How to Use a Chipper Shredder

How to Use A Chipper Shredder

You have trimmed back your trees or hedges and are left with a big pile of branches. The best way to get rid of them is with a chipper shredder, available to hire from Speedy, the UK’s number one hire company.

Chippers are great at taking branches and turning them into bark, which you can use for garden landscaping or simply bag up for the tip. Whatever chipper shredder you end up with from Speedy, operating it is exactly the same.     

A couple of good things to remember when hiring from Speedy: all our hire equipment is checked, tested, cleaned and serviced before every hire and will all come ready to go. You will also notice a folder attached to your hire product. These are the safety and operating instructions. Please make sure you read them before you begin your job.

Before you use the chipper shredder, it’s really important that you wear the correct PPE. Goggles, safety boots, hearing protection, gloves, and a hard hat are essential, and any PPE you do require can be purchased from Speedy.

Speedy Top Tip! Please Watch our How-To Use a Chipper Shredder Video below:

A petrol shredder runs off normal unleaded petrol, and it can be filled by removing the cap and filling the tank. After use, the engine can get really hot, so if you need to refuel, you should always allow the engine to cool down, as refuelling when the engine is hot can be really dangerous.

You will notice that a chipper shredder has two chutes; one is ideal for smaller branches like twigs, whereas the larger chute can shred bigger branches up to 1/2 inch in diameter.

At the front of the machine is a cage where the shredded material will leave the chute. Sometimes, a chipper can get clogged with debris, causing the engine to shut down. If that happens, there’s nothing to worry about; it’s just a safety mechanism designed to prevent the machine from breaking.

All you need to do is pull this bar backwards and forwards a couple of times, this should clear any blockages and will allow you to restart the machine.

When using the chipper, it’s important not to reach into the chutes, as this could lead to a serious injury. In the event of an emergency, it has been fitted with an emergency shut-off button that can be activated by pushing and deactivated by turning.

Step 1: Position

Position the chipper shredder on level ground. It may be best to use it on a patio surface rather than grass, as this will prevent it from moving when in use.

Starting the chipper is really easy. To begin with, you will need to turn the switch into the on position and then activate the choke by sliding the lever to the left. You will then need to open the fuel lines by sliding the fuel cut-off lever to the right. Now, you can pull the start cord. Don’t worry if it doesn’t start straight away, as it might take a couple of pulls.

Step 2: Start the machine

Once the engine has started, de-activate the choke by sliding the lever to the right.

Step 3: Start to shred

Once the machine has started, you can begin to shred. Just make sure your working area is free of children and animals. When the machine starts to chip, stand well away in case any debris is ejected from the machine.

When shredding, feed through the blunt end first. This will make it easier for the material to feed through and will make the results more consistent.

Step 4: Mix it up

Try to feed a mix of green and dry wood items through. The green limbs, usually the fresher growth or leaves, will lubricate the chipper blades, making them run smoother and keeping the machine going.

Step 5: Deal with the chips

When done, you should have fresh wood chips ready for use! We have a blog on using wood chips in the garden. Why not make a path, flower border, or compost them?

If you can't use them, try advertising them on a local free site or check if your local tip can recycle them instead. Councils can often turn them into mulch for recreational areas or even as playground surfaces.

Ready for more DIY tips?

For further tips and how-to guides, please visit our Skills and Projects page today.

You’ll find all the power tools and hire equipment you need right here, why not start planning your next gardening DIY project today and open a Speedy account online or instore for all your tool hire needs.