In this guide we have given you a list of important tips on how to keep as safe as possible when using garden shredders. 

Safety equipment

The first thing that needs to be ensured before using equipment and machinery is to make sure that you are wearing the correct safety equipment. Making sure that your face and body are covered in appropriate safety gear is the best way to make sure that you are protected from any potential harm. 

Wearing a face mask or safety goggles is the best way you can protect yourself from any debris or wood splints that may eject from the garden shredder and ricochet. 

You must also wear gloves in order to protect your hands and some form of hearing protection in order to protect your ears from the sound. Ideally you should use earmuffs as they provide more protection than earplugs. 

Wear appropriate clothing. You must never operate any garden shredder with any loose clothing or jewellery as it can get stuck on branches and the likes or even inside the shredder. Appropriate footwear like outdoor shoes should be worn to avoid anything hitting your feet and to prevent you from slipping or falling. 

General Safety

In terms of general safety when using a garden shredder or other related equipment it is always important that you read the manual first before attempting to use it. This allows the user to make themselves aware of anticipated risks in order to operate it smoothly and without error.

When operating this equipment the user must be over the age of 18 and must not be under the influence of anything that would slow down the user’s reaction speed, such as alcohol, drugs/medication or any other substance that may have this effect.

The material to be fed into the machine should only be wood that is free from nails, screws etc. The machine should be positioned on dry, level ground in the proper upright position making sure that there are no tripping or slipping hazards in the vicinity that could cause harm to the operator. Also, make sure the blades are in good condition and are secure. Bolts must be tight and secure, especially on the hopper and discharge chute. Only use the garden shredder in adequate sunlight or artificial light.

How to use a Garden Shredder safely

How to use a Petrol Garden Shredder safely

There are further precautions that need to be taken into account when using petrol garden shredders. Petrol is a highly flammable liquid. Petrol also gives off flammable vapour that can
be easily ignited and cause a fire or explosion. Never overlook the hazards of petrol.

Always follow these precautions:

1. You must never run the engine in an enclosed area that doesn’t have proper ventilation
   as the exhaust from the engine contains carbon monoxide, which is an odourless,
   tasteless and a deadly poisonous gas.
   
2. Store all fuel and oil in containers specifically designed and approved for this purpose and keep away from heat, open flame and the reach of children.
   
3. Replace rubber fuel lines and grommets when worn or damaged and after 5 years of use.
   
4. Fill the petrol tank outdoors with the engine off and allow the engine to cool completely. Don’t handle gasoline if you or anyone nearby is smoking, or if you’re near anything that could cause it to ignite or explode. Re-install the fuel tank cap and fuel container cap securely.
   
5. If you spill petrol, do not attempt to start the engine. Move the machine away from the area of the spill and avoid creating any source of ignition until the gas vapours have dissipated. Wipe up any fuel to prevent fire hazard and properly dispose of the waste.
   
6. Allow the engine to cool completely before storing in any enclosure. Never store a machine that has gas in the tank, or a fuel container, near an open flame or spark such as a water heater, space heater, clothes dryer or furnace.
   
7. Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running. Shut down the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, keeping it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting, wait 5 minutes before making adjustments or repairs.
   
8. Never tamper with the engine’s governor setting. The governor controls the safe operation speed and protects the engine. Over-speeding the engine is dangerous and will cause damage to the engine and to the other moving parts of the machine. If required, see your authorized dealer for engine governor adjustments.
   
9. Keep combustible substances away from the engine when it is hot.
   
10. Never cover the machine while the exhaust is still hot.
    
11. Do not operate the engine with the air cleaner or carburettor air intake cover removed. Removal of such parts could create a fire hazard. Do not use flammable solutions to clean the air filter.
    
12. The exhaust and engine become very hot and can cause a severe burn; do not touch.

If you have a wood chipper you may have experienced issues that may arise with usage. It is important to be able to identify and fix these problems as soon as they occur in order to use your equipment effectively and to keep it from incurring any extra damage. In this troubleshooting guide, we will cover everything you need to ensure your machine is able to work in proper condition. 

Petrol Wood Chipper

The engine of the chipper won’t start

In the event that your wood chipper won’t start, follow the checklist provided below.

Is the Ignition Switch in the ‘ON‘ position?

Is the fuel shut-off valve on?

Are you using fresh, clean fuel? – If the fuel is old, change it. We strongly recommend using a fuel stabilizer if you keep fuel for longer than 30 days.

Is the spark plug clean? – If the spark plug is dirty or cracked, change it. If it’s oily, leave it out, hold a rag over the plug hole and pull the recoil cord several times to blow out any oil in the cylinder, then wipe off the plug and reinsert it.

