If you own farmland with a lot of trees and gardens, there's a possibility that there'll be several branches, leaves, and twigs lying around.
The best way to get rid of these pruning waste and make the most out of it is to convert it to mulch with a wood chipper/shredder's machine.
A wood chipper will significantly reduce the long hours spent cleaning up the farmland and improve the farmland yield with the nutrient-rich mulch it will make out of the debris.
That said, choosing the right wood chipper for your farmland can be burdensome.
To make your task easy and effortless, we have handpicked top 10 best wood chippers for small farms. We filtered these products after spending hours in research, analyzing the previous users experience, and many other factors. So, keep reading-
Top 5 Best Wood Chipper For Small Farms Comparison:
Name | Image | power | power source | Reduction ratio | rating | price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 HP | Gas | 18:1 | Best Pick | |||
7 HP | Gas | 15:1 | Best Value | |||
14 HP | Gas | 20:1 | Expensive | |||
7 HP | Gas | 15:1 | Great Value | |||
2.2 HP | Electric | 21:1 | Affordable |
Our 10 Best Wood Chippers For Small Farm Reviews:
Suppose you are looking to buy high-powered gasoline or electric-powered wood chipper/shredder; this is a comprehensive list of the 10 best wood chippers that you can use in your small farm.
1. Patriot Products CSV-3100B 10 HP Briggs & Stratton Gas-Powered Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder.
Chipping and shredding woods has never been more accessible since the invention of the Patriot CSV-3100B. This machine power is second to none when it comes to effective mincing of wood.
It features a high-performance 10 HP Briggs & Stratton Vanguard commercial engine that chips wood and shred leaves like its paper. This unit is essential for home and landowners with a lot of trees.
As powerful as the CSV-3100B engine, this combo chipper produces minimal sound thanks to its super lo-tone muffler. It smoothly and effortlessly makes garden mulch out of stable 3-inch diameter wood branches.
This machine's direct drive system eliminates the need for belts or pulleys that reduce power and often need replacing. Thus, all the machine's power works for shredding and chipping. The outlet is by the side of the machine.
Woods passes through the chipping cone while the leaves pass through the wood shredder hopper at the top of the machine.
Its Y-hammer flails make the engine more comfortable to operate and mince leaves and twigs to one-twentieth of their original size. With its twin steel cutters, you'll get equal-sized chipped woods.
Also, the Y-hammer flails and twin cutters are easy to remove for convenient sharpening and maintenance.
At full throttle, it runs at 3,600 RPM. However, the operator actuated throttle allows you to power down the machine when idling to save gas and have quieter operation.
This machine is made in the USA and runs with regular unleaded gas (RUG). It weighs 139-Ib and has large wheels for easy mobility around your property. The Patriot CSV-3100B is a very reliable machine to get wood chipped and leaves shredded easily and fast.
You can use the Patriot Wood Chipper with a bag or without a bag directing the outlet toward the ground. It has the "Best Buy" recognition from Consumers Digest magazine, with the Handyman Club of America members' backing and the members of the National Home Gardening Club.
Pros
- It chips smooth and fast
- Heavy-duty construction
- High-performance 10 HP Briggs & Stratton engine
- Easy to assemble, with very detailed instructions.
- It produces minimal noise
- Made in the USA
Cons
2. SuperHandy Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher
A close runner up to the Patriot CSV-3100B is this multi-functional SuperHandy 3-in-1 wood chipper, shredder, and mulcher machine.
Suppose you own a home, garden, lawn, and the likes, this machine is an essential tool for you. It's made with slanted housing feed technology (SHFT) to reduce jamming while in operation.
It functions with a well-constructed 7HP 212cc recoil horizontal four-stroke Single-cylinder OHV gas-powered engine that does all its chipping, shredding, and mulching activities.
The build of this engine ensures it lasts long. The side chipping chute can effortlessly accommodate wood branches/limbs of a 3-inch diameter max without jamming. It also comes with a covering.
The top hopper for shredding ½ -inch volume of twigs and woods gives a smooth result with a reduction ratio of 15:1. It comes with a slide gate to close it off when not in use.
There's also the attachable back vacuum pipe for easy collecting of leaves for mulching, but it's sold separately. A white collection bag comes with the machine making the collection of processed wood chips or mulch easy.
At full throttle, the engine moves at 3600RPM, and it has a cooling system to prevent overheating at this speed. The engine tank has a low oil sensor with a capacity of 0.7-gallons of regular unleaded gas (RUG), which it uses to operate.
