In case you’re fortunate sufficient to have a plethoric backyard with numerous greenery, together with timber and bushes, you’ll want a technique to cope with fallen and trimmed leaves, branches, and different foliage that has fallen into your yard. What higher technique to eliminate this waste than by turning it into wooden chips or nutrient-rich mulch (also called “garden nutritional vitamins”)?
To do that, you’ll have to get your self the most effective chipper shredders. These helpful machines effortlessly chop up smaller branches and twigs, in addition to leaves and different small backyard particles, into bite-sized chips prepared for scattering across the garden. The produce will also be used to brighten flower beds, walkways, and for different landscaping tasks.
To study crucial components to contemplate when purchasing for the very best chipper shredder for each kind of backyard and landscaping want, we spoke to Stefan Bucur, gardening and landscaping skilled, and proprietor of Rhythm of the Dwelling, and Katie Burdett, proprietor of contemporary sustainable dwelling website, Rising With Gertie.
“When purchasing for a chipper shredder, there are three essential issues to search for: the kind of energy, the capability ratio, and its potential to hoover,” Bucur says.
Burdett provides that it is best to refine your search primarily based in your particular person wants. “Ask your self whether or not you might be chipping simply small twigs and leaves or bigger branches, and whether or not you may be utilizing it simply seasonally or all year-round,” she says.
Our decide for the very best chipper shredder is the GreatCircleUSA Wooden Chipper. This mannequin has a three-in-one chipping, shredding, and mulching capability, can take branches of as much as three inches in diameter, and might rapidly create wooden chips and mulch for garden vitamins or landscaping design.
Finest Total
Nice CircleUSA Heavy Obligation Wooden Chipper Shredder
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Amazon
Why You Ought to Get It: It has an incredible discount ratio of 15:1 and might deal with branches as much as 3 inches in diameter.
Preserve in Thoughts: It is best to keep away from shredding pine cones, twigs, and leaves.
Taking the highest spot on our checklist of the very best chipper shredder fashions is the GreatCircleUSA Wooden Chipper. Its 15:1 discount ratio can flip 15 luggage of waste into only one bag of mulch that’s able to be scattered across the yard for vitamins (or discarded, in the event you choose). It is a highly effective and dependable chipper shredder—significantly spectacular given its mid-range worth.
The machine’s capability to shred branches which might be as much as 3 inches thick, together with its pace of three,600 RPM, make it a stellar decide for anybody needing a extra heavy-duty chipper shredder for medium-sized and bigger yards, however its capabilities don’t finish there. For bigger gardening jobs, the shredder might be towed by a garden tractor, giant lawnmower, or different backyard car.
It includes a prime hopper to place in your backyard waste, in addition to a big conical chute that makes it a breeze to load in your branches, however you shouldn’t be placing any pine cones or contemporary, inexperienced twigs and leaves in it in any other case it would get blocked. It additionally has the capability so as to add a removable vacuum attachment for straightforward cleanup of leaves, though you’d should buy this individually.
At 104 decibels, it’s relatively loud, however that is to be anticipated of a machine chopping down wooden at nice pace (keep in mind to at all times put on listening to safety when working it).
Worth at time of publish: $685
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 24.1 x 30 x 41.6 inches | Energy: 6.5 HP | Energy Sort: Fuel | Most Diameter Capability: 3 inches | Discount Ratio: 15:1
Finest Finances
Solar Joe CJ601E Electrical Wooden Chipper
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Amazon
Why You Ought to Get It: It’s extremely reasonably priced and very good for a small yard.
Preserve in Thoughts: It has a small 1.5-inch capability and doesn’t acquire the chippings.
The compact and light-weight Solar Joe CJ601E Electrical Wooden Chipper/Shredder is the very best chipper shredder for these on a funds. It weighs simply 25 kilos, and comes on two helpful 6-inch wheels which, together with the highest deal with, make it tremendous straightforward to wheel across the yard. It’s additionally easy to place away after you’ve completed utilizing it and takes up minimal space for storing in your storage or backyard shed.
Although it solely has a most capability for 1.5-inch twigs and branches, this ought to be tremendous for smaller gardens with shorter and thinner timber, or bushes and bigger crops which have been pruned.
This machine, imagine it or not, has an excellent higher mulching ratio than some commercial-grade chipper shredders, and is ready to flip 16 luggage of garden particles into only one.
There’s a hopper on the highest of the machine with a hatch that opens to place twigs in. When open, the machine will cease operating and can solely begin shredding when you’ve safely closed it and turned the locking knob—a security function that provides this reasonably priced machine further marks in our books. It doesn’t acquire the chippings, however the wheels allow you to unfold the mulch across the garden because it’s being made.