Oil level sensor – There MUST be between 600ml and 650ml of oil in the engine. Any more or any less will cut the ignition of the engine and prevent start-up.

Dirty carburettor – Undo the bolt holding the float chamber to the carburettor, empty out any fuel and clean the inside using fresh clean petrol. Remove the jet in the bottom of the carburettor and clean it. You can then refit the jet and the float chamber.

Hopper sensor – The bolt underneath the hopper must be securely screwed into the micro switch. This must be ensured or else the ignition will be cut and will not start.

The engine lacks power or is not running smoothly

In the event that your wood chipper isn’t running smoothly or is lacking power, follow the checklist provided below.

Check that the Throttle Lever is in the ‘RUN‘ position.

Is the spark plug clean? If it’s fouled or cracked, change it. If it’s oily then leave it out, hold a rag over the plug hole and pull the recoil cord several times to blow out any of the oil in the cylinder. You then wipe off the plug and reinsert it.

Are you using fresh and clean unleaded gas? If it’s old then change it. We recommend using a fuel stabilizer if you keep gas for longer than 30 days.

Does your engine have the right amount of clean oil? If it’s dirty then change it following the instructions typically provided in the engine manufacturers owners manual.

The engine is producing smoke

In the event that your wood chipper engine is producing smoke, please follow the checklist provided below:

Check the oil level and adjust as needed

Check the air filter and clean or replace if needed.

It’s possible that you’re using the wrong oil – possibly an oil which is too light for the temperature. We recommend reading the engine owners manual for more detailed information regarding this subject.– Clean the cooling fans if they’re dirty.

Engine hunting

Engine hunting is when your engine speed fluctuates up and down when it should be at a steady speed.

Hunting usually happens because there is a problem causing the carburettor to get blocked up with dirt. This is often due to fuel delivery problems, air leaks, or governor system problems.

To fix this problem you will need to ensure that the carburettor is clean and does not have any dirt particles in it. To prevent this from happening it is important that dirty fuel doesn’t enter the fuel tank as this is what causes the dirt to build up in the carburettor. This can also be caused by water entering the fuel tank so it is important to ensure that absolutely no outside water enters when filling with fuel.

If the problem still occurs then adjustment of the governor and/or changing the air filter may be required. It is recommended that this fault is fixed professionally.

Tight pull cord

If the pull cord is tight at all, do not keep pulling or you risk damaging the pull cord.

Remove the black cover cap from the motor and rotate the big outer nut on the end of the shaft using your finger and thumb. Check that the drum is rotating freely in both directions and ensure that there aren’t any blockages.

If the drum is not moving freely using your finger and thumb, then remove the hopper and clear any blockages from the drum, spinning it back and forth using the nut on the motor to ensure that the entire drum is clean of any possible blockage.

Position the hopper back into place and tightly secure the bolt. This is a crucial step as the bolt acts as a safety mechanism for the chipper. Also, ensure that the correct bolt is used when reassembling.

Chipper not feeding in wood / producing sawdust

The wood is too dried out

We recommend that the wood is chipped no longer than three days after cutting. After this date, the wood will begin to dry out, meaning the chipper blades then struggle to dig into the wood. This produces sawdust-like waste from the exit chute, and the garden chipper will struggle to self-feed.

If the chipper is producing sawdust – this is a clear sign that the wood is dry. When chipping slow-grown hardwood like fruit trees (such as cherry or apple trees) you must ensure that you chip the material the same day that it is cut to ensure the machine operates at full effectiveness.

Electric Wood Chipper

Similar to the petrol chipper, it’s very rare that there will be a fault with the machine or motor itself. If there is an issue with the electric wood chipper there are a few straightforward steps you can check through to get it up and going again. 

First, remove the black plastic cap from the side of the machine and rotate the outer nut on the end of the shaft. You should be able to spin this using your finger and thumb. If the drum is not moving freely using a finger and thumb, remove the hopper and clear any blockages from the drum, spinning it back and forth to ensure all debris is removed.

Second, ensure that the hopper is secured tightly in place using the bolt. The bolt is a safety mechanism for the chipper so the machine will not start without the bolt being in place and tightened.

Last, check the fuses on the device and the main power supply, including any extension cables. You should also reset the trip switch which is a small clear button located beside the ON/OFF switch on the motor. If you’re able to press/click the button, this means that the machine has tripped.

The start button not clicking down

If you click the start button on the garden chipper and you don’t feel or hear the button click, then this typically means that the chipper isn’t receiving power.

Check the fuses on the device and the main power supply, including any extension cables.

