Investing in a standard small wood chipper is advisable if you have a small to mid-sized garden.
Using a wood chipper will allow you to create mulch out of your garden waste, which can be further used for compost, wood projects, and fireplace fuel.
However, the sheer number of options makes it tricky to choose the best wood chipper for small farm. Thus, we have included all you need to know to buy a standard-sized wood chipper in this piece.
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Are electric wood chippers worth it?
Electric wood chippers or shredders/mulchers reduce bulky and heavy brushes, leaves and sticks into a pile of shredded things. These chips are easy to dispose of or can be repurposed in landfills.
Though electric wood chippers are not as powerful as gas-powered chippers, they are affordable and require little maintenance.
Besides, electric wood chippers are easy to maneuver, and since they don’t give out harmful gas fumes, they can be used easily inside a garage.
What is the difference between a chipper and a shredder?
Though a wood chipper and wood shredder look similar, they have their set of differences. A wood chipper can handle bigger tree branches and pieces, breaking them down into small manageable chunks.
A wood shredder, however, uses its blunt edges to crush and pull material turning the pieces into mulch or compost.
A shredder is often used to break small soft materials like leaves and other garden waste, while a chipper deals with whole bigger materials.
Do I need a shredder or a chipper?
This will heavily depend on the type of work you want to do with the equipment.
If you have multiple big branches, significant waste to handle and composting is not in your scheme of things; then it’s best to opt for the best wood chipper for small firm.
However, if you have less material and require tree mulch for gardening, opting for a shredder is a better idea.
Best wood chipper for Small Firm 2023: A Detail Review
I own a small firm, and that’s why I was looking for a wood chipper for my own usage.
While researching about the brands and products, I realized that it wasn’t a cake walk to pick the best wood chipper for small farm especially in today’s time.
I have invested more than 12 months to prepare this article. I have manually tested more than 30 products in this niche, and also talked and consulted with my fellow buddies who are expert in the field of gardening.
I have given most importance to factors like maintenance, durability, safety and customer support while making this list.
Note: I review this list in every 3 months, and update the products if need be. I am aware of the fact that all the major brands are keep launching new product lines, so it’s better to keep you all updated with that regard as well.
Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper
Features
- Portable.
- Safe to use.
- Powerful motor.
- Easy to clean.
- Uses 1.2 Bushel bin.
Adding compost to the soil is effective as it increases and improves plant life by enhancing the air and water flow in the ground. While you can buy compost, it’s best if you make it on your own, and the Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper is the best option.
The chipper features a 10.5-gallon collection bag to keep the shredded compost and then transfer it into the pile.
Using the chipper is super easy – you simply need to put the twigs and leaves in the hooper using the tamper tool. The tamper tool comes as a safety feature to avoid any accidents.
The hopper opens more widely than most models in the market. Powered by a durable 15 Amp motor and strong steel blades, the unit generates up to 400 RPM. The value is enough to handle material up to 1 ¾ diameter.
Thanks to the rear wheel on this unit, it’s highly portable, and due to its design cleaning, the chipper is also easy.
Pros
✅ Durable and strong motor.
✅ Affordable price point.
✅ Easy to clean.
✅ Collection bin.
✅ High speed.
✅ Does not require added maintenance.
Cons
❌ It has a low reduction rate.
❌ Blades might get blunted early.
The Final Verdict
Overall the chipper is good and effective for the given price point.
G Garden Electric Wood Chipper
Features
- Powerful unit.
- Unique design.
- Excellent safety features.
- Extension cord included.
The chipper body is designed from durable Polypropylene and features a robust and tough 14.5 Amp 1800 Watt electric motor. This powerful motor allows the unit to mulch 1.5″ hardwood and 1.7″ softwood.
Unlike many other options available in the market, the best thing about this chipper is its noiselessness. You can use this chipper without creating a racket in the neighbourhood. Due to the electric power control, the chipper produces negligible sound.