Its crankshaft can contain 0.5 qt (16oz) of oil. When oil goes down to a particular level too low for safe operations, the low oil sensor will shut the machine down.
The SuperHandy wood chipper has a compact design but lacks in one aspect, and that's in the oil cap location.
Checking/ adding oil to the engine is stressful because you'll have to loosen the chute to do so. That said, the machine weighs 130lb and comes with two 10-inch rubber & polyurethane tires for easy mobility.
If you have used Goodyear, Reelworks, and Landworks products before, you should trust SuperHandy. The intellects of those brands are behind the SuperHandy wood chipper.
Pros
- Does the 3-in-1 multi-functions perfectly
- Study build
- Powerful engine
- Easy to assemble with well-explained manual
- Cheap and offers good value for money
- Easily starts under three pulls, and it's straightforward to use.
Cons
- Oil cap location is inconvenient
- The collection bag is small and flimsily made
3. Detail K2 6-inch OPC506 14HP: Best Commercial Wood Chipper
DK2 wood chipper functions with a high-performance 14HP Kohler 429 cc CH440 engine that has a 3-year warranty.
It features dual reversible 13-inch cutting blades to chip woods of up to 6-inch in diameter. It comes with double swing open chutes for easy clearing of any jams and maintenance or replacement of cutting blades.
These wood chipper blades pull in wood and auto-feed itself. However, it auto-feeds softwood with no problem but will need assistance with hardwoods.
When used in full throttle, the Kohler engine moves at 3,600RPM. It has a built-in toolbox to keep all your essential items like assembly tools, safety glasses, ear protection, work gloves, and oil bottle.
The feed chute accommodates small twigs and tree branches of 6-inch maximum. The adjustable chip chute outlet has a directional cast iron ship spout and is as tall as a pickup height for accessible collection.
The DK2 OPC506 is a dual direct drive machine with a cyclonic auto adjust chamber. Its housing is made from ¼ thick steel for longevity. The 36-inch removable tow bar with a 2-inch locking hitch has a quick-drop stand for moving and balancing.
It comes with a 45 DOT tire for comfortable towing stability on bumpy terrains. This wood chipper doesn't come assembled, but it's easy to put the parts together. When assembled, it weighs 395-lb, which is pretty heavy.
It uses safety locking keys for user protection. That said, it's straightforward to start once you've positioned the locking key right.
The DK2 wood shipper is perfect for every homeowner or landscaper who desires to handle pruning waste effectively.
Pros
Cons
- Heavyweight
4. Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher
Another 3-in-1 multi-functional chipper, shredder, and mulcher is this premium machine by Landworks. Landworks is part of the Intradin holding company in China that specializes in producing high-quality tools.
Other subsidiaries of the company include Goodyear, Reelworks & SuperHandy. Also, the Landworks 3-in-1 machine is very similar to the SuperHandy 3-in-1 model earlier reviewed.
Featuring a sturdy recoil firing 7HP 212cc horizontal four-stroke single-cylinder OHV gasoline-powered engine, this machine delivers high-performance results.
At max power, it moves at a speed of 3,600RPM. It comes with a rear-side chute for 3-inch max volume chipping and shredding of branches and limbs.
The wider top hopper effortlessly accommodates ½-inch dry & wet wood and mulch it to a reduction ratio of 15 to 1. Collecting leaves for mulching is stress-free with the vacuum pipe option.
Thanks to its auto-feeds attribute, it delivers a faster working time. With the dual steel cutting blade and four Y-hammers, it performs its functions effortlessly.
This machine's body is made with a compact slanted housing feed technology (SHFT) that ensures jamming is at its lowest level while in operation.
So rest assured that with 3-inch max wood branches/limbs, the machine won't jam. Its powerful engine functions with unleaded gas (RUG). You can fill up the 0.7 gallons capacity fuel tank and use it for a long time at once.
It has a 0.5 qt (16oz) oil capacity, and when the oil goes down to a particular level too low for safe operations, an in-built low oil sensor will power it down for safety. The machine also has a cooling system to prevent it from overheating.
It weighs 129.7lb. With its massive wheels, stand, and handle, the machine balances and maneuvers well on uneven terrains.
Although the engine is designed for user safety, ensure you operate according to the manual instructions with hand gloves and eye protection. Note that the vacuum pipe is sold separately from the machine.
Pros
Cons
5. Sun Joe CJ603E 15-Amp 1.7-Inch Cutting Diameter Electric Silent Wood Chipper/Shredder
The first electric wood chipper/shredder on our list is the Sun Joe CJ603E. With this electrical powered chipper and shredder, you can reduce, reuse, and recycle dead wood and debris on your land, lawn, home, etc.
