Maintaining a clean and beautiful yard can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to dealing with fallen branches, leaves, and other organic waste. This is where wood chippers come to the rescue.
These powerful machines make yard maintenance a breeze by effortlessly turning bulky waste into easily manageable wood chips. If you’re in Australia and looking for the best wood chipper to efficiently tackle your yard maintenance needs, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog post, we will unveil the top wood chippers available on the market, highlighting their features, performance, and overall efficiency. From small residential models to heavy-duty professional machines, we’ve got you covered.
How to Choose the Best Wood Chippers for you
Choosing the best wood chipper can make yard cleanup much more manageable and efficient. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you pick the wood chipper that best fits your needs:
Understand the Types of Wood Chippers:
There are mainly three types of wood chippers: disk chippers, drum chippers, and screw-type (or auger) chippers.
Disk Chippers: They have a disk with blades and are generally faster, producing more uniform chips. Suitable for homeowners and professionals alike, disk chippers are effective for clean, small-diameter wood and branches.
Drum Chippers: These are heavy-duty machines with a large drum incorporating blades or knives. They are more robust and better for commercial applications where various types and sizes of material are being chipped.
Screw-type Chippers: Less common, these chippers use a screw-like mechanism to pull wood in and chip it. They can handle softer materials and can be slower but are also quieter.
Match the Chipper to Your Needs:
Power Source: Wood chippers are powered by electricity, gasoline, or diesel. Electric chippers are quieter and have less power, suitable for small gardens and light use. Gasoline-powered chippers are more potent and portable, while diesel chippers are for heavy-duty, commercial applications.
Engine Size: The size of the engine, measured in horsepower (HP) or cubic centimetres (cc), correlates with the chipper’s ability to handle material. Small electric models may have engines around 14-15 HP, while large commercial chippers can have engines with over 200 HP.
Capacity: Chippers are rated by the maximum diameter of branches they can chip. Home-use chippers might handle branches up to 2 or 3 inches in diameter, whereas commercial chippers can handle much larger diameters, like 20 inches or more.
Reduction Ratio: This ratio indicates how much the chipper will reduce the debris volume. Ratios of 10:1 or 20:1 mean that the chipper will reduce the debris to one-tenth or one-twentieth of its original volume.
Features to Consider:
Feeding Technology: Some chippers have self-feeding mechanisms, while others require manual feeding. Self-feeding chippers can save time and effort.
Shredding Capability: Some models come with an additional shredding function for leafy material and small branches.
Portability: Consider how easily you need to move the chipper. Pneumatic tires, handles, and towing hitches enhance portability for large yards or commercial sites.
Noise Level: Electric chippers are quieter than their gas and diesel counterparts. Noise levels are an important consideration if you live in a residential area with noise restrictions.
Safety Features:
Safety should be a primary concern when choosing a wood chipper.
Emergency Stop Button: It allows you to quickly stop the chipper in an emergency.
Chipper Hopper Lock: Prevents the machine from operating when the hopper is opened or removed.
Kickback Prevention: Some chippers have mechanisms to reduce the risk of material kicking back toward the user.
Maintenance and Durability:
Build Quality: Look for chippers with robust construction, like heavy-gauge steel frames and durable blades.
Ease of Maintenance: Check for easy access to blades and moving parts for routine maintenance.
Additional Features:
Shredding and Mulching: Some chippers come with additional shredding capabilities for leaves and small branches.
Bagging and Disposal: Consider if the chipper comes equipped with a bag or bin to collect the chipped material, which can aid in cleanup or mulch distribution
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The Best Wood Chippers Australia
1. Ducar Wood Chipper Shredder
The Ducar Wood Chipper Shredder is engineered to effectively tackle yard waste with a chipping capacity of 3 inches, adept at breaking down branches and debris into manageable chips. The robust blade speed of 2400 rpm ensures efficient cutting and processing of material.
Powered by an OHV 4-stroke engine with a 208cc displacement, the chipper shredder boasts a maximum output of 8HP at the same 2400 rpm as the blade speed. This synchronisation optimises the machine’s performance for consistent chipping action.
Practical considerations are taken into account, with a 3.6L fuel capacity for extended use and a 0.6L oil volume to ensure smooth operation. The reliability continues with a recoil starting system and compatibility with unleaded petrol, reflecting the Ducar Wood Chipper Shredder’s design focus on user-friendly operation and maintenance, all while delivering strong chipping power.
2. Ducar 7hp Wood Chipper Shredder
The Ducar 7hp Wood Chipper Shredder boasts a substantial chipping capacity of 60mm, ideal for residential garden maintenance and light commercial use. Its blades whirl at a maximum speed of 3600 rpm, ensuring efficient and rapid processing of wood waste into finer, more manageable mulch.
