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How to Use a Wood Chipper: Beginner's Guide

How to Use a Wood Chipper: Beginner's Guide

Turn branches, brush, and yard debris into useful mulch without buying expensive equipment.

A wood chipper is one of the most satisfying tools you can use in your yard. It converts piles of branches and brush into clean wood chips you can use as mulch, compost, or ground cover. The problem? Wood chippers are expensive to own and rarely needed more than a few times a year. That is exactly why renting one through RNTR makes sense. This guide walks you through everything a beginner needs to know about how to use a wood chipper safely and effectively.

7 min read · Apr 24, 2026

Your Top Wood Chipper Questions Answered

What equipment do I need to use a wood chipper?
At minimum, you need the wood chipper itself, safety goggles, heavy-duty work gloves, hearing protection, long pants, and steel-toed boots. For larger jobs, a tarp or wheelbarrow helps collect wood chips as they exit the chute. If you are chipping large volumes, a leaf blower or rake helps keep the work area clear. Most of this gear you likely already own. The wood chipper itself is the one piece of equipment worth renting rather than buying.
What is the first step when using a wood chipper?
The first step is to inspect and prepare your material. Sort your branches and brush into manageable lengths, generally no longer than six to eight feet, and remove any rocks, wire, or foreign objects that could damage the machine or become dangerous projectiles. Always read the operator manual for the specific model you are renting before starting the engine. Position the chipper on stable, flat ground with the discharge chute aimed away from people, vehicles, and structures.
How much does it cost to rent a wood chipper?
Rental rates for wood chippers vary depending on the size and capacity of the machine. On RNTR, you can find wood chippers listed by neighbors and local businesses at competitive daily or weekly rates, often significantly less than what traditional rental yards charge. Small electric chippers suitable for light residential use rent for less than gas-powered drum or disc chippers built for heavier jobs. Renting through RNTR also means your rental is covered by Stripe-secured payments and up to $2,000 in damage protection, so you can rent with confidence.
What mistakes should I avoid when using a wood chipper?
The most common mistakes beginners make include feeding material into the chipper too fast, trying to chip wood that is too wet or too large for the machine's rated capacity, leaving the area around the discharge chute unmonitored, and reaching into the feed chute for any reason while the machine is running. Never chip material with rocks, nails, or wire attached. Always stand to the side of the feed opening, not directly in front of it. Wear all recommended personal protective equipment for every use, even brief ones.

Step-by-Step: How to Use a Wood Chipper

Follow these steps from setup through cleanup and you will get great results your first time. Each stage notes which equipment is worth renting versus what you likely already have on hand.

  1. Step 1: Choose and Rent the Right Wood Chipper

    Before anything else, match the machine to your job. Small electric chippers handle branches up to about 1.5 inches in diameter and work well for light pruning cleanup. Gas-powered chippers rated for 3 to 6 inches are the go-to choice for clearing storm debris or processing shrubs and small trees. For large-scale land clearing, a towable drum chipper is the right tool. Browse RNTR to find wood chippers available from neighbors and local businesses near you. Renting through the RNTR app gives you Stripe-secured payments and up to $2,000 in damage protection on every booking. Rent the chipper for a full day so you are not rushed.

  2. Step 2: Gather Your Safety Gear and Supplies

    You likely already own most of what you need. Put on safety goggles, hearing protection, heavy-duty gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and steel-toed boots before the chipper is even positioned. Set up a tarp or wheelbarrow beneath the discharge chute to catch wood chips for later use as mulch. Have a rake or leaf blower nearby to keep the area tidy. This gear does not need to be rented since most homeowners have it, but if you need hearing protection or eye protection, any hardware store carries inexpensive options.

  3. Step 3: Prepare Your Material

    Sort and stage your branches before starting the engine. Cut long branches into sections no more than six to eight feet in length using a chainsaw or hand saw. Remove any metal wire, nails, rocks, or other debris attached to branches since these can damage the chipper blades or create dangerous projectiles. Separate material by diameter so you can feed similar-sized pieces together and maintain a steady workflow. Slightly dried wood chips more cleanly than freshly cut green wood, so if you have the option, let the brush sit for a day or two before chipping.

  4. Step 4: Position and Start the Chipper

    Place the chipper on level ground with the discharge chute aimed at an open area away from people, cars, windows, and fences. Keep a clear path around the machine for yourself. Read the operator manual for your specific rental model before starting since fuel, throttle, and choke settings vary by machine. Start the engine and allow it to reach full operating speed before feeding any material. Never start the chipper with material already inserted in the feed chute.

  5. Step 5: Feed Material Safely and Steadily

    Stand to the side of the feed opening, never directly in front of it. Insert branches butt-end first, which allows the chipper's feed rollers to grab the material efficiently. Feed one branch at a time for smaller machines. Let the feed rollers do the pulling work rather than forcing material in by hand. If the machine bogs down or sounds strained, stop feeding and allow it to clear before continuing. Keep children and pets well away from the work area at all times. Check and empty the chip collection area regularly to maintain good airflow and chip output.

  6. Step 6: Wrap Up and Return the Equipment

    Once all your material is processed, run the chipper for a minute or two without feeding anything to clear any remaining chips from the drum or disc. Turn the machine off and wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop before approaching the feed chute or discharge area. Rake or blow any loose chips into your collection pile. Inspect the rental unit for any damage and clean off any debris before returning it. If you booked through RNTR, the return process is handled through the app, and the $2,000 damage protection has you covered for any accidental issues that occurred during your rental.

Ready to Chip? Find a Wood Chipper Near You on RNTR

Skip the big-box rental yard and rent a wood chipper from a neighbor or local business through RNTR. Browse available equipment in your area, book in minutes through the app, and get to work. Every booking includes Stripe-secured payments and up to $2,000 in damage protection. Renting redefined.

Browse Wood Chippers on RNTR
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