Benefits of a Wood Chipper or Mulcher
Piling leaves and branches at the road for collection is a time-consuming chore and the accumulated material can kill your grass. In some locations, ordinances prohibit leaves and brush in landfills, making it difficult to get rid of the debris. A wood chipper — also known as a chipper shredder — solves these problems, reducing branches, twigs and leaves to useful mulch and composting material.
What Are Wood Chippers and Mulchers?
Wood chippers and mulchers range from heavy-duty gas machines to light-duty electric leaf mulchers. Here are the basics of how they work.
Wood Chippers
A wood chipper has a chute that lets you feed small branches into a rotating blade or set of blades that chops debris into wood chips. The shredder mechanism, available on some models, has a hopper to feed light debris, such as leaves and grass, into a separate set of blades or flails. Some shredders can also handle small twigs. Once the machine reduces the debris, it can discharge the material onto the ground or into a collection bag. See how a chipper works step by step with our tips on how to use a wood chipper.
Leaf Mulchers
A leaf mulcher turns leaves and grass clippings into mulch. Some accept small twigs, but a mulcher can’t chip branches. It has a hopper that accepts the material and uses blades or trimmer line to shred the debris into mulch. The mulcher discharges the shredded material, allowing you to spread the mulch or bag it for disposal.
Choosing a Chipper or Mulcher
The size of your landscape and the type of yard debris you have will factor into which type of chipper or mulcher you need.
Use Electric Chippers or Mulchers for Small Yards and Debris
Electric chippers and leaf mulchers are for light-duty cleanup:
- These electric machines require an extension cord, which limits the work area.
- Depending on the model, electric chippers are suitable for branches around 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
- Electric mulchers often handle only leaves and grass.
- Electric chipper shredders start easily, don’t require lots of maintenance and take less storage space.
- These machines are quieter and don’t create emissions during operation.
Follow the shredder or mulcher manufacturer's instructions for selecting a compatible extension cord and see our power cord safety tips.
Use Gas Wood Chippers for Large Landscapes and Debris
Gasoline-powered wood chippers take on larger debris:
- These machines aren't limited by cord length, so they're practical for large areas.
- Gas chippers are more powerful than electric models.
- Select models can chip branches up to 6 inches in diameter or larger.
- Some models can also mulch leaves and twigs.
- Gas wood chippers require more maintenance and storage space.
Chipper and Mulcher Specifications
Knowing key terms and specifications helps you compare different models:
- Engine horsepower on gas models and amp ratings on electric models indicate the power and are factors in the capabilities of the machines.
- Chipper capacity specifies the largest diameter branches the chipper can handle.
- Reduction ratio tells you how efficiently the machine reduces yard waste; a machine with a 10:1 ratio can reduce 10 bags of debris to one bag of material.
Some material, such as fresh vines, can tangle these machines. See the manual for types of material the chipper or mulcher can't process as well as the maximum size material the machine can handle.
Chipper and Mulcher Features
Look for features that make using a chipper or mulcher easier:
- A tow bar or trailer hitch lets you transport the machine with an ATV or lawn tractor.
- An electric starter makes cranking a gasoline-powered chipper shredder easier.
- An included collection bag makes it simple to spread or dispose of the reduced material.
- Self-sharpening blades and knives simplify maintenance.
Cleaning up lawn debris is just part of keeping your landscape clear and beautiful. See our guides to learn how to prune trees and shrubs and use a chainsaw.
Other Leaf Collection Equipment
A lawn vacuum is a good alternative to a chipper shredder if your main concern is leaves or pine needles. As you run the vacuum over the lawn, patio or driveway, it collects, shreds and bags the material. Some models include a small chipper chute and a hose attachment.
For a smaller investment, consider a leaf blower that can vacuum and mulch leaves. These blowers include a collection bag to hold the shredded material and make it easy to dispose of. Take a look at our guide to leaf blowers and see why you need to add one of these machines to your lawn-care tool kit.
Safety When Clearing Landscape Debris
Read your manual before using any chipper, mulcher, shredder or vacuum. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and safety. In general, when using one of these machines:
- Wear safety glasses, work gloves and hearing protection.
- Avoid wearing jewelry and loose-fitting clothing and tie back long hair.
- Wear long pants and boots or closed-toe shoes.
- Make sure the work area is clear of tripping hazards, bystanders and pets.
- Don’t exceed the chipping or shredding capacity of the machine.
- Keep gloves and body parts away from moving parts.
- Turn the machine off, allow all parts to come to a stop and disconnect the spark plug wire or unplug the machine before adjusting, clearing clogs or handling maintenance.
Some leaf blowers can vacuum and mulch leaves.
Key Points for Choosing a Chipper or Shredder
Keep your landscape clear and your plants healthy by using a wood chipper or mulcher to turn lawn debris into mulch for your planting beds. Here are the main points to remember when shopping for a chipper shredder or mulcher:
- Chippers can turn fallen branches into wood chips.
- Shredders and leaf mulchers chop material like leaves and grass into mulch.
- Different models of chippers and mulchers accept different debris sizes.
- Electric mulchers work for light debris and small lawns, while gas wood chippers are best for larger debris and landscapes.
- Higher-power engines or motors and larger reduction ratios indicate a more capable chipper or shredder.
- Wear safety glasses and hearing protection and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions when using a chipper, mulcher or lawn vacuum.
Shop Lowes.com for a chipper or shredder suited to just about any landscape, as well as the safety gear you need to protect yourself. Or stop by your local Lowe’s and talk to a Lowe’s Red Vest associate. They can help you choose the right chipper or mulcher to fit your landscape and make sure you have everything you need to help you stay safe and do the work right.
Chipper, Shredder and Mulcher FAQ
Here's some answers to common questions about chippers and shredders.
What’s the Difference Between a Chipper and a Shredder?
A chipper is designed to handle tree branches and larger limbs and debris, chopping them into small wood chips. A shredder or mulcher reduces material like leaves and grass, shredding them into mulch and composting material. A chipper shredder combines both operations in one machine.
What Types of Materials Can You Put in a Chipper?
Wood chippers can chop branches, but the branch sizes chippers can handle vary by model. Small electric chippers might be able to chop branches about 1-1/2 inches in diameter while heavy-duty gas wood chippers will chop branches up to 6 inches in diameter or larger. Shredders can typically handle leaves, grass clippings, and in some cases, small twigs. Check your manual for debris and sizes suitable for your chipper shredder.
What Types of Materials Should You Not Put in a Chipper?
Check your manual to see what materials are suitable for your chipper or mulcher. Don’t put anything in the machine unless it’s specified as suitable by the manufacturer, but in general avoid:
- Hard materials like metal, lumber, rocks or stones
- Fibrous material like bamboo or palm leaves
- Entangling material like vines
- Soft material like manure