How Does Wood Chipper Work? Everything You Need to Know

Branches, logs, and other wood debris can be chopped into small bits or even sawdust with the use of wood chippers securely and effectively. This is to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of both the operator and the people around. Therefore, It’s important to understand a wood chipper’s internal mechanisms in order to run it securely and effectively. Are you curious about the question, “How does wood chipper work?” This article will help you explain the wood chipper mechanics in detail.

A General Way on How Does Wood Chipper Work? 

All wood chippers use cutting blades to chip away at the wood that is fed. The cutter spins at high speed, shredding the wood and ejecting it to the other end of the machine. 

One of the most important differences between drum shredders and disc shredders is the orientation of the cutting blades. Wood chippers feature blades oriented in a spiral pattern. A drum chipper processes wood through the blades. The blades cut against the wood grain, breaking it into smaller fragments.

To gain a better understanding of how it operates, it is necessary to know the functions of each section of a wood chipper. 

• The Engine: It can run on fuel (a mixture of natural gas and oil) or on electricity via a cord plugged into an electrical outlet. The job of the engine is to rotate the crankshaft in the wood chipper.
• The Drive Belt: Once the crankshaft starts working, its job is to engage or disengage the clutch. When the engine reaches a certain RPM (rotations per minute), the clutch engages, moving the drive belt.
• The Impeller: The chopper or blade is mounted on the impeller. The movement of the drive belt rotates the impeller and sets these cutters in motion.
• The Material: At this time, you can start putting material into the wood chipper. The wood and debris enter the hopper, where it strikes the impeller with blades. This will crush your wood and materials into tiny pieces and mulch.
• The Chute: To move product out of the chute, wood chippers use fins on the back of the impeller that work with airflow to push the output through the chute so that it lands wherever you angle and deflect the material as needed.

Types Of Wood Chippers and How They Work

There are different types of wood chippers, each with its own configuration and how they work.

Drum Wood Chippers

Features 

• Horizontally-oriented rotating drum
• Generally small in size and more portable for home/farm user
• Easy to move: can be moved by hand
• Wide Hopper -less trimming before chipping
• Easy access for servicing/blade sharpening
• Suitable for various wood types, including hardwood and softwood

For example, the SuperHandy Mini Wood Chipper is capable of high-volume chipping branches, limbs &garden debris for up to 3 inches.

How they work

1. Drum Chippers use a large steel drum powered by a motor.
2. The drum is positioned parallel to the hopper and spins towards the chute
3. Blades on the drum’s outer surface cut the material into chips.
4. The drum’s rotation propels the chips into the discharge chute.

Disc Wood Chippers

Features 

• Vertically oriented rotating disk
• Larger units require towing by ride-on tractor or ATV
• High chute for Filling Bins and trailers
• 270 Degree rotating discharge
• Towable
• Suitable for various wood types, including hardwood and softwood.

How they work

1. Wooden material is supplied through the feed port.
2. When it reaches the cutting plate, the blades spin at high speed, cutting it into pieces.
3. The cut wood chips are transported out of the cutting chamber by the high-speed airflow of the fan blades.

High Torque Roller Wood Chippers

Features 

• Most are powered by electric motors
• They are self-feeding, and some are anti-interference.
• Safer and easier to use.
• Very suitable for home use

How they work

1. Wood is fed into the chipper’s hopper.
2. The high-torque roller pulls in the wood.
3. Blades inside the chipper break the wood into chips.
4. Chips are discharged from the machine.

Gas Powered Wood Chippers

Features 

• Run by a 4-stroke engine
• Gas, oil, and engine need regular maintenance.
• They are available in A variety of models to handle small to large wood debris.
• They are completely portable and can be taken anywhere.

How they work

1. A gas-powered wood chipper functions with an internal combustion engine. 
2. It features a central chipping mechanism with sharp, rotating blades at their core. 
3. These blades cut, crush, and chip wood into smaller pieces. 
4. The chipped wood is then expelled through a discharge chute or blower mechanism.

Electric Wood Chippers

Features 

• Easy to use and operate.
• They start up quickly – just turn a switch.
• Lightweight and compact
•  Suitable for beginners and affordable
• Excellent choice for urban environments

How they work

1. They are powered by electricity, using a cord needing to be plugged into a power source.
2. Electric wood chippers consist of a hopper where you feed in branches, a motor, and a cutting mechanism.
3. When you turn the machine on, the motor drives the cutting blades or rollers.
4. These blades or rollers chop the wood into smaller bits as it passes through.

Specific Power Sources for Wood Chippers

A power source is essential for a wood chipper to operate efficiently. The most common power sources for wood chippers are gas or electric engines.