It uses a powerful 15-Amp electric motor that chips and shreds up to 1.73-inch max diameter wood, leaves, and twigs into nutrient-rich mulch.
It chips and shreds with star-shaped wheel blades and a counter plate that rotates vertically. At full power, its no-load speed is 60RMP, which makes it operate with minimal noise.
However, this speed may not be efficient in chipping and shedding some thick branches.
It is ecofriendly as it releases no carbon to the surroundings while operating. A fascinating aspect of this wood chipper/shredder is its reduction ratio. It has a reduction ratio of 1/21st of the leaves, or wood original size.
The ergonomics design of the Sun Joe CJ603E makes it very easy to use. It has a big squared handle for moving it around your premises.
Underneath the handle is a safety switch and forward & reverse switch for operating the machine.
It has two big 7-inch wheels for mobility on all-terrains, as well as a wood shredder stand for balancing.
The hopper is at the top and the ejection chute beneath with hooks for a collection bag. You can place it in any spot where you need chip piles of branches and twigs into mulch.
It weighs 26.2-lb, and it's easy to store and transport in a truck. This machine is extremely safe to use, doesn't require assembling, and it's stress-free. You'd save a lot of money if you get this machine rather than the gas-powered shredders.
Pros
Cons
6. GreatCircleUSA LCE01 Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher
If you are all about buying brands that have made a name for themselves, then the GreatCircleUSA 3-in-1 wood chipper/shredder/ mulcher is for you. Like SuperHandy and Landworks, the GreatCircleUSA brand is a part of the famous Chinese Intradin manufacturing company.
The GreatCircleUSA LCE01 3-in-1 multi-functional machine is gasoline-powered. It functions with a 7HP 212cc horizontal four-stroke single-cylinder OHV to deliver high-end results.
The wide cone chute comfortably shreds 3-inch max branches, twigs, and limbs for easy and convenient loading.
It features a dual steel cutting blade and four Y-hammers to perform all its shredding, chipping, and mulching activity.
The cutting blades move at 2500RPM at full throttle. You also have the option of using the vacuum to pick up leaves easily. Also, it comes with a collection bag for land maintenance.
The top hopper for chipping allows ½-inch" volume of branches, twigs, leaves, and other debris. It has debris to a mulch reduction ratio of 15:1.
It is wide enough for the effortless loading of pruning waste into the machine. The engine's tank can contain 0.7-gallons of unleaded gas (RUG). Plus, there is no engine oil in the crankcase; you'd have to put oil before use.
The two large wheels, firm stand, and sturdy handle make mobility and handling of this machine convenient. This machine doesn't come assembled, but when put together, it weighs 125.7lb.
Pros
Cons
7. Champion 3-Inch Portable Chipper-Shredder
Effortlessly transform pruning waste into mulch with the Champion 3-Inch Portable Chipper-Shredder.
This portable wood chipper functions with a powerful Champion 10.5HP 338cc single-cylinder OHV engine to deliver powerful shredding and chipping of yard debris. Its housing is made with durable coated steel to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy use.
Using the cone chipping chute, you can chip branches/limbs up to a 3-inch diameter max without the machine jamming.
This chipping chute uses enhanced steel blades to perform its task. Simultaneously, the shredder chute is versatile and uses a 13.8-inch blade and four shredder hammers for shredding leaves, shrubs, and any yard debris to ½-inch of their original size.
Thanks to the 1.6-gallon capacity of the engine's tank and the 1.2-quart oil capacity, you can use this machine for a prolonged time without obstruction. Use only unleaded gas (RUG). If the oil goes low below the safety line, the in-built low oil sensor will shut down the engine to prevent damage.
It comes with 12-inch wheels and an integrated handle to make transporting it around your surrounding a breeze.
Another good thing about this machine is that it's carb exempt. When you buy this machine, it comes partially assembled, So you'd have to complete the assembly.
The assembled weight is 190lb. You also get 2-bushel collection bags for easy land maintenance. This machine comes with a 2-year limited warranty and has the certification of EPA.
Pros
Cons
8. Landworks Mini Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher
Landworks makes our list again with their mini wood 3-in-1 chipper, shredder, and mulcher.
This machine comes with a single extra-large hopper for shredding and chipping pruning waste to high-grade mulch with a reduction ratio of 15:1.
It's sturdily built and functions with the same engine (recoil firing 7HP 212cc horizontal four-stroke single-cylinder OHV gasoline-powered engine) as the other Landworks. It can contain up to 0.7-gallons of unleaded gas for prolonged use.
