Are homeowner wood chippers worth it?

As a homeowner with trees on your property, you may be considering purchasing a wood chipper to help dispose of branches and other woody debris. Wood chippers efficiently shred branches and limbs into fine mulch or chips, reducing their volume dramatically. This can make it much easier to dispose of or reuse yard waste. However, wood chippers also represent a significant investment. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of owning a home wood chipper to help you decide if purchasing one is right for your needs.

The benefits of owning a home wood chipper

Here are some of the potential advantages of owning your own wood chipper as a homeowner:

• Makes disposing of branches and limbs much easier. Instead of hauling piles of brush to the curb or dump, you can shred it into compact chips or mulch right on your property.
• Creates mulch and wood chips for landscaping projects. The chips and mulch produced by a wood chipper make excellent material for landscaping beds, pathways, and compost piles.
• Saves trips to the dump. With a wood chipper, you avoid having to load up your vehicle and make multiple trips to dispose of yard debris.
• Faster cleanup after storms and pruning. You can quickly shred fallen branches and prune debris instead of cutting by hand or stacking brush.
• Reduces fire hazard. Chipping woody debris helps dispose of flammable material safely.
• Environmentally friendly disposal. Wood chips and mulch are biodegradable and can be used for projects or left to decompose naturally.
• Potential cost savings. Depending on your area’s dumping fees and availability of free mulch and chips, you may save money over time.

Having a wood chipper available on your property provides convenience, efficiency, and utility when it comes to managing yard waste. You avoid time-consuming trips to dispose of debris and get free wood chips or mulch for gardening in return. For homeowners who regularly have fallen branches or prune trees and bushes, a personal wood chipper can make property maintenance much simpler.

Potential downsides of owning a wood chipper

There are also some potential drawbacks to consider before purchasing a home wood chipper:

• High upfront cost. Home wood chippers range from $100 for basic electric models up to $3,000 or more for heavy-duty gas-powered chippers. This is a major investment, especially for occasional use.
• Safety hazards. Powerful chipper blades pose risks of injury if used improperly. Proper training and protective equipment are essential.
• Noise and air pollution. Gas-powered chippers create loud noise and engine emissions during operation.
• Storage space required. Chippers are bulky pieces of equipment that require storage space when not in use.
• Maintenance and care needed. Like all motorized equipment, wood chippers need regular maintenance and care for optimal performance and safety.
• Doesn’t replace chainsaw or axe. You still need cutting tools to section branches and feed material into the chipper.
• Can’t handle really large branches. Home chippers have size limits around 3-4 inches diameter for branch material.

The high purchase cost, safety issues, noise, and storage requirements are all factors to carefully weigh. For homeowners who only have occasional small pruning jobs, rental or disposal services may be more cost-effective than buying an expensive chipper.

Key factors in deciding whether a home chipper makes sense

Here are some important considerations to help determine if a wood chipper is a good choice for your home:

• Amount of woody debris. Homeowners with large properties with lots of trees and regular storm damage generate more wood waste that a chipper can help dispose of.
• Types of landscaping projects. Those who do their own composting or mulching benefit from having a ready wood chip supply.
• Frequency of pruning and debris removal. Homeowners who prune shrubs or remove fallen branches often get more use from owning a chipper.
• Access to debris disposal. Properties located far from dumps or curbside pickup have more incentive to chip on-site.
• Rental options. Occasional renting may be more cost-effective than purchasing for some homeowners.
• Safety priorities. Operating a wood chipper requires caution – owners must be willing to use proper protective gear and training.

Homeowners who simply have a few trees or limited landscape maintenance may find that rental or disposal services are more affordable and practical. Those with acreages full of trees and regular debris removal needs are better candidates for purchasing a personal wood chipper.

