Whether you’re a property owner trying to keep sprawling acreage clean or you run a landscaping business and want to invest in something to improve productivity, a wood chipper is a smart addition to your arsenal. But with so many great brands and models to choose from, it’s easy to feel a little uncertain - or perhaps even overwhelmed.
We see the Detail K2 wood chipper vs Bobcat wood chipper attachment compared all the time, and maybe you’re trying to narrow it down between these two options. You’ve come to the right place.
Here at Equipment Outfitters, we stock the full lineup of Detail K2 wood chippers, ranging from a 3-inch wood chipper to a 6-inch wood chipper with tons of options in between. We carry this brand because it has earned a reputation for consistently creating high-quality equipment that performs well, day after day. These chippers are considered pull-type, meaning you’ll tow them.
On the other hand, Bobcat makes a wood chipper attachment that connects to your loader or skid-steer, so to even have a comparison between these two brands, you have to already own a Bobcat. The attachment continuously mulches material up to 5” in diameter and works well for tree removal, pruning, personal property maintenance, and more.
In reality, the comparison between the Detail K2 wood chipper vs Bobcat wood chipper is a PTO wood chipper vs gas wood chipper showdown. And no matter which you find makes more sense for you, Equipment Outfitters has you covered with the best solution.
Get in touch today for a personalized recommendation!
|
Feature |
Detail K2 Wood Chippers |
Bobcat Chipper Attachment |
|
Equipment Type |
Standalone gas-powered chippers (3″–6″ capacity range). |
Skid-steer loader attachment; powered by carrier hydraulics. |
|
Power Source |
Kohler 7 – 14 HP engines (Manual or Electric Start). |
Hydraulic motor driven via loader auxiliary flow (13–27 GPM range). |
|
Max Branch Capacity |
3″ (OPC503/503V) to 6″ (OPC506/566E) depending on model. |
Up to 5″ (8B model) with 9″ feed opening and 1.25″ steel disk. |
|
Feed System |
Gravity feed or hydraulic auto-feed (OPC505AE); dual swing chutes for access. |
Hydraulic roller feed with variable speed control and reversible feed roller. |
|
Drive Mechanism |
Kinetic drum (OPC524/525) or cyclonic disc (OPC506/566E) systems. |
Heavy-duty disk chipper design with four reversible tool-steel blades. |
|
Discharge Options |
Fixed or dual swing chute; manual aiming for pile placement. |
360° rotating discharge chute with adjustable deflector for precise chip placement. |
|
Mobility / Mount |
DOT-rated tow frames (OPC505AE, 506, 566E) for trailer or yard use. |
Mounts directly to Bobcat loader plate (QA system); not a standalone unit. |
|
Maintenance Access |
Tool-free drum access; dual chute swing design for easy cleaning and blade change. |
Top service panel with ground-level Remote Attachment Control option. |
|
Ideal Users |
Homeowners, acreage owners, contractors, and farm crews needing portable gas units. |
Municipal and landscape crews already owning Bobcat loaders for site clearing work. |
|
Approx. Price Range (USD) |
$1,300 – $3,600 depending on capacity and engine size. |
$7,000 – $9,000 as attachment (additional cost for loader carrier). |
Overview of Detail K2 Wood Chippers
Detail K2 (often branded as DK2) makes versatile, contractor-grade wood chippers for residential, acreage, and light commercial settings. The lineup spans models ranging from 3” brush chippers up to 6” units, with kinetic drum, cyclonic, and auto-feed roller designs.
A lot of DK2 units include dual swing chutes for easier maintenance access, tool-free blade access, and hydraulic (or assisted) feed systems in mid and upper models. A big advantage of this brand is that it distributes equipment from multiple US facilities so you can get your unit fast - and spare parts are never far away.
The equipment itself is crafted to very high standards. Expect rugged steel frames, DOT-style tires on towable units, and compatibility with standard towing setups. Even lighter use models, like the DK2 OPC503 and OPC503V, are built to last. Some combine chipper, shredder, and even vacuum functionality for landscape cleanup.
Whether you’re looking for a powerful commercial wood chipper for everyday use or a mini wood chipper for personal property management, there’s a DK2 wood chipper that fits your needs. We’ll help you find it. Just get in touch with our team for one-on-one support.
But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We need to introduce the other half of our Detail K2 wood chipper vs Bobcat wood chipper comparison first.
Overview of Bobcat Wood Chippers
Bobcat offers a wood chipper as an attachment for its loader models, designed to integrate into operators’ workflow rather than serve as standalone machines. It grinds branches, limbs, and small trees (up to 5”) with a pretty solid volume reduction of roughly 10:1.
Part of what makes the Bobcat attachment so compelling is you can reach locations a pull-type chipper can’t get to, thanks to loader mobility. Anywhere you can get your Bobcat, you can get your chipper.
Another reason people are drawn to the Bobcat attachment for wood chipping is the low-maintenance design. It uses the machine's hydraulics to power its hydraulic power feed roller and drive system, so there’s no separate engine to maintain.
Bobcat’s chipper includes 360° rotating discharge chute with an adjustable deflector to precisely direct output material. The rugged chipper disc (1.25” steel) uses four reversible tool-steel blades to extend lifespan between sharpening cycles. The intake housing also has dual mounting (front or right side for loader setup flexibility.
More convenience features include the variable speed feed roller with reverse or stall-recovery mode and the option of Bobcat’s Remote Attachment Control (RAC) to operate the chipper from the ground.
As for compatibility, the chipper works with most skid-steers and compact track loaders. But at anywhere from $7,000 to $20,000 (depending on the year and used/new), it’s quite the investment. You obviously need to have a Bobcat loader for this to be worth exploring, too.
So, where does that leave you in choosing between the Detail K2 wood chipper vs Bobcat wood chipper attachment?
