Electric Wood Chipper
There are so many gadgets out there that are designed to do just about anything and it can get rather confusing because while most of us can easily identify other household items like a blender or a vacuum cleaner, when it comes to the more 'exotic' stuff like an electric wood chipper it's like we're being confronted by an alien life form. If you don't know what an electric wood chipper looks like, much less does—I don't blame you a bit as most people are not readily familiar with this tool.
Determining the Need for an Electric Wood Chipper
Wood chippers are machines used to cut up branches and leaves into smaller parts to reduce the volume of debris that is collected from lawns and other areas with a wide expanse of land. The by-product of the chipping or shredding can then be bagged away and disposed or used for other purposes like wood chips (for use in fireplaces or stoves) or as mulch that you can use in the garden. Those who typically own this kind of machine are certain businesses that offer landscaping, cleanup services, and lawn grooming services. An electric wood chipper comes in many different sizes to accommodate specific needs; from personal-use versions that are designed for low-impact use to those industrial-sized ones that can cut large volumes of materials in a few seconds. For home use, it is not exactly a necessity but it does make the job of keeping your lawn neat much faster and easier so it is not surprising that more households are investing in them.
Different Types of Wood Chippers
There are several different classes of wood chippers that are available in the market today to be able to address the needs of the majority. They are as follows:
- Drum – Consists of a large drum that is powered by a motor and mounted parallel to the hopper. The drum serves as the feed mechanism for the machine and the material is drawn towards it as the chipping is done.
- Disk – Uses a steel disk with knives acting as the chipping mechanism. The knives cut the material into chips as the disk spins.
- High Torque Roller – Uses grinding rollers to cut the material. This machine is powered by an electric engine.
- Whole Tree Chippers/Recyclers – Larger wood processing machines that can handle material that can measure up to six feet in diameter.
Are They Safe to Use?
As is the case with all machineries that are equipped with blades and other sharp objects, one must proceed with caution when using them. An electric wood chipper can be equipped with safety features that can prevent most accidents but if you are careless then you can find yourself in a very bad situation. Be alert at all times and be especially careful not to let any clothing or parts of your body get snagged in the machine as this is the usual cause of most accidents associated with this machine.