Wood Chipper Maintenance

Powerful and efficient, wood chippers are a vital piece of equipment for construction work, forestry, landscaping and other industries. However, your wood chipper won’t keep functioning correctly if it’s neglected. Regular maintenance is necessary to make sure that your wood chipper is safe to operate and that all its parts function properly for optimum performance. Keep reading to learn some simple ways that you can maintain your wood chipper.

1. Clean Your Machine

First off, a dirty wood chipper that’s covered in shavings and other debris is not going to function as well as a clean wood chipper will. Regularly clean your wood chipper on the inside and outside to keep its parts clear of debris and free of blockages. If you want to use a pressure washer to clean your wood chipper, just make sure that you exercise caution when it comes to getting water near the electrical components or the engine.

2. Sharpen Your Blades

Dull blades are going to make your wood chipper inefficient, and they can even be dangerous, resulting in damage to your machine. Remove the blades carefully and clean off the grime, then carefully reattach them and ensure the blade bolts have the correct torque.

3. Grease Bearings

There are bearings in your machine that help it to run smoothly, and every so often, the grease will need to be reapplied. Consult your owner’s manual as to the right type of lubricant to use and what quantity to apply. When you’re working in especially dusty conditions, you’ll want to grease the bearings more often to compensate for all that dust.

4. Check Your Air Filter

The air filter in your wood chipper’s engine will get clogged up with dirt and dust over time, requiring cleaning. A clogged filter that doesn’t get cleaned is liable to cause your engine to overheat and reduce your fuel economy. Check the air filter daily, and more than once a day if conditions are particularly dusty.

5. Have a Push Stick

Sometimes branches can get stuck in your wood chipper and they need a little push to keep going. You can’t use a shovel or other tool, though, as this could cause a disaster if the shovel accidentally goes through the wood chipper. Instead, cut a special stick from wood to use as a push stick. If you accidentally send it through the chipper, then no harm, no foul; you can always make a new one. Anything with metal on it should not be used near the feed funnel.

Need some professional assistance with your wood chipper? Contact the FMI Equipment service department to schedule an appointment with our team of mechanics. We can address whatever issues you’re having and get you back to work as soon as possible.

Looking to purchase a wood chipper? Visit our dealership in Spokane Valley, WA, to check out our inventory of new and used wood chippers for sale. We can also assist you with financing options. FMI Equipment proudly serves greater Spokane, WA, and Coeur d'Alene, ID.