Chipping and Shredding Basics
Piling leaves and branches at the road for collection is time-consuming. Over time, the accumulated material can kill your grass. In some locations, ordinances prohibit leaves and brush in landfills, making it difficult to get rid of the debris. A chipper shredder — also known as a wood chipper — reduces branches, twigs and leaves to mulch and composting material, helping you keep your landscape looking its best. Chipper shredders range from light-duty electric devices to heavy-duty gasoline-powered machines that chop branches several inches in diameter.
A chipper shredder has a chute that accepts branches for chipping. A rotating blade or set of blades chops them into wood chips. The shredder mechanism handles light debris, such as leaves and grass. As you feed the material into the shredder hopper, a separate set of hinged blades — also known as flails or hammers — shreds it. Some larger shredders can handle small twigs. Once the machine chips or shreds the debris, the processed material discharges onto the ground or into a collection bag.
The chipper chute and shredder hopper help separate you from the chipping and shredding mechanisms. Some models come with a paddle or tamper to feed debris, keeping your hands clear of the machine.
Follow the chipper shredder manufacturer's instructions for use, maintenance and safety.
Choosing a Chipper Shredder
The size of your landscape and the type of yard debris you have will factor into which type of chipper shredder you need.
Electric chipper shredders are low-maintenance machines for light-duty cleanup. Some function as shredders or mulchers only, grinding up leaves, grass clippings and pine needles. Others can also chip small branches. An electric chipper shredder starts easily but requires an extension cord, which limits the work area. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for selecting a compatible extension cord and see Power Cord Safety Tips.
Gasoline-powered chipper shredders offer more power to handle heavier debris. Some models can chip branches up to 4 inches in diameter. These machines aren't limited by cord length, so they're practical for use around large landscapes.
Below find some terminology to help you compare different models:
- Engine horsepower indicates the power of the machine. More horsepower means greater capability.
- Chipper capacity specifies the largest-diameter branches the chipper can handle.
- Reduction ratio describes how efficiently the machine reduces yard waste. For example, a 10:1 ratio means the machine can reduce 10 bags of yard debris to one bag of processed material.
While chipper shredders have similar components, there are several features you can look for to make the work easier:
- A tow bar or trailer hitch allows you to use an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or lawn tractor to transport the machine.
- An electric starter makes cranking a gasoline-powered chipper shredder easier.
- A tilt-down hopper lets you rake leaves or grass into the shredder mechanism.
- Self-sharpening blades and knives simplify maintenance.
Lawn Vacuums
A lawn vacuum is a good alternative to a chipper shredder if your main concern is leaves or pine needles. You run the vacuum over the lawn, collecting, shredding and bagging the debris. A chipper chute allows you to chop small branches, and a hose attachment lets you vacuum leaves from shrubbery and plant beds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chippers and Shredders
Here's some answers to commonly asked questions on chippers and shredders.
What is the difference between a chipper and a shredder?
Although they are often thought of as the same, there is a difference in the way each machine operates. A chipper is designed to handle tree branches and larger limbs and debris, breaking them down into small wood chips. A shredder can process leaves and grass, shredding them into compost that can be used for lawn food. A chipper/shredder will combine both operations in one machine. Lowe’s has a nice selection of shredders and wood chippers for sale to process your lawn debris.
What types of materials can you put in a chipper?
Wood chippers can take care of about any type of lawn and tree debris that you may have. Most chippers will process tree limbs up to 3 inches in diameter, shrubs, leaves, bark, grass, pine cones, even cardboard to make useful mulch for your yard.
What types of materials should you avoid putting in a chipper?
Wood and tree chippers can tackle a lot of materials, but there are certain things that should never go into your chipper. Never put anything metal into your chipper. Due to their durable fibers, bamboo and palm leaves can become entwined in the cutting blades and can choke up your machine. Pressure-treated wood and lumber are too hard for the chipper’s blades to process and will cause them to break. Lastly, materials like pet waste and farm manure are too soft to go cleanly through the blades and will smear, clogging the blades and making cleaning difficult.