Key features to look for in home wood chippers

If you decide that buying a wood chipper is right for your home, here are some key features to evaluate when selecting a model:

• Gas or electric power. Gas chippers provide more power and mobility, while electric models are quieter and more affordable. Consider your needs and property size.
• Chipping capacity. Look for models that can handle branch diameters of at least 3 inches.
• Feed types. Choose between self-feeding chippers or chippers with a manual feed hopper.
• Shredding options. Some chippers can produce mulch or fine particles instead of coarse wood chips if desired.
• Safety features. Auto-feed stop bars, protective casing, and cutter blade locks improve safety.
• Ease of use. Look for easy start mechanisms and mobility features like wheels if needed.
• Noise level. Check decibel ratings – gas models are louder than electric versions.
• Maintenance needs. Opt for chippers with easy access to parts that require frequent maintenance.

Prioritizing key factors like your power needs, intended use cases, and safety features will help narrow your selection to models that suit your home and budget.

Average costs of home wood chippers

Home wood chippers range widely in price from under $100 to over $3,000. Here are some average costs for different models and types:

Wood Chipper Type	Average Cost
Small electric chipper	$100 – $250
Medium electric chipper	$300 – $600
Gas-powered chipper, 8-10 HP	$800 – $1,500
Large gas-powered chipper, 12-15 HP	$1,500 – $3,000
Commercial gas chipper, 18+ HP	$3,000+

As you move up to more rugged and powerful models, costs increase significantly. But so does chipping capacity. Consider which size and capabilities align with your expected needs and budget.

Maintenance requirements of wood chippers

Like all motorized equipment, wood chippers need proper maintenance to perform well and safely:

• Inspect chipper knives – sharpen or replace as needed.
• Check and change oil regularly.
• Grease bearings and moving parts.
• Inspect belts and pulleys, adjust tension as needed.
• Clean air filter and debris collection areas.
• Check and replace spark plugs on gas models.
• Drain and clean fuel system on gas chippers seasonally.
• Check and tighten nuts/bolts/fasteners.

Reading your operator’s manual to understand recommended maintenance schedules and procedures is key. Allowing trained technicians to handle major maintenance is advisable for most homeowners.

Safety tips

Here are some important safety precautions to follow when using and maintaining a home wood chipper:

• Read safety warnings and operation manual before use.
• Wear close-fitting protective clothing and gloves.
• Always wear safety goggles or a face shield.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that can catch.
• Make sure guards and shields are in place before operating.
• Keep hands, feet, and clothing away from feed intake area.
• Stay alert – don’t let hands or tools enter the feed chute while running.
• Allow chipper to reach full speed before feeding material.
• Stand safely to the side when feeding chipper.
• Never operate chipper under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Chipping debris can be very dangerous – respect for the equipment and attentive operation are vital to avoiding injuries. Make sure anyone using your chipper is properly trained on hazards and safe practices.

Alternative options for debris disposal

While wood chippers provide an on-site solution for debris management, they aren’t the only option. Here are some other ways homeowners can dispose of branches, leaves, and yard trimmings:

Curbside pickup

Many municipal waste collection services will pick up bundled or bagged yard debris on trash day. This avoids trips to the dump for homeowners whose local services allow it.

Municipal composting

Some towns and cities offer composting facilities where residents can drop off plant debris and leaves for free. The material gets composted for reuse.

Hiring landscape companies

Landscapers who do debris cleanup or tree services will often shred and dispose of branches and leaves as part of their service, providing an easy solution.

Renting chippers

Those with occasional debris disposal needs can rent chippers by the day instead of purchasing. Rental fees are reasonable for limited use.

Dumps and landfills

Homeowners without access to other disposal options can haul yard waste to transfer stations and waste management facilities for dumping or tipping fees.

Depending on your needs and location, these alternatives may be more convenient and affordable than committing to owning a chipper. Consider all your options before purchasing major equipment.

Conclusion

Wood chippers are useful tools that make debris disposal much more manageable for homeowners who regularly deal with branches, leaves, and yard trimmings. But they also require a significant investment and proper maintenance. Consider your property size, landscaping needs, safety priorities, and debris volumes carefully before deciding if purchasing a home wood chipper is right for you. Weigh the benefits against the substantial costs. Often rental or disposal services can offer more affordable and flexible solutions for more occasional needs. But for larger properties requiring frequent woody debris removal, owning a reliable wood chipper can be a timesaving investment that pays dividends in yard convenience for many years to come.