The right wood chipper can transform daunting piles of brush and branches into a manageable workflow that takes just hours, if not minutes. But what size wood chipper do I need? This is one of the most common questions we get asked here at Equipment Outfitters.
Wood chipper sizing comes down to the volume of material you need to process and quite a few other moving pieces - like species, moisture level, portability requirements, the ideal chip size on discharge, budget, and more.
So while we’ll share a helpful wood chipper size chart below, your best bet is to connect with our experts here at Equipment Outfitters for one-on-one support. We can talk over your workflow and offer a tailored recommendation after taking all the nuances into account:
Don’t play the guessing game. Get in touch today to take the stress out of wood chipper sizing!
Quick Wood Chipper Size Chart
|
Capacity (Max Branch Diameter) |
Best For |
Typical Material |
Power / Feed Suggestions |
Notes |
|
3" Wood Chippers |
Homeowners, light property maintenance, small crews |
Shrubs, pruning waste, small limbs (softwood/hardwood mix) |
120V electric or small gas; gravity feed; focus on portability |
Lowest maintenance; ideal for suburban lots and occasional use |
|
4" Wood Chippers |
Serious DIY, acreage owners, landscapers starting out |
Mixed brush, forked branches, moderate hardwood |
Gas preferred; gravity feed or basic assisted feed |
Good step-up in throughput without the weight of pro units |
|
5" Wood Chippers |
Contractors, tree-care side work, farm/ranch maintenance |
Heavier brush, knotty limbs, small logs; frequent use |
Gas engine; consider hydraulic/auto-feed for consistency |
Best balance of power + portability; towable options common |
|
6" Wood Chippers |
Pro crews, storm cleanup, municipal/facility maintenance |
Large, dense hardwood limbs; high-volume workloads |
Gas, hydraulic/auto-feed strongly recommended; DOT-towable |
Highest throughput in this range; heavier frames and stronger rotors |
|
8"+ Commercial Chippers |
Tree services, municipalities, full-time forestry crews |
Mixed large-diameter hardwood, continuous duty |
High-HP gas/diesel; hydraulic feed; commercial safety features |
Max productivity; higher cost/weight, plan for transport & storage |
How Are Wood Chippers Sized?
Wood chippers are usually classified by the maximum branch diameter they can safely and efficiently process - which actually makes sizing your unit pretty straightforward. It typically ranges from 3 to 8 inches for consumer and light commercial models.
That said, chipper sizing also reflects engine horsepower or torque, feed type (manual gravity vs hydraulic), and intended duty cycle. It’s also important to keep in mind that not all 4” branches are the same.
There are quite a few nuances that go into sizing this equipment, which is why we always encourage our customers to get a personalized recommendation from our team. So, what size wood chipper do I need?
What Size Wood Chipper Do I Need?
Whether you’re looking for a gas vs electric wood chipper, the goal is to match the machine’s capacity, power, and design to your workload - not just by the biggest unit you can afford.
The right size depends on how much debris you generate, the kind of wood you’re chipping, and how often you’ll be using the equipment. We’ll go one-by-one below to help you feel more confident in what size wood chipper you need.
Volume, Throughput, and Crew Math
Start by estimating how much material you’ll chip in a typical day or week.
- Light residential users handling a few small piles of branches from yard cleanup can usually rely on a 3- or 4-inch chipper. They’re compact and easier to store, which is great for irregular use.
- Property owners with more acreage or small maintenance crews often move to 5-inch units for a better balance of higher throughput with manageable weight and towing requirements.
- Professional landscapers and tree services dealing with storm cleanup or large removal jobs often need 6-inch and above for sustained daily use with hydraulic feed systems.
Think in terms of crew size and productivity. One or two people feeding a 3-inch chipper will probably have no issue keeping up with occasional brush. Larger teams quickly outwork smaller machines. The more continuous your workflow, the more tonnage and feed power you need.
Species, Moisture, and Contaminants
Wood hardness and moisture dramatically affect chipper performance, and this is something we see so many operators overlook when trying to find the ideal wood chipper size.