Ensure that the bolt on the hopper is tightly secured. This is vital as the bolt acts as a safety feature for the wood chipper so it must be tightly nipped in order for the chipper to start.

Still experiencing issues?

If you’ve been through all of the steps in our troubleshooting guide and you’re still experiencing issues, you can call us on our technical line on 0191 276 6553 or email us at technical@forest-master.com.

You can also find further information and help on our Frequently Asked Questions Page.

Exciting news! We’re now offering a 10% trade discount for all gardeners, landscapers and allotments when purchasing our FM14DD professional wood chipper.

Simply drop us an email at info@forest-master.com or give us a call on 0191 265 5000 and provide us with your registered company/allotment information and we’ll provide you with a unique code to redeem your huge 10% trade discount, worth just under £200!

If you’ve not yet been introduced to our FM14DD, let’s take a look at some of the key features.

The professional 14HP wood chipper is capable of intaking, chipping and shredding wood up to 100mm in diameter. It follows a similar design as the award-winning compact wood chipper series with the added power of a powerful 14HP LCT 460CC 4-Stroke Engine to deal with any challenge.

It’s the perfect machine for shredding large volumes of wood on a consistent basis. Designed and manufactured with gardeners and landscapers by offering absolute power, simplicity and manoeuvrability that is lacking elsewhere on the market.

Finished your work for the day? Simply dismantle the chipper in just a few short moments and slide it into your car boot or van.

Click here to find out more information regarding the tried and tested professional FM14DD.

Please note that the price that you pay for your item at the time of the purchase is the final price. We are unable to provide any refunds for any reduction in costs (sale prices) after your transaction has been confirmed.

As the winter begins to set in, it’s time to start preparing your wood chipper and garden shredders for winter storage to keep it fresh and in tip-top shape for the spring. Let’s go over 5 tips to ensure you don’t open your shed doors to a pile of rust in March.

Drain the fuel in the wood chipper (or add stabilizer)

Perhaps one of the most important tips within this article; we strongly recommend that you drain, run dry, or add a fuel stabilizer to the engine. If your chipper utilises a four-stroke engine, you can empty the tank by either running the engine dry or you can pour the fuel out of the tank into a can.

Fuel stabiliser is the easiest, cheapest and recommended option. Simply make sure that there’s fresh fuel in the tank and that it’s about 90- 95% full. You can then pour the fuel stabilizer into the tank and run the engine for around five minutes to ensure that it’s distributed throughout the system. Typically, this will keep the fuel fresh for up to 24 months.

Another tip to remember is to never store it for a long period of time when using E15 fuel. E15 fuel contains a significantly higher percentage of ethanol content than standard E5 fuel. This ethanol count is a lot more corrosive to your engine and is likely to cause a build-up over periods of non-use.

Clean your chipper

While not necessarily essential, we recommend is to clean the wood chipper before storing it away. Any leaves, grass, wood chips, soil, dirt or other debris left on or in the machine. This is because the moisture stored in these substances can lead to the machine’s finish being damaged and worn. This also eliminates the risk of dirt entering the petrol tank which can lead to further issues.

Engine maintenance

While you should be performing regular engine maintenance throughout the year, we like to have one thorough maintenance check before storing it away for the winter. This ensures our downtime is minimal when the time comes to break it out of its hiding hole in the spring.

When purchasing your machine you should have received an accompanying manual for the engine – the manual should cover all expected and recommended maintenance.

If you haven’t received this, let’s take a look at our recommended maintenance guide.

In order to maintain your machine at optimal performance, you should follow the below rules.

After every 25 hours of use you should:

• Check the tire pressure
• Clean the engine exterior and cooling
• Change the engine oil
• Replace the air filter

After every 100 hours, you should replace the spark plug. Personally, we prefer to replace the oil and change over to a new spark plug at the start of the season to ensure that everything is fresh and ready to use when the time comes.

Remove the battery

Removing the battery isn’t applicable to everyone, however, if your chipper features an electric start battery it’s definitely advised to remove it for the winter.

Cold weather can have real negative effects on your battery. You should always disconnect the battery and be sure to store it in a cool and dry place, always above 0 celsius. This helps to combat potential battery discharge. If your chipper uses a battery that needs to be charged periodically, you can use a trickle charger to maintain the voltage and sustain the battery life. 5

Cover the wood chipper up

Our final tip is to invest in a breathable cover for your wood chipper/garden shredder. The last thing you want to discover come march is that a family of rodents have made a winter home within your machine. The cover also works to protect the machine from dust and potential weather mishaps. It’s important that the cover you use is a breathable material or it could lead to condensation which can have a negative effect.

