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Drum, disc or cutting chamber
The drum chipper, often sold as a shredder, has a solid drum with 2 reversible blades and a counter-knife: it grabs woody branches well, but handles wood better than leafy branches. The small disc chipper, with no feed roller, pulls the branch in less and sends more vibration through to the hands. The shredder with a cutting chamber, hydraulics, feed rollers and screen also breaks down green, leafy brash: it is the machine for anyone working in grounds maintenance every day.
Which power to choose
6 hp is enough for pruning in gardens and allotments, with branches up to 5–6 cm (2–2.4 in). 13.5 to 15 hp is for frequent work, hedges and smallholdings, with branches up to 10–12 cm (4–4.7 in).
Engines and fuel consumption
Honda, Briggs & Stratton, Loncin and Lifan engines. Pull start on the 6 hp models, electric key start and pull start on the more powerful ones. Fuel consumption is around 0.8 litres (0.2 gallons) an hour on the 6 hp models and 1 litre (0.25 gallons) on the more powerful ones.
Discharge
On the bigger models the discharge chute turns through up to 360° and reaches 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in), so you can discharge straight into a trailer.
FAQs
Why doesn't a drum shredder deal with leaves properly?
Because it is a chipper: the solid drum with blades and counter-knife handles wood better than leafy branches, and the leaves can get through without being shredded. For leafy brash you need a shredder with a cutting chamber.
How much fuel does a petrol wood chipper use?
Around 0.8 litres (0.2 gallons) an hour on the 6 hp models, 1 litre (0.25 gallons) on the 13.5 and 15 hp models.
How do I avoid vibration in my hands?
Choose a model with a feed roller, which grabs the branch and draws it towards the knives on its own.
Which model for rough ground?
The tracked version.