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From entry-level to professional
Drum chipper. Solid drum with blades and counter-knife: it works on the momentum of the drum and does not need a feed roller. It handles wood better than leafy branches.
Disc chipper without feed roller. You can tell it by the funnel-shaped hopper angled at around 45°. It costs less, but sends vibration through to the hands holding the branch.
Disc chipper with a mechanically driven feed roller. Far more comfortable, and still keenly priced. If the disc jams on a piece that is too big or on a bit of wire, it is stopped with the safety bar; many manufacturers protect the feed roller drive with a small, easily replaced drive shaft.
Chipper with its own hydraulic system. One or two variable-speed feed rollers: you set the cut to suit the material and reverse the rollers if something jams.
Chipper with no-stress system. The machine controls the feed roller itself and stops for a moment when material is going in too fast.
Shredder with cutting chamber and screen. With hydraulics, feed rollers and a no-stress system, it also breaks down green, leafy brash and gives the finest material, which can also be burnt in a biomass boiler.
One or two feed rollers
Good disc chippers have one feed roller, or two: the top one pulls, the bottom one is often not driven but reduces friction on the branch.
Check it suits your tractor
What matters is the tractor's power, from 18 to 60 hp depending on the model, a Category 1 three-point linkage with 19 to 22 mm (3/4 to 7/8 in) pins, and the PTO.
FAQs
How does the chipper attach to the tractor?
To a Category 1 three-point linkage; drive comes from the power take-off through the PTO shaft.
What size tractor do I need?
From 18 to 60 hp, depending on the model.
What happens if the disc jams?
It is stopped with the safety bar next to the operator. Many manufacturers protect the feed roller drive with a small, replaceable drive shaft.
What is a hydraulic feed roller for?
It lets you adjust the speed to suit the material and reverse it if something jams.
Where do the chippings go?
Out through the adjustable discharge chute, turning through 180° or 360° depending on the model, 1.5 to 1.8 m (4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 11 in) high: you can discharge straight into a trailer.
Can the chippings be burnt in a boiler?
Only those from the shredder with a cutting chamber and screen; the material from the other models is for mulching.