Published: 16.07.2026 · Motohill team · Updated: 24.10.2026
Short answer: choose a wood chipper first by the thickness of the branches you actually cut, and second by what will power it. For a home garden with branches up to 5–6 cm, a small petrol chipper with an engine of about 7 hp is enough. For an orchard and branches of 9–12 cm you need 14–18 hp. If you have a tractor and a lot of wood, pick a PTO-driven disc chipper: depending on the model it handles branches from 10 cm up to about 25 cm.
Below we explain the difference between chipper types, show a table of models with manufacturer data and answer the questions customers ask most often.
What does a wood chipper do?
A wood chipper (also called a branch shredder) turns branches from pruning trees, shrubs and hedges into wood chips. Instead of burning or hauling them away, you get mulch for shrubs, material for compost or an addition to firewood. A pile of branches that took up half the yard fits into a few wheelbarrows afterwards.
Drum or disc chipper: what is the difference?
A drum chipper has its blades mounted on a rotating drum. The drum pulls the branch in by itself and cuts it into short pieces. Garden chippers with their own engine are built this way: WEIMA WMS, Grünwelt GW-S312E and most of the Jansen GTS series. They are lighter, run on wheels and one person can push them around the property.
A disc chipper has its blades on a heavy flywheel disc. In the Jansen BX and JX models a set of 4 blades and a counter blade does the cutting. Spun up by the tractor's power take-off (PTO), the disc stores a lot of energy, so these machines handle thicker wood. They are mounted on the tractor's three-point hitch. The exception is the Jansen GTS-5000H: a disc chipper with its own 22 hp Honda engine that works without a tractor.
How to choose a wood chipper: 5 criteria
- Maximum branch diameter. This is the key figure. The manufacturer gives it for fresh, straight wood. Dry, hard and knotty branches go through less easily, so choose a model with some margin.
- Drive. As a rough guide: a petrol engine of about 7 hp is enough for branches of 5–6 cm, 14–18 hp for 9–12 cm, and the 22 hp Honda for about 15 cm. PTO chippers use the tractor's power, but each model has a minimum tractor output below which the disc loses speed.
- Feeding. In smaller chippers the cutting unit pulls the branch in. Models with hydraulic feed rollers (Jansen BX-42RS, BX-62RS, BX-92RS, JX-72RS, JX-102RS, GTS-5000H) take in the material by themselves, and the roller speed and direction can be changed. On PTO models the rollers run on the tractor's hydraulics, a flow from about 10 l/min is enough.
- Transport and size. Models with a drawbar (WEIMA WMS305, Grünwelt GW-S312E) can be towed around the property. The Jansen GTS-2000pro is 66 cm wide, so it fits through a typical garden gate. Disc chippers weigh from about 175 kg to about 920 kg, so match them to the lifting capacity of your tractor's hitch.
- Starting. An electric starter (Grünwelt GW-S312E, Jansen GTS-1000pro, GTS-1500E, GTS-2000pro, GTS-3000pro, GTS-5000H) makes frequent starting easier, especially on cold days.
Wood chippers: model table
Figures according to manufacturer data. The maximum diameter refers to fresh wood.
| Model | Drive | Max. branch diameter | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEIMA WMS101 | petrol 7 hp | 5 cm | small garden, shrub pruning |
| WEIMA WMS304 / WMS305 | petrol 7 hp | 6 cm | garden and orchard, WMS305 with drawbar |
| Grünwelt GW-S312E | petrol 18 hp | 10 cm | larger plot, with drawbar |
| Jansen GTS-13 / GTS-1000pro | Loncin 15 hp | up to approx. 9 cm | home garden, small orchard |
| Jansen GTS-1500E | Loncin 420 cc | approx. 12 cm | orchard, regular pruning |
| Jansen GTS-2000pro | Kohler 14 hp | approx. 12 cm | orchard, narrow passages |
| Jansen GTS-3000pro | Loncin 622 cc, 17.7 hp | approx. 10–12 cm | large volumes of branches |
| Jansen GTS-5000H | Honda GX690, 22 hp | approx. 12–15 cm | large volumes without a tractor |
| Jansen BX-42S / BX-42RS | PTO 540, tractor from 25–30 hp | 10 cm | small tractor |
| Jansen BX-62RS | PTO 540, tractor from 30 hp | 16.5 cm | orchard, tree belts |
| Jansen BX-92RS | PTO 540, tractor from 50 hp | 25.5 cm | tree felling, thick branches |
| Jansen JX-72RS / JX-102RS | PTO 540, tractor from 55 / 70 hp | approx. 16 / 18–20 cm | regular processing of large volumes |
Which chipper to choose: garden, orchard or forest?
