ArborTimes Winter 2023

“According to 360 Research Reports, the global wood-chipper market size was valued at $335.4 million in 2021.”

Investing in a Chipper? Here’s What You Need to Know By Emily W. Duane

With the residential tree care and land- scaping market experiencing signif- icant growth in 2020 as homeowners prioritized caring for and expanding their outdoor living spaces, the oppor- tunity to meet that demand and expe- rience business growth has presented itself for tree care companies of all siz- es. With that demand comes the oppor- tunity to enhance existing services, ex- pand into new services and streamline business processes to reclaim time and money. This is where heavy machinery can be a major asset. “Ten years ago when you attended a trade show, you could look across the building and all you would see were chippers. Today, it’s aerial devices. For- ward-thinking people invest in machin- ery that will advance their business,” says Tom Gross, founder of Vortex Equipment. “Chippers still offer great value today. They reduce cut and drag time, which in turn helps you make more money. When you’re making a purchasing decision of this magnitude, invest in something that will improve

your bottom line and productivity.”

According to 360 Research Reports, the global wood-chipper market size was valued at $335.4 million in 2021. With increasing demand for wood across various industries, the market for heavy machinery is highly competitive. It can be difficult to find a used ma- chine, and delivery windows for new machines are oen 90-plus days. While renting is a valid avenue for meeting client demand in a pinch, and the bene- fit of leaving maintenance to the rental provider is appealing, eventually, there will be a tipping point where owning is the preferred option. THE TIPPING POINT “Having been on the tree company side and the manufacturer side, I don’t know that there is a singular ah-ha moment that applies to everyone,” says Lou Hicks, regional sales manager for Morbark. “I’d say the tipping point is when you, and any team you might have, are well-educated and certified in all

Some manufacturers and dealers do offer rent-to-own plans, giving business owners the chance to assess how a chipper will work for their business for a short period of time, such as three or six months. Photo courtesy of Morbark.

“Chippers still offer great value today. They reduce cut and drag time, which in turn helps you make more money.”

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