Bandit woodchippers fall into two distinct categories: Drum-style and Disc-style. While there is a difference, both chippers still share many of the same chipping capabilities, design features, functionalities, and more.

Key Differences

The main differences you’ll find between Disc-style and Drum-style woodchippers are:

• Blades
• Cutting Performances
• Utilization
• Efficiency

Now let’s dive into more of the specifics.

Drum-Style Chippers

These chippers process small wood residues, like twigs and branches, into 3 to 5-cm wood chips. The term “Drum”, comes from the placement of their cutting knives, which are mounted horizontally on cylindrical drums.

How Do They Work?

Drum-style chippers use a steel drum to guide feedstock toward the blades. Due to their heavy-duty nature, these chippers typically run on gas-powered engines – which drive the rotating blades through a system of pulleys and belts.

Drum-style chippers generally offer more crushing power than disc-style chippers. On average, drum-style chippers are more durable than disc-style equipment, they also tend to be more compact in design.

Benefits of Drum-Style Chippers

Drum-style chippers operate smoothly, without sacrificing power or durability. Its chipper knives contact the wood at a greater angle to cut with the grain, producing a better quality chip while aiding in overall production, fuel efficiency, and equipment longevity.

Disc-Style Chippers

These chippers excel at chipping logs and branches into uniformed wood chips, ranging in diameter from 50 to 200 mm. The term “Disc” comes from the placement of their cutting knives, which are mounted horizontally on discs.

How Do They Work?

Disc-style chippers use disc-shaped blades to crush wood into waste, slicing material into larger forms before it’s broken into chips.

Medium and large-capacity disc-style chippers cut wood at a 45-degree angle for excellent chip quality, while smaller disc-style chippers cut at 90-degree angles for better processing of small-diameter trimmings and fibrous material.

Benefits of Disc-Style Chippers

Disc chippers are more energy efficient and tend to be used in smaller chippers since the disc can be smaller, lighter in weight, and use smaller engine configurations. Disc chippers also deliver more uniform cuts, depending on the size and quantity of the wood being fed.

We’ve Got You Covered

Cal-Line offers an impressive line of high-capacity, high-performing woodchippers for a wide variety of rental, landscape, tree maintenance, and land-clearing applications. Give us a call and we’ll help you choose the chipper that’s right for you.