As a beginner, you need to consider various factors when choosing a wood chipper, such as the brand, the type, and the power. Before making a purchase, make sure you clearly understand the wood chipper’s disadvantages, advantages, and other factors. But first, what exactly a wood chipper is?
Chippers are machines that reduce wood to smaller wood chips. The frames or wheels of the wood chipper are typically portable and can be towed behind a truck or a van when mounted on wheels. Chipper internal combustion engines typically provide power between 2 and 700 kilowatts.
Further, in this article, you will learn the type of oil to choose for a wood chipper. You will also find the dos and don’ts in this basic wood chipper guide for beginners.
The Best Type of Oil for Your Wood Chipper
What Kind of Oil Do You Use in a Wood Chipper?
Most experts recommend using 15W-40 weight oil for a wood chipper. However, the oil used for a wood chipper may vary from model to model.
For example, the oil used in a high-end chipper can differ from that added in a low-end chipper. Therefore, you should first know the type of wood chipper you own and choose the oil as per its need.
How Much Oil Does a Wood Chipper Take?
The oil consumption and usage of wood chippers also differ from model to model. Some wood chippers may take more amount of oil, while others may consume less.
A more powerful wood chipper usually takes a large amount of oil which is not the case with low-end wood chippers. However, the amount of oil in most chippers should range from 600ml to 650ml. If the oil level is below 600ml, the machine will not start.
Can You Put Dry Wood Through a Chipper?
Chippers can handle both dry and fresh wood, which is not the case with shredders. There are even instances where the machine can feel branches that still have leaves attached.
The size and type of blades inside the chipper will determine how much wood you can feed through it. So, after looking at the type and size of your blade, you should add appropriate dry wood in a chipper.
Can You Use a Chipper in the Rain?
You should not use the wood chipper in the rain as it can damage the machine. When left out in the rain, chippers are not very responsive. Therefore, you should keep the wood chipper in dry condition if you want it to work well for a longer run.
What Should You Not Put in a Chipper?
Following are the items that you should not put in a wood chipper.
Bamboo
In addition to its durability, bamboo contains bundles of fibers that run along its length to provide reinforcement. Janka hardness ratings for bamboo can reach around 3000 when treated and processed.
It isn’t designed for shredding such a sturdy material with the average consumer chipper shredder. Most people usually throw bamboo into a chipper, which makes sense.
You can easily find bamboo stalks, also known as culms, overgrowing your lawn or garden if it is a type of bamboo called “running.”
Palm Branches and Fronds
The strength of palm branches is similar to bamboo but not as strong. Stringy and fibrous leaves, or fronds, are another major problem. An average entry-level chipper can be damaged by palm fibers tangled in its moving parts.
Coconut Shells
Shells of coconuts contain cellulose and lignin, which are found in wood. Both of these compounds contribute to the firmness of wood. In addition, the inner layers of the shell contribute to coconuts’ strength when dropped from great heights.
Golf Balls
If you’ve acquired plenty of golf balls, you might be tempted to shred them into smaller pieces for easy disposal. Be careful not to be drawn.
Its core is usually made of rubber, and its cover is generally made of balata. Consumer-grade chippers shredders are not designed to handle the forces of golf clubs.
How Do You Service a Wood Chipper?
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your wood chipper to keep it running smoothly from year to year. Chipper maintenance includes sharpening or replacing the blades every 25 hours.
When the essential parts of your chipper start to wear and tear, they can lead to severe problems, including engine failure. Following are the steps to follow to service a wood chipper.
Clear the Debris
Your chipper processes all kinds of debris, including debris that accumulates around the engine and in the chute. If you use your chipper regularly, you should always check for debris, but it’s particularly convenient when you’re doing other maintenance as well.
Drain the Oil
If you have a bowl or oil pan, place it underneath the oil plug to drain the oil. While your oil is draining, you can move on to the next step.
Unscrew the oil plug until it spins easily with your fingers, then lift the plug until you can quickly turn it. Once the oil drains, you can continue to the next step.
Check Your Spark Plug
You will need to find the spark plug wire and remove it from the spark plug. As the spark plug is being removed, loosen the coupling and remove it.
If it’s not rusted, insert and screw the plug back into place. Make sure the spark plug wire is completely inserted into the plug.
Finish Oil Change
Now that your oil has been drained completely, you can move on to the next step. Then use your wrench to tighten the oil plug to prevent it from slipping.
Your oil cap should be located at the top of your unit. Dipsticks are typically attached to a yellow cap. Fill your tank with the appropriate amount of the manufacturer’s suggested oil type after removing the cap.
The use of a funnel is recommended to prevent spills of oil. You can pour faster without having to worry about overflow with a taller funnel.
Sources:
https://woodchippy.com/wood-chipper-guide/
https://www.chippersdirect.com/stories/601-How-to-Pick-the-Perfect-Wood-Chipper.html