Nesting season offers landscapers the chance to give woodchippers a bit of TLC, manufacturer GreenMech suggests.
Its offering operators top tips on simple, routine maintenance to consider conducting over the summer months to prevent costly repairs and downtime.
Towed woodchippers: If you’ve been working in dusty environments, check and clean radiators and filters to ensure water-cooled engines retain adequate airflow to perform effectively. If your engine is air-cooled, the engine inspection panels and any debris should be removed to prevent any ‘hot spotting’ of the cylinders.
Like a vehicle, fluid levels should be monitored to maintain operational integrity. If the radiator has a header tank, check the level and change fluids and filters as the machine manual instructs.
Grease the chipper to manufacturer guidance and inspect all safety features such as the control bar and cut-out switches for normal functioning. Sharpen the blades to avoid the transfer of shock loads into the bearings – a good edge on the shear bar/anvil is also needed for efficient chipping. And give the chipper a washdown. Keeping your investment clean will help prevent paint degradation from residual dirt and salt.

Don’t forget the trailer. Ensure brakes, lights, floor, ramps, securing points and tyres (including jockey wheel) are in sound, road-legal condition.
Tracked woodchippers: all the tips above apply. Also ensure tracks are in good order, with no visible signs of damage and that tracking components and controls are operating as intended. Double check the toolbox – if you needed to refit a lost track, to manufacturer’s instructions, would you have the right tools? Finally, check the condition of any additional accessories, particularly winches which should be equipped with quality rope in good condition.
Tractor mounted/powered woodchippers: Many pointers already listed will apply to the chipper and tractor. If so, you’ll also want to ensure the correct specification PTO shaft is fitted, in good order and with the correct guarding. Some have a ‘slip clutch’ which needs to be set at the correct torque settings. Others may need a ‘shear bolt lobe’, so check you have some spare bolts in the toolbox.
Check the hydraulic hoses are correctly fitted and that the in-cab controls are working correctly. If you need a 12V supply to run the ‘No Stress’ device or beacon, ensure the correct light cable is refitted if the tractor is intended for highway use. Finally, grease as required – not forgetting the UJ spiders and plastic guards covering the shaft.
www.greenmech.co.uk