A wood chipper is a machine that chips or grinds up pieces of wood.
The best type of wood chipper for a small farm would depend on the size and types of trees, as well as how often it will be used.
If you have several acres with a variety of species, then a sturdy gas-powered unit might be the most practical choice because it has more power than electric models to deal with larger logs.

If your property is smaller and you have mostly coniferous trees, an electric chipper may work better because they are quieter and reduce fumes from gasoline engines.
For those who don’t want to purchase an expensive machine especially if they only need it occasionally, renting one may be the best option.
SuperHandy Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher Ultra Duty 7HP Gas 3 in 1
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The SuperHandy Wood Chipper and Shredder makes an ideal choice for small farms, gardeners and anyone who needs a powerful and reliable wood chipper.
An good choice for the small farm, small holding or for people that have a large garden or yard.
This is a 3-in-1 wood chipper shredder mulcher that can handle up to 3″ diameter wood without a problem.
The Slanted Housing design reduces jams and the Tow Bar Kit makes for easy transportation.
It has a 7HP Horizontal 4-stroke Single Cylinder OHV Gas Powered Engine and weighs 120.7 pounds.
This machine is 29.5 x 25.7 x 40.6 inches in dimensions and comes with a warranty.
Why you should invest in a woodchipper
If you have a small farm, large garden or other area that generates a lot of tree clipping, brush or other debris then often it can be tricky to deal with this waste.
Many resort to bonfires or just piling the clippings up in the hope that they will rot away, but often these ways of dealing with the waste can just become messy.

A great option is to use a wood chipper and nowadays there are many affordable devices available for commercial, home and hobby use.
Wood chippers allow you to take your organic garden waste and chop it into small, manageable pieces that can be used to cover garden flowerbeds, playgrounds, paths and other areas where a natural, weed resistant covering is desirable.
What to consider when buying a wood chipper
Before you buy a wood chipper there are a few things to consider to make sure that you get the best wood chipper for your needs:
Size and power – will the chipper meet your needs? It is always best to get a more powerful chipper than you need, just in case.
Ease of use – is the chipper easy to move around, does it have wheels and how heavy is it?
How is it powered? – gas powered chippers provide better power delivery than electric powered versions and tend to be sturdier and more reliable.
Other functions – can the chipper be used for any other purpose? Some chippers can mulch and shred as well as chip.

How to use a woodchipper
The size of the woodchipper you need depends on how much work it will do.
For easy chipping, consider smaller electric powered units, but for bigger projects with tougher material, look for larger models with gas or diesel engines.
If you are only processing small branches and twigs once in a while, then an electric version is probably sufficient.
However, if you are planning to chip larger material more often, then consider buying or renting an on-the-ground or truck-mounted version with heavy duty blades and large hoppers.
The blades in wood chippers are designed to make short work of branches up to three inches thick.
However, larger chippers can chip branches up to six inches thick.
To get the most out of your woodchipper, use it for smaller logs and branches first, before processing them into small pieces.
This will improve the quality of the chips you create by getting rid of twigs and imperfections that would otherwise get caught up in between blades.

If you have lots of space in your yard, a mobile wood chipper is a good option.
If you don’t have a big property and will be transporting the woodchip with a truck, then consider purchasing or renting a mounted model instead.
Some models come with trailers for carrying logs and branches to a pile in the woods or away from your property.
Before purchasing a chipper, make sure the unit is powerful enough to chip branches and small logs you plan on using.
For example, if you have a lot of trees surrounding your home with roots that need to be cut down, then go for one with a powerful engine and strong blades designed for tough, heavy duty jobs.
To prevent jams, remember to feed branches and twigs into the woodchipper at a steady pace so the blades have time to shear them into small chips.

For stumps or logs that are too big for your chipper’s blade, then rent an excavator with a stump grinder attachment.
For those who do not own a chainsaw, then consider purchasing or renting an electric saw to cut smaller logs into firewood.
If you purchase or rent a wood chipper, then make sure you read the manual and safety precautions first before using the machine.
Always wear heavy duty gloves and steel-toe boots whenever operating a woodchipper and be sure to supervise children and animals.
If you live in a colder region, then use the chipper during warmer months because blades can freeze with ice or snow, causing it to jam.
Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher Super Heavy Duty 7 HP
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The Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher is another great option for those that are looking for the best wood chipper for a small farm.
This is a powerful wood chipper that provides the ability to shred and mulch wood trimmings up to 3 inches in diameter.
Running on unleaded gas, this chipper produces 7 hp and can be hooked up to an ATV, lawnmower or small tractor making it easy to move around the farm.
People like this chipper as it literally will eat up anything that you put into it and it makes quick and easy work of branches and tough garden waste, producing great chips that can be used for ground cover, paths or anything else.
Provided with an auto feed function for greater safety and easier use this is a wood chipper that we recommend you check out.
Getting the best results from a woodchipper
For the best results when using a woodchipper, follow all safety guidelines and wear gloves, boots and eye protection.
If the chipper is stationary, then set it up on level ground with good clearance so you can feed branches or logs underneath it easily.

Be careful when feeding large pieces of wood into the machine because if they are too big, then processing them can result in flying debris.
When setting up the machine, check to make sure everything is secure and there are no loose nuts or bolts that may come loose during operation.
Also, check the lubricants because if they are low then it could cause damage to the engine while running.
If you live in an area where the temperature drops and snow and ice build up on blades, then take time to remove them before using the chipper. This helps prevent blade damage.
Also make sure the blades are sharpened before you begin using the woodchipper so they can effectively process vegetation without getting stuck or jammed.
Always run the machine on full throttle when feeding wood into it to avoid jams and also dump branches and twigs directly into chute’s feeder, not along the ground.
Before cleaning any chipper, or dealing with any jams, let the blades come to a complete stop and make sure that the machine is switched off.
GreatCircleUSA Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher Heavy Duty 212cc
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The GreatCircleUSA Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher Heavy Duty is the perfect addition to your home.
This wood chipper shredder mulcher allows you to get rid of all of those branches and leaves that have been piling up over time, so you can enjoy a clean yard without any hassles.
The top hopper for 1/2″ MAX volume Chipping/Shredding, side chute for 3″ MAX branch/limbs and the attachable leaf vacuum for mulching makes this machine extremely versatile.
With the powerful 7hp gas engine this chipper will deal with the toughest of outdoor jobs in no time.
Final words on woodchippers
For those who own wood lots or small farms, owning a chipper/shredder is an important investment.
They can help turn large piles of branches, leaves and twigs into mulch, chips or shredded material that can improve soil nutrients and boost garden growth.
However, before investing in one of these machines, make sure you have the proper space on your property to accommodate it.
If you are tight on storage space, then consider renting out a woodchipper for special occasions only or if you have an unusual amount of vegetation that needs processing.
Just remember that operating one can be tricky and you should always follow the safety advice and instructions provided by the manufacturer.