10 Best Chipper Shredders for Yards In 2023: The Ultimate Guide To Pick One For Composting

You are currently viewing 10 Best Chipper Shredders for Yards In 2023: The Ultimate Guide To Pick One For Composting
organicgardeningeek.com google news follow button https://organicgardeningeek.com

You love having a bountiful garden and beautiful yard but perhaps not so much the labor involved. Honestly, yard work is not in my top five ways to spend my weekend.

On the other hand, gorgeous flowers, fresh organic veggies, and a well-trimmed yard bring enormous satisfaction to my family and me. I have produced these by my own hand for nearly 45 years. Over those years, I learned how to transform gardening chores into pleasurable tasks using quality tools.

One of my best decisions was to acquire a chipper shredder machine. In fact, I have researched several dozens of these and purchased 10 models for my own use over the decades. I currently own an electric and gas-powered model that I utilize regularly.

In what follows, I pass on my knowledge, experience, and research to help you learn what is required to become an informed chipper shredder buyer. Included are ten detailed chipper shredder reviews of the best chipper shredders I could put my hands on.

Today we will compare the best chipper shredders to help you pick the most appropriate one.

https://organicgardeningeek.com

What Is a Wood Chipper Shredder?

Wood chippers, wood shredders, and combination wood chipper shredders all have one thing in common. They cut, chop or grind organic material into smaller pieces to reduce its volume, make it easier to handle, and prepare it for mulching or composting.

There are several different designs for wood chipper shredder machines. Still, most homeowner machines use a disk design that includes sharp blades for cutting wood and semi-sharp, hardened flails for breaking down lighter material such as leaves, grass, or small twigs.

The blades and flails are attached to a large, heavy flywheel run by either a gasoline or electric motor. Single-purpose machines either chip the wood or shred lighter material into mulch. Most residential machines do both. Most of the chipper shredder reviews in this guide are for combo machines.

Combo chipper shredders have two ports through which material is inserted. A small chute to one side is used for chipping branches up to four inches in diameter on larger machines.

A wide-mouth hopper accepts smaller materials such as leaves, clippings, grass, and twigs up to a one-inch diameter.

https://organicgardeningeek.com

After cutting or shredding, the material from either the chute or hopper is directed toward an exit port. Usually, the exit is covered with a screen or mesh that blocks larger pieces, so they are pre-shredded until they are small enough to pass through. The reduced material either flows onto the ground or into a collection bag.

A popular, economical cutting design for homeowners with small yards uses a trimmer cord instead of a disk with blades and flails. The cutting heads are much like that on a string trimmer and may be mounted horizontally or vertically.

These machines are made of small, light, and loose material. Their advantages are lower cost, lightweight, and extreme portability.

Here is a good video that will give you a closer look at chipper shredder basics:

Why You Need a Wood Chipper Shredder

The days when you could simply burn yard debris in your backyard or dispose of it in the landfill are passing quickly. Most municipalities forbid these disposal methods these days. Additionally, more and more home gardeners are coming to appreciate the value of yard and garden waste for use as mulch or compost.

A chipper shredder is ideal for converting leaves, twigs, and branches into flowerbed mulch or nutrient-rich fertilizer for your vegetables while avoiding less environmentally-friendly disposal methods. 

If you currently compost yard debris and kitchen vegetable waste or have contemplated doing this, then understand that a chipper shredder significantly speeds up the composting process by increasing the surface area of the composting material.

You could, of course, accomplish much of what a chipper shredder does with hand tools such as pruners and knives. Still, unless your seasonal yard debris volume is minimal, that is indeed time-consuming. Reducing yard debris to a product as small and regular as what can be accomplished with a good chipper shredder is, frankly, nearly impossible.

Types of Wood Chipper Shredders for Home Use

There are two types of chipper shredder power you will come across in your research: electric-powered and gas-powered. Under gas-powered shredders, we review both stand-up, stationary shredders and walk-behind vacuum chipper shredder machines. Let’s see which chipper shredder is best for your needs.

Electric Power Chipper Shredders

Chipper shredders with electric motors do not produce as much power as their larger gas-powered brothers, but electric-powered machines are still quite functional. These machines come with engines that range from approximately one to nearly two horsepower.

