Investing in the best wood chipper for small farms may very well be the best decision you make this year. Wood chippers are an effective way of dealing with leaves, tree branches, and other woody debris littering your farm. Not only are you able to keep your property clear, but the resulting mulch works as a fantastic fertilizer for your crop.
Maintaining a small farm is a lot of work. Nonetheless, you can make your job easier by finding the proper tools for the job. We’ve rounded up the best wood chippers for small farms to help you make your pick.
The Best Wood Chipper For Small Farms – Our Top 5
1. Sun Joe CJ603E Cutting Electric Wood Chipper
The Sun Joe CJ603E15 Cutting Electric Wood Chipper features a versatile design, allowing you to use it on different debris. The electric wood chipper is designed to shred through leaves, twigs, bushes, and branches to create nutrient-rich mulch. Additionally, its impressive 15-amp motor offers ample power to cut through branches up to 1.73 inches thick.
You can rest assured that you are protected against any safety hazards when using this wood chipper. This machine has an integrated safety hopper with a locking knob. The safety hopper prevents the motor from operating when opened. Furthermore, the Sun Joe chipper also features a compact and portable design with wheels to make transportation easier.
Built-in wheels
Quiet motor
Suitable for branches up to 1.73-inch thick
Built-in safety hopper
Cons
Prone to clogging
No counter-rotating blade
2. Earthwise GS70015 Garden Corded Electric Chipper
As the name suggests, the Earthwise Garden corded electric chipper is perfect for the environmentally conscious. The planet-friendly wood chipper and mulcher feature a clean motor design. As well, thanks to its 100% electric motor, the chipper produces zero harmful fumes during operation. Nevertheless, the Earthwise chipper doesn’t compromise on power. It still offers an efficient 15-amp engine that can shred through wood up to 1.75 inches thick.
Furthermore, this chipper offers a unique mulching feature. Confidently mulch your debris with the help of solid steel blades and a motor that features running power of up to 4,500 rpm. The mulcher also integrates a 1.2-bushel collection bin with a capacity of up to 10.5 gallons. Using the bin, you can quickly collect, create, and bag mulch for a more convenient composting process.
Slim and sleek design
Built-in rear wheels for easy transportation
10.5-gallon collection bin
4500 rpm motor
Durable steel blades
Zero harmful fumes
Loud motor
Small debris kickback
3. Snow Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper
The Snow Joe is the perfect option if you are on a tight budget. The affordable small farm wood chipper still offers incredible functionality and quality. It is fitted with a 14-amp motor, allowing the chipper to effectively shred or chip the thickest branches. Suitable for wood up to 1.5 inches wide, this is only a slight downgrade from the more expensive options.
Moreover, the motor functions at a speed of 4,300 rpm, allowing it to cut through brush, leaves, and branches effortlessly. Just like other top-quality chippers, the Snow Joe is also fitted with a safety hopper. This means there’s no need to worry about the motor running if the chipper is opened.
Affordably priced
It offers a 16:1 reduction ratio
6-inch rear wheels
Rest button for when the chipper overloads
No adjusting speed or size settings
Struggles to handle tiny sticks
The SuperHandy Wood Chipper prioritizes safety. It is specially certified to pose no fire hazard and features unique dual-edged blades. In addition, this machine offers an easy-to-use ergonomic design. At the top, the chipper includes a sturdy push paddle for easy feeding into the hopper. Its polypropylene housing gives it a durable finish. Thankfully, its lightweight body makes this wood chipper portable and easy to handle even with all that.
While it boasts a powerful 15-amp motor, the SuperHandy is also known to be eco-friendly. Its innovative design allows for a smog-free and noiseless operation.
Overload protection switch
Completely portable
Noiseless and smog-free motor
High reduction ratio
Blades dull faster than others
Only suitable for small and dry wood
5. Sun Joe CJ602E Electric Wood Chipper
If you have limited space in your shed or home, the Sun Joe CJ602E may be just what you need. The wood shredder features an ultra-compact design, allowing it to fit in tight spaces. At the bottom, it has dual 6-inch rear wheels that allow for easy portability and transportation.
However, this wood chipper still packs a mighty punch thanks to its 15 amp motor. This model makes quick work of branches and twigs, turning them into nutrient-rich mulch. Like the Snow Joe, this chipper is suitable to cut through branches up to 1.5 inches thick.
Instant start switch
Compact design
Safety hopper
Easily portable
No collection bin
Can’t handle large pieces
Buying Guide — Choosing the Best Wood Chipper for Small Farms
When choosing the best wood chipper for your small farm, you want to focus on what unique feature best suits your needs. Different models have different specs and capabilities. You’ll want to determine which specifications are most important to you. Here are some of the key features to look out for.
Reduction Ratio and Cutting Capacity
Your woodchipper’s reduction ratio and chipping capacity tell you how much it can handle. You want to go for a wood chipper that offers at least a 16:1 reduction rate. Additionally, a good quality wood chipper should, at minimum, be able to shred branches 1.5 inches thick.
Wood chippers come fitted with various types of motors. You can find options for gas-powered engines or electric. Electric motors work best for those looking for low-maintenance machines, portability, affordability, and of course, low fume emissions. In fact, electric wood chippers may be the best option for small farms. Gas-powered motors are often designed for more heavy-duty needs.
Whether or not the chipper has a built-in collection bin and how it’s designed is important to find out before you buy. A collection bin makes your job much easier when collecting trash or mulch for compost. Opt for a wood chipper with at least a 3 to 10-gallon bag and ensure it’s easy to empty.
The shredding design and capacity of your chipper depend on the model you go for. For example, you can find models with a separate chute for small debris such as leaves. This design ensures your wood chipper functions more efficiently, shredding through all types of debris.
What does a wood chipper’s reduction rate mean?
The reduction rate of your wood chipper refers to the maximum width of a branch your wood chipper can shred or chip. This ratio is used to describe how effective your wood chipper is. For example, a reduction ratio of 16:1 means that your wood chipper can shred or chip 16 bags of branches and sticks into a single bag.
What is the ideal-sized best wood chipper for small farms?
The actual wood chipper size depends on your farm settings and needs. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should go for a woodchipper that can handle branches more than an inch thick. But you probably don’t want to buy something that exceeds the 2.5-inch mark. Once you get past about 2.5 inches, you start looking at really heavy-duty wood chippers that are more costly and require more maintenance.
What is the difference between a wood chipper and a wood shredder?
You may use the terms wood chipper and wood shredder interchangeably. However, these tools have two distinct functions—a wood chipper breaks and chips branches and sticks into little wood chips. Comparatively, a wood shredder features a blunt-edged blade that pulls apart different outdoor debris to prepare them for compost.
With our versatile list of the five best wood chippers for small farms, you’re sure to find an option that best suits your needs. Investing in a good wood chipper for your property can save you a lot of time in the long run. There’s also the added benefit of the by-product created by woodchippers.
After your debris has been cleared and shredded or chipped, the result is a nutrient-rich mulch that is perfect for the next planting season.