Many users opine the chipper is long-lasting and durable due to its Polypropylene housing which prevents rusting and protects the rotor assembly that includes six blades.
The chipper includes an instant start and overload switch to take the safety aspect to the next level. It is cETLus, Listed, and quality certified. You can use it both indoors and outdoor as it does not produce any smog.
Creating mulch was never this easy thanks to this best wood chipper for small farm!
Pros
✅ Great quality bin given price point.
✅ Perfect mulch creation.
✅ Easy to assemble.
✅ Simple cleanup process.
Cons
❌ It’s a tad bit slow.
❌ The product is suitable for only small branches.
The Final Verdict
Though the product is a bit slow, it does create the perfect mulch.
Sun Joe CJ602E-GRY 15 Amp Electric Wood Chipper
Features
- Easy to use.
- Powerful motor included.
- Compact design.
- Excellent safety features.
This wood chipper includes a 14-amp motor that allows the shredder to clip wood to 1.5 inches in diameter. You can use it to generate a speed of 4300 revolutions per minute.
Using this tool, you can turn the fallen branches and twigs into useful compost owing to the 16:1 reduction rate of the unit. The chipper is easy to assemble. It has six -a inches wheel, and the weight stands at 25.4 pounds. Besides, the unit has excellent safety features.
One of the safety features includes stopping the hooper when the unit is open. Since it’s electric, you don’t have to deal with excessive smoke and fumes common among gas chippers. Finally, the machine comes with a two-year warranty.
Pros
✅ It’s a lightweight product.
✅ Easy to assemble.
✅ Excellent safety features.
✅ Eco-friendly.
✅ Almost maintenance free.
✅ Electrically powered.
Cons
❌ It does not function for damp green material.
❌ The Hooper opening is too slim.
The Final Verdict
This is one of the top lightweight products you can use in your garden.
GreatCircleUSA Wood Chipper
Features
- Powerful unit.
- Multifunctional usage.
- Efficient design.
- Safety features.
Small wood chippers that can handle materials of 2 inches or less are helpful for small yards and less debris, But if you have a more extensive garden and want to process large branches, you will need a heavy-duty chipper.
GreatCircleUSA Wood Chipper is one such option. This chipper can process branches and twigs up to 3 inches in diameter. The blades on this unit can chop up solid organic yard waste, and the reduction rate is 15:1.
The unit also includes an in-built hooper that shreds less rigid material. A discharge bag included with this unit collects the mulch. It can collect up to 15 bags of green waste.
Though the chipper can handle all types of garden waste, it’s best not to use it with pine cones, palm fronds, vibes and other fresh green.
Since the unit weighs only 12.7 pounds, you can attach it to the ATV lawnmower, a tractor and even a tow bar. The strong wheels make way for easy movement.
Unlike the other products mentioned, this one comes with a leaf blower. Finally, the product assembly is super simple, and the instructions for the same are easy to follow.
Pros
✅ The unit chips, shreds and mulches.
✅ It features a 15:1 ratio.
✅ Easy to use.
✅ Portable.
✅ EPA/CARB certified.
Cons
❌ The unit does not have a kill switch.
The Final Verdict
This unit is ideal for those with a bigger garden and more green waste.
ENGINDOT Electric Wood Chipper
Features
- Powerful and durable unit.
- High efficiency.
- It produces less noise.
- Features an anti-clogging system.
- Compact and safe.
Like all the products mentioned in this list, this chipper too is highly powerful, equipped with a 15Amp pure copper motor. The unit is durable and has the hardness of seven-tooth blades.
The blades have a speed of 60 rpm and can thus easily slice through wood and branches. You can cut most branches in your yard with this mulcher having a cutting diameter of 1.75 inches and a torque of 460n.
Thanks to its 60L large capacity bag, you need not empty the bin frequently, allowing you to work smoothly. However, as with most chippers, the manufacturers advise against cutting fresh greens and damp branches in the mulcher.