Softwoods like pine and spruce cut more easily, meaning smaller chippers can manage larger branch diameters. On the other hand, hardwoods like oak, hickory, or maple need more torque and blade strength. Upgrading to a 5- or 6-inch chipper can make a noticeable difference.
You should think about how wet the wood you’re attempting to process is, too. Green or wet wood tends to clog smaller discharge systems, while seasoned dry wood produces smoother, faster chips.
Don’t forget to account for contaminants, either. Mud, rocks, nails, or frozen material can dull blades faster and stress the drive system. A stronger commercial wood chipper with replaceable blades and heavy-duty rotors is the safer investment for these types of jobs.
Portability, Towing, and Site Access
Size isn’t only about power. You also have to think about what’s practical for your operation as far as towing and storage go.
Maneuverability matters if you’re working in tight residential areas. Compact 3- to 4-inch chippers are lighter and fit through gates with ease. They can often be pushed by a single person.
In contrast, gas-powered 5-inch units hit the sweet spot for acreage or farm properties. They’re still towable with an ATV or small vehicle, yet capable of handling large brush piles.
On the far end of the spectrum, commercial 6-inch+ models are heavier and typically trailer-mounted with DOT-rated axles, designed for truck towing and all-day work.
Factor in terrain as well. Weight and wheel clearance can make a real difference in productivity if you’ll be moving across uneven or muddy ground.
Chip Size, Discharge, and Handling
Different chippers create different outputs, and this is an important aspect of sizing as well.
For instance, gravity-feed units usually produce irregular chip sizes and are slower. That’s fine for mulch or composting. But, hydraulic-feed chippers give more uniform chips and reduce operator strain. That matters for landscaping, municipal cleanup, or fire-fuel reduction programs.
Discharge control also matters, though. Some bigger, more commercial-grade models have 360° adjustable chutes for directing chips into a trailer or pile. Smaller units usually just drop material downward.
Budget, Ownership Costs, and Resale
You might be limited to a certain wood chipper size based on what you can afford. Entry-level models (under 4 inches) tend to be the most cost-effective, but they’re limited not only as far as what you can process but also in terms of run time.
Meanwhile, mid-size units (5-inches) strike a solid balance between being affordable to operate yet durable for regular use. Heavy-duty machines (6 inches and up) are going to cost the most upfront, but they often pay for themselves in terms of time saved on projects.
We know you came here specifically for insights on wood chipper size guidelines, but don’t forget to account for fuel, maintenance, and blade sharpening as you budget for a machine.
Also, we advise our customers that it’s better to slightly oversize your chipper than run a smaller one at its limit. The good news is you don’t have to compromise on what you need based on budget. We offer hassle-free financing to make your investment more attainable.
So, what are you waiting for?
No Matter What Wood Chipper Size You Need, You’ll Find it at Equipment Outfitters!
Whether you think you need a mini wood chipper or a heavy-duty wood chipper, your search ends here at Equipment Outfitters. We’ve handpicked a thorough collection from the most trusted brands in the industry, and we’re eager to help you find the ideal model for your needs.
Our lineup of wood chippers covers every size and application, from compact 3-inch electric units for residential cleanup to 6-inch hydraulic models built for commercial crews. Each machine in our catalog is carefully selected for power, reliability, and safety.
You gain access to trusted brands like Boss Industrial, Yardbeast, Swisher, and Detail K2 - so you can rest assured you’re getting the performance you need, season after season.
Whether you’re managing a small acreage, maintaining a landscaping business, or clearing heavy brush after storms, we have a wood chipper built to keep up with your workload. Get in touch today for a personalized recommendation on the optimal wood chipper size!
Wrapping Up Our Wood Chipper Size Guide
In closing, what size wood chipper do I need? It’s all about balance. You need to match capacity, power, and portability to the kind of work you do most.
Smaller chippers are great for occasional property cleanup, while larger hydraulic units bring efficiency and consistency to professional operations. Either way, we’ve got you covered here at Equipment Outfitters.
Our blog has more helpful resources like the differences between a wood chipper vs shredder. At this point, though, all that’s left to do is connect with our experts for help finding the perfect wood chipper size for your unique needs.