As Derby’s largest independent supplier of wood chippers and garden shredders, we stock only the highest quality equipment for domestic and commercial use, including leading brands such as Stihl, Hansa and more.
As well as selling, we also service and repair all types of wood chippers and shredders (and other garden and grounds equipment) at our specialist workshop - whether you’ve bought from us or not.
Want to talk things through? Simply get in touch.
What’s the difference between a wood chipper and a shredder?
A wood chipper is designed to break down large branches or complete pieces of wood into chips. Whereas a shredder crushes or rips apart softer, smaller pieces of debris - like the material cut from a tree or bush - so it’s ready for compost.
Their common goal? To reduce garden waste and produce useful resources (like mulch) for your garden - saving you multiple trips to the tip and helping to feed your lawn.
Our extensive range of wood chippers can help you to easily dispose of pruned branches and twigs, leaves and more by crushing them into a much more convenient pile to dispose of, compost or mulch, saving you from making multiple trips to the tip.
So if you’re dealing with a lot of large branches or heavy-duty chipping tasks, a wood chipper’s your best bet. But if you’re working with fewer materials and need some tree mulch for gardening, you’re probably better with a shredder.
How to choose the right wood chipper or shredder
Whether you’re a gardener, landscaper or tree surgeon, a wood chipper or shredder can make light work of breaking down large (or small) chunks of wood and foliage.
But the question remains: which model do you need? And what features will you benefit from the most? Let us take the guesswork out of it. Whether you’ve done your research or not, the best way to find out which wood chipper or shredder is right for you is to get in touch.
In the meantime, here’s some key things to consider when choosing a new wood chipper or shredder:
What kind of power source do you need?
Wood chippers and shredders break down into two types: petrol and electric.
Petrol wood chippers and shredders: For larger, heavy-duty tasks or commercial jobs that require more power, a petrol wood chipper or shredder will get the job done faster and more effectively than electric. With no power cord, you can move around freely without the hassle of having to be close to a power source. But it’s worth noting that they’re usually heavier and noisier than their electric counterparts.
Electric wood chippers and shredders: Electric models are suited for domestic use when you’ve got smaller foliage to break down. Lighter, quieter and emissionless, they’re ideal for residential areas. Simply plug in and go. However, while they’re generally less maintenance, they’re not as powerful as petrol wood chippers and shredders, so think about the type of jobs you’ll be doing first.
Consider the feed capacity
On average, how big (in diameter) will the pieces of wood be that you’re cutting? Each model will have its own feed or cutting capacity - whether that be 5cm or 45cm - so it’s important to choose a machine that can effectively break down the size of wood you’re feeding it. Otherwise, you risk damaging the blades.
Generally, the larger (and more powerful) the machine, the more it can handle, but check the model first.
Prefer to talk to someone instead? Simply get in touch - we’ll help you figure out which wood chipper or shredder is best for you.
Storage and manoeuvrability
It might seem obvious, but you need to think about where you’re going to store your wood chipper or shredder.
While most domestic models are just a little smaller than your average wheelbarrow (making them compact enough for keeping in your shed or garage), many commercial machines will need a larger storage area.
When it comes to manoeuvrability, if you’re after a wood chipper or shredder for domestic use, you’ll want something that’s light enough to move yourself. Whereas if you’re leaning more towards a commercially-sized machine, you might want to consider one with a built-in tow bar.
Best-selling wood chippers & shredders
Need help choosing?
Whether you’re still unsure or want to know more, check out our FAQs or get in touch. Alternatively, pop into our showroom and speak with our experienced team.