Home garden
Trimming a hedge and a few fruit trees usually leaves branches up to 4–5 cm. A small petrol chipper is enough, for example the WEIMA WMS101 (5 cm, about 40 kg) or the WEIMA WMS305 with drawbar (6 cm). You do not need a power socket, and the machine fits in a shed for the winter.
Orchard and larger plot
If you prune an orchard every year and branches reach 8–12 cm, a chipper with a 14–18 hp engine is the better choice, for example the Jansen GTS-1500E (approx. 12 cm, electric starter, discharge chute turns 180°) or the Grünwelt GW-S312E (10 cm). When there are a lot of branches and no tractor, look at the Jansen GTS-5000H with hydraulic feeding.
Farm with a tractor, forest, tree felling
If you have a tractor, a PTO chipper needs no engine of its own. With 25–30 hp choose the Jansen BX-42S with manual feeding (10 cm). Its PTO shaft has a shear bolt that protects the machine if it jams, so it can also be used with a stronger tractor. For thick branches after felling, up to 25.5 cm, there is the Jansen BX-92RS (tractor from 50 hp). The JX series (tractor from 55 and 70 hp, category II hitch) is made for regular processing of large volumes of branches and fresh wood up to about 16 and 18–20 cm. All disc models are collected in the tractor wood chippers section.
Safe work and common mistakes
- Do not force branches that are too thick or very dry: the machine bogs down and the blades go blunt faster. Cut thicker limbs with a saw first.
- Leaves, grass and soft, fibrous material (thuja, willow, spruce) can clog disc chippers. The manufacturer recommends feeding mainly woody branches.
- Ragged chips and resistance when pulling in mean blunt blades. Sharpen or replace them in pairs to keep the balance.
- Never put your hands into the hopper, push short pieces in with the next branch. Wear safety glasses, gloves and ear protection.
- Connect a PTO chipper with the tractor engine switched off, and raise the speed only once the machine is set up.
Jansen chippers arrive in a crate, partly disassembled, for assembly by the buyer. Before the first start, check and top up the engine oil, and on models with hydraulics the hydraulic oil as well.
Frequently asked questions
What branch diameter do I need for a home garden?
For pruning fruit trees and hedges, 5–6 cm is usually enough, for example the WEIMA WMS101 or WMS305. If you also cut older trees, choose a model rated for 10–12 cm.
How does a petrol chipper differ from a PTO chipper?
A petrol chipper has its own engine and works anywhere on the plot. A PTO chipper has no engine, takes its power from the tractor and usually handles thicker wood, but it needs a tractor with enough output.
What tractor power does a disc chipper need?
BX-42S and BX-42RS: about 25–30 hp, BX-62RS: from 30 hp, BX-92RS: from 50 hp, JX-72RS: from 55 hp, JX-102RS: from 70 hp. All run at 540 rpm and the PTO shaft is included.
Can a wood chipper shred leaves and grass?
That is not its job. Soft material clogs the discharge, especially in disc chippers. For tall grass and weeds you need a flail mower, which we cover in the guide how to choose a grass mulcher.
What can I do with the wood chips?
Fresh chips work best as mulch under shrubs and in flower beds: they reduce water evaporation and weed growth. Mix them with green material such as grass clippings for compost, because wood alone breaks down slowly.
Need advice?
You will find all models in the wood chippers and branch shredders category. If a stump is left after felling, a stump grinder will help. Not sure which chipper suits your branches? Call us: +48 780 140 444 (we speak Polish, Ukrainian and Russian). We ship by courier across Poland, delivery to other EU countries is possible with cost and timing confirmed when you order. Warranty 24 months, returns within 14 days.