Although the majority of these machines only handle loose debris, the largest ones can chip wood limbs too. They typically weigh from 13 lbs. for string shredders up to nearly 100 lbs. for heavy-duty combo models.

Despite their lower power output compared to most gas-powered chipper shredders, electric machines have valuable advantages:

  • The much lighter weight-to-power ratio
  • Easier to move from place to place
  • They produce less noise than gas-powered shredders
  • They make no exhaust fumes
  • They take up less space
  • They cost less

Their biggest disadvantage is that you need an electrical outlet nearby or a heavy-duty extension cord. The largest models require a 12-ga. Cord no longer than 100 feet. Personally, I love my Patriot CSV-2515 14A electric chipper shredder as a supplement to my primary gas-powered shredder. The Patriot stays near the compost bins for shredding kitchen waste, leaves, and medium-sized wood debris.

Gasoline Wood Chipper Shredders

A standalone, gasoline-powered machine is the best chipper shredder option for most homeowners. These come in models with 4-HP engines up to 10-HP and beyond. Most weigh in the 100 to 200 lbs. range, but the biggest ones are so heavy that you need to tow them with a tractor or some other vehicle.

The lowest power models are equivalent in chipping/shredding power to the most powerful electric models. Keep in mind that these machines are quite a bit noisier than electric shredders.

You should strongly consider buying a gas-powered chipper shredder if any of these conditions apply to your situation:

  • You regularly have a large volume of prunings, branches, leaves, and other yard debris
  • You need to chip branches larger than 1.5 inches in diameter
  • You need to move the machine outside the reach of a long, large gauge extension cord
  • You want to chip the most material in the least amount of time

If you think you need a gas-powered chipper shredder, then my best recommendation is to buy the most horsepower you can afford. For most people with average amounts of leaves and branches, anything less than an 8-HP machine will probably disappoint them.

I have nearly an acre of yard and am quite happy with my Earthquake 9-HP chipper shredder since I’ve been unable to bog it down even with 3-inch diameter branches. A smaller, less powerful machine would leave me wanting more.

Gasoline Walk-Behind Chipper Shredder Vacuum

I have owned two walk-behind leaf shredders and can tell you from experience that they sure beat a hand rake for cleaning up your yard in the wet, cold fall weather. However, I do not have one now because most of my trees are evergreen. This Billy Goat KV600 Lawn and litter vacuum is similar to the last shredder vacuum that I owned.

Yard debris shredder vacuums work by sucking up the leaves and other light debris on your lawn or paved areas and sending it to an impeller with blades that chop it into fine bits. The mulch is deposited into an attached collection bag, so you never need to stoop over when cleaning the yard.

The operation is like using a walk-behind rotary mower, except that these machines are typically bigger and heavier. Vac machines do need more storage space than the average mower. Most of these come with engines in the 5-HP to the 8-HP range and various widths up to 28 inches.

Some have an attached vacuum hose for reaching into corners. They make the yard and driveway clean-up a pleasure. Furthermore, since many come with a built-in chipper chute for larger limbs, a combo shredder vacuum is sometimes the best chipper shredder option compared to a standalone machine.

How to Choose the Best Chipper Shredder

organicgardeningeek.com google news follow button https://organicgardeningeek.com

Here are 10 things to consider when shopping for a wood chipper shredder:

  1. Brand name – There are plenty of good brands to choose from, so skip cheap Chinese knock-offs such as Chicago Electric.
  2. Sound level – If you think the neighbors will complain about a noisy gas-powered chipper, or you do not like loud machines yourself, stick to electric chipper shredders.
  3. Feed capacity – This feature indicates the size of limbs that can be fed to the chipper.
  4. Reduction ratio – This is a nominal measure of how much a chipper shredder reduces the volume of unprocessed debris. Typical values are from 10:1 to 20:1.
  5. Weight – Unless you think your chipper shredder is going to sit in one place, think about how much weight you are comfortable wheeling around on the uneven ground.
  6. HP/cc – The motor or engine’s HP or piston displacement in cubic centimeters gives you a relative measure for a chipper shredder’s power, but keep in mind that manufacturers often inflate these numbers.
  7. The number of blades and flails – More blades and flails indicate a more efficient machine and probably longer intervals between sharpening them.
  8. Maintainability – Electric motors need less maintenance than gasoline engines. You need to winterize a gas engine if you live in a cold climate. Blades and flails need sharpening and replacement from time to time, so check on parts availability.
  9. Convenience features – These include tilt-down hoppers, electric starters, self-sharpening blades, or a tow bar.
  10. Warranty – Warranties are slippery things like HP ratings. Still, they give a rough idea of the manufacturer’s confidence in their product.

