Tractor wood chipper: how to choose the right one

The short answer

You choose a tractor wood chipper on four points: the thickness of the wood you want to chip, how it is fed (by hand or with a feed roller), the power and PTO of your tractor, and the weight the three-point linkage has to lift.

For prunings and branches up to 10 cm in diameter, a compact chipper such as the Knegt HV5m is a good fit. It runs off the PTO at 540 rpm, is suitable for tractors from 18 hp according to the product page, and comes with a PTO shaft as standard.

What does a tractor wood chipper do?

A wood chipper turns branches and prunings into small wood chips. You feed the wood into the infeed hopper, where rotating knives cut it into pieces. The chips are blown out through the discharge chute, for example onto a pile, into a trailer or straight between the plants.

A tractor-mounted chipper has no engine of its own. It is attached to the three-point linkage and driven by the PTO. That keeps it compact and simple, and it goes wherever the pruning work is.

Typical applications:

• clearing prunings in tree nurseries, fruit growing and horticulture

• maintaining parks, estates, nature areas and holiday parks

• processing branches and hedge cuttings on farmyards, equestrian centres and sports grounds

• making chips for mulch, paths or compost, so there is less waste to take away

What to look for when choosing

A wood chipper has to match both the wood you process and your tractor. Check these points:

• Maximum infeed diameter: how thick can the branches be? Choose a chipper that handles most of your prunings without having to shorten or split branches first.

• Feeding: with manual feeding you push the wood into the hopper yourself, which works well for branches and prunings. A feed roller pulls the wood in automatically and is convenient for large volumes or thicker material.

• Power: every chipper has a minimum power requirement. Make sure your tractor is comfortably above it, especially for long working sessions.

• PTO and speed: check that your tractor has a PTO and that its speed matches what the chipper requires, usually 540 rpm.

• Weight and lift capacity: the chipper hangs on the three-point linkage. Compare its weight with the lift capacity of your tractor.

• Capacity: the capacity in cubic metres per hour shows roughly how many chips you produce per hour, which helps you estimate how long a job will take.

The Knegt HV5m wood chipper

Knegt supplies the HV5m wood chipper for compact tractors. According to the specifications on the Knegt website:

• Maximum infeed: 10 cm

• Feeding: manual, no feed roller

• Knives: 4

• Capacity: 6 m³ per hour

• PTO speed: 540 rpm, PTO shaft included

• Weight: 195 kg

• Dimensions: 120 x 170 x 100 cm

• Suitable for tractors from 18 hp

Which Knegt tractor fits? According to the specification tables, the diesel models 304G2, 404GT and 504GT and the electric 404G2E and 504G3E have a PTO with 540 and 1,000 rpm. Their stated lift capacity is between 432 and 1,100 kg, well above the weight of the HV5m. For the electric 304G2E the specification table does not list a PTO; ask your dealer which combination is possible for that model.

If you work with an electric compact tractor from Knegt, the tractor itself runs quietly and without exhaust fumes. The chipper does make its own noise while cutting, so hearing protection is still needed. For the price of the HV5m or a combination with a tractor, please request a quote.

Working safely with a wood chipper

A wood chipper is a powerful implement. A few fixed habits help you work safely:

• Read the manual of the chipper and of your tractor beforehand.

• Wear hearing protection, eye protection, work gloves and close-fitting clothing without loose parts.

• Park the tractor on level ground with the handbrake on before you start chipping.

• Always keep hands and feet out of the hopper and push short pieces through with the next branch, never by hand.

• Point the discharge chute away from people, animals, roads and buildings.

• Switch off the PTO and wait until the knives have stopped before clearing a blockage or doing maintenance.

• Keep the knives sharp and check their fastening regularly, as described in the manual.

Frequently asked questions

How thick can branches be for a tractor wood chipper?

That depends on the chipper. The Knegt HV5m processes branches up to 10 cm in diameter.

How much horsepower does my tractor need for a wood chipper?

Every chipper has a minimum power requirement. According to Knegt, the HV5m is suitable for tractors from 18 hp, provided the tractor has a 540 rpm PTO.

Can I use a wood chipper with an electric tractor?

Yes, if the tractor has a PTO. The electric 404G2E and 504G3E have a PTO with 540 and 1,000 rpm. Your dealer can help you choose the right combination.

What can I do with the wood chips?

Wood chips can be used as mulch between plants, as a surface layer on paths or as material for compost. That way the pruning waste stays on your own land.

Advice on a wood chipper for your tractor

Would you like to know which wood chipper suits your tractor and the amount of prunings on your land? Request a free demo and see the combination at work on your own ground. Prefer to talk first? Book an advice session, request a quote or find a Knegt dealer near you. Together we will look at which tractor and implements fit your work best.