Wood Chipper Buying Guide

Are you in the market for a wood chipper but not sure where to start? Our wood chipper buying guide we’ll walk you through the crucial aspects of choosing the right machine for your needs. 

From engine type and cutting system, to power requirements and wood chipper style, you will have all the information required to make an informed decision. So let’s get started on finding the perfect wood chipper for your job. 

Engine type

Wood chippers are essential tools in landscaping, forestry, and property maintenance, and they come with various types of engines, each suited for different jobs. The three primary engine types for wood chippers are electric, combustion, and power take-off (PTO).

Electric wood chippers are known for their quiet operation and environmental friendliness. These chippers are powered by electricity, making them ideal for residential use where noise and emissions are a concern. They excel in small-scale garden maintenance tasks, such as chipping branches and leaves, and offer minimal maintenance and ease of use. 

Combustion engine wood chippers, on the other hand, are powered by petrol or diesel and offer greater power and versatility. They are particularly suitable for commercial applications and heavy-duty work, including clearing large properties, parks, or forested areas. Diesel and petrol wood chippers can handle larger tougher materials with ease and often last longer than battery-powered wood chippers. 

PTO wood chippers are designed to be attached to and powered by a tractor. This type of chipper leverages the tractor’s engine, providing a powerful wood-chipping solution for agricultural or rural settings. PTO wood chippers are particularly efficient for farm maintenance and large garden areas where tree and brush clearing is a regular task. They are also a cost-effective solution for those who already own a tractor, as they eliminate the need for a separate engine. 

Cutting system 

Wood chippers utilise various cutting systems, each designed for specific types of jobs. Understanding these systems is crucial for choosing the right equipment for your needs.

The blade-holder disc system is commonly found in many wood chippers and comprises a large disc to which multiple blades are attached. As the disc rotates, the blades slice the wood against a fixed anvil. This system is particularly well-suited for chipping branches and small trunks, making it an ideal choice for landscaping and garden maintenance. The blade holder disc system is known for producing consistent, uniform chips and is relatively easy to maintain.

On the other hand, the drumstyle system features a drum with blades or hammers. This system pulls the wood through as the drum rotates, chopping it into chips. Versatile in nature, the drumstyle system can handle a broader range of wood sizes, including larger branches and trunks. This makes it suitable for commercial applications and large-scale garden clearances, where a mix of wood types and sizes are common. Drum wood chippers are durable and capable of processing larger quantities of wood quickly, an advantage for heavier and more frequent usage scenarios.

The worm screw system employs a screw-like mechanism that draws the wood into the cutting area, where it is chipped by blades or cutters. Suited for challenging forestry or agricultural tasks, the worm screw system is adept at producing uniform chips from hard, knotty, or irregularly shaped wood. Its controlled processing makes it an excellent choice for precise and efficient chipping of difficult materials.

Lastly, the turbine system is a more advanced option, utilising a high-speed rotating turbine with blades. The turbine system excels in producing fine and consistent chips at a high speed, ideal for situations where chip uniformity is crucial and large volumes of wood need to be processed rapidly.

Power requirements 

The power requirement varies significantly depending on the required application and the type of wood being chipped. More power generally means the ability to handle tougher, larger pieces of wood more quickly, but also involves higher costs and potentially greater environmental impact due to fuel consumption and emissions. For residential use, lower-powered electric or gasoline chippers are often sufficient, while commercial and industrial tasks usually require the robust performance of diesel-powered or PTO chippers.

Efficient operation also requires matching the chipper’s power to the demands of the task, ensuring that the machine is neither underpowered (leading to poor performance and potential jams) nor overpowered (which can waste fuel and increase operational costs).

Wood chipper style 

Wood chippers come in various styles, each designed to meet specific operational needs and job site conditions. Here are the four types of wood chippers you can find on the market. 

Towed wood chippers are large and powerful machines that are attached to and towed by a vehicle, such as a truck or tractor. They are best suited for large-scale commercial or industrial projects, including land clearing and management of extensive properties. Towed wood chippers are particularly useful when there is a need to move a powerful chipper between different sites or over large areas. 

Wheeled wood chippers are smaller and more manoeuvrable than towed chippers. They are ideal for smaller projects and can be mounted on the back of a pick-up truck. This makes them a popular choice for residential landscaping, small farm maintenance, and similar tasks. 

Self-propelled wood chippers are unique in their ability to move independently without being towed. These chippers are designed to navigate a variety of terrains autonomously, making them suitable for forestry work or maintaining large parks. They are particularly beneficial in areas where towing a chipper is impractical, such as densely wooded regions or rugged landscapes. 

Stationary wood chippers are fixed non-mobile units typically used in industrial settings. These powerful chippers are capable of processing large quantities of wood and are commonly found in places like wood recycling facilities or construction sites. 

Find your wood chipper at Vermeer WA & NT

Looking for a reliable wood chipper that meets your specific needs? At Vermeer WA & NT, we offer quality diesel and petrol wood chippers featuring a robust drum system. Our chippers are also towable, providing you with the flexibility to easily transport them to various job sites. 

Explore our range of Vermeer wood chippers that go from the entry-level BC900XL, ideal for urban landscaping jobs, to the powerful BC2100XL, perfect for large scale forestry jobs. 

Understanding the importance of budget considerations, we also offer financing options through our partner DLL, making it easier for you to acquire the equipment you need without financial strain.

Contact us today to learn more about our commercial wood chippers or to enquire about our financing solutions. One of our friendly team members will be happy to assist you!