3 Key Maintenance Tips for Keeping your Chipper in Tip-Top Shape

Want to avoid costly performance and operational issues when it comes to your chipper? Then keeping up with the maintenance is critical. The two most important things to consider to make sure your chipper is running smoothly are the knife and the anvil. If these crucial pieces are in good condition, you can rest assured that your machine will be, too. Read on to learn about the 3 key maintenance tips to consider when you’re doing your knife and anvil service!

1. The edge and sharpness of your knife

The edge of a brand-new Bandit knife will be razor sharp and straight as an arrow. These characteristics are how you’ll know that your knife is ready to use. In contrast, if you can tell that the edge of the knife is dull, or if the edges are rolled over, you should no longer run that knife on your chipper.

You’ll also want to check for chips or fractures in the edge of your knife. When your knife gets worn out, it can start to chip. Before using your chipper, check for any chips at the top and corners of your knife. If you see that the knife is chipped, it’s time to replace it with a new one.

Another way to know if it’s time for an upgrade is to check the width of your used knife. Every time you sharpen your knife, it decreases the overall width. Once they get too short, the knife won’t throw as well. So you’ll want to replace your knife when it gets too short. Below is an example of a brand-new knife compared to one that’s been sharpened several times. The used knife on the right should be replaced.

2. The anvil edge

In addition to the knife, you’ll want to keep an eye on the condition of your machine’s anvil. When using your chipper, the drum rolls around the knife edge past the anvil edge. This is where the cutting happens. Making these two pieces of the chipper equally important if you want to get the best cut possible.

Over time, the edge of the anvil can become rolled over or dull. If you find that one side of your anvil has become dull, don’t rush out to get a new one just yet. Most Bandit chippers come with a four-sided anvil. So if you find that one of the edges has become dull, you can simply flip that one over to get a new edge. Just make sure to keep track of how many times you’ve flipped the anvil. Once you’ve flipped it four times, the anvil will need to be replaced.

3. The distance or gap between the knife and the anvil

The third thing you’ll want to check for is the size of the gap between your knife and anvil. Your chipper will come with an anvil gap-setting tool. It’s important to set the gap between the knife edge and the anvil edge as close as possible without the two pieces actually hitting one another. To accomplish this, we recommend setting the gap at about an eighth of an inch wide.

When you pay attention to these three things: keeping your knife razor-sharp and chip-free, ensuring your anvil edge is also sharp, and keeping the gap between the two pieces nice and tight, your chipper will work at maximum efficiency. Not only will this keep your machine running at its best, but it will also increase the overall life of your chipper, too.