Professional Wood Chippers and Shredders | Vovlift Collection

How to Choose a Wood Chipper

What is a wood chipper shredder?

A wood chipper shredder is a gas-powered machine that reduces branches, limbs, and yard debris into mulch or wood chips using a rotating blade or drum. Most units on this page also shred leaves and light brush through a separate hopper, giving you two functions — chipping and shredding — in one machine.

What branch capacity do you actually need?

Match the chipper's rated capacity to the largest material you regularly cut, not the occasional oversized limb. Homeowners clearing brush and small branches are typically well served by 2.5"-3.5" capacity units, while landscapers and property crews processing regular tree trimmings should look at 4"-7" commercial models to avoid feeding bottlenecks.

Engine size vs. capacity — which matters more?

Engine horsepower drives how fast a chipper processes material at its rated capacity, not the maximum diameter it can accept. A 7" capacity chipper needs a larger engine (20HP+) to keep throughput reasonable, while smaller 3"-4" units run efficiently on 7-14HP engines for lighter, intermittent use.

Tow-behind or stationary?

Tow-behind chippers, including ATV-rated models, let you move the machine across acreage instead of hauling brush to a fixed location — useful for rural properties and larger lots. Stationary units are lighter to reposition manually and suit smaller yards or single-location jobs.