We often get asked here at Forest Master, what is the difference between domestic and commercial use. The answer seems fairly straightforward – but it very much depends on you. How? Well, in this post I’ll talk you through what is the best wood tree chipper for home use. See our full range of chippers here.

What is the best wood tree chipper for home use?

When it comes to use of wood tree chippers at home, it’s important to consider the 3 P’s

• Power – you need something with enough bite for the bark
• Portability – the easier it is to maneuver, the easier your life will be
• Precision – you want the quality assurance with the precision to match

Once you’ve considered those, you can then establish which wood tree chipper is best for you. For the most part, there isn’t a whole lot of difference between domestic and commercial. If you’re attempting to choose between hiring or buying a chipper, we’ve got a hire vs buy guide – click here to read.

Chip, shred or mulch – that is the question!

Likewise, you need to consider what features you’d like your chipper to have. Are you wanting it to exclusively chip wood, are you wanting it to shred leaves – how about brush & hedge?

Autumnal weather (in my personal opinion) may be the best there is. However, it does bring with it a lot of fallen (there’s a pun in there somewhere) leaves. If left, they can ruin your lawn and if tackled incorrectly it can become laborious and anger your neighbors (think raking and burning them).

A wood tree chipper can take, what we’d describe as, leafy branches. So, as long as the majority of the load was wood – you’ll be fine. However, there are machines that offer the ability to mulch/shred as well as chip. Take Forest Master’s FM6DD-Mul for example, it’s a 3-in-1 solution to all your outdoor needs. See Forest Master’s Mulcher in action here.

Small twigs, tree branches and yard brush

Moreover, an annual trim of your bushes and shrubs helps spring your garden into action. But what do you do with the trimmings? Well, any garden matter can make great compost for your plant pals. Having the flexibility to chip, shred and mulch really comes into its own here.

Likewise, with tree branches you’d ideally want to chip any matter you throw at it. If you have a lot of brush, you’ll understand that clearing out the brush is a time-consuming chore. Again, popping this through the wood tree chipper would enable a chore into a benefit, free mulch!

Branches up to 2 inches in diameter

Anything less than half an inch, you’ll be fine with just a shredder. Once we approach 2 inches, you’ll benefit from the facilities a wood chipper would offer. A non-commercial wood tree chipper should comfortably take up to two inches. Forest Master’s FM4DDE & FM6DD, both are portable, powerful, and precise – the 3 p’s. View their product pages here.

Wood tree chipper branches between 3 – 4 inches

Once you start approaching these dimensions, it may be worth renting a commercial chipper. However, as previously mentioned Forest Master’s extension range includes their 6.5 & 15 hp models. These can both comfortably take upwards of 3 inches and are the closest you can get to commercial while remaining domestic.

If you’ve decided you want to buy one, check out our handy Wood Chipper buying guide where we’ll walk you through all you need to know when choosing the chipper of your choice.

When it comes to firewood, here at Forest Master we get a lot of questions. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of different options. There’s a multitude of smells, fragrances and flavours to choose from as such, your choice is as individual as you. Likewise, the perfect flame can ignite the perfect party. Whether that be a bbq, a campfire or a big ol’ cookout. Matching the perfect scent with the perfect mood will result in the perfect ambience. So, in the wood chipper shredder burn guide, we’ll show you what log burns best! See our wood chipper shredders here.

There are a few different scents to include in our wood chipper shredder burn guide, these are:

• Classic “smokey” smell – these are your classic wood fire scents
• Sweet “fruity” smell – they are the most aromatic & produce a pleasant smell
• Rich “nutty” smell – they are hardwoods and usually have deep earthy aromas
• Crisp “fresh” smell – typically associated with air fresheners

If you’re after a classic smell, our wood chipper shredder guide’s got you covered. Chances are you’re looking at having a good old bonfire or campfire. Picture the scene, a hot drink, fireworks surrounded by your friends – perfect, right? So to elicit these smells, you need to burn the following woods: Hickory, Oak, Mesquite & Alder.

• Hickory – iconic ‘smokey’ smell, instantly recognisable campfire smell. It has a high heat output.
• Oak – commonly used on campfires, smoking meat and burning materials. Again, high heat output
• Mesquite – a unique, recognizable scent. Sometimes described as “tangy” perfect for BBQs
• Alder – produces a similar to, but lighter/sweeter than smell to oak, but burns quite quickly.

Alternatively, you may be after more of a sweet, fruity experience. Well, our wood chipper shredder guide’s got just the thing. These trees are often fruit trees, chances are you’ll of sampled it before. Comparatively, if there’s a fruit tree we don’t mention – chances are it will be equally as aromatic. Our suggestions are Apple, Cherry & Pear.

