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Using a wood chipper is quite easy. Sharp knives rotating at 1000 to 2000 RPM allow the chipper to turn wooden debris such as tree limbs, twigs and branches into thin chips that could be used as mulch. When the user feeds wood into the hopper, chips fly out of the opposite end. Wood chippers also need a lot of power to function, which is why virtually all commercial chippers are powered by diesel or petrol.
Whether you're using a petrol wood chipper or a diesel type, it is undeniable that the machine has saved its users a lot of time and effort. Manual chopping with an axe or a chainsaw still requires a lot of manpower, and switching to a chipper will allow you to channel your precious energy elsewhere.
All that power also demands responsibility from the user's end. Wood chippers are dangerous machines, and a mistake could quickly become fatal. Anyone who willingly disregards safety guidelines is an accident waiting to happen.
All wood chipper users, whether a novice or an experienced one, should know about the safe and proper usage of the machine. Here are a few guidelines to get you started.
1. Read the user manual
The first thing you should do before operating the machine is to read and understand its user manual. The user manual should contain almost everything you need to know about the wood chipper: its technical specifications, maintenance guidelines and safety precautions and limitations. It also pays to be familiar with the machine's parts. Wood chippers have many moving, and often sharp, components and you could avoid injury just by knowing how the machine works.
2. Wear the proper gear
When operating the wood chipper, you should only wear tight-fitting clothing with short sleeves. Long sleeves are to be avoided. Your shirt and trousers have to be properly tucked in. Do not forget to remove from your body anything that could get caught up in the machine's components such as belts, ties, jewellery and other dangling items. Your gloves must be loose and easily removable.
Many jurisdictions require the use of personal protective gear when using a petrol wood chipper. But even if your area has lax or nonexistent occupational safety laws, you should wear safety gear if you value your life. Some of the gear you should wear when operating a wood chipper includes a hard hat, eye and face protection, hearing protection, heavy-duty gloves and steel-toed boots. Your gloves should be cuffless and loose-fitting.
Many incidents involving a wood chipper occur when the operator gets snagged while feeding the hopper. Certain death will occur if they get sucked into the feeding mechanism which is why you want your clothes to be as spartan as possible.
3. Inspect the unit
It is vital that users inspect every portion of the wood chipper before using it. Check for any outward signs of damage or defects such as broken hood latches and loose hinges. Do not use the wood chipper if any signs of damage are found. Also, check if all screws and bolts are tight and that all safety devices and fail-safes are in working condition.
4. Cordon off the area
The area around the petrol wood chipper should always be off-limits to unauthorised personnel, bystanders and animals, even if it is turned off. Designate someone to mark and guard an area of at least 10m in all directions around the machine. If there is a lot of people in the vicinity, make sure that the work area is clearly marked by warning signs and devices such as barricades and cones. Immediately shut the machine down if you see anyone approaching.
5. Keep the area clear
It is important to your safety that the area around the petrol wood chipper be free of any tripping hazards and obstructions. Always keep the surrounding area clean and organised to ensure unobstructed and free-flowing movement.
One of the most common mistakes committed by chipper users is letting the chips pile up. Periodically turn the machine off once the pile has become too big and transport the chips somewhere far from the chipper.