Whereas it’s designed for light-duty gardening duties, it’s just about maintenance-free and, because it’s an electrical mannequin, there’s no fuel and fumes to cope with—all you need to do is plug it in and off you go.
You’ll, nevertheless, want an extended outside extension twine to present you extra room to roam. Along with branches, this machine can mulch brush and leaves, and the producer backs its product by a full two-year guarantee for further peace of thoughts.
Worth at time of publish: $150
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 20 x 26.23 x 36.75 inches | Energy: 14 amp | Energy Sort: Electrical | Most Diameter Capability: 1.5 inches | Discount Ratio: 16:1
Finest Giant
DK2 Kohler Engine 3-in-1 Chipper Shredder
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Amazon
Why You Ought to Get It: It’s a heavy-duty machine that can be utilized by smaller skilled companies, and it may even vacuum.
Preserve in Thoughts: Like most chipper shredders of this sort, it is not made for contemporary and inexperienced backyard particles.
This chipper shredder weighs a hefty 170 kilos and is made for powerful jobs, and might even be used commercially (though it’s lower than half the value of different industrial fashions).
The heavy-duty DK2 Fuel Kohler Engine Direct Drive 3-in-1 Chipper Shredder has a big prime hopper so that you can throw in bunches of smaller branches, twigs, and waste. It additionally has a aspect chute for feeding in longer branches.
The chutes can take branches of as much as three inches in diameter, that are then chopped up swiftly and effectively by the double-edged carbide chopping blades due to the highly effective Kohler engine and pace of 4,000 RPM. Because it chops so rapidly, you is perhaps tempted to overfeed it, but it surely’s finest to not as this might trigger it to clog, as might feeding it very moist particles. It may well, nevertheless, tackle pine cones.
It has giant three-inch ATV locking wheels with off-road tires and a tow bar for straightforward maneuverability, and a drop stand to safe it in place when you’re working. There’s additionally an ergonomic deal with to assist transfer it round. The tow bar might be hooked up to garden tractors or ATVs, and will also be indifferent for extra compact storage.
The expulsion chute is adjustable to let you direct the waste the place it fits you. As a gas-powered machine, it has a pull begin, and includes a detachable key to routinely shut it off for further security. It additionally features a detachable leaf vacuum package. The machine comes with a three-year industrial guarantee on the engine, and one 12 months for the chassis.
Worth at time of publish: $1,400
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 70.86 x 36.22 x 47.63 inches | Energy: 7 HP | Energy Sort: Fuel | Most Diameter Capability: 3 inches | Discount Ratio: 20:1
Finest Fuel
Energy King Fuel Powered Business Chipper Shredder Package
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The Dwelling Depot
Why You Ought to Get It: It may well reside as much as skilled use, has a whopping 14 horsepower, and might shred branches with a diameter of as much as 5.75 inches.
Preserve in Thoughts: It’s not self-feeding, and it weighs 430 kilos.
In case you’re a landscaper or skilled horticulturist, and even in the event you’re an avid gardener with a big plot of land to are likely to, a machine just like the Energy King Fuel Powered Business Chipper Shredder Package will allow you to expertly clear up rapidly and successfully. The machine’s 5.75-inch department capability, twin metal blades with a rotation pace of two,530 RPM, and auto reduce feed can prevent time and manpower.
This machine is CARB-compliant, which means it meets the present emission requirements set by the California Air Sources Board. It additionally sports activities a four-stroke, 14 horsepower Kohler engine, and even has an electrical begin to assist get it up and operating with out a hitch even in colder climate (though there’s a key and pull begin, too). It has a 12-volt battery to energy the electrical begin, and hour meter, and the battery conveniently fees whereas the engine is operating.
There’s a detachable tow bar that may connect to your tractor or garden mower—the machine weighs 430 kilos so transferring it with out a car is relatively strenuous. With every buy, you additionally get some helpful extras together with a weatherproof cowl to maintain it shielded from the weather, substitute blades when the mom blades begin to present indicators of wear and tear, and wheel base extension package for transportation.
It’s particularly designed for hardwoods and, although it received’t get clogged simply with softer objects like leaves, it received’t flip them to mulch, however relatively simply push them by means of as is. The feed and exit chutes each function quick-release latches for straightforward clearing of any particles. There’s a three-year engine guarantee, and a one-year guarantee on the chassis and elements.
