How to choose a wood chipper? Choosing the right wood chipper is not as easy as it sounds. The choice depends on a number of factors including: price, dimensions, power required and noise level. If you are looking for a wood chipper for your home, here are some things to consider before making your purchase. In his blog, we also have an article about patriot electric wood chipper that you might want to read about it.
A tree chipper or woodchipper is a machine used for reducing wood into smaller woodchips. They are often portable, being mounted on wheels on frames suitable for towing behind a truck or van.
Wikipedia.org
What is wood chipper
Wood chipper is a machine used to shred or grind dry wood. It works by forcing a rotating cutter through the wood, producing chips and shavings that are then collected in a hopper at the bottom of the machine. These chips are used for industrial purposes or energy production.
A chipper is a large power tool that you use outside to greatly reduce the amount of debris you have in your yard and make disposal much easier.”
Tom, author from woodchippy.com
History of Wood Chipper
Wood Chippers have been around since 1882 but did not become popular until the early 1900s. They were mainly designed for use on farms or lumber mills. Wood Chippers can be manually operated or motorized. Manual models tend to be cheaper than their motorized counterparts. However, they do not provide as much power and often require more maintenance. Motorized models are usually heavy duty machines with powerful motors. They also offer greater capacity and higher quality chips. The type of material being shredded will determine which model you should purchase. If you need to cut down large trees or branches it’s best to get a larger unit.
The first manual wood chipper was invented back in 1882 when Henry Kratzmann started selling his device called “Kratzmann’s Pulverizer”. He later bought a patent from another German inventor named Carl Günther. Karl Günther’s design had an impact on the development of other wood-chipping devices. In fact, there are many similarities between both designs. For example, they both have two circular blades that rotate at different speeds. Although both designs worked well, the Kratzmann Pulverizer still holds the record for most pulverized wood (over one ton) per hour.
How To Choose A Wood Chipper
So, how to choose a wood chipper? In the modern times, wood chippers are a very important tool used in various industrial and residential applications. The most important aspect of choosing a wood chipper is to ensure that it meets your requirements and is able to do the job. Here are the list what you consider for choosing a wood chipper:
1. Cut size
Depending on the amount of wood that needs to be processed, you may want to vary the cutting size. A smaller size cuts less wood, while a larger size allows for better capacity and longer life.
2. Capacity
This refers to the amount of wood that can be chopped into small pieces within a specified time period. Large capacities mean high volume output. Choosing a large capacity makes sense if you plan to process large amounts of wood.
3. Feeder size
You should keep this factor in mind when considering the feeding setup. Small feeders generally produce finer chips that can be used in mulching gardens or making compost. Larger feeders can handle bigger chunks of wood which make good fuel for fireplaces, stoves and heaters.
4. Power source
If you plan to use the wood chipper frequently during off peak hours, you may want to select a battery powered model. This saves electricity costs. But if you intend to use the machine daily, then it is better to invest in an electric powered model. These work great in areas where access to electrical power is available. You can always purchase a generator once you find out that you do not have proper access to electricity.
5. Weight & Size
If you are planning to use the wood chippers regularly, then it is advisable to go with lighter weight units. If you have a limited space, then buying heavier units is a no brainer because you will not have to move them around too often.
6. Warranty
A warranty ensures that the manufacturer provides help in case something goes wrong. It is essential that you buy a unit that has a long warranty because the cost of repairing or replacing equipment could be significant.
7. Price
There is no direct relationship between the price and performance of a wood chipper. Some people spend thousands of dollars on home improvement projects yet cannot afford to pay top dollar for every product. So, you must compromise on some aspects