Chip and Shred Away at Spring Chores

The right tools make short work of debris problems

As spring emerges, there are many opportunities for those with significant acreage to repurpose their land with the abundant deadfall left behind from winter. One easy way to make the debris useful is by using a chipper shredder. These machines reduce branches, twigs, and leaves, into mulch and composting material, all while making your landscape look its best. 

Jason Wilk, Senior Product Manager at ECHO Incorporated, provides a few tips to consider:

Power source

Chipper shredders range anywhere from light duty electric to heavy duty gas powered. Electric works well for those with a power source nearby and whose trees aren’t very mature. Gas powered provides the flexibility to take the unit anywhere on the property, provides more power and can chip larger diameter branches and debris.

Marchine versatility

The machine will chip tiny pieces off branches, turning them into mulch, while also having the capability to shred material, such as tall grass, old vegetable plants and pinecones, resulting in fertilizer and/or composting material. It’s basically two machines in one.

Transporting the within your property

Gas units tend to be heavier, so large landowners should consider units with an optional tow kit, like the ECHO line-up of chipper/shredders, allowing you to pull these units behind an ATV or garden tractor. Also, features like large diameter, flat-free tires will provide easy transportation with reduced tire maintenance. 

Typically, most units should be like a wheel barrel to transport, lifting a handle and rolling the unit on its wheels.

Maintenance is key

Like any cutting machine, blades will become dull over time and need to be sharpened and sometimes replaced. Also, be sure to check your air filters, spark plugs and now is a good time to check or replace your engine oil. If your unit has regular pneumatic tires, check the pressure often, so you don’t get a flat tire when you’re deep into the property.

Finally, Jason explains shredding cardboard is a perfectly good application for the chipper shredder. (So, anyone who is trying to hide their online shopping evidence, this might be a good enough reason alone to purchase a chipper shredder this spring. Don’t tell.)

What to do with the wood chips https://anestwithayard.com/what-do-wood-chips-from-chipper/