As you might imagine, we tend to get a lot of questions about chippers here at Cal-Line. To pre-emptively address the most common ones (and perhaps save everyone some time and effort), we’ve decided to answer them in writing below. From sizing to financing, keep reading to get the answers you may be needing.

What size chipper do I need?

This is a question we definitely hear on a regular basis — and for good reason. After all, you don’t want to show up for a job with an inadequate chipper that prevents you from getting the work done, but you also don’t want to aim too high and end up with a chipper that is overkill for what you actually need (and more expensive).

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself that will lead you down the path to the ideal chipper:

What kind of end product do you need?

Chipping trees and other vegetation is not only about the removal and disposal — the end product you’re left with matters as well. Chippers can only create chips and micro-chips, so if you’re wanting mulch, colored mulch, playground cushion, fine-textured fiber, compost, and sawdust, it’s best to go with a grinder.

Different chippers have different end product capabilities, with some offering more choices than others. While end products may be of lesser importance to some potential buyers, it’s still worth determining beforehand what types of end products your business could benefit from.

What type of material will you be chipping?

Whole tree chippers are designed to chip wood and wood only. If your job requirements involve other types of materials, we suggest taking a look at our inventory of grinders.

What size of material will you be chipping?

What is the average size of the material you plan on chipping? It’s essential to ensure you end up with the properly-sized chipper for the job, as you don’t want to encounter material that is too big for your chipper when you’re in the middle of a job.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you plan on chipping material around 10-12 inches in diameter, go one size up. We recommend going several inches past your anticipated average because you never truly know what you’re going to encounter on the job site. It’s always best to prioritize capability, just in case.

What’s your realistic budget?

Pinpointing a firm budget before shopping for a chipper will ensure you have a realistic selection to choose from. Knowing your options upfront and analyzing only the options available for your price point will lead to a much better buying decision. Plus, in some cases, your budget may actually exceed your operational needs. Either way, we have plenty of options for any price point and will gladly assist you in identifying your most essential aspects in terms of size, performance, and material while working within your budget.

How do I finance my Bandit chipper?

Cal-Line offers what is known as a fair market value lease option (FMV). With an FMV,  you have the right — but not the obligation — to buy a leased machine at the end of the lease term for a price that represents the machine’s then-current worth.

There are several advantages to this. An FMV gives you a low monthly payment, is the most flexible lease structure, and, perhaps more importantly, offers some sizable tax advantages.

Why? Because with an FMV, you don’t outright own the equipment, so it may not be considered an asset on your balance sheet. Depending upon your situation, up to 100% of the finance expense may be tax deductible since it’s technically an operating expense. At the end of the lease term, you can choose to either purchase the chipper, return it to the finance company, or keep paying to use it according to the terms of the original agreement.

Of course, we also offer standard financing options for those who want to own their chipper outright.

What can this chipper grind?

Again, Bandit chippers are for wood product and wood product only. Attempting to chip contaminants and non-wood materials with a wood chipper will risk ruining the machine — and causing plenty of other issues as well.

However, for those looking for shredders that can handle concrete, rubble, asphalt, bricks, ceramic, metal, wood, and general waste, you’re in luck: Cal-Line carries ARJES slow-speed shredders, so click here to take a