You may have noticed that the price was not one of the features listed. That is because I personally think that should be considered last even on a tight budget. A good chipper shredder should last 10 to 20 years under average use unless you have a huge yard with lots of trees.

Over that period, your original cost is amortized, so the difference between, say, a $500 machine and a $1,000 machine is between $25 and $50 per year. Believe me, you will not mind that small increment in annual cost if you have a machine that does not make you struggle to use it and holds up under demanding use.

Watch this video guide for a better understanding of how to use chipper shredders:

(The products are linked to their Amazon pages for easy access. We have no affiliation or any relationship with the products in this article)

10 of the Best Wood Chipper Shredders Reviews

Electric Chipper Shredder Reviews

1. Sun Joe Chipper Joe CJ601E

https://organicgardeningeek.com

Specs:

  • HP: 1.5 @ 14A load
  • Weight: 26.2 lbs.
  • Capacity: 1.5-inches
  • Reduction ratio: 10:1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Other features: The safety hopper prevents the motor from turning on when open

Overview

The Sun Joe Chipper Joe turns yard rubbish into mulch in quick order. It has a powerful 14A electric motor running at 4300 RPM that handles limbs up to 1.5 inches. Its portability is excellent at only 26 lbs. and with 6-inch wheels.

The special safety lock on the hopper prevents the motor from operating when the hopper is open for cleaning. This shredder is an excellent choice for a small yard with small debris. The CJ601E’s portability and power make yard cleanup go quickly and smoothly every time.

Be careful not to push this machine too hard, as the housing is plastic. It is not really powerful enough to shred wet kitchen waste unless you feed it very slowly. 

2. WORX WG430 13 amp Electric Leaf Mulcher/Shredder

https://organicgardeningeek.com

Specs

  • HP: 1.4 @ 13A load
  • Weight: under 20 lbs.
  • Capacity: leaves and light debris only
  • Reduction ratio: 11:1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Other features: Blade-less, tool-less dismantling, oversize on/off switch

Overview

The WORX WG430 Mulcher/Shredder is an example of a blade-less or string mulcher. These appeal to my engineering background for their sheer simplicity. There are no blades that need sharpening, and it is virtually clog-free. It uses a standard weed whacker nylon line.

You do have to replace these frequently, but that is much easier than replacing metal blades. Although you will not be slicing up limbs with this, it is ideal for leaves, kitchen waste, and other small debris. The entire mulcher/shredder dismantles without tools for easy shelf storage in the garage or garden shed.

This may seem like a minor point, but the oversized on/off switch is a winning feature to me. I hate feeling for tiny switches when I have gloves on. Like any small shredder, do not feed it too fast, or it will clog. You can keep this very affordable mulcher next to the compost pile.

3. LawnMaster FD1501 Electric Chipper Shredder

https://organicgardeningeek.com

Specs

  • HP: 1.7 @ 15A load
  • Weight: 25.4 lbs.
  • Capacity: 1.5-inch limbs
  • Reduction ratio: 10:1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Other features: 8-inch wheels, overload shutdown

Overview

If you are looking for a highly portable, electric shredder and your debris tends more towards sticks and limbs, this is the chipper shredder for you. Do not let its small size and light weight fool you. It will not gobble down 1.5-inch limbs like a big 8-HP gas chipper, but it will keep up if you do not force it.

It also handles leaves, though it’s for sticks. The blade slices through green wood easily can be sharpened on a bench grinder and are inexpensive to replace. It has four edges in total, two of which are used at one time, so you can flip it over when one side dulls.

One thing I really like about this mulcher is how easily you can clear the jam. Simply unscrew one knob, push back the cover, and lift out whatever is blocking it. A mulch collection bag is included, and it has a 2-year warranty. This is it if you are looking for the best chipper shredder with electric power for a smaller yard.

4. Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper, Collection Bin

Specs

  • 249cc
  • Weight: 30 lbs.
  • Capacity: 1-3/4 limbs
  • No-load speed: 4000 RPM
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Other features: 6″ wheels

Overview

You can easily manageable chunks or mulch out of tiny branches and fallen leaves with the aid of the Earthwise GS70015 electric chipper shredder. The operation is easy, quick, and quite quiet.

A 15 amp motor powers the Earthwise GS70015, negating the need for petrol or oil and eliminating unpleasant emissions. A metal impeller is driven by an electric motor. Branches that are comparatively straight are easily pulled through. Unusual forms or those with many branchings need a little manual assistance. You’ll be shocked at how quickly and with how little effort the chipping process moves.

Green branches cannot be chipped by the Earthwise GS70015, and moist leaves have a tendency to block the machine. But as a reasonably priced device, this could be the perfect tool for a weekend warrior.

Gas Engine Chipper Shredder Review

5. Earthquake K32 (3″) 212cc Chipper/Shredder w/ Viper Engine

Specs

  • 8.86 ft/lbs of torque
  • Weight: 121 lbs.
  • Capacity: 3-inch limbs
  • Reduction ratio: 20:1
  • Warranty: 5 year
  • Other features: 11-inch wheels

Overview

If you have trees on your property and want to clean up and chip any branches that fall after a small storm or heavy winds, this is a wonderful chipper option for you to consider since it is more affordable. The chipper has a capacity of 3 inches, while the shredder can handle around half an inch. This chipper is an excellent choice for that particular application.

When it comes to chopping up a huge number of branches in the aftermath of a severe storm, I would not suggest using it. To do this, you will need to rent or purchase a chipper that is much more heavy-duty and has a chipper capacity of at least 4 inches. A few words about the assembling process.

I have reason to think that this machine has been updated throughout the years; however, the instruction manual has not been maintained current with the changes. For instance, there was a rubber finger flap for the shredder hopper, but it wasn’t mounted, and it lacked the necessary hardware to do so, so I had to go out and get it.

I’m going to guess that in a previous version of the chipper, it was already pre-installed by default. Also, before turning on the shot for the chipper, make sure the engine is lubricated with oil. However, do not use the whole bottle that is provided since the crankcase of the engine only has room for approximately 3/4 of the oil.

After adding oil, check the level using the dipstick that is located on the cap, and add more if necessary. There was no information on the crack case capacity or how much oil should be used in the instructions that I could find. Because installing the chipper shot significantly restricts access to the oil fill cap, it is recommended that the chipper shoot be installed after the engine oil has been topped up.

When chipping, you should never turn off the engine while there is still wood in the shredder or chipper. If you do this, bits of wood will get caught in the chipper blades when the machine comes to a complete stop. It will not be possible for you to use the pull-start method on the engine until they are moved.

In addition, I discovered that if I turned off the engine before it was entirely warmed up, I needed to utilize the choke to some degree in order to restart the engine after it was turned off.

The collecting bag may be attached to the machine, however, doing so might be a little bit challenging. It has two slots carved out of it that need to be lined up, and then the handle has to be twisted a quarter of a turn.

The accompanying funnel is not very practical since it has a flexible hose on the end, and in order to pour gas into any of today’s gas containers, you need something firm to press them safely release on. The funnel that was given was not really useful.

I purchased a separate funnel that did not come with a hose. The equipment performs effectively while chipping and shredding. After a branch has grown to the point where it is beyond the rim of the shoot, a rubber cover that can be easily clipped on and removed should be applied.

Branches, after they have been packed down to a diameter of four inches or less, may sometimes ricochet off of the blades and back into the shoot when they do so.

The rubber cover stops them from bouncing back out until they are entirely chipped, preventing them from doing so in the meantime. I am pleased with the device and its relatively small size on the whole. It has performed about as was anticipated. I would suggest using this chipper/shredder for minor, routine cleanup chores. It gets the job done quickly and efficiently.

6. Patriot Products CSV-3100B 10 HP Chipper Leaf Shredder

Specs

  • HP: 10
  • Weight: 139 lbs.
  • Capacity: 3-inch limbs
  • Reduction ratio: 10:1
  • Warranty: 3 years on engine
  • Other features: 10-inch wheels

Overview

Patriot is a high-quality manufacturer of both electric and gas chipper shredders. The CSV-3100B is, in my opinion, the best chipper shredder in its class for residential use. I own a Patriot electric shredder, the CSV-2515, so I have years of appreciation for their rugged, quality-built products.