• Apple – everyone’s had applewood smoked cheese or bacon, it’s a firm favourite and a solid choice
• Cherry – likewise, cherry firewood is famously known for its distinctively delightful smell
• Pear – mild, sweet and light, three words to describe this beautiful fragrant wood

Furthermore, if you’re after more of a “rich nutty” smell (and who doesn’t love a rich nut) – our wood chipper shredder guides got you covered. These wood are more dense and usually evoke a deep “earthy” aroma.

• Walnut – it produces a pleasant scent, an excellent heat output and is prized among woodworkers
• Pecan – likewise, pecan is a type of hickory tree and has a unique aroma

Now, we move onto the classic scents that you would’ve expected from our wood chipper shredder guide. In fact, who hasn’t had a pine car air freshener? These aromas are strong, pleasant, and you guessed it – fresh.

• Cedar – Cedar is the ultimate campfire smoke, light, rich and sweet – what’s not to love
• Pine – widely acknowledged as the most common fragrance, pine is an excellent choice to burn

Moreover, these are the honourable mentioned that we couldn’t miss out from our wood chipper shredder guide:

• Ash: solid, reliable and steady – burns best when seasoned
• Birch: smells great, produces good heat but burns quickly
• Blackthorn: burns well without emitting loads of smoke
• Hawthorn: burns slowly and hot for all your wintery fires
• Maple: found in different regions of the nation
• Sycamore: rewarded with a good flame and moderate heat if seasoned well
• Yew: slow-burning and omits plenty of heat – yew can’t go wrong (see what I did there)

If you’re looking for a wood chipper shredder, then look no further than Forest Master. They have both petrol and electric models (FM6DD & FM4DD) available in both 4hp (pictured above) to 6hp. These market-leading beauties are powerful, portable and pack a real punch. Why settle for bulky brutes or measly machines when these beasts are compact and capable. Want to know more? Follow the links below and order yours today!

Did you find our blog useful? Let us know & comment below! Follow us on our socials, got an idea for a blog – tell us and we’ll write it for you! Wanna find out why a direct drive is better than a belt drive – click here to find out

As you’re probably well aware, our chippers are Direct Drive rather than Belt Drive. Now, you’re probably wondering Why a Direct Drive Tree Chipper is better than a belt drive? Well, it dramatically reduces your maintenance time and costs – who doesn’t love that? So in this blog, explain all you need to know about belt-driven machines and why we switched to direct drive. See our range of direct drive wood chippers here.

How do belt drive tree chippers work?

A belt-driven tree chipper works off a pair of pulleys attached to opposing shafts which are connecting flexible belts. This method has been used for over 200 years, the first versions were flat and ran on flat pulleys. This later developed into the V-belt in 1917. As this developed, the need to improve speed and eliminate variations resulted in toothed belts around 1950.

Tree chipper belts are usually friction drive or positive drive and are often made of leather, rubber, or fabric with a V-shape cross-section and require substantial tension to work. Friction drive works on friction between the belt and pulley to transmit power. Positive drive work off the engagement of the teeth with the grooves on the pulley. V-belts require less tension and work well in connecting shafts that are close together.

When overloaded flat and v belts can slip which can sometimes be favorable as it can prevent breaking parts. When connecting nonparallel shafts, flat belts do not run off the pulley. It can sometimes be the case that they require multiple pulleys to operate the tree chipper.

Positive drive, timing & toothed belts feature teeth with even spacing that fit into matching grooves on the periphery of the pulley. They have a lot of advantages but lack overload protection of a direct drive tree chipper.

So, as you can see, there are a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong with a belt-driven tree chipper. Whether it’s a toothed belt buckling under pressure or a belt snapping.

Is a direct drive tree chipper better?

A direct-drive system offers “increased efficiency” with fewer moving parts which result in less maintenance and fewer replacements. If a tree chipper has higher torque, it enables faster start-up speeds and less likely to fail from the extraneous force. Moreover, you’re not at the mercy of a belt malfunctioning.

It’s not simply a case of a belt snapping, but it could become loose, cracked or stretched. This can affect the performance of your tree chipper and ultimately result in replacing the belt, or even the whole unit.

Our direct drive machines are market leading, innovative and powerful. They’re perfect to pick up and go to any job with the power to see it through. Whether it’s the lightweight electric 4hp model that produces a whopping 2800 rpm. Or if you need a bit more bite, our petrol model offers an incredible 3600 rpm and 6hp that makes light work of!

