Is Your Wood Chipper Not Working? Here's How To Troubleshoot

Wood chippers are heavy-duty tools with the Herculean task of turning massive tree limbs into tiny chips. It's not surprising, then, that the strain these machines undergo on a daily basis can occasionally cause them to malfunction. Now, we're not making excuses for your faulty wood chipper. It's understandable that these debilitating failures can keep you from getting rid of unwanted trees and you just want the tool to work again as soon as possible. If you've bought your wood chipper instead of renting one, there may be a few steps you can take to fix the problem.

Before you can successfully troubleshoot your faulty wood chipper, you should know which faults to look for as you diagnose the issue. The root cause of the problem may differ depending on whether the chipper is gas-fired or electric. In some cases, a gas wood chipper may cease working because of simple reasons, like an inadvertently closed fuel shut-off valve. Likewise, tripped overload switches are a possible reason your electric machine has lost power. That said, engine failures can also stem from blockages, parts needing replacement, or components that have come loose. Below, we've put together troubleshooting steps that will hopefully help you get your wood chipper functioning normally again, or at least give you an idea of what went wrong.

If your gasoline-powered wood chipper refuses to start, begin by assessing whether the rudimentary causes that could mess with its operation. For example, make sure the fuel shut-off valve and ignition switch are on, and the machine is loaded with fresh fuel. If these items are in order but the device doesn't work, check how much oil is in the engine. If the engine oil falls below the minimum level specified by the manufacturer, a safety mechanism in your chipper's engine is likely preventing it from starting. Changing the oil in the device and replenishing it above the minimum levels should resolve the problem. Should you find that the machine isn't starting and there's enough oil in the engine, have a look at the spark plug. It could be dirty or damaged, in which case replacing the part should get the engine going again.

Electric wood chippers can stop working if their fuses are blown. Press on the unit's overload protection switch (your manufacturer's instructions should help you locate this button). If you can press it, you've successfully reset the circuit and the machine should start. Crucially, check the circuit board in your home to see if any of the switches have tripped — this could be the cause behind the inoperable chipper.

Whether you have a gas or electric chipper, it could stop working if its hopper has come loose on its bolt. If the hopper is not held firmly enough by the bolt, the chipper's safety device will keep it from starting. Finally, the chipper could also be blocked with debris. To clear the obstruction, make sure the machine is disconnected from power, then inspect the hopper and blades and remove any objects stuck there. The obstruction clearance methods may vary between different wood chippers, so follow the instructions in the manual.