When it comes to choosing between a gas vs electric wood chipper, you'll want to understand the pros and cons of both power sources. For homeowners looking to mulch smaller sticks without noise pollution, an electric chipper is an excellent choice.
Professional landscapers, on the other hand, might need a machine that is capable of handling a larger volume of material and larger sticks. At Equipment Outfitters, we have an excellent selection of both gas and electric wood chippers for professionals and DIYers alike.
Let's dive into our gas vs electric wood chipper comparison to help you make the right choice for your landscaping needs.
Benefits of Gas Wood Chippers
Gas wood chippers have many benefits over electric chippers. When you shop and compare a gas vs electric wood chipper, you'll primarily notice that gas wood chippers tend to be for more heavy-duty work. This type of chipper can also typically handle larger sticks and mulch wood faster than an electric-powered chipper.
Gas wood chippers do have their drawbacks, however, and might not be ideal for a homeowner doing light work around their yard. Let's check out some of the pros of a gas-powered wood chipper first.
More Power for Larger and Tougher Material
The primary reason most professional landscapers choose a gas-powered wood chipper is because of their ability to handle larger sticks and more material at once. This added power means that your team can work quickly and complete the job faster for your clients. Depending on the model you choose, most gas models will be able to handle sticks ranging from 3'' to over 6'' in diameter.
Ideal for Outdoor and High-Volume Use
Gas wood chippers are the ideal choice for outdoor high-volume work. Since gas woodchippers come with more power, they can easily handle larger jobs, making them the go-to choice for farms, acreage properties, landscaping crews, and city workers. They also don't need to be plugged into an electric power source, which allows them to work in rural areas without an electric power source.
Considerations With Gas Wood Chippers
While gas wood chippers are incredibly powerful and efficient machines, they do have some considerations that have to be taken. Since they are gas-powered, they produce fumes and noise pollution. Homeowners who are living in quiet neighborhoods might be better suited with an electric woodchipper as this option produces less noise pollution and zero air pollution.
Gas wood chippers also tend to come with a higher price tag than electric chippers and might be overpowered for use around your backyard. Now we'll take a look at the other side of the gas vs electric wood chipper debate, electric wood chippers.
Benefits of Electric Wood Chippers
Electric wood chippers are an excellent option for homeowners and DIYers who are looking to do some light work around their property. Since they are electric and not gas-powered, they produce much less noise pollution and no harmful fumes.
Electric wood chippers also tend to be priced more affordably than their gas-powered alternatives. We'll break down some of the benefits you get if you are deciding between an electric vs gas wood chipper.
Clean, Quiet Operation
The biggest benefit you'll get from an electric wood chipper is quieter operation and cleaner operation. If you are concerned about noise pollution and air pollution, you'll want to consider an electric wood chipper over a much louder gas-powered wood chipper. Electric wood chippers can also be used in more confined areas like a garage or shop, as they do not produce dangerous fumes when in use.
Lower Maintenance and Simpler Use
Another benefit of electric vs gas wood chipper is the lower maintenance costs and ease of use. Gas-powered wood chippers need regular engine maintenance that can be a burden for homeowners and DIYers, especially if they don't frequently use their machines. Electric wood chippers are essentially plug and play, making them a more convenient option for around the yard work.
Setting Your Expectations With Electric Wood Chippers
The main issue people run into when comparing electric vs gas wood chippers is expecting an electric chipper to handle the same amount of work as a gas-powered chipper. While there are many powerful electric wood chipper options available, most are designed to handle sticks between 1'' and 3'' in diameter.
If you are looking for a machine for commercial or business use, an electric chipper may not be able to handle the same volume of work as a commercial wood chipper. An electric wood chipper, like a mini wood chipper, however, is an excellent option for around the backyard landscaping work!
Electric vs Gas Wood Chipper: Key Differences to Consider
Gas vs electric wood chippers have some key differences that make one power source a better fit than another, depending on your intended use. Generally, you'll find homeowners more commonly use electric wood chippers, while professionals tend to choose a gas-powered model. Let's explore why this is and the key differences between these two power options.
Power Output and Capacity
You simply can't beat the power output and capacity of a gas-powered heavy-duty wood chipper. These machines are able to handle both larger sticks and larger volumes of material, which is why they are the go-to choice for commercial operators. Homeowners and DIYers, however, often don't need the added power that comes with a gas-powered chipper and can get by with an electric chipper that is often more affordable.
Portability and Setup
Gas-powered wood chippers are an ideal choice if you plan to transport your machine to a rural area without electrical infrastructure. The main downside you'll find with an electric chipper is that it relies on an electrical power source. Electric wood chippers are easier to set up and have a lower cost of maintenance than gas chippers. If you value maximum portability, go with a gas-powered wood chipper, but if you prefer ease of setup, you can't beat a plug-and-play electric wood chipper.
Noise, Emissions, and Work Environment
In terms of noise and emissions, electric wood chippers easily beat out gas-powered machines. The average gas-powered wood chipper produces 85-110 decibels of noise when in use, alongside some dangerous emissions like carbon monoxide.
Some states like California have gone as far as to ban gas-powered lawn care equipment for personal use, including gas-powered wood chippers. If you are looking for the quietest option, we recommend choosing an electric chipper over a gas-powered model.
Maintenance Demands and Longevity
When we look at the maintenance demands of a gas vs electric wood chipper, you'll notice that gas-powered machines require much more maintenance than their electric counterparts. With a gas-powered chippers, you'll have to perform regular maintenance, including:
- Oil changes
- Spark plug changes
- Fuel system checks
- Air filter changes
While electric machines still require some maintenance, the level of maintenance you'll need to do is much less. For ease of maintenance, we recommend an electric chipper.
Cost and Operating Efficiency
Price is another important factor when comparing an electric vs gas wood chipper. Electric wood chippers tend to have a much more affordable price point than their gas counterparts, which is why they are so popular for homeowners. Electric wood chippers are also more energy efficient than gas-powered models, making them cheaper to run in the long term.
Shop Either Style at Equipment Outfitters Today!
If you are looking for either a commercial grade gas wood chipper or an affordable electric chipper for work around the yard, you'll get the best deal, and free shipping at Equipment Outfitters. We have an excellent selection of gas and electric wood chippers including:
Start shopping and comparing machines today and take advantage of our no sales tax, free shipping, and low prices to get the best deal possible on your wood chipper!
Bringing Our Gas vs Electric Wood Chipper Guide to a Close
We hope this article has helped make your decision between a gas vs electric wood chipper easier! For professionals looking for the most efficient and powerful machine, you can't go wrong with a gas-powered wood chipper.
Homeowners looking for a more affordable, quiet, and easier-to-operate machine can choose from our great selection of electric options. Start shopping today and see how Equipment Outfitters saves you money with our free shipping, no sales tax, and the lowest prices online!