Is a PTO wood chipper worth it?

A PTO wood chipper is a useful tool for processing brush and small trees on your property. Attaching to the power take-off (PTO) shaft of a tractor, PTO chippers efficiently chip up branches and limbs up to 4-6 inches in diameter into wood chips or mulch. But PTO wood chippers can be large investments, ranging anywhere from $1,000 for entry-level models up to $15,000 for high-end commercial units. So is a PTO wood chipper really worth the cost for the average homeowner? There are several key factors to consider when deciding if investing in a PTO wood chipper is right for you.

What are the benefits of a PTO wood chipper?

Here are some of the main advantages of owning a PTO wood chipper:

– Processes brush quickly – PTO chippers can chip several cubic yards of material per hour, much faster than you could by hand. This saves a tremendous amount of labor.

– Chips branches up to 4-6 inches thick – PTO chippers have very high chipping capacity and can handle small trees and large branches. This allows you to recycle more of your woody debris into mulch or chips.

– Creates wood chips/mulch – The wood chips produced can be used as mulch in your garden and landscaping beds. This allows you to get free mulch from your own property.

– Helps maintain property – A PTO chipper makes quick work of fallen branches and overgrown brush. This helps keep your property looking neat and tidy.

– Safer than a brush pile – Chipped brush is less of a fire hazard than large piles of limbs and sticks.

– More compact debris -Chipped wood takes up much less space for disposal compared to whole branches and logs.

What size/capacity do you need?

PTO wood chippers come in a range of sizes suitable for small, medium and large acreage properties:

– **Small chippers** – 12″ to 14” diameter capacity, 8-15 HP, for chipping branches up to 2-3” diameter. Good for properties with light brush under an acre in size.

– **Mid-size chippers** – 15” to 18” diameter capacity, 15-25 HP, handles 3-4” diameter branches. Ideal for larger rural lots 1-5 acres that require frequent brush clearing.

– **Large chippers** – 18” to 24” diameter capacity, 25+ HP, chipping capacity up to 6” diameter branches. Made for 5+ acre properties with lots of trees and regular storm debris to process.

Consider how much chipping you expect to do when selecting the right chipper size. Bigger is better for faster chipping, but small and midsize PTO chippers are often adequate for most rural property maintenance needs.

What PTO chipper features are most important?

Here are some key features to look for when selecting a PTO wood chipper:

– **Safety features** – Look for auto-feed stop bars, discharge chutes that point down, protective inlet shields and other safety enhancements. Your safety should be the top priority.

– **Chipper drum** – More knives and a wider drum equals faster chipping action. Hardened steel drum and knives will last longer.

– **Hopper size** – Bigger hoppers allow more brush to be fed in at once for continuous chipping.

– **Throttle control** – Variable speed throttle allows you to adjust chipper RPM for soft and hard woods.

– **Chip size** – Adjustable chip size settings allow you to get the right size chips or mulch for your needs.

– **Hitch** – Swiveling, adjustable hitch provides a secure, flexible connection to the tractor PTO.

– **Wheels** – Look for models with 4 wheels and pneumatic tires for more stability and easier towing.

Prioritize safety, drum quality, and overall robustness in your PTO chipper purchase. Paying a little more upfront will mean greater chipping productivity and years of reliable service.

Estimating the cost of a PTO wood chipper

The purchase price is just one part of the overall cost equation when looking at a PTO wood chipper investment. Here are the main cost factors to estimate:

– **Purchase price** – As mentioned previously, this can range from $1,000 to over $10,000 depending on size and features. Average around $3,000-$5,000 for a quality midsize unit.

– **Maintenance** – Expect to change chipper blades every 25-50 hours of use at around $50 per blade. Lubrication and other upkeep averages $200-300 per year.

– **Fuel costs** – Larger chippers consuming 10+ HP will use over 1 gallon of tractor fuel per hour when chipping. Fuel can add up quickly.

– **Tractor requirements** – You need at least a 35 HP tractor with PTO to run most chipper models. If you don’t already own one, this adds to costs.

– **Labor **- Your time spent towing, operating, maintaining the chipper has value. Estimate hourly equipment operation rates at $50-100.

To size up total chipper costs, make some reasonable assumptions on annual usage hours, fuel consumption, and repairs. Compare this to your expected brush management savings in time and labor.

Cost comparison – PTO chipper vs hiring a tree service

How does owning a PTO chipper compare to hiring a tree service for periodic brush chipping? Here’s an example cost comparison:

PTO Chipper Ownership	Tree Service Rental
Chipper purchase: $4000	Service cost per day: $500
Annual fuel, 20 hours at 1.5 gal/hr = 30 gal at $5/gal = $150	Number of rental days: 2 days
Annual maintenance parts/labor = $300	Total annual service cost: $1000
Total annual cost: $450	Total annual cost: $1000

In this example, owning a PTO chipper has the potential to save $550 per year over hiring a mobile chipper service just twice a year. And you have the convenience of chipping brush whenever needed. The savings multiply the more acreage and chipping jobs you take on.