Did our blog help you see why a direct drive tree chipper is best? Let us know! Comment below! Want more content? Check out our burning guide blog

When it comes to feeding your plant pals what they need, there are a few things you should and shouldn’t pop through your chipper shredder. (check out ours here) Why? Well, I asked the same question. But, much in the same way as humans need food and water your plants need nitrogen and carbon. Moreover, they’ve also got their favourite food sources and materials to avoid. In this guide, I’ll run you through all you need to know to get the most from your plants. However, in the first instance, we would always recommend getting your soil ph tested for the most accurate understanding.

What this article covers:

• Which green materials can you put through your shredder?
• Which brown materials can you put through your shredder?
• What are the best food sources for DIY fertilisers?
• What should you avoid putting in a chipper shredder?
• What is the best chipper shredder?

Nitrogen Rich Materials (Green)

You should always put through your chipper shredder nitrogen-rich materials. Why? Well, nitrogen is crucial and is widely considered the most important element for plant growth. Furthermore, it is an important part of any soil as it gives the plant energy to grow, flower and/or produce vegetables.

Furthermore, nitrogen is part of the chlorophyll molecule (a magnesium-based atom surrounded by nitrogen). This in turn enables the vibrant green colour you see as the seedlings sprout. Moreover, ever wondered why your plant was yellowing – a lack of nitrogen.

Moreover, it’s so important to put nitrogen-rich materials through your chipper shredder, because the soil usually lacks them. Why? Well, the plants use large amounts of nitrogen for their growth and survival. Thus, it goes sparse and is spread thinly. There is not always enough nitrogen in the plants to ensure healthy growth, which is why it is important to base your mulch around it.

Need inspiration for nitrogen-rich materials to put through your chipper shredder? Here’s a list:

• Fruit & Veg Peelings
• Plant Cuttings
• Teabags (shocking right!)
• Grass clippings

Carbon Rich Materials (Brown)

To understand why you should put carbon-rich fodder through your chipper shredder, you need to know that all living things are carbon-based. Moreover, carbon forms with other atoms to create protein, fat and carbohydrate chains. How does it work in plants? Well, during photosynthesis (which means “making things with light” – the more you know) plants use carbon to grow. Moreover, they convert the energy from the sun into a chemical carbohydrate molecule. Once the plant decomposes, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere to begin the process again.

Furthermore, carbon is important as it provides energy for growth. Upon death, plants release carbon back into the environment for the process to begin again. Carbon enables healthier more productive plants.

What carbon-rich materials should you put through your chipper shredder? Here are some ideas:

• Egg Cartons
• Sawdust
• Finely Ground Wood Chips
• Clean Cardboard
• Newspaper
• Paper Towel Rolls
• Leaves (find out how to create your own leaf mould here)

Best Food Sources for Chipper Shredder Fertilisers?

When it comes to the best food sources for making a DIY fertiliser, the world is your oyster. We’ll list our picks later on for what you should put through your chipper shredder. However, for today’s example, we’ll run through bananas. Bananas include multiple vitamins that help enrich the plant, these include:

• Potassium (helps fight disease, promote vigour and fruit develop)
• Phosphorus (influences fruiting and flowering, promotes good roots)
• Calcium (the most important mineral in the soil)

Moreover, by putting bananas through your chipper shredder you are ensuring they get all of the above and more. Here’s a list of other food sources to consider putting through:

• Bananas
• Melons
• Cucumbers
• Root Vegetables
• Greens
• Squash
• Coffee Grounds
• Grain

Food sources to avoid:

Moreover, as you’re now aware of which food sources you should put through your chipper shredder. There are foods that you shouldn’t. For example, meat. In short, yes you can compost meat. But, the question should be whether it’s a good idea – in short, it isn’t. Why? Well, while meat could break down – think of all the pests it would attract. Moreover, while there are positive bacteria that thrive in mulch – there’s bacteria that won’t. Here’s a list of materials to avoid putting through your chipper shredder:

• Meats & Bones
• Fat, Oil, Grease
• Dairy Products
• Canned Sauces
• Spicy Food
• Poison Ivy
• Plastic & Metals
• Citrus Fruits
• Fibrous Materials
• Glossy Paper

Have you met our chipper shredder?

Designed with you in mind, our chipper shredder is compact but perfectly formed. Moreover, it has a whopping 6hp engine with 3600rpm – it’s built to last. Whether it’s a wet or dry matter that you’re throwing into it, it’s got you covered. Come rain days or summer rays, our machine will see you through. Furthermore, why have either a chipper or shredder when you can have both. Yes. Both. Our market-leading innovative machine effortlessly switches between chipping and shredding with ease. With a massive 50mm diameter capacity – it can handle what your throw at it! Check out ours here.