One of the most outstanding features of this unit is that it produces low noise, less than 94 dB while operating. The anti-clogging system is another exciting feature of this unit. The clogging issue is significantly reduced thanks to its reversible blade and design.
Pros
✅ Using it super easy.
✅ Perfect for light jobs.
✅ Works as advertised.
✅ Simple to setup.
Cons
❌ Spare parts are not easily available.
❌ Leaves clog the unit.
❌ Does not chip small.
The Final Verdict
A versatile unit with excellent safety features.
Best wood chipper for Small Firm Buying Guide
If you are a novice, getting the best wood chipper for your small farm might be challenging. There are certain things about wood chippers that you may not know. But not to worry, we can help you with all that.
Power
The power of your wood chipper determines its effectiveness, i.e. the more powerful the wood chipper, the more easily it will cut through the bigger branches of trees. A wood chipper’s power is measured as torque.
Functionality
It’s essential to check the functionality of the wood chipper before buying. Indeed, you will get to learn more about the product as you start using it, but opt for a chipper that closely meets your requirements.
Reduction ratio
The reduction ratio determines the size of the pieces the wood chipper will cut. As the ratio increases, the size of the cuts decreases. So if a wood chipper reduction ratio is 20:1, it will cut 20 times less than its original size.
Of course, a higher ratio will require more power and be quite pricy. Also, the ratio is determined by the size of the material put in the machine.
Brand
Brand loyalty is quite high in wood chippers in small industries. So often, people opt for brands they have associated with for a long time or have used before. However, if you are buying for the first time, choose a brand whose traits you associate with.
Bag size
The bag size you require will depend on the type of your project. Consider that bigger bags full of mulch are challenging to move, so opting for smaller bags is always helpful.
Blades
If you have a small or medium-sized job, opt for a two-three inches blade. Any gas-powered chipper with more than three-inch cutting blades will easily work for bigger branches.
Price
Of course, you have set a budget for your chipper and want the chipper to fit that budget. To make that happen, you need to check a few reviews, search the available options in the market and check out the different prices available.
This will help you get a bird’s eye view of the market prices compared to the product quality. Once your research is done, select an option per your price range.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How big of a branch can you put in a wood chipper?
This will depend on the type of wood chipper you have. Ideally, a home-based chipper can handle branches with a diameter up to 2.5 inches. However, the blades will deform if you keep feeding branches or more than 2 inches in the wood chipper.
2. Can you put dried branches in a wood chipper?
No. Most wood chippers cannot work on dead and dry branches, vines and palm fronds. However, you can put your freshly cut branches in the chipper and chip them to mulch. The wood chipper’s end product is far more manageable than bigger branches and can be used for landscaping or composting.
3. What can you not put in a wood chipper?
Ideally, you should not put anything in the wood chipper that is difficult to clean. This would include manure, pet waste, meat trimmings, and other squishy things.
Additionally, meat, fat, and skin should not be put in the chipper. It would attract rodents and other pests to the chipper, and it will also smell bad.
4. Can you put pine cones in a wood chipper?
Yes. It’s alright to put pine cones in the chipper, and as a matter of fact, pine cones make excellent compost mulch. The only issue is pine cones get very dusty when ground, and thus it’s advisable to wear a mask. Once ground, clean the chipper as the sap from the cones might be sticking to it.
5. Can you put wet branches through a chipper?
Putting wet items like green wood in the chipper is not advisable. The chipper will not cut through these items. Besides, the belt might break due to the wet wood leaves and branches.
Conclusion:
In this article, we have tried to answer all the questions that you might have while buying the best wood chipper for small farm. However, it’s always recommended to back up your research.
As mentioned, the type of wood chipper you require will depend on the kind of work you have in hand. So it’s advisable to ask out, check third-party reviews and talk to first-hand users before you pick an option.