Of course if you only have minor chipping needs, occasional rental may be the more cost-effective route. But for larger rural properties that require regular brush management, purchasing your own PTO chipper can yield ongoing savings.

Is a used PTO chipper worth considering?

To save some money upfront, you may want to look at buying a used PTO wood chipper rather than new. Some things to keep in mind:

– **Cost savings** – You may pay 50-60% less for a used chipper in good condition. Just be sure to compare features and capacity versus new models.

– **Prior maintenance** – Ask for maintenance records to ensure the chipper has been properly serviced and used. Lots of engine hours could mean upcoming repairs.

– **Knife sharpness** – Inspect and test the chipper knives. Worn or dull knives will need replacement sooner.

– **Safety updates** – Older chippers may lack newer safety features. Retrofitting updates can add to your cost.

– **Warranty coverage** – Used chippers won’t have a factory warranty. Factor in potential repair costs down the road.

– **Resale value** – If maintained, high-quality chippers hold their value well when it’s time to sell. This reduces your net ownership cost over the long run.

With careful inspection and service, a used PTO wood chipper bought at the right price can represent good value. But higher-hour chippers with lots of wear may end up nickel-and-diming you on repairs.

Key safety tips when operating a PTO wood chipper

While very productive tools, PTO wood chippers also present dangers that require caution and safe practices:

– **Read the manual** – Completely understand all safety procedures before operating your chipper for the first time.

– **Keep guards in place** – Make sure all protective shields and guards are installed properly before chipping.

– **Wear protective gear** – Use safety glasses, hearing protection, thick gloves, and close-fitting clothing when operating.

– ** Avoid loose clothing** – Roll up long sleeves and tie back loose clothes that could get caught in moving parts.

– **Feed material slowly** – Only feed branches at a rate the chipper can handle to avoid jamming.

– **No hands or feet in hopper** – Feeding devices like push paddles keep hands safely away from the drum.

– **Keep children and pets away** – Absolutely do not allow anyone near the chipper in operation. Shut off to remove any clogs.

– **Be alert** – Focus solely on safe chipper operation. Never reach into the hopper while the drum is turning.

Stay safe and follow all manufacturer operating procedures. Your diligence is key to avoiding accidents when using this powerful equipment.

Maintenance checklist for PTO wood chippers

Regular maintenance keeps your PTO wood chipper performing well and helps prevent costly breakdowns:

– **Check fluid levels** – Top up engine oil and hydraulics per the manual. Fix any leaks promptly.

– **Inspect hoses and belts** – Replace worn or cracked hydraulic hoses and check the drive belt tension.

– **Sharpen/replace knives** – Knives should have a clean, sharp edge for optimal chipping. Replace damaged knives in sets.

– **Check bearings and bushings** – Listen for grinding or sticking and replace worn bearings immediately. Lubricate per manual.

– **Clean air filter** – A dirty filter will reduce engine power. Clean foam filters with soapy water.

– **Check tire pressure** – Properly inflated tires prevent blowouts and ease towing.

– **Touch up paint** – Spot paint any nicks or scratches to prevent rust damage.

– **Check safety features** – Confirm all guards, shields, switches and warnings function properly.

Following the manufacturer service intervals and doing weekly checkups goes a long way to maximizing your chipper’s working life at peak performance.

Best brands of PTO wood chippers

These leading PTO chipper brands provide a range of excellent small, mid-size and large capacity models to consider:

– **Vermeer** – Top quality chippers built to last, excellent safety features. Higher priced but reliable.

– **Bandit** – One of the most popular PTO chipper brands, very rugged with great throughput.

– **DR Power** – Parent company of Country Clipper, offer very affordable smaller chippers.

– **Precision** – Well-built chippers at moderate prices, good for budget-minded buyers.

– **Woods** – Sturdy chippers with proven reliability and performance over decades.

– **Morbark** – Leading manufacturer of high-capacity commercial chippers.

Do some research on the different brand options to find the one best matching your capacity needs, feature preferences, and budget. Focus on safety, durability and productivity performance.

Conclusion

Investing in a PTO wood chipper is a major decision with significant upfront cost. But for rural property owners who regularly need to chip and dispose of brush, having your own chipper can pay for itself over time compared to hiring tree services. The key is realistically estimating your brush management requirements, buying the right size chipper with key features, maintaining the machine diligently, and practicing safe usage. For larger property maintenance, a quality PTO chipper is a worthwhile investment that will create major time and labor savings while keeping your land cleared and tidy year-round.