Worth at time of publish: $3,500
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 65 x 47 x 54 inches | Energy: 14 HP | Energy Sort: Fuel | Most Diameter Capability: 5.75 inches | Discount Ratio: 10:1
Finest Electrical
Solar Joe 15-amp Silent Wooden Chipper/Shredder
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Walmart
Why You Ought to Get It: It pulls the particles in with out you having to push it, and collects waste in its bin—all at a really cheap worth.
Preserve in Thoughts: Its 1.7-inch department diameter capability means it is higher suited to a yard with smaller timber or bushes.
It could solely have a department diameter capability of 1.75 inches, however for anybody with a smaller yard with loads of fallen leaves and pruned bush trimmings to clear, the cheap Solar Joe Electrical Silent Wooden Chipper/Shredder is the very best chipper shredder for you. This machine has 7-inch wheels and weighs beneath 39 kilos so it may be pushed across the yard with ease.
It’s low upkeep and solely wants an occasional blade sharpening and brushing. It’s a breeze to place collectively and solely takes minutes to assemble straight out of the field. Being electrical, it’s eco-friendly, doesn’t give off fumes, and also you solely should plug it in and switch it on to get it began. You’ll want a 14-gauge extension twine to make use of it, although.
The machine stops once you open the hopper, and routinely begins again up once more when you shut it and lock the knob. It may well even shred inexperienced particles, one thing that numerous far more costly shredders are unable to do. It additionally comes with a bag to gather the mulch, though you possibly can take away it in the event you choose to let it fall straight on the garden as you go alongside.
By far essentially the most spectacular factor about this electrical chipper shredder is its potential to mulch at a 20:1 ratio, making extraordinarily tremendous mulch that can be utilized on the garden and in flower beds to supply vitamins. This mulch can even forestall roots from overheating in hotter climate, and frost heaving within the colder months.
Worth at time of publish: $165
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 23.50 x 12.50 x 16.50 inches | Energy: 15 amp | Energy Sort: Electrical | Most Diameter Capability: 1.7 inches | Discount Ratio: 21:1
Finest with Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Fuel Chipper/Shredder with Vacuum
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Walmart
Why You Ought to Get It: It may well vacuum up the mulched waste into its built-in assortment bag for even simpler backyard clean-up.
Preserve in Thoughts: It has an 8:1 discount ratio which is inferior to another equally priced chipper shredders.
Not all chipper shredders include the power to hoover, however, as Bucur tells us, “if you’re trying to clear up leaves and small twigs, it’s a good suggestion to spend money on a mannequin with a vacuum or a vacuum attachment.” Troy-Bilt’s Fuel Chipper Shredder Vacuum is a three-in-one machine that may chip wooden, shred leaves, and vacuum up any undesirable particles.
This highly effective, CARB-compliant machine has a 159cc OHV engine (which converts to round 5.5 horsepower), and has chromium metal blades that self-sharpen and received’t have to be sharpened professionally as usually. It has each entrance and rear wheels that make pushing its 125-pound weight simpler.
Its metal hopper is giant sufficient for easy loading of sticks and small branches, whereas its chipper chute can tackle these longer branches. Made for residential use, this self-feeding shredder comes with a 7-foot suction hose and a 24-inch extensive vacuum head.
The shredder has a aspect discharge nozzle and a bag to gather chippings. Although it really works finest with dry leaves, it may additionally decide them up in the event that they’re moist. It comes principally pre-assembled; you’ll simply have to connect the push deal with and set up the accent hose, which ought to solely take round half an hour. It even comes with some engine oil to get you began.
Worth at time of publish: $609
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 39 x 26.5 x 26 inches | Energy: 5.5 HP | Energy Sort: Fuel | Most Diameter Capability: 1.5 inches | Discount Ratio: 8:1
Finest Rolling
Wen 15-amp Rolling Electrical Wooden Chipper/Shredder
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Amazon
Why You Ought to Get It: It’s small and compact, and gives straightforward portability due to its gentle weight and 6-inch wheels.
Preserve in Thoughts: It’s finest for smaller yards.
For chipping and mulching the garden on the similar time, you’ll want an easy-to-push chipper shredder, and this Wen Rolling Electrical mannequin suits the invoice completely. This rolling shredder has a 15-amp motor that shreds backyard particles at a price of 130 cuts per second, and 6-inch wheels that assist it roll round. There’s additionally a big and comfortable-to-hold deal with to maneuver it round effortlessly.
