A wood chipper is a smart way to get rid of excess brush fast, whether you’re a farmer, a landscaper, or involved in forestry management. While the gas wood chipper is the most common style you’ll come across, there are others - like the PTO wood chipper.
So which type of equipment makes the most sense for your workflow? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll compare and contrast the PTO wood chipper vs gas wood chipper below to help you make the most informed decision.
|
Feature |
PTO Wood Chipper |
Gas Wood Chipper |
|
Power Source |
Tractor PTO shaft |
Dedicated gas engine |
|
Portability |
Dependent on tractor |
Standalone, towable options |
|
Best For |
Tractor owners wanting to leverage existing equipment |
Homeowners, landscapers, farms, forestry, commercial operators |
|
Wood Volume |
Best for nonstop, high-volume clearing across large acreage |
Handles moderate to heavy volume; good for seasonal or daily jobs |
|
Branch Size Capacity |
Often 5–8”+ depending on tractor horsepower |
Ranges from 2–3” homeowner models to 6–7” commercial machines |
|
Maintenance |
No separate engine, but tractor upkeep required |
Regular small engine maintenance (oil, spark plugs, carburetor) |
|
Cost |
Higher upfront unless tractor already owned |
Lower entry cost, wide range of prices |
|
Fuel Efficiency |
Runs off tractor’s fuel supply |
Dedicated gas tank, higher fuel use overall |
|
Flexibility |
Limited to tractor-compatible work |
Versatile, usable anywhere without tractor |
You can learn more about the differences between a PTO vs gas wood chipper below, but the key takeaway is that a gas model is more versatile. It’s the far more practical choice if you don’t already own a tractor, but even if you do, we typically recommend gas models anyway.
Browse our wood chipper lineup here at Equipment Outfitters, or get in touch today for a personalized recommendation. We’ll get you set up with the perfect equipment for any job!
Pros and Cons of PTO Wood Chippers
PTO wood chippers are powered by a tractor’s Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft, which transfers the tractor’s horsepower directly into the chipper’s cutting mechanism. This eliminates the need for a standalone engine.
PTO equipment is common in agricultural or forestry applications where a tractor is already part of daily operations. Otherwise, investing in a PTO wood chipper also means finding a tractor to use - and that’s a whole other discussion.
Advantages of PTO Wood Chippers
- High Power Capacity: The chipper draws on the tractor’s engine so horsepower is usually greater than most gas-powered standalone units. PTO chippers can process larger branches and heavier volumes without straining.
- Fuel Efficiency: The chipper uses the tractor’s existing fuel supply, streamlining consumption and reducing redundancy.
- Durability: PTO chippers are often built heavier and with fewer complex components since they don’t need a dedicated engine. So, they tend to be more reliable for continuous, demanding jobs.
- Lower Maintenance on Chipper Itself: Upkeep is focused on blades, bearings, and the drive system with no engine to maintain.
Disadvantages of PTO Wood Chippers
- Requires Tractor Ownership: A PTO chipper is unusable without a tractor, so it’s a little more niche - specifically tailored to property owners who already have one.
- Reduced Portability: You must move the tractor with the chipper, which is fine for fields or forests but less practical for moving between jobsites.
- Upfront Cost: The chipper itself may not be more expensive than a gas unit, but factoring in tractor ownership makes this option costlier overall. The same can be said for maintenance costs.
- Safety Concerns: PTO shafts have to be handled carefully. Guarding and knowledge of tractor operation are essential for safe use.
The bottom line is PTO wood chippers can work really well for high-volume, large-diameter wood applications where a tractor is already part of the workflow. Otherwise, you’ll be better suited to the other half of our PTO vs gas wood chippers comparison.
Pros and Cons of Gas Wood Chippers
As you can likely surmise, these wood chippers have their own dedicated small engine, often ranging from 7 HP on residential models to 25+ HP on commercial-grade machines. They drive the chipper’s drum or disc directly, so they’re self-contained and versatile.
Advantages of Gas Wood Chippers
- Stand-Alone Operation: No tractor required - all you need is fuel. Gas wood chippers are far more versatile than their PTO counterparts. They’re usable anywhere.
- Wide Range of Sizes: From small homeowner chippers rated for 3” branches to heavy-duty commercial units that handle 6”-7” logs, gas covers almost every use case.
- Portability: Many units are towable with ATVs or trucks, while smaller ones can be moved by hand. They’re more practical for moving from jobsite to jobsite.
- Availability and Serviceability: Gas engines are common and easy to service. Parts, repairs, and support are widely available.
- Cost Range: Gas chippers are available at nearly every price point, from a few hundred dollars for small residential models to several thousand for commercial-grade machines.
Disadvantages of Gas Wood Chippers
- Maintenance Requirements: Oil changes, spark plugs, fuel stabilizers, and carburetor cleaning add up. They require more upkeep than PTO models. But, you’re not maintaining a separate tractor - so it’s hard to call this a “drawback,” it’s more of a wash.