Did you find this useful? Let us know! If you’ve got any comments or blog suggestions – feel free to let us know. Follow us on social media to keep up to date with everything Forest Master including exclusive offers and promotions.

Any gardener worth their salt knows the importance of mulch in relation to trees. Chances are it was a good layer of mulch (see our mulchers here) that helped keep the dinosaurs food nutrient-rich. These days we understand mulch benefits our plants in numerous ways; whether it’s controlling pests, reducing weeds or regulating the plant’s temperature – mulch is marvellous. One contentious topic is whether you can use wood chips from your chipper mulcher as a mulch. In this blog, I’ll run through why this often misunderstood mulch can really aid your garden.

Chipper mulcher pros and cons?

So, the main concerns include diseases transferring from the wood to your plants. For this to happen there would need to be the perfect storm of circumstances which, according to plant pathologists, is very unlikely. Another includes the release of allelopathic chemicals (release of growth inhibitors). Research over the years has shown this is not a worry. The only plant that could cause an issue would be the Walnut tree, which is not found in your typical garden.

Moreover, a common concern is that nitrogen is tied up during its decomposition process. This can have an effect as it incorporates into the soil, which is why chipper mulcher wood chips are suitable as surface mulch. As a result, we wouldn’t recommend using wood chips around vegetables and annual flower beds.

The germination of seeds can be a very complicated subject, but it’s best to have at least basic subject knowledge and educate yourself on fundamental tips and tricks to progress.

However, they offer great benefits as mulch, this was shown in a 1990 study. This study rated wood chip mulch in the top three for:

• moisture retention,
• temperature moderation,
• weed control.

As they break down, they supply organic matter and nutrients throughout the soil via earthworm and insect activity. As we’ve said, wood chips help prevent germination (the process of a seed developing into a plant). We recommend using them in areas that don’t have an annual flower or regular vegetation, or areas you’re wanting to be rid of weeds.

Things to bare in mind:

• For best results keep wood chips to a depth of 4-6 inches
• keep away from trees to prevent rot
• replace every 4-6 weeks
• rather than volcanos, spread like a donut (check out our blog)

Different chips, different needs

Moreover, chipper mulcher’s wood chips contain wood and bark pieces in a variety of forms. Why does this matter? Well, this enables the water to infiltrate at different rates and prevent compaction. Moreover, it decomposes at individual rates creating a vastly diverse area that you can tailor to your plants’ needs.

Wood bark, when used as mulch, enables you to customise the appearance of your garden. Cedar, pine, spruce and hemlock make great mulches and all vary in appearance. They also break down at different rates, so pine is a quick process whereas cedar can take years – something to bear in mind when making your choice.

What about our chipper mulcher?

With an insanely powerful 6hp engine and an unbeaten 3600 rpm, our 6hp chipper mulcher is the crown jewel, worthy of any king. And like a king, this machine can handle anything you can throw at it. Whether it’s a wet war or a scorchingly sunny day – our beast can handle it all. A king should never expect the second best, and this market-leading product can do it all. Moreover, it effortlessly switches between a chipper and a mulcher to offer versatility a peasant can only dream of. Want to see more – Check out ours here.

Did you find this useful? Let us know! If you’ve got any comments or blog suggestions – feel free to let us know. Follow us on social media to keep up to date with everything Forest Master including exclusive offers and promotions.

How much does a wood chipper cost to rent? How much to buy a wood chipper? Which is the cheapest/best value for money? All good questions! Deciding which route to go down can be tricky as both have pros and cons. Is buying worth the initial capital, is renting easier and what should you consider when deciding? Read on to find out our wood chipper hire vs buy hints and tips.

Wood Chipper Hire Vs Buy

So, the first question to consider is cost vs value. Is the cost of purchasing a wood chipper justified in the value it brings to you. Are you a green-fingered gardener looking to expand their tool shed? Or a professional wanting to maximise return? Both have different needs and should consider different things, here’s a list to get the gears turning (or the wood chipping)

How much is your time worth?

Picture the scene, you’re a professional with a job beginning at 7 am looking for a wood chipper hire. But, the store you’re wanting to rent from doesn’t open till 7.15 am. You’re either picking it up the night before or going the morning thereof. If it opens at 7.15, by the time you’ve signed your life away and loaded up the chipper, we’re talking 7.30. Then depending on locality from the store to the job, then unloading, you may not start till 8.30 am. So roughly 90 minutes of working time would be wasted.

What about personal usage, well when renting, between jobs you would be piling up wood. Moreover, you still have to pick up and return the machine with enough time for inspection etc. So, could you even finish your woodpile in one day? This is where purchasing your own would relieve that stress. If you bought your own, you could just grab and go.