Don't be fooled by its size; it comfortably chips wood of 3-inch diameter max without jamming. Its extended discharge chute adjusts with an angled range of 90°-145° to guide the debris onto your preferred storage.
This machine does all its activities with a dual Knives (CR12MoV) that moves at 3600RPM when in full throttle.
It is made from heavy-duty steel, coated with a harmless chemical to give it high-resistant corrosion and harsh weather conditions. The top of the hopper has hand-sized holes for easy handling of the machine.
In addition to that, it features a firm stand and 10-inch all-terrain wheels for stress-free moving and balancing around your surroundings.
With the Landworks mini 3-in-1, safety comes first thanks to the equipped On/Off switch for any emergency shut down if need be. It doesn't come with oil, but the crankshaft can contain 0.5 qt (16oz) oil capacity.
This machine is loud, so it recommended you use hearing protection when operating it. It doesn't come assembled, but assembled weight is 98lb.
Pros
Cons
9. WEN 41121 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder
The second electric wood chipper and shredder on our list is this WEN 41121. WEN has a reputation for producing high-quality tools, and the WEN 41121 15-Amp Rolling Electric Wood Chipper and Shredder lives up to its name.
This machine functions with a direct drive 15-amp motor that shreds branches of 1.5-inch max with no sweat and minimal noise.
It uses a dual 7-inch blade that has a cutting speed of 8000 cuts per minute. These blades, coupled with the speed and motor power, transforms pruning waste into garden mulch with a fascinating reduction ratio of 17:1.
All you have to do is feed in the branch, limbs, or wood, and it shred/chips with ease. The machine is lightweight, comes fully assembled, and requires no or little maintenance.
The hopper has a safety feature, making it a bit small. So you'd have to trim the branches first before feeding it. Safety is a priority with this machine as it has a safety hopper with lock, on/off switch, and overload protection.
The ergonomic design of the pull handle makes handling this machine fun. It comes with two 6-inch for easy movement around uneven terrains in your surrounding.
When in a stationary position, the support bar underneath provides enough support to balance the machine. It comes with a push stick for guiding wood into the hopper and a storage bag for collecting the high-grade mulch.
There's a 2-year warranty on this machine and free replacement if any parts get damaged within the warranty period.
Pros
Cons
10. EFCUT C30 Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher
To round up our list is the EFCUT C30 wood chipper, shredder, and mulcher. This machine is a beast in its own right when it comes to chipping and shredding of wood.
It works with a RATO 6.5HP 212 cc horizontal four-stroke single-cylinder OHV gasoline-powered engine that carries out its activities flawlessly. The fuel engine requires unleaded gasoline, and the 0.5L oil capacity needs to be changed after every 25-hour of usage.
It has a single self-feeding hopper that comfortably accommodates wood branches and twigs up to 3-inch in diameter with a length of 10-inch. This is achieved with its double cutting blades that accelerate at 3600RPM at full throttle. The pruning waste to a mulch reduction ratio of this machine is 20:1.
The extended debris discharge chute can adjust from a 90° angle up to a 145° depending on your preference.
It has front and back check windows for easy replacement of cutting blades and removal of debris. These windows help reduce stress with maintenance and replacement of cutting blades.
A firm handle is attached to the top of the hopper for easy handling on your farmland. And it has two sturdy 10-inch tires for maneuverability on your property.
When you buy this machine, it comes packaged with a robust 45-gallon collection bag, two cutting blades, wrench, earplugs, and protective glasses.
It doesn't arrive assembled. You'd have to complete it, but assembling is straightforward. It also has a three-year warranty on the engine, excluding the cutting blades and other accessories.
Pros
- It's straightforward to assemble.
- Excellent powerful chipper
- Inexpensive compared to other wood chippers
- Blades are easy to change
- The chips it produces are attractive
Cons
Read our take on the best axe for tree cutting. You can use handsaws to cut trees as well. So, check that article too! And if you need to dig a hole, read our guide on post hole diggers!
How to Choose the Best Wood Chipper for Small Farm?
A small farm needs different tools, and a good wood chipper is one of the most important. Of course, not all market options are the same as they have different features and results. The wrong choice can provide an insufficient result on a farm. That is why the following aspects of the buying guide should be considered.
Wood chipper design
We can find in the market three main types of wood chippers among the most popular ones, which are:
- Electric chippers
- Gas chippers
- PTO chippers
Electric chippers are a lightweight and reliable option that does not take up too much storage space. The lightweight is a great advantage when working and moving this tool to different locations. Very little storage space is also required because they tend to be more compact structures than other options.