Wood chippers powered by gas or electric engines, such as Briggs and Stratton OHV, are compact and powerful. Larger models have a maximum torque of 30 ft/lbs and 18 horsepower, while smaller 11.5 or 16.5 ft/lb models have more power and longer lifespan.

The clutch engages the drive belt to reduce engine strain. However, when the impeller rotates below 1,600 rpm, the belt disengages, saving the engine from strain. Before deciding on the motor size, it is important to know the size of the branches you want to chop, as overloading the motor with branches that are too large can cause damage.

NOTE: Do not attempt to install a branch larger than your machine is designed! DR chippers won’t let you damage your engine by overloading it with branches that are too large.

The Mechanics of Durability: Kevlar, cogs, and cold, hard steel

The mechanism of durability is composed of Kevlar, cogs, and cold, hard steel for unparalleled strength and longevity. This construction ensures that the wood chipper can handle the most difficult tasks with ease. 

The drive belt on smaller models is Kevlar reinforced for durability, while the largest models have a heavy-duty timing belt for better grip and longer lifespan. The heat from the belt, moving at 3,800 feet per second, can cause it to break and need replacement.

DR’s chipper features a thick steel impeller and blades and an integrated cutting knife. Its wheels are three times thicker than competitors’. Wider design is modeled after large commercial machines, such as offering sharp edges.

How to Repair a Clogged Chipper

Many machine owners face clogged shredder issues, which can be resolved by following simple steps.

1. Disconnect the spark plug to prevent accidents. 

2. Unlock the chute guard and lift it to expose the pop-up screen. 

3. Clear the chute of material, using hand tools for larger parts and needle-nose pliers for smaller ones. 

4. Test the shredder’s functionality by locking the exit guard.

5. Replace the spark plug when materials are clear, and you’re safely away from the machine. 

6. When the spark plug is returned to use. After that, restart the shredder.

Considerations Before Buying Wood Chippers

You should consider the following points before buying a wood chipper:

• Size: You need to know the requirements of space where the machine is to be installed because there are various sizes available in the market. 

For example, if you want to install this equipment near your home, you should purchase a small chipper that can also handle small logs. However, if you want to place this device a little further from your home, it’s better to go for the larger model.

• Consumable Parts:  If you have decided to buy, it is recommended that you regularly check the machine’s consumable parts. Verify that each of these components operates well. These parts consist of blades, blowers, electric motors, etc. 
• Fuel Consumption: When purchasing a wood chipper, make sure it has enough power to operate properly. Additionally, you should also consider the fuel consumption of the machine, as this factor will determine how much you spend on the equipment. If you don’t have enough fuel consumption information, you can get in reach with the manufacturer directly or go to their website.
• Maintenance Cost: Good maintenance costs mean you don’t have to spend a lot of money maintaining your equipment. You also need to remember that high-quality machines will reduce maintenance costs. Therefore, if you decide whether to purchase a new wood chipper, you should carefully consider its service.
• Noise Level: Since this device runs on electricity, it will produce noise while operating. Depending on the design of the machine, this noise level will be loud or quiet. When considering the noise level of a device, it is important to weigh the trade-off between its performance and the appropriateness of the surrounding environment.

FAQS

What is the Noise Level for Wood Chippers?

Wood chippers produce high levels of noise due to suction, blade chopping, and material ejection. The gas-powered model has a noise level of 110 decibels, while the electric model reaches 85 decibels. Prolonged use can cause progressive hearing loss, so operators should wear preferably custom-made earmuffs or earplugs.

How Do You Keep Wood Chippers Running Smoothly?

It is necessary to follow these steps to keep your wood chippers running smoothly.

• Grease the cutter drum or disc bearings after use when the machine is still warm.
• Check the knives after each use to ensure they are damage-free and in peak condition. Find debris buildup carefully.  
• Make sure to keep an unclogged radiator to prevent engine overheating and shutdown.
• Blowing out engine compartments can help reduce debris and restore the machine to pre-debris standards. Machines that are kept clean perform better, and cleaning can guarantee the health of all the hitching, control bars, shields, and switches. 
• Before the operation, walk around the machine to identify any issues that could reduce productivity, such as a loose hydraulic line, clamp or fitting, a worn hose, or missing hardware.
• Ensure all knives are aligned with a properly adjustable anvil, as improper knife and anvil maintenance can detract from fuel economy and production and increase machine wear and tear.

How fast is a wood chipper?

The speed of the chopping blade is between 1000 and 2000 rpm. Of course, this depends on the capacity of the machine. Once the feedstock is chipped, the pieces exit the equipment through a chute.

Conclusion

Each wood chipper has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be considered depending on the power you require. No matter which type of wood chipper you choose, it is important to operate the equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and all necessary safety measures. Above all, when you understand how a wood chipper works, you can use it more effectively, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.