Think of your needs!

When it comes to which wood chipper is best, it’s down to your individual needs. Top 3 things to think about include:

• Capacity – how big an engine do you require, don’t under-purchase
• Manoeuvrability – do you need wheels? should it fit through gates etc?
• Power Source – Electric, petrol etc.

Regarding capacity, it’s easier to think of short term gains in purchasing smaller machines. But, particularly if you purchase, you want a product that will suit your future needs too. Furthermore, when considering manoeuvrability think how am I going to get it to the job? Once there, do I need to move it around? Asking these questions will help you get the best wood chipper possible. Moreover, in regards to your power source, are you going to be close to a mains socket? Are you going to be working in the middle of woodland where petrol would be best? Or, close to a property with access to electricity. No matter whether it’s a choice of wood chipper hire vs buy – these questions will help.

Wood Chipper Hire vs Buy – cost & maintenance

When it comes to thinking about wood chipper hire vs buy and the cost involved, it’d be easy to idealise renting. However, it is important to factor in that not everyone matches the maintenance standards you’d expect. Think, you’ve organised a rental, picked it up, taken it to the job and it breaks. Hopefully, the company will have a specialist that could come and repair, but that still takes time. Moreover, what if they don’t? You’d have to take it back to the shop, get a replacement and get back to the job – all of which eats into your work time.

If you’re afraid of maintenance, don’t be. Simply check the oil, grease moving parts and occasionally service the engine. That way your machine will always be in chip top form.

Moreover, don’t worry about the initial cost of purchasing your own. At the time of writing, depending on your need, wood chipper hire costs around £102 p/w. Even as high as £113 p/day. But, based on the cheapest quote, you’re looking at £408 p/m. Which is more than enough to purchase our Compact 4hp wood chipper. It’s lightweight, compact, but still packs a punch with our duoblade system. Do you need more power? Check out our 6hp version. Both models come in or around budget and cheaper than renting after only 5 weeks of use. Check out our full range here, or scroll down for product descriptions.

Furthermore, renting out your own chipper is a way to help pay for itself. Think too, no more paying deposits, no more returns before 5 pm – you’re in control.

Petrol vs Electricity:

So, an age old question, electric vs petrol here’s a list of things to consider when making that choice:

• Electric wood chippers are a lot cleaner than petrol
• electric wood chippers are quieter as a rule
• petrol chippers are moveable, you aren’t tied to a plug socket
• petrol chippers are more powerful
• electric chippers don’t emit fumes

Wood chipper hire vs buy – pros and cons:

So you’ve read this far down, let’s now condense the information as clearly as possible.

When it comes to wood chipper hire vs buy, renting pros include a short term low cost option. Furthermore, if it breaks you’ve got no responsibility or maintenance requirements. Moreover, there’s no need to store it and if your needs change you can change the machine.

Renting cons include having to book it beforehand (think opening & closing times). Also, you have to factor in distance between store and job (or home). No control over the condition of the machine & uncertainty over repair/maintenance. Moreover, you have to pay a deposit (will you get it back?) and it’s often more expensive long term.

Now regarding wood chipper hire vs buy, buying pros include being able to pick it up and go – it’s there when you need it. You’re not limited by opening and closing times, nor do you have to worry about returning it in premium condition. No job is to small, you can have it whenever you want it. Finally, you can earn a return on investment by renting it out.

Cons include a need for larger initial capital and responsibility for upkeep and maintenance. Furthermore, you have to find a safe location for storage and having to commit to one model size for the foreseeable future.

Once you’ve committed to a purchase, be sure to check out our blog on all of our uses for your wood chips.

What Should I Buy?

Well, if you’re asking that question, we’ve written a whole blog post for you. Click here to read our guide to buying a wood chipper. If you’re more of a visual learner and want to see them in action, check out our 4hp chipper & our 6hp chipper YouTube videos (subscribe while you’re there!). If you’ve got any burning (or chipping) questions, check out our FAQ page.

Our 6hp model is capable of chipping wood up to 50mm in diameter. Its powerful 6hp engine is capable of 3600 rpm and caters for all wood, hard to soft. It has twin reverse blades so that when one side is worn, simply turn it around and keep going. How convenient. Moreover, you can choose from a pull start or an electric start depending on budget and need. It’s extremely lightweight and compact meaning that manoeuvring and storage needn’t be a worry. Click here to read more. If you want something even more compact with most of the same features, see our 4hp model.

We hope you’ve found this article useful if you have, comment below and let us know! Send us pictures of your chipper in action & check out the rest of our blog. Or, follow our Facebook Community group, Twitter, YouTube channel and like our page