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Choosing the right wood chipper can be trickier than some prospective buyers realize, but consulting a knowledgeable dealer can make all the difference.
Chris Steinlage (Vermeer Dealer) will tell you that while he endorses a “customer is always right” approach to sales, sometimes the customer still needs a little guidance.
“We wont let them just take it out the door”, he says. “Often times a customer has seen a specific model going down the road behind another tree company’s truck and they decide they want that particular model. But, as a partner in their business, I feel your making a huge mistake by not starting at ground zero and asking what they’re going to do with the chipper”.
The first question to ask when purchasing a chipper is: Where and what will I be chipping? If you expect to be chipping small material in a back yard, you will need a smaller machine than if you plan to be clearing large trees in an open area.
Whether the chipper costs $10,000 or $60,000, it is a sizable investment. Purchasing a chipper that's larger than needed not only costs more, it also weighs more - a fact that may become painfully clear after an owner tows it around a few times. On the other hand, going with a model that's too small can limit production and man-hour efficiency, eventually leading to the purchase of a second, larger chipper.
Several factors should be considered when helping customers choose the right chipper, Steinlage says. With what size of truck will they tow it? How many hours a week are they going to use it? What's the application? Do you specialize in any type of tree removal or surgery work?
"Everybody's needs are slightly different," he says. "They may think, 'So-and-so's got this kind of chipper and they're a tree company, too. I need the same chipper.' But that particular customer's perfect chipper may only handle material that's 6 inches in diameter because he specializes in tree pruning, and the other company does more takedowns and needs a machine that can handle larger product."
Steinlage advises customers to buy the chipper that's best for how they're going to use the majority of the time.
"Most large tree equipment dealerships have a rental fleet," Steinlage says. "And if you need to rent a 20-inch chipper when you have that one big job, that's more cost effective than owning a larger chipper around 100 percent of the time."
The number one question customers ask when they're looking into buying a chipper is, not surprisingly, "What's it cost?" The next questions, according to Steinlage are, "What kind of capacity does it have?" and "What kind of safety features does it have?"
"The average person writing the check for the chipper is looking for safety features that may reduce their liability and insurance payments," he says.
Most manufacturers make chippers that feature a feed-stop bar above the feed table, which can be used to stop the feed rollers when moved in the direction that the brush travels. In addition to the traditional feed-stop bar, Vermeer Manufacturing Company now offers two models with an industry-exclusive bottom feed-stop bar that is strategically located to make it possible for the operator's leg to strike the bar and shut off the feed either intentionally or automatically in an emergency situation.
Automatic feed is another common chipper feature that was pioneered by Vermeer, who called it AutoFeed, and which customers have come to expect when purchasing chippers. Again, Vermeer now offers a twist on the traditional: the patent-pending SmartFeed system. The SmartFeed function, currently on two of the Vermeer chipper models, allows the chipper to automatically adjust the roller speed based on the resistance detected. In addition, it automatically reverses the rollers or "massages the wood" when a jam occurs.
Other factors prospective chipper buyers often consider when deciding which machine to buy are: drum versus disc-chipping mechanisms, serviceability, warranties, and support after the sale.
Drums can tackle large material, making them very productive. They are also easier on expensive cutter bearings and typically perform better while chipping palm trees and other materials with stringy fronds.
Discs, on the other hand, are known for producing a smaller chip than drums, with few exceptions. They also weigh less than a drum, decreasing the overall machine weight in most cases.
"Some discs make a smaller chip and people tend to like the shape of the chips because they're nice for landscaping and decorative mulch," Steinlage says. "But drum chippers also make a nice chip and they tend to be more productive. If you need to process larger-diameter materials, a drum chipper offers a more compact solution, and the knives usually last longer and are easier to change."
Another feature that customers are starting to look for is a single lever that ties all controls together. "This basically means you can't engage the cutter wheel or drum unless the engine is idling," Steinlage says. "So the operator doesn't have to worry about 'popping the clutch,' so to speak."
The last piece of advice: trust that knowledgeable dealerships like Steinlage's team, who have sold hundreds of chippers, will help you select a machine for your price range and application - and don't forget to factor in the level of service and support a quality dealer can provide.
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