Wood chipper: what it is, types, and how to choose one

If you are looking for a wood chipper to dispose of pruning waste, pallets, or biomass, here we explain—in clear, non-technical terms—what it is, the different types available, key purchasing considerations, and how to integrate it into your operation.

What is a wood chipper?

A wood chipper is a machine that reduces the size of plant waste (branches, boards, pallets, stumps, or post-consumer wood) to facilitate its transport, recovery, or composting. It should be distinguished from a wood chipper: while a wood chipper produces uniform chips from logs and branches, a shredder is more geared towards shredding and reducing mixtures of wood, leaf litter, or heterogeneous materials.

“Less volume, more value: wood ready for recycling or recovery.”

Types of wood shredders (and when to choose each one)

• Types of wood chippers (and when to choose which one)
  Ideal for high volume (pruning, stumps, mixed green waste). Offers systems to limit projections and improve safety on site.

• Drum/rotor shredder
  Fixed versions for plants and mobile versions for construction sites or waste parks. Versatile in input sizes and outputs controlled by screens.

• Industrial shredders for recycling
  At Reverter Industries, we develop specific solutions for wood within our line of industrial shredders and wood recycling plants, which can be integrated into existing lines.

“The right type depends on the material, the volume, and your output goal.”

Key benefits for your operation

• Volume reduction: fewer trips, lower logistics costs.

• Size standardization: feeds biomass boilers, presses, or sorting lines.

• Real circular economy: you turn waste into a resource (wood chips, mulch, recovered solid fuel).

• Safety and regulatory compliance: equipment and procedures in line with current regulations (see safety section).

How to choose a wood chipper (essential checklist)

1. Input material: green prunings, pallets with nails, boards, stumps?

2. Capacity and continuity: actual tons per hour and peak loads.

3. Desired particle size: defines screens or blade/hammer configuration.

4. Mobility: fixed plant vs. mobile equipment.

5. Energy and consumption: installed power and estimated consumption by material and shift. (Consumption varies significantly depending on the type of biomass and operating conditions).

6. Safety and regulations: UNE-EN requirements for chippers/shredders and INSS(T) best practices.

7. Integration into your line: belts, metal separators, suction, electrical control.

Take a look at our wood shredder solutions or ask us for a custom design.

Security: what you can’t overlook

UNE-EN 13525:2020 (wood chippers) establishes safety requirements (design, guards, emergency stop, feed zones, etc.). In Spain, INSST NTP 1182 summarizes foreseeable hazards and control measures (projections, entrapments, ejections). Working with compliant equipment and procedures reduces risks and downtime.

Operation and maintenance that extend service life

• Clean up after each day: this prevents dust/shavings from accumulating (fire hazard) and keeps the feed clear.

• Lubrication and inspection of moving parts: reduces wear and vibration.

• Spare parts plan: blades, hammers, screens, and transmission components.

• Electrical and safety check: emergency buttons, guards, interlocks.

Common use cases

• Municipal management of pruning and green waste → preparation for composting.

• Carpentry, logistics, and e-commerce → reduction of pallets and post-consumer wood.

• Energy recovery → pretreatment for biomass or RDF.

• Construction and demolition → preparation of wood containing foreign objects (nails/staples) prior to sorting.

Discover our wood recycling plants

Why Reverter Industries?

With over 75 years of experience designing, manufacturing, and integrating recycling machinery and plants, at Reverter Industries we optimize what you already have and incorporate what you need to close the cycle: crushing, transport, separation, control, and after-sales service. Learn more about us.

Conclusion

In short: choosing the right wood chipper depends on the type of material you process, the actual volume of work, and the output particle size you need. With a good selection—and a simple maintenance plan—you reduce logistics costs, improve safety, and turn waste into value.

At Reverter Industries, we accompany you from start to finish: sizing, integration into your line (conveyor belts, separators, control), commissioning, and after-sales support. If you like, we can review your case and I can suggest the optimal configuration.

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