Wood Chipper Machines
Wood chipper machines have been in existence since 1884. Of course, innovations and other improvements have been made to the original prototypes but the main functionality has not changed. Home models have been introduced in recent years to further expand the growing market for lawn care and maintenance. You also now get to choose between models powered by electricity, gas, and diesel. The sizes vary as well depending on how large or small the branches and twigs you are planning to cut are.
What Goes Inside Wood Chipper Machines
Knowing what you do about wood chipper machines, you're probably curious about what goes under the hood of these units. While there may be some variations depending on their manufacturers, you can expect to find the following in all wood chipper machines:
- Motor. This is a very important component of the wood chipper as it is what powers the entire thing. Horsepower capacity can vary from as low as 5 HP to as high as 85 HP even for home models.
- Chain Drive. This delivers power from the motor to the blades.
- Blades. These things do the chopping and slicing job for you. To make sure that your machine is always at its peak performance, regular maintenance and checks must be done on the blades.
- Safety Guards. These are put in place to help prevent accidents while using wood chipper machines.
Drum VS Disk Wood Chipper Machines
When it comes to the current models, the most popular types usually fall into two categories for wood chipper machines. You have the disk type and then the drum type. Let's take a look at each one to see which fares better.
- Drum Type. The cutting mechanism on a drum-style wood chipper is built on a base of a large steel drum powered by a motor. Most people favor the drum type models because it can provide a very high output in less time than other units. You can also put in a large variety of materials for cutting without having to worry about damaging the machine. Its material capacity can go up to as much as 1 meter as well, depending on the size of the machine (this would apply to industrial models).
- Disk Type. This is a newer design that makes use of a steel disk and knives that serve as the cutting mechanism. Reversible wheels draw the material from the hopper towards the disk, which is placed at a perpendicular angle to the incoming material. Disk style chippers produce chips that are more uniform in shape and size, which make up for the fact that it is not as energy-efficient as the drum style models. The maximum material diameter it can handle is 70 centimeters.
Operating Wood Chipper Machines
Wood chipper machines come with their corresponding operating manuals and it is best to read them thoroughly before powering your unit. Here are some other safety precautions to keep in mind:
- Place a stopper against the wheels to ensure that the wood chipper does not move while it is running.
- Only put in branches or leaves into the hopper. Be careful not to let stray materials like rocks get inside as these can damage your machine.
- Shut down the machine before attempting to dislodge a jam.
- Always wear protective clothing and gear while operating the unit.