Morbark LLC’s ZeroClutch systems feature an integrated sensor that monitors drum speed and will not allow the clutch to engage if material is lodged between the feed wheel and drum.
“You have to understand your area,” Hicks says. “Local dealers have a work- ing knowledge of the wood you can ex- pect to process in your region.” PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT Like any piece of equipment, wood chippers need to be treated with care and be provided with regular mainte- nance. The following practices will en- sure any chipper enjoys a long life. Don’t feed at capacity It’s a common misconception that a wood chipper’s ideal diet should be as large as the size of the infeed. Hicks explains that brush chippers should only be fed to their maximum capacity a fraction of the time. “There’s the mentality in the industry that ‘if it fits, it chips,’ but that’s not the mentality to have,” Hicks says. “In general, you want to feed your chip- per wood that is only two-thirds of the
longer infeed, so it takes longer for ac- cidents to happen,” Daymon explains. Bandit chippers go above and beyond Occupational Safety and Health Admin- istration standards, Morey says, and its newest chipper line is the safest yet. In addition to an operator toolbar, last chance table, and two cables that will reverse the machine in emergencies, Bandit chippers also contain a rope shear device designed to cut any rope that gets caught in the drum. Regional fit While many manufacturers have glob- al dealer networks, Hicks recommends purchasing from a local dealer, since different regions have different trees. Hardwoods, sowoods, and other types of trees react differently under the knife, and factors like temperature and moisture can also affect the chipping process.
The question of capacity is important, and experts agree that the perfect chip- per can handle most of the wood a tree care company expects to feed it daily, weekly, and yearly. “If you can fit 80 to 90 percent of the material you expect to process through it, it’s a good fit,” Weaver says. Safety Thanks to evolving technology, wood chippers are being built to be safer than ever. For instance, machines are oen painted with an eye-catching fin- ish. Not only does this help with brand recognition, but the improved visibility doubles as a safety feature. Daymon identified several features that DYNA has put in place to ensure the ultimate safety of Vortex chippers. “We have safety bump bars that stop the feed wheel from turning, a for- ward-reverse bar on the unit, and a
18 | ArborTIMES Summer 2024
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