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Wood Chippers

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by FinoCJ, Jun 22, 2022.

  1. Jun 22, 2022
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    5,593
    Anyone have experience or recommendations on wood chippers? The cheaper ($150) electric ones seem like they might be a bit small for what I want (maybe only up to 1.5" diameter stuff?), and its a pretty big jump up to the $500-700 or more gas chippers that go up to about 3 inches. Can't really go bigger than that in terms of price or size etc. Usage would be more focused on chipping branches and wood to mulch as opposed to leaves or grass cuttings. Anyone got positive or negative reviews of one? thanks
    Not limited to these by any means, just some basic choices that might be kind of what I am looking at:
    https://www.countryhomeproducts.com...SMrQuSE5GgF3JXM1LP4qPHsD7jYh_8dBoCBg8QAvD_BwE
    https://www.harborfreight.com/65-hp...AiHw4XtD9PJoICXF4Rjpp4U1LWxyGgfxoCNKQQAvD_BwE
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Xtremep...r-Shredder-with-Kohler-Engine-61038/316133991
     
  2. Jun 22, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I've only used ones bigger than those so have always wondered about them myself.
     
  3. Jun 22, 2022
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
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    Nov 22, 2010
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    You should probably rent one first, very disappointing and slow,I inherited one with a 8 hp one,I did not have the patience for it.....down the road it went.....
     
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  4. Jun 22, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    My first thought is the Home Depot one with the Kohler engine might be the best choice.
     
  5. Jun 22, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Yeah, I didn't think it would go quick with the small ones.
     
  6. Jun 22, 2022
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,466
    The smaller ones wouldn't do what we needed with the cottonwoods and aussie trees out here at the house. Went with:
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Brush-M...-1-Discharge-Safety-Goggles-CH10M21/316465369

    Does very well. Its a beast to turn over with the heavy fly wheel, but once running does the job. Wife does not like that it throws the much with so much velocity - does not lay on the flower bed like she wants :D
     
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  7. Jun 22, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    This is out of scope from the thread, but I love the 8" chipper we got for the tractor.

    You can got through a pile of branches the size of a car in less than an hour:
    [​IMG]

    Even with a 200lb flywheel, it will make the 50hp tractor bark. Chewing up a 6" log:
    [​IMG]

    Realistically if you're not chipping often, it's probably better to occasionally rent a larger/higher quality one than you would buy.
     
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  8. Jun 22, 2022
    Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    Bainbridge...
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    I have a 8HP Bear Cat. It can handle 3" branches. Works great just make sure the blades are sharp. Blade spacing is very important...

    [​IMG]
    My wife even like to use it. Make a big messy pile of stuff into small stuff which my wife likes...
     
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  9. Jun 22, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    See, to me that is an utterly insignificant amount, given the cost of a tractor, a chipper, the fuel, and the time. Let it rot or burn it.


    Big discussion here on this topic within the last year. I think the consensus was that a tractor size chipper is not worth the time you will spend stuffing it.
     
  10. Jun 22, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Not worth it to you but it is to us obviously. We have a quarter mile of willow trees to keep on top of and this has been by far the easiest way to deal with it.
     
  11. Jun 23, 2022
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
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    Cleaning out the woods beside and behind our house.
    Had an explosion of poison ivy and looking to buy a chipper.
    Looking at a DK2 506 chipper. Lots of small trees and grape vines. The tractor is an old Kubota only about 13 hp, so thinking a stand alone might be better here and in the mountains.

    https://detailk2.com/opc506-info


    Dave
     
  12. Jun 23, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Chipping poison ivy and creating airborne particles of it sounds truly dangerous.
     
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  13. Jun 23, 2022
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
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    x100
     
  14. Jun 23, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    X100 x2!
     
  15. Jun 23, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I have an old Sears Craftsman chipper real similar to Cary’s in post#8. It has an 8hp Briggs and I have unbolted the side chute for the larger branches so i will nibble them down short. Mine has more of an open funnel on top to pile in leafy stuff easier. Mine also has a grate on the bottom that tends to clog, so I just leave it off.
    These machines aren’t great, but for occasional use, they get the job done. Mine will grind up branches up to about 2” and the mulch isn’t very fine like a real chipper.
    Too bad your not closer. I’ve been thinking of posting mine up on Craigslist for around $150 because I don’t use it but 2-3 times a year now.
    -Donny
     
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  16. Jun 23, 2022
    Jay's WWII Jeeps

    Jay's WWII Jeeps Member

    Napa CA
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    Mar 14, 2018
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    I have 1.5 acres of redwoods on the California coast that I'm trying to clean up and make "fire safe". I bought a Vermeer BC600, its just big enough to let you think you can get something done, but not big enough to do the job.

    RENT ONE!!!

    Jay
     
  17. Jun 23, 2022
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Funny, I meant spraying the poison ivy chipping the trees and brush.


    Dave
     
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  18. Jun 23, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Still use caution - the vines etc. can be active even without leaves.
     
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  19. Jun 23, 2022
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
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    Its all about the oily sap, and do not burn it....
     
  20. Jun 23, 2022
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Folks forget the East vs West aspect of wood chipping. Fires - the largest fire in NM is caused by 'controlled burns' the 'were not controlled'... IF I was to wait for the weather to be OK to burn a wood pile, I'd have to wait for the 'after' of a blizzard most of the time.

    Even out at the farm with 1600 acres of fields - you DO NOT BURN piles. Chip mulch them and let them decompose is the safest thing.
     
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