The hopper is on the prime, and there’s a security function whereby the machine received’t reduce if the hopper is open, so that you’ll be protected from its two sharp 7-inch blades that are preinstalled. It additionally comes with overload safety. The assist stand is giant and durable, holding it safely in place which the machine chips away.
Although it’s not listed as self feeding, if the blades stay sharp, they may pull the wooden by means of with minimal pushing wanted in your half. Due to its electrical functioning, very minimal upkeep is required. It begins simply with a easy flick of its on change, and it additionally comes with a group bag and push stick.
It really works finest on softer woods and garden clippings, twigs, and foliage. It may well take hardwoods which might be a bit thinner in diameter—cedar wooden can undergo simply, whereas it could wrestle with absolutely leafed branches.
Worth at time of publish: $124
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 21 x 16.5 x 36 inches | Energy: 15 amp | Energy Sort: Electrical | Most Diameter Capability: 1.5 inches | Discount Ratio: 17:1
Finest Compact
Landworks Mini Wooden Chipper Shredder
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Amazon
Why You Ought to Get It: Although it’s small, it has numerous energy, a powerful 15:1 mulching ratio, and might take branches as much as 3 inches in diameter.
Preserve in Thoughts: It requires some prolonged meeting.
Whereas our picks for the very best chipper shredders within the funds, electrical, and rolling classes are additionally compact fashions, none of them can deal with branches as much as 3 inches in diameter, like this Landworks Mini Wooden Chipper Shredder. Extra like an expert machine in a smaller bundle, this highly effective little shredder has two chipping knives for 3-inch capability chipping and ½-inch diameter capability shredding.
It has stable 10-inch all-terrain PU wheels and a large deal with to maneuver it round, and there’s a resting bar to maintain it in place once you’re stationary. It’s solely 30 inches excessive so received’t take up an excessive amount of space for storing, and it weighs an inexpensive 130 kilos that’s straightforward to push across the yard and maneuver.
Loading it on a truck will also be a one-person job versus among the different extra skilled chippers. The big hopper makes loading particles in a doddle, and chippings are expelled from the aspect chute. Its highly effective 4-stroke, 7-horsepower single cylinder engine works on 87+ unleaded fuel (ethanol is just not really useful), and might maintain 0.7 gallons at a time.
It has the capability to connect a leaf vacuum, though this must be bought individually. To assemble it, you’ll have to put in the stand, the wheel rack and wheels, the deal with, the hopper and hopper guard, and the suspender. You’ll additionally want 13 and 10 millimeter wrenches.
Worth at time of publish: $660
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 34.6 x 32.2 x 22.8 inches | Energy: 7 HP | Energy Sort: Fuel | Most Diameter Capability: 3 inches | Discount Ratio: 15:1
The Backside Line
With a robust four-stroke, 7 horsepower OHV engine, a pace of three,600 PRM, and a 3-inch department diameter capability, our decide for the very best chipper shredder is the GreatCircleUSA Wooden Chipper.
This mannequin is a mid-range chipper shredder that’s made for residential use however also can sort out smaller grade skilled duties too. It additionally has the capability to hoover, although you’ll should buy the vacuum package individually.
What to Know About Chipper Shredders Earlier than Buying
Dimensions and Energy
Chipper shredders are relatively giant objects of backyard equipment. They are often wherever from 20 to 70 inches in top or size, relying on whether or not their design is vertical or horizontal, and roughly 15 to 50 inches in width.
Fuel chipper shredders usually have a horsepower of round 6 to 14 horsepower, whereas electrical fashions might be rated wherever from 13 to 16 amps.
“By way of dimensions and horsepower, the rule of thumb is that the larger the chipper shredder is, the extra horsepower it is going to be capable of produce,” Bucur says.
It’s good to keep in mind that larger chipper shredders will often value extra upfront, and they’ll even have a better consumption of fuel on each run.
“This will negatively have an effect on your value yields particularly if you wish to get monetary savings by switching your house’s warmth manufacturing on mulch derivatives,” says Bucur. “If you do not have a big property or backyard, it’s higher to be conservative with the scale and horsepower of the chipper shredder you intend on shopping for.”
Energy Sort
Wooden chipper shredders can both be powered by electrical energy or gasoline, and the largest distinction between them is the facility output. Whereas gas-powered fashions are extra highly effective, each choices have their makes use of.
Fuel chipper shredders: Fuel shredders are used for bigger homestead tasks or industrial use since they usually have extra energy than electrical fashions, and provide higher mobility as a result of they don’t have to be linked to {an electrical} plug. If it’s essential clear up bigger particles and thick branches, then a gas-powered chipper shredder is often the higher alternative, as it may settle for a bigger diameter department.