At its core sits an OHV 4-stroke engine with a 212cc displacement, providing a max output of 7HP at 3600 RPM. Such power output ensures that the chipper shredder operates with the necessary vigour to tackle a variety of wood chipping tasks.
Designed with user convenience in mind, it features a sizable 3.6L fuel tank for sustained operation and a 0.6L oil volume for consistent engine lubrication. Starting the chipper shredder is made effortless with a recoil system, and its dependence on unleaded petrol highlights a commitment to accessible and uncomplicated fueling. The Ducar 7hp Wood Chipper Shredder combines robust performance with practical operations to serve as a reliable tool for chipping and shredding needs.
3. MICHIGAN 15HP Petrol Wood Chipper Garden
The MICHIGAN 15HP Petrol Wood Chipper is a powerhouse for serious chipping and shredding, featuring a sizable 420cc engine displacement and a robust output of 15.0HP at 3600 rpm. This high level of power allows for quick and effective processing of branches and debris.
With a user-friendly recoil pull start mechanism, the wood chipper ensures a reliable start-up. Its substantial fuel tank capacity of 7.0L minimises interruptions for refuelling, which is especially convenient for extended use. It runs on regular unleaded petrol with a 95+ RON rating, ensuring efficient combustion and easy access to the right fuel type.
Oil maintenance is straightforward with an oil capacity of 1.1L, supporting smooth engine operation. The chipper’s max chipping capacity is impressive, handling branches up to 9 cm in diameter via the side chute and 1cm diameter material through the top hopper, catering to both heavy and lighter yard waste. The inclusion of a B 1092mm V-Belt size/type rounds out the MICHIGAN’s design, underlining the durability and efficiency built into the machine. This wood chipper is designed to meet the demands of those with significant chipping needs, delivering both performance and convenience.
4. Great Bull Self Feeding Chipper
The Great Bull Self Feeding Chipper is engineered to meet the demands of both acreage owners and commercial operators. At its heart is a robust Briggs & Stratton 13.5HP OHV engine, featuring a convenient key start function for effortless ignition.
This heavy-duty chipper is equipped with hardened alloy steel chipping knives, capable of handling branches up to 102mm (4 inches) in diameter, which speaks to its proficiency in tackling substantial yard waste. The adjustable discharge chute adds to its utility, allowing users to direct chippings as needed during operation.
Towing is made simple with the inclusion of a 50mm Tow Bar Coupler, enhancing portability and ease of movement across work sites. A blade speed of 2600 rpm and a significant 420cc displacement, alongside a 6.6L fuel capacity, ensure that the Great Bull Self Feeding Chipper can sustain extended periods of high-performance chipping without frequent stops for refuelling, making it a powerful and reliable asset for heavy-duty chipping tasks.
5. BWM Key Start Combi Chipper
The BWM Key Start Combi Chipper is a versatile workhorse featuring a 2 in 1 function that seamlessly handles both dry and wet materials. Its adaptability ensures that garden waste of varying conditions can be effectively chipped.
Outfitted with durable alloy steel chipping knives, it has the strength to chip branches up to 102mm in diameter, exemplifying its capability to manage substantial yard debris efficiently. The rotor-type chipping system, combined with the robustness of the blades, enables consistent performance.
The chipper operates at a blade speed of 2600rpm, driven by a fuel volume capacity of 6.6L and an oil volume of 1.1L using 10W30 oil, which helps maintain engine health. Designed to run on unleaded petrol, the BWM Key Start Combi Chipper provides convenience and longevity for all your chipping tasks.
FAQ’s
Is it worth buying a wood chipper?
Investing in a wood chipper can be worthwhile if you frequently deal with yard debris. It reduces waste volume, simplifies disposal, and can create mulch for gardening. Consider the chipper’s capacity, your volume of waste, and cost versus rental or professional services when deciding.
What is a better drum or disc on a wood chipper?
Drum chippers are generally better for larger, commercial operations due to their high torque and ability to process a variety of materials. Disc chippers, on the other hand, are faster, produce more uniform chips, and are well-suited for smaller jobs or residential use.
What is a good size wood chipper?
A decent size wood chipper for residential use typically has a chipping capacity of 2-3 inches, accommodating most yard debris. For commercial or heavy-duty work, chippers with a capacity of 4 inches or larger are more efficient.
Do you need to sharpen a wood chipper?
Wood chippers require regular blade sharpening to maintain efficiency and produce consistent chips. Dull blades can reduce performance and potentially cause machine clogs. Frequency of sharpening depends on usage and material chipped; however, inspecting blades after every use for wear is recommended for optimal operation.