This CSV-3100B features a powerful B&S 10-HP engine that tears through anything you feed through the chute without strain. The limb capacity is a true three inches, even for dry hardwood. 

I love how Patriot machines exert a gentle pull on the material, making feeding a breeze. In the leafhopper, they use a patented Y-hammer flail design that significantly increases shredding efficiency. I also appreciate the side exhaust for the shredded material as it makes a nice pile distant from the machine.

Alternately, you can attach one of their oversized bags to collect the mulch or tilt a garbage can to catch it as it is ejected. This is not a budget-minded machine, but if you are looking for the best residential chipper shredder to handle an acre or more, this is it. 

7. PowerKing (5″) 14HP Kohler Tow-Behind Wood Chipper Shredder

Specs

  • HP: 14
  • Weight: 430 lbs.
  • Capacity: 5-inch limbs
  • Reduction ratio: 10:1
  • Warranty: 3 years on engine
  • Other features: 13-inch wheels

Overview

The 5″ chipper/shredder model PK0915 is one of Power King’s newest offerings for this year. It is the bigger, beefier sibling of the model PK0903, which has shown to be quite reliable for consumers throughout the course of its existence.

The cyclonic air filtration technology that comes standard on the 14-horsepower Kohler Command Pro engine is an excellent choice for use in very filthy environments. You should have many years of trouble-free service thanks to the combination of a crankshaft made of steel-forged steel and a cylinder made of cast iron.

The machine is equipped with an extra-large feed funnel, which enables it to process a wide variety of yard debris, including crop straw, small trees, branches, leaves, and more. The chippings will be directed precisely where you want them to go thanks to the tall, Omni-directional discharge spout that has a discharge angle of 360 degrees and is tall enough to clear the tailgates of most trucks.

The fact that this machine has reversible blades that are made of high-strength fusion-welded steel gives it a competitive advantage over similar machines. Because of this, it is able to shred leaves and other materials to a far finer consistency than traditional rotor-designed chippers are capable of. Drum speeds of 3600 revolutions per minute are achieved thanks to a twin V-belt arrangement that transfers power to the drum.

8. Champion (3″) 338cc Chipper Shredder

Specs

  • 338cc
  • Weight: 190 lbs.
  • Capacity: 3-inch limbs
  • Reduction ratio: 20:1
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Other features: 12-inch wheels

Overview

By turning branches, brush, leaves, and other yard waste into mulch or attractive accents for your yard, the Champion Power Equipment 100137 3-inch Portable Chipper-Shredder is designed to handle yard waste with dependability.

The chipper chute, which has two hardened steel chipper blades, is designed to handle branches and limbs with a maximum diameter of 3 inches. The 13.8-inch shredder blade and four shredder hammers on the shredder chute make it ideal for shredding yard waste with a diameter of no more than 1/2 inch.

A sturdy 2-bushel collecting bag is included with every chipper shredder for quick cleaning or mulch application.

The sturdy steel frame is long-lasting. This device features a 1.2-quart oil capacity and a 338cc Champion single-cylinder OHV engine with a 1.6-gallon gasoline tank. It is also equipped with a low oil shut-off sensor (recommended 10W-30).

Gas-Powered Vacuum Chipper Shredder Reviews

9. Merry Mac Walk-Behind Chipper/Vacuum Model# VCB1100M

Specs:

  • HP: 8
  • Weight: 200 lbs.
  • Capacity: 200 lbs.
  • Reduction ratio: 8:1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Other features: 8-inch and 10-inch pneumatic wheels

Overview

I recommend this Merry Mac chipper shredder vacuum without hesitation. Considering that it completely eliminates raking, piling, and bagging leaves, I think the high price is a bargain. Plus, it has a very capable chipper included that takes up to 2.875-inch limbs.

Three forward gears, reverse, and 6 vacuum heights mean it easily adapts to your hard and is entirely maneuverable. It is also built like a tank with a commercial-grade B&S 249cc OHV engine, solid-state ignition, and cast-iron cylinder sleeve.

With this one machine, you can forgo a standalone chipper shredder. This vacuum shredder represents excellent value for small, medium, or large lots.