Electrical chipper shredders: Electrical chipper shredders are nice for small-scale dwelling use for small branches, leaves, and lightweight upkeep in a smaller yard. Select an electrical mannequin for small jobs like shredding leaves and twigs for the compost pile. They’re additionally extra eco-friendly and don’t require as a lot upkeep as gas-powered chipper shredders. You’ll require both a generator or an extended outside extension twine, although.
It’s price noting, too, that fuel chipper shredders have much more upkeep wants than electrical shredders. Along with blade sharpening (which must also be finished yearly or round each 25 hours or use), and clearing away of stuck-on particles—each of that are needed with electrical fashions, too—fuel shredders require oil draining and altering, and checking for corroded spark plug and clogged air filters.
Most Capability
The utmost capability said on every chipper shredder’s product description refers back to the largest measurement department or particles you possibly can put in it. There isn’t any most load capability because the machine chews up the particles and instantly spits it out when it’s all chopped up.
“Chippers and shredders could have security gadgets inbuilt that solely enable the utmost measurement department that the machine can deal with,” Burdett says.
Discount Ratio
A chipper shredder’s discount ratio lets you understand how tremendous the feel of the produced mulch will probably be. The upper the ratio, the finer the mulch or wooden chips. For example, a 15:1 discount ratio signifies that the machine will flip ten luggage of particles into one bag of mulch.
The ratio you go for might depend upon whether or not it’s essential make tremendous mulch, or bigger wooden chips to brighten a path, as an illustration.
Your Questions, Answered
How does a chipper shredder differ from a chipper?
The primary distinction between a chipper and a chipper shredder is {that a} chipper is designed for woody materials, whereas a shredder can deal with extra plant matter like dried leaves, and it’s all right down to how their blades and inner equipment break down the fabric.
A chipper will simply break the wooden into small items but it surely will not shred it into mulch like a chipper shredder. A chipper is additionally larger than a chipper shredder and might deal with a lot bigger tree limbs.
“Chippers are primarily used for breaking down giant portions of wooden and utilized in industrial settings, whereas chipper shredders are designed for smaller branches, particles, and leaves and are generally utilized in gardens and yards,” says Bucur.
“Householders use shredders to chip the branches, in addition to shred them for heating up their dwelling utilizing mulch, and use them for compost. So out of the 2, chipper shredders are the excellent ones for residential use.”
What do you have to keep away from placing in a chipper shredder?
Burdett advises avoiding placing “inexperienced” materials or something with a lot of moisture within the chipper shredder. “This will trigger clogging and injury to the machine,” she says. Different issues to keep away from placing in a chipper shredder is something tremendous exhausting and dense, like rocks, or very exhausting woods.
“Ideally you wish to keep away from including components or supplies inside that aren’t fabricated from wooden,” says Bucur. “Inside smaller particles, like a pile of go aways, generally rocks might be buried beneath the leaves, and might injury the blades, the changing of which might be very time consuming and costly.” Be conscious when including particles to your chipper shredder to increase the lifetime of your blades.
“You additionally do not wish to use the chipper shredder for rubber or butcher waste,” says Bucur. “This can gum up the blades and can make your chipper shredder roughly ineffective.”
Burdett stresses the significance of security when utilizing a chipper shredder. “Ensure to choose up a pair of security glasses and ear safety similtaneously buying your chipper/shredder,” she says. And by no means attempt to dislodge any twigs or branches from the machine whereas it’s operating.
How do you have to retailer a chipper shredder?
The very best place to retailer a chipper shredder is in a protected storage space like a backyard shed, storage, or barn. “It is very important retailer it indoors to keep away from water injury and rust accumulation on the blades,” Bucur says.
Whereas chilly climate alone received’t trigger any points to your chipper shredder, it would take some time for a fuel mannequin to get going within the winter. “You may wish to give a gas-powered chipper shredder a few seconds to heat up after prolonged publicity to chilly temperatures earlier than you introduce the wooden contained in the blades,” Bucur says.
Who We Are
This text was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over ten years of commerce writing expertise. Kat can be the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the main U.S. on-line platform for provider discovery and product sourcing.
For this text, Kat reviewed a number of chipper shredders, researching components equivalent to every machine’s horsepower, dimensions, energy kind, and most load capability. She additionally spoke to Stefan Bucur, Gardening and Landscaping skilled, and proprietor of Rhythm of the Dwelling, and Katie Burdett, proprietor of contemporary sustainable dwelling website, Rising With Gertie.