The Top 4 Best Small Wood Chippers

These are great options whether you need a heavy duty machine to do routine property maintenance or something small to clean up garden waste

Wood chippers are great tools, able to turn a huge pile of thick branches into a satisfying pile of wood chips that you can reuse either as mulch or spread and use as pathways through your garden. They make it easy to handle a bunch of branches or limbs at once, streamlining your cleanup process. 

And there are plenty of great options available for those with small acreage who still want to own a wood chipper. Whether you need a PTO-powered machine or a gas powered wood chipper there’s something out there for you.

These models are perfect for those living in residential areas, or who have smaller amounts of yard debris but still want to do seasonal property cleanup.

What are the top small wood chippers on the market?

Size and budget are two of the biggest considerations when purchasing a wood chipper. Before pulling the trigger, look at the type and size of materials you plan on chipping and how much you’re willing to spend to get the job done.

Property owners tend to prioritize chippers with larger capacity when they expect to handle bigger branches or frequent use but cost is another big consideration. Thankfully there are plenty of options that cover a variety of budgets and sizes.

(This list is ranked based on price from lowest to highest)

#1 - The TFG55 PTO 5" Wood Chipper

The TFG55 PTO may be a small wood chipper but it still features tested and reliable technologies that have been carried over from other models.

It features patented Twin Flywheel technology, which separates the functions of chipping and throwing, improving material processing and increasing airflow, allowing you to more consistently chip lightweight or leafy material without needing to mix in dry branches.

It also features a gravity infeed with a chute designed to bring material straight to the chipping flywheel.

Its small size makes it easy to store and can easily be carried by small lawn tractors with limited horsepower. It's simplicity also makes it great for money-minded property owners looking at wood chipping solutions on a budget.

Features:

• • Can chip material up to 5" in diameter

  • Features Twin Flywheel Technology

  • Compatible with tractors with a PTO horsepower range of 12-30 HP

  • Easily lifted by even compact or sub-compact tractors via 3-point hitch

Looking for a gas-powered wood chipper option?

For property owners who don't own a tractor, another option if you want a small chipper is to consider the TFG55 GAS.

#2 - The TFG55 GAS 3" Wood Chipper

If you want a wood chipper but don't own a tractor with a PTO, then another option is to try the TFG55 GAS. This model has many of the same features as the TFG55 PTO, but with a 14 HP Kohler engine, meaning it can be hauled anywhere, even on the back of a truck.

Because the TFG55 GAS uses it's own fuel source, even if you own a tractor, you don't need to get it fueled and ready to go just to do some chipping. Instead you can hitch your wood chipper to your ATV or UTV and get the job done on your own.

This model is great for cleaning up smaller branches and small twigs, and gives non-tractor owners access to a chipper that lets them handle branches on their property. It's more powerful than an electric chipper or a shredder and with Twin Flywheel it shouldn't have issues chipping through green or leafy material.

Features:

• • Can chip material up to 3" in diameter

  • Features Twin Flywheel Technology

  • Can be towed on an ATV, tractor or truck via the included tow hitch assembly

  • Sturdy, multi-ply tires that allow it to navigate the brush or difficult terrain more easily

#3 - The WC46 PTO 4" Wood Chipper

While the WC46 may have a smaller capacity than the TFG55 PTO, it continues to be a reliable choice for small farm owners looking for a reliable PTO wood chipper on a budget.

This single flywheel wood chipper was added to the Woodland Mills lineup in 2018 after seeing a desire in the market for wood chippers geared to smaller or lower-horsepower tractors.

Featuring a hydraulic infeed system, the infeed rollers grab material and draw it to the blades on the flywheel, where it's then chipped and shot out the discharge chute. This self-feeding technology makes it easy to just feed in your branches and let the machine do pretty much all the work, no need much manual effort.

Features:

• • Can chip material up to 4" in diameter

  • Compatible with tractors with a PTO horsepower range of 15-30 HP

  • Equipped with a Hydraulic Infeed System

  • Easily lifted by even compact or sub-compact tractors via 3-point hitch

#4 - The TF46 PRO 4" PTO Wood Chipper

Do you want a dedicated landscaping machine that’s efficient, powerful and can turn your tree branches and yard debris into a pile of wood chips quickly?

The TF46 PRO is great for the job. Featuring Twin Flywheel technology, this setup aids in the airflow inside the drum, allowing the wood chipper to more easily chip green, leafy material consistently. If you have a mess of yard waste that includes dry branches and fresh, leafy twigs, just throw it in the TF46 and watch the wood chips fly.

The chipper is designed to handle branches up to 4 inches in diameter, making it suitable for most residential and light commercial needs. Choosing a chipper that can process branches slightly larger than your typical yard debris ensures you won’t be limited by the size of material you need to clear.

The TF46 also features hydraulic infeed, so you can let the machine draw materials to the flywheel and you can get ready preparing the next bundle of branches, saving you time.

Features:

• • Can chip material up to 4” branch diameter

  • Features Twin Flywheel Technology

  • Compatible with tractors with a PTO horsepower range of 15-30 HP

  • Equipped with a Hydraulic Infeed System

  • Easily lifted by even compact or sub-compact tractors via 3-point hitch

Do you need a larger wood chipper?

If chipping 4" branch diameter isn't enough for you then consider upsizing to a larger model. There's the WC68, capable of chipping branches 6" in diameter, but you could also try the TF810 PRO, which doesn't just feature an 8" diameter chipping capability but also has Twin Flywheel technology for optimized material processing.

Other considerations when buying a small wood chipper

If you want a wood chipper for your small hobby farm or homestead, or you just own a small compact or subcompact tractor, there are great options available for you. When you’re looking for what features you want in a wood chipper, consider the following before making your purchase:

• • Knowing what size of tree branches you will be chipping will make the purchasing decision a lot easier.

  • Matching the horsepower of your tractor with the right wood chipper. If your budget allows, go for the highest capacity chipper that works with your tractor's horsepower, ensuring your tractor can safely lift it. That way, you’ll be able to chip the largest material possible with the equipment you already have.

  • Woodland Mills is considered an industry leader in customer service, so consider the support you may need as you get your wood chipper set up

  • While a wood chipper is not a chipper shredder, features like Twin Flywheel can help chip lightweight and leafy material, without needing to mix in dry material