Portable Wood Chipper
When we hear the word 'portable,' we immediately think in terms of size. Either it is small and can be packed in a bag, or it can be folded up and stored to be able to take with you wherever you go. When it comes to wood chippers though, when you say portable it means that it can be moved around though it doesn't necessarily mean you can take it anywhere with you.
Portable Notwithstanding the Size
Well, consider this: a wood chipper is designed to cut up or shred branches and leaves into smaller pieces. This kind of machine not only requires blades and other components, you'll need an engine to power it up as well. Those add to the general size of a portable wood chipper, and if it's so small that it can only accommodate tiny bits of twigs then it's really not very useful. All wood chippers can be considered more or less portable as they are either equipped with wheels or as is the case with the large industrial models, they are mounted onto trucks and tractors. Electrical models are a bit smaller because their engines are not as powerful as the gas models. These would fit into a more appropriate picture of a portable wood chipper.
Should I Buy or Rent a Portable Wood Chipper?
If you will be trying out a portable wood chipper for the first time, it is advisable to rent first before you make a commitment to buy as this is a rather serious investment. You also have to take into account the area that you are planning to cover. Most rental fees for a portable wood chipper runs at $100 to $200 per day. So if the job is too big to be finished in a single day, the costs will add up. This is something to think about because a basic electric wood chipper can be had for around $300.00. Of course if what you are considering to purchase is a gas-powered machine, that's an entirely different discussion as those can run for several thousand dollars depending on the brand and model. For this, you would need to factor in what the cost per use will eventually be to see if you can justify this purchase. Remember, sometimes it is worth spending more on a quality item than buying a cheap one which you will only get to use a few times.
Safety Rules and Measures
Because wood chippers can be pretty dangerous, it is best to be fully versed on the operating procedures and safety precautions that need to be taken while operating this machine. Those who are employed in the logging industry are professionally trained on start and stop procedures, maintenance, and safety controls. While you do not necessarily need to undergo this training if you will be using a home wood chipper, it is in your best interest to ensure that the dealer will be able to show you how to properly run your machine. Here are some personal safety tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid wearing loose clothing that can get snagged in the rollers or disk.
- Do not wear jewelry or other accessories that can fall in and jam the chipping mechanism.
- Keep the area around the portable wood chipper free of debris to avoid tripping and falling into the chute.
- Do not use your hands when pushing in wood or leaves into the chute; use a long stick instead.