10. Troy-Bilt CSV70 Self-Propelled Hi/Low Chipper VacShredder

Specs

  • HP: 5
  • Weight: 143 lbs.
  • Capacity: 1.5-inch limbs
  • Reduction ratio: 8:1
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Other features: 8-inch ball-bearing wheels

Overview

The Troy-Bilt CSV70 is a very efficient chipper shredder vacuum. It sucks up leaves and other small debris, mulches it with an 8:1 reduction ratio, and neatly deposits the mulch into an attached 2-bushel bag. It uses a two-stage mulcher with a hardened cutting blade and six cast-steel flails for highly efficient pulverization.

It also features an a7-foot vacuum hose with an adjustable nozzle for reaching into tight areas or under shrubbery. Fallen limbs up to 1.5-inch diameter can be reduced to mulch in a separate onboard chute. With a 24-inch vacuum width, large, ball-bearing wheels, and two forward speeds, this chipper shredder vacuum has superb maneuverability around any landscaping.

This machine is a formidable time-saver for small to medium yards. You want to maintain a well-manicured look with the least effort and expense. 

Tips for Using a Chipper Shredder and Making It Last

Buy the Biggest Machine You Can

Chipper Shredders may be the most abused machine in any gardener‘s shed. They have to work under heavy loads, to begin with, and owners typically push them to and beyond the limits of their design and power. That is totally understandable, and the fact that many manufacturers fudge the HP and limb capacity numbers does not help. In any case, this is my first recommendation for making your new machine last:

Buy a chipper shredder that is big enough and then some for the tasks you have in mind.

Trying to save a couple of hundred bucks by buying a machine that will break down prematurely because it is too small for the job is penny-wise and pound-foolish. If you doubt whether a particular chipper shredder is big enough for your yard cleanup, buy at least the next size larger.

Avoid Shredding Wet, Clumped Material

Most chipper shredder manufacturers will avoid this topic. Still, even the best of those reviewed here will have trouble handling big wads of wet grass and leaves. Shredders work best when the material can circulate within the hopper so that the blades and flails can have a whack at it several times.

Clumped, wet material will make even the most powerful machines look like wimps and can even stall the machine, so break that stuff up or, better yet, dry it.

Make Chipper Shredder Maintenance a Priority to Avoid Problems

Chipper shredders, in my experience, receive low priority for maintenance. I am not sure why, but that may be because they are used at less regular intervals than the lawn mower. Sometimes we cannot remember when the engine oil was changed last, for instance. Because they do such hard work, however, maintenance is even more important for these machines:

  • Always keep an eye on the engine oil level for gas-powered machines. Low oil or no oil takes years off the life of even the best engines in a big hurry. The price of a quart of oil is a tiny fraction of the cost of a new engine.
  • Make the first oil change after 10 to 20 hours of operation on a new machine and every 100 hours of operation after that. I use a whiteboard in my garden shed to remind me of such things.
  • Fix any oil leaks or malfunctioning parts as soon as you can. They will only get worse.
  • To maximize power and engine life, keep the air filter clean on gas engines.
  • On electric chipper shredders, if you use an extension cord, be sure it is a large enough gauge to prevent voltage drops that can severely shorten the life of the motor. Here is a simple voltage drop calculator you can use.
  • Regardless of the type of motor your wood chipper shredder has, keep the blades sharp. Dull blades mean doubling the work for the engine and probably doubling the time for your work as well.
  • Shelter your chipper shredder from harsh weather, especially rain and ice.

Watch this video to see how to replace chipper shredder blades:

Never push your machine too hard. 

  • If chipping limbs are creating a burning smell, 
  • if there is excess smoke from the engine exhaust, 
  • if wet material is bogging down the motor, 
  • if the motor is hard to start, or
  • if anything else seems amiss, give the problem prompt attention. 

To do otherwise risks expensive damage and a short life for a machine that makes your yard and garden chores much more manageable.

Here is a detailed chipper shredder maintenance guide

Why Listen to Me?

That is an excellent question. I answer that question by noting that I do have extensive personal experience with manual and powered gardening/yard tools going back decades. My first power machine was a Troy-Bilt rototiller.

Since then, I have leveraged machine power to grow bigger gardens, maintain acre-plus yards, trim trees, and shrubs, install fences and dig trenches. About half of that experience is commercial. At home and on the job as a construction worker, I have been around power tools most of my life, and I know what works, what does not work well, and what goes into making a quality tool.