- Noise & Emissions: Gas engines are louder and produce exhaust unlike their electric counterparts - but they’re way quieter than a tractor, which has a much stronger engine.
- Durability Variance: While heavy-duty models last for years, cheaper homeowner versions may wear out faster if pushed beyond their limits.
But really, there aren’t many downsides to investing in a gas wood chipper if it fits your workflow - that’s why these are some of the most popular pieces of equipment we sell here at Equipment Outfitters! You can’t go wrong with these heavy-duty wood chippers.
We have a separate comparison of the gas vs electric wood chipper if you want to see how these styles stack up. In the meantime, let’s compare and contrast the PTO wood chipper vs gas wood chipper side-by-side below!
PTO Wood Chipper vs Gas Wood Chipper: Which is Right For Your Workflow?
Ultimately, only you can determine which piece of machinery makes the most sense for you between a PTO wood chipper vs gas wood chipper. Neither is inherently better. It comes down to your property, the material you’ll be processing, and whether or not you already own a tractor.
Assessing Property Size and Wood Volume
The biggest determining factor in choosing between a PTO vs gas wood chipper (besides your available equipment) is the property you’ll work on and the wood you’ll process.
PTO wood chippers are built for scale. They can process large-diameter branches and high volumes of material without slowing down as they draw power directly from the tractor’s PTO shaft.
They bring a sort of raw power and reliability that makes them a smart choice for farms, forestry operations, and large-acreage landowners where brush clearing is a constant demand. But you could say the same for a gas wood chipper, if you buy a powerful enough unit!
Gas wood chippers typically top out around 6-7 inches in brand capacity, though. They’re still great for many of the same applications as PTO chippers, but will be a bit less efficient as far as nonstop clearing across acres of land.
Considering Equipment You Already Own
Here’s the big distinction between a PTO wood chipper vs gas wood chipper. Do you already have a tractor? If not, there’s your answer: stick with a gas unit!
Gas chippers are totally self-contained. You don’t need any other equipment to make them run. This makes them the obvious choice for homeowners, small business owners, and crews who want portability without tying up a tractor.
Now, if you do have a tractor, then choosing between a PTO vs gas wood chipper might be a bit tougher since you can technically go with either option. In most cases, though, those with a tractor will be drawn to the PTO wood chipper.
Evaluating Portability Needs
Portability is another area where gas chippers often win out. Smaller models can be moved by hand, and larger ones are towable behind ATVs or trucks, giving them flexibility across multiple job sites.
PTO chippers are tied to the tractor. So they can technically be moved across the job site, which works for open fields and forest edges. But, it’s less convenient for tight or suburban properties.
Maintenance and Long-Term Costs
PTO chippers don’t have an engine of their own, so maintenance is focused on blades, bearings, and belts. You’ll have to maintain all of those components on a gas chipper as well, along with the engine itself - which involves:
- Oil changes
- Spark plugs
- Fuel stabilizers
- Carburetor cleaning
That said, you shouldn’t overlook the tractor maintenance that goes into owning a PTO wood chipper. This can make for a lot more work in the end.
Safety and Ease of Use
Both types of wood chippers are completely safe when used correctly. But you could make the case that PTO chippers need to be handled more carefully. You get some protection inside the tractor cab, but PTO shafts and high throughput call for an experienced operator who understands tractor safety.
On the other hand, gas wood chippers are generally more approachable for beginners. They include features like automatic shutoff switches, two-hand controls, and smaller feed throats to keep the operator safe. They’re not risk-free, but they’re easier to use without extensive training.
Let Equipment Outfitters Connect You With the Optimal Wood Chipper!
Your search for a commercial wood chipper ends here at Equipment Outfitters. We built our catalog to cover every use case, from compact 3-inch chippers for homeowners to heavy-duty 6-inch and commercial-grade models for professionals. You can shop based on size below:
You’ll find trusted names like Boss Industrial, Detail K2, Yardbeast, and PowerKing, all vetted for durability and performance. Every model has been handpicked after careful vetting, so you can trust you’re getting the dependable, high-performance solution you need.
You also get competitive pricing with personal support. We aggressively negotiate discounts with manufacturers, pass those savings on to you, and back it up with free shipping on most orders, no sales tax in nearly every state, and flexible financing options.
If you’re still on the fence between a PTO wood chipper vs gas wood chipper, just give us a call or fire up a chat. Let’s talk it over with your property and/or use case in mind, and we can offer a more personalized recommendation from there!
Parting Thoughts on the PTO vs Gas Wood Chipper
We hope this PTO wood chipper vs gas wood chipper comparison has left you with complete clarity on which style fits your property and workflow best. Each has its place, and you really can’t go wrong either way if you’re trying to process material faster.
The key takeaway is simple: match your chipper to the size of your property, the type of wood you’ll process, and how often you’ll use it. That’s something we can help you with if you’re still feeling stuck. Get in touch today and see how the right chipper can streamline your operation!