredders will offer a 2-year or 3-year long warranty. So, check out the models along with their built-quality/construction material and customer reviews and ratings while purchasing a product.
Types Chipper Shredders
There are three main types of chipper shredders available – electric, gas-powered and power take-off. Each type is suitable for different shredding and chipping requirements. Let’s get into its details.
Electric Chipper Shredders –
Mostly electric chipper shredders are designed for light usage (or) in small yards, which need to be plug-in with a heavy-duty external extension cord (12 or 14 gauge). They effectively grind small branches and dry leaves of about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. They are lightweight and smaller in size of about 2 feet depth, 2 feet width, and 3 – 4 feet height. Most of these models have wheels for easy mobility. Its benefits include no more fumes (eco-friendly), gasoline to mix and fuel store. Also, less noisy, and less expensive than gas ones. Its drawbacks include not being as powerful enough as gas one and have limited extension cord length, which let you bring the yard debris to the chipper shredder using a wheelbarrow.
Gasoline Chipper Shredders –
One can easily and quickly clean up their yards with these powerful machines. They grind leaves, twigs, and even small branches of about 6-inches in diameter. Since they don’t need to tether to an electrical outlet, you can use them whenever and wherever required. Also, equipped with wheels for easy maneuvering. Few larger models are mounted permanently on a trailer having a hitch. Thus, you can pull the machine by using a lawn tractor or pickup truck.
Power Take-Off –
Mostly, these types of machines are used for farm or commercial mulch production. Some larger models use a power take-off (PTO) to draw/run off the power of another piece of equipment for its proper functioning. However, the tractor’s rotating spindle is a common PTO source. Yet some large vehicles and trucks have PTOs that allows them to connect a large device like a commercial chipper shredder.
Safety Tips
Since a chipper shredder is a power tool, you have to be careful while operating and has to follow the instructions mentioned in the user manual to know all about your model, like how to load your model safely without jamming blades. Here are some general safety tips and tricks that help you to get an idea of how to use it safely.
Mostly, a chipper shredder model offers a push stick to push debris through the machine without letting your hand too close to the loading funnel. In case, if your model won’t include this push stick, then instead, use a twig/pole to feed the wood/material into the chipper. Thus, protect your hands from the blades, as the close proximity will raise the possibility of an accident. Also, ensure to wear the proper personal protection equipment (PPE) OR wear goggles as eye protection (to prevent airborne debris), and leather work gloves (prevent scrapes and pokes to load twigs) while using this tool as a least protection measure. Both these tools are noisier (electric is a bit less noise) while operating. So, use a pair of noise-cancelling earmuffs, headphones, or earplugs as ears protection. Thus, it helps you not to damage your hearing. Check your clothing and avoid wearing baggy clothing, loose cuffs, jewelry items, belts, or other items when working with this powerful tool, as they may get caught in the machine and cause accidents. Make sure that the shredder’s cord is placed away safely when using to reduce the likelihood of tripping over the cord and damaging the machine/cord. Each model has its limitations on the size of material it handles. In case of shredding large branches, use a saw or other tools for cutting to the required size before placing them in the unit. While using an electric model, ensure to use the right type of extension cord (large gauge cord) to prevent voltage drop. For this, voltage drop calculator to observe the volume when operating. If you use a gas model, make sure to monitor the oil levels, why because a machine working with low oil will degrade the part and may lessen the engine’s lifespan. So, maintain a few extra bottles of oil handy to use while it shortens. While using a gas model, replace the oil completely after completing your first 10 – 20 hours of usage. Then after rescheduling the oil changes for every 100 hours. Also, watch out for the tanks (oil leaks) or other parts and do repair them if not working properly. It is good to maintain some extra air filters handy, which allow you to replace them whenever needed.
Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your machine work well and also to extend its longevity. Usually, gas models need extra maintenance compared to electric motors. Here is some general maintenance that has to be followed while using.
Clear the debris and dust away from the engine, chute, and hopper regularly. If your model has a debris collection bag, then make sure to discard that debris and wash it. Clean all those debris from the control connection for its smooth operation. Regularly lubricate all those moving parts, which includes control levers, chute release rod, discharge chute/hopper assembly. Sharpen/replace the blades by using an angle grinder or take them somewhere to sharpen them at some cost. Annual replacement of the spark plug, and also clean the fuel filter and carburetor regularly for an easy start and to run smoothly. Or hire a local small engine repair service for its annual inspection. Also, check the air intake filter and clean them regularly. For this, you have to remove the filter from the casing and knock it gently on the ground or against a clean surface to remove dust. Remove the gas from the engine to store the machine in winter or else the ethanol may drain the tank. Purge the primer bulb to empty fuel lines. Ensure to drain the gas by adding a bottle of ethanol treatment and purge the bulb again to move through the lines, and carburetor.
What is the Difference Between a Shredder and a Chipper?
Chippers and shredders are two separate tools used for individual purposes in the yard. Both these machines have the same components that make most manufacturers combine them into a single tool. Let’s know about the functionality of both tools in your chipper and shredder machine.
Chipper –
A chipper in your chipper and shredder machine works to reduce larger wood pieces like tree trunks, branches, or limbs into woodchips within the size that range from 1 – 3 inches long. Here the blade/blades inside the chipper are attached to one side of an impeller. When it operates and the engine reaches a certain speed (RPM), the clutch engages the drive belt and thereby allow the impeller to run at a high speed. So, the impeller spins quickly when you feed wood into a chute to cut them into chips and discharged through a chipper chute.
Shredding –
This function helps to process smaller yard wastes like stalks, vines, and leaves. The cutting deck with hinged blades or flails are designed to rotate inside the house and quickly chop the leaves/debris into bits in seconds. Usually, they have a vacuum port to suck the waste into the shredding chamber and reduce them before sending it to an exit chute connecting to a collection bag. It is an excellent tool to make mulch and compost out of your yard waste. Thus, pour the compost into your garden for healthy soil and thereby a healthy growing season. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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