Although I have put a lot of effort into researching about 50 chipper shredders firsthand, pored over more than a hundred specifications, and carefully studied countless buyer reviews in preparing this guide, I do not expect anyone to think that I have the final word on the topic. 

I urge you to do your own research, study garden chipper shredder reviews and try out different models at the shops. I believe that once you have done that, you will understand why I recommend the models reviewed here.

Making the Decision

Best Chipper Shredders for Yards https://organicgardeningeek.com

How Did I Choose the Chipper Shredders Reviewed Here?

Personally, I have owned and operated ten different chipper shredders over the years. Some were better than others, and I took the time to figure out why and discern which manufacturers spent the most time on good design and manufacturing techniques.

Naturally, many of those models I owned long ago are not sold today. I looked for similar models to those I had come to respect, plus new and improved models from the best manufacturers. After carefully studying reviews and specs online, I obtained hands-on experience by visiting local shops to try out what I thought were the best models.

A few times, I had to drive to a nearby larger city to find specific models and shops that would let me test the machines with my own materials. I took green and dry limbs of various sizes plus bushels of dry and wet grass and leaves to run these machines through their paces. It did not often happen that I was disappointed by specific machines. Still, when I was, you can bet those were scratched off the list of candidates for this guide in short order.

How You Can Buy the Absolute Best Chipper Shredder

So, which is the absolute best wood chipper or shredder? In the end, the answer depends on your particular needs, yard size, and budget. But from the garden chipper shredder reviews I supplied above, you should have no trouble finding a machine that suits you without having to go through all the real and virtual legwork I did.

Since I supplied more than one Earthquake chipper review and mentioned that I own one myself, you can see I am clearly biased in their direction. But, honestly, I feel all the chippers, shredders, and vacuums reviewed here represent the best value on the market today. Personally, I would be proud to own any of them.

I hope this guide has shortened your path to finding an excellent chipper shredder that lasts many years and saves you many hours of work that you can better spend enjoying other fun activities with friends and family.

If this guide has at least provided some educational value, which helps you do more effective research on your own, it will have been well worth my effort. Hopefully, it leads you to a quick, confident, and informed decision that makes your purchase of a new chipper shredder or chipper shredder vacuum a pleasant experience.

Thank you for taking the time to study this guide, and wish you all the best for a lavish garden and an immaculate yard.

FAQ – Chipper Shredders

How do I choose a wood chipper?

>The horsepower of the engine is an indication of how powerful the device is. When it comes to capability, more horsepower is always better.
>The capacity of a chipper is measured in terms of the maximum diameter of branches that it can process.
>The term “reduction ratio” refers to the machine’s capacity to cut down on yard trash in an effective manner.

How big of a tree can you put in a chipper?

If you operate with material that is more than one inch in diameter but less than two and a half inches in diameter, then you may use any domestic chipper without any problems.

Can I put leaves in a wood chipper?

A wonderful piece of machinery that can make quick work of cleaning up the yard is a wood chipper. A chipper may process a wide variety of materials, such as tiny branches, yard clippings, tree limbs, and brushes.

Some examples of these sorts of materials are: You may even put leaves in certain wood chippers if they are equipped with a shredding mechanism. These chippers are more versatile than you would think.

Can you put dry branches in a chipper?

All of your leaves and newly cut branches will be churned up and spit out the other end of the chipper in a shape that may be used, however, a chipper won’t accept palm fronds or vines that are dead or dry, palm branches, or vines.

Can you put wet branches in a chipper?

It is important to avoid putting anything moist, particularly green wood, into the chipper. These things will not be chopped up by the chipper; you will require a chipper/shredder for that purpose (see below).

Be wary of metal things that may be embedded in the wood; sometimes, trees contain spikes or barbed wire, and occasionally, individuals toss everything and everything they can find into the chipper.

Can I use a chipper in the rain?

A garden chipper or shredder will not function well if it is exposed to rain for an extended period of time. If you have a gas station, be sure to clean the area surrounding the cap after each time you refill your tank.

Because of the flying dirt, chips, and other debris, it has the potential to get dirty, and any dirt or debris that gets into your fuel may create difficulties.

organicgardeningeek.com google news follow button https://organicgardeningeek.com

Leave a Reply