Max Diameter Twigs for Shredder

[pk232]

I am in need of some information on shredder/chipper combination gas units. All the ones I have looked for $1000 or less seem to have a very narrow chipper chute, e.g. Brush Master CH4. I have never used one before but it seems I will be spending most of my time stripping small branches off the even smallest of limbs to feed the chipper, and then breaking down what I have stripped off into even smaller pieces to fit the small opening. My question is, at what point will the diameter of the remaining pieces be small enough to feed them directly into to the shredder with its larger opening? 1/2" 1/4" 1/8", no twigs what so ever? My guess is a lot has to do with the wood type and if is dry or not but I am looking for general guidelines. Is one brand or model better than the others with this in mind? Thanks.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

I purchased on several years ago for less than $400, I think. It has a 5hp Briggs on it I believe. But, like you said I think the max capacity is 1/2". Although it would chip up anything I could shove down the narrow chute.

 

[jbooth]

If you are talking twigs, why not just use your mower to mulch. I have a 20 HP riding mower and mulch everything up to 1". Sometimes need to run over mine a couple times to cut up fine enough to be considered "mulched" .

 

[grnspot110]

I bought this Troy-Bilt off CL for $450 (about 1/2 new price), only slightly used, 10 HP Briggs. It says 3", but they would have to be very straight! I just finished chipping the top from a Pecan tree from our yard, took a while & yes, I did have to cut a lot of branches off to feed them through. But I just can't justify a tractor 3-pt unit. I was chipping up to about 2" with it. ~~ grnspot110

 

[DennisArrow]

I was in the same, more or less, situation as the OP awhile back. Went to TSC and got their unit, which had an 8 HP B&S engine. Tried feeding up to perhaps at the most 1" stuff through. It jammed or clogged rather than ran smoothly. Perhaps, if one has just tree or shrub trimmings this kind of unit would be worth it; but for me who has 27 acres of MATURE oak and hickory to maintain around it is worthless. Took the unit back after 30 minutes of use cracked the plastic housing.

God then blessed me from Craigs List, a :

Wood Pro Brush Chippers

This is really the only way to go. Not specifically this unit; but more than a toy. You do pay for what you get so check out how much you really need. If twigs and leaves are what you are concerned with the smaller units are just fine; but if like me who God sent a tornado into my world the other day and I have perhaps 20 trees down on the property I need a TRUE MACHINE...................You don't frame a barn with a tack hammer; but you don't hang pictures with a 20 oz. claw either........God bless.......Dennis