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Deal with fallen branches and trimmed leaves easily and efficiently with these top picks.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
For more information on how we tested chipper shredders, check outour testing processbelow.
Plus, it also has a large feed chute for easy wood insertion.
It doesnt come with a bag for collecting the wood chips.
Credit: Home Depot
That being said, we did notice a little lag with dry logs over 4 inches in diameter.
During testing, we found that using the machine was simpler than assembling it.
It was also a two-person job due to the machine’s size and whopping 430-pound weight.
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We highly recommend adding the wheelbase, which makes it much easier to maneuver.
Once this chipper gets going, its very easy to use.
However, we had to manually clean up the chips as no collection bag was provided.
Despite slowing down slightly when working on larger branches, it still chipped them up to perfection.
Theres also an emergency stop for added safety.
Product Details: Dimensions:65 x 47 x 54 in.
|Power:14 HP |Power jot down:Gas |Maximum Diameter Capacity:5.75 in.
Its not as good at shredding leaves.
For homeowners with smaller yards, we recommend the Earthwise GS70015 Chipper.
This model is an easy-to-use chipper that can help you quickly clean up your garden.
Plus, its also a less expensive option.
During testing, setting it up was a breezeassembly took about 20 minutes and was straightforward.
The chipper is mostly plastic and we noted that it felt a little flimsy and cheap.
Its claim of a 12:1 debris-reduction ratio seems fairly accurate.
It also took a long time to get through leaves, mostly bending and folding rather than shredding them.
Like most chipper shredders, the machine is loud so hearing protection is necessary.
For safety, the machine includes a push stick for feeding material into the blades.
Its a great addition to your gardening tool arsenal during drought conditions when burning branches isnt an option.
Product Details: Dimensions:18 x 42 x 24 in.
|Power:15 HP |Power key in:Electric |Maximum Diameter Capacity:1.75 in.
We also noted how helpful the included instructions were.
While gas-powered models are more powerful, both options have benefits depending on your needs.
Its worth noting, too, that gas chipper shredders have a lot more maintenance needs than electric shredders.
The higher the ratio, the finer the mulch or wood chips.
The included collection bag, while useful, doesn’t secure properly and frequently detached during use.
Putting it together was also quite the challenge due to bolts that needed a lot of effort to tighten.
Your Questions, Answered
How does a chipper shredder differ from a chipper?
Overall, its all down to how their blades and internal machinery break down the material.
A chipper is also bigger than a chipper shredder and can handle much larger tree limbs.
So out of the two, chipper shredders are the ideal ones for residential use.
What should you avoid putting in a chipper shredder?
Burdett advises avoiding putting “green” material or anything with lots of moisture into the chipper shredder.
This can cause clogging and damage to the machine, she says.
You also don’t want to use the chipper shredder for rubber or butcher waste, says Bucur.
This will gum up the blades and will make your chipper shredder more or less useless.
Burdett stresses the importance of safety when using a chipper shredder.
Credit: Amazon
And never have a go at dislodge any twigs or branches from the machine while its running.
How should you store a chipper shredder?
de Naoum has been writing about lawn care and outdoor tools forBetter Homes & Gardenssince 2021.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
What is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