The most obvious disadvantage of this power tool is that it cannot deal with too many large workloads. It is a tool that is usually more suitable for small branches due to the little flexibility when working the farm.
We also have gas-powered shredders that can work in a much more powerful way than the electric options. These tools require gas to operate and work with small and large branches. So this often means a great level of versatility for many users.
One obvious disadvantage is that gas often requires a higher budget than electricity in some situations. Also, as with any gas engine compared to electric motors, the noise level generated is higher. For some users, the higher noise level could become a nuisance beyond the additional power obtained.
PTO chippers tend to be the most appropriate choice for professional users or experienced farmers. These units require a larger budget to purchase. A tractor is also needed to drive this tool due to the drive shafts. However, the productivity level increases considerably compared to the electric and gas powered wood chipper option.
The capacity of each chipper
The capacity of each unit is important when choosing a final option. An option may become more or less desirable as capacity increases. However, many farms do not need a large capacity in a chipper.
On the other hand, users should also consider that as each tool's capacity increases, so does the budget required for it. In general, gas-powered tools tend to provide greater capacity.
Engine characteristics
The engine incorporated in each unit is another important aspect that users consider. On the one hand, engine power is expressed in the amount of horsepower the user can use. The higher the horsepower, the more powerful the engine will be, which means higher productivity when shredding wood.
Both gas and electric motors can provide different amounts of horsepower. Additionally, amperage is another aspect that the user must consider for each motor. Amperage is another indication of the power of each tool. As the amount of horsepower and amperage increases, it is a more powerful motor.
Weight and dimensions
In many cases, a tool's weight and dimensions are not usually very important. However, here it is an aspect to consider because a wood chipper is often moved from one side to another. People often store this tool and move it around the farm.
As we have mentioned, electrically operated wood chippers are usually the lightest of all the options available. Also, the power is lower compared to gas wood chippers. On the other hand, gas wood chippers are heavier but have a higher capacity for any farm type.
Noise level generated
The noise level generated is not usually one of the most important aspects of a wood chipper. As we have mentioned, a wood shredder that runs on gas or fuel produces a higher noise level. It is the same thing that tends to happen when comparing any gasoline-powered engine to any electric motor.
Electric motors are usually much quieter when working with different sizes of branches. In general, users do not usually give much thought to the noise level until they encounter a wood chipper that is annoying to use. Considering the noise level can be a good decision not to make the wrong choice.
The durability of the structure
The materials from which each wood chipper is constructed represent one of the most important aspects. This tool must handle a job that could be called heavy-duty. So an option that incorporates heavy-duty metal in its structure and its cutters may be the best choice.
As the structure becomes more solid, the maintenance level will be less. Of course, the more solid and durable wood chippers also require a larger budget. However, those shredders built with highly durable materials may be more convenient due to the low level of damage they can suffer.
Reduction ratio
One of the most remarkable aspects of each wood chipper is undoubtedly the reduction ratio obtained with each tool. The reduction ratio indicates how small or how much each farm's organic waste can be reduced. A fairly common reduction ratio is 8:1.
So the waste accumulated in 8 bags can be reduced and then only one bag can be used for all this waste. So as the reduction ratio increases, it means that the tool can drastically reduce all the waste, it works with.
Beyond that, each user will also need to consider the specific use and results they intend to achieve on each farm. As the reduction ratio gets higher, a higher budget is also required.
Price
It is unnecessary to buy the most expensive wood chipper on the market to get a good result. In the same sense, the cheapest tool often cannot offer each user's results.
Having an intermediate option may be the most adequate to obtain an excellent organization and clean a farm. There are also some options with a very affordable cost perfect for small farms and their small needs.
Final thought
So we just reviewed some of the best wood chippers/shredders currently available in the market that you can use for small farm. These powerful wood chipper machines will help keep your yard clean and provide you with high-grade mulch to improve plants on your farm.
Like every machine, factors need to be considered, such as power, efficiency, durability, cost, safety, etc. Whichever garden chipper you eventually go for on the list, all these factors and more were considered while compiling. We hope we've been able to guide your search for a wood chipper.
When you eventually purchase one, ensure you consume the user-manual and operate with safety protections. Kindly don't chip pressure-treated lumber because it releases a harmful chemical (chromate copper arsenate) that can be inhaled, causing hazards to your body. Also, they can damage the machine blades due to their hardness.
Read Also:
Leave a Reply