Detail K2 Wood Chipper vs Bobcat Wood Chipper Attachment: Which is Right For Your Operation?
We want to be clear - both Bobcat and Detail K2 wood chippers are high-quality pieces of equipment from trusted brands. You really can’t go wrong either way.
However, one of these is probably a better fit for your specific workflow. This breakdown of the Detail K2 wood chipper vs Bobcat wood chipper below will help you narrow it down.
Capacity, Material Profile, and Throughput
Capacity speaks to the size of material you can handle, while throughput is a gauge of how quickly you can work. This is the biggest difference between DK2’s lineup and the Bobcat attachment.
You get way more options with Detail K2. These self-contained gas units range from 3” residential machines up to 6” contractor-grade models. Throughput depends on the model and engine size, but they’re built for mixed brush, branches, and small logs - just about any type of waste you’ll encounter in property maintenance, landscaping, or light forestry.
In contrast, the Bobcat chipper attachment is made for continuous feed and higher daily workloads. Its hydraulic drive and 9” feed opening can process up to 5”-diameter hardwood efficiently. It works steadily thanks to consistent hydraulic power from the carrier machine.
We’ve found that the Bobcat wood chipper makes more sense for tree-service contractors and municipal cleanup teams that need to chip large piles without long cooldowns between sessions. On the other hand, Detail K2 wood chippers work great for anything because the company makes so many different types of chippers.
Power and Feed System Differences
There’s an obvious difference in terms of how the wood chippers are powered, too.
Detail K2 units come with independent Kohler engines ranging from 7 to 14 HP. These engines drive kinetic drums, cyclonic disks, or, in higher-end models, hydraulic auto-feed systems. At any rate, you get simple, portable power without the need for external equipment.
As for feed styles, you can choose from gravity (manual) on small models to hydraulic rollers on larger ones like the OPC505AE. You get complete control over how material enters the blades.
The Bobcat chipper, as you know now, is powered entirely by auxiliary hydraulics from the skid-steer or compact loader. Feed rate and roller control are tied to the loader’s flow rate (13-27 GPM range). This eliminates the need for a secondary engine, but it also ties the chipper’s productivity to the machine’s hydraulic performance.
However, you get a true power-feed system with adjustable and reversible rollers in exchange. It could be worth it if you frequently deal with heavy, irregular limbs or wet material that would stall a smaller gravity-feed unit.
Mobility, Setup, and Site Logistics
Detail K2 wins on independence when it comes to portability. Most of the 4” to 6” chippers are DOT-rated towable units with integrated wheels, hitches, and light wiring. The smaller 3” units are compact enough to move by hand or with an ATV. This is great for residential or multi-site use where maneuverability matters more than raw output.
But Bobcat’s chipper attachment wins in a different regard. It can reach areas you might not be able to get to with a Detail K2 wood chipper. It mounts directly to the loader plate so you don’t have to stress about accessing a job site on your property with really rugged terrain.
HOWEVER, this does make moving the chipper from property to property more of a hassle. You’ll have to get a separate trailer to tow the Bobcat itself and the attachment. It’s also worth considering other uses you might have for your Bobcat. If the loader is busy, the chipper is idle.
Cost, Uptime, and Total Cost of Ownership
Detail K2 is by far the more affordable entry point for wood chipping. Even its 6” units stay in the $2,000 to $3,600 range, depending on configuration. Operating costs consist of fuel, oil, and occasional blade maintenance.
Bobcat’s chipper attachment costs more upfront - the lowest prices we’ve found are between $7,000 to $9,000. That’s not factoring in the skid-steer itself, either. We’re assuming you already have one in your arsenal.
If you are already running a loader, you might have lower operating costs with a Bobcat chipper attachment since there’s no secondary engine to maintain. Your downtime is limited to hydraulic servicing or blade replacement.
Otherwise, investing in a Bobcat loader and the chipper attachment - just for the sole purpose of managing brush and branches - probably doesn’t make sense. You’ll have to think about other uses you might have on your property for a loader in order for this to make sense.
So, Which is Right For You?
Hopefully this comparison of the Detail K2 wood chipper vs Bobcat wood chipper has left you feeling clear on which best suits your needs.
The Detail K2 lineup makes a lot more sense if you need a standalone, portable chipper for varied jobs, from farm cleanup to light commercial work. It’s self-powered, affordable, and easy to move between locations. You can get more specific with capacity and throughput, too.
On the other hand, a Bobcat chipper attachment can be a solid choice if you already own a Bobcat loader and prioritize throughput, speed, and minimal manual handling.
Here at Equipment Outfitters, you’ll have access to the Detail K2 lineup at competitive prices backed by world-class customer service. And while we don’t carry the Bobcat chipper attachment, we do carry other tried-and-true PTO models that attach to skid-steers.
Get in touch with our team for one-on-one support today. We can have a conversation about your workflow, property, and budget, and come up with a personalized suggestion. Take the nex step towards streamlining your waste management process today!
Wrapping Up Our Detail K2 Wood Chipper vs Bobcat Wood Chipper Comparison
Both Detail K2 and Bobcat build dependable, heavy-duty chippers. They just serve totally different workflows. Detail K2’s flexible, gas-powered units are great for property owners, landscapers, and contractors who need independence and easy towing.
On the other hand, Bobcat’s chipper attachment integrates seamlessly with existing loaders, offering hydraulic efficiency and speed for large-scale, continuous operations.
Whether you’re looking for a gas vs electric wood chipper or even a PTO wood chipper, Equipment Outfitters has you covered with the top brands and models at the lowest prices online. With world-class customer service from A to Z, what more could you ask for?
Explore our full heavy-duty wood chipper lineup today and find the right model for your workload. Or, reach out to our customer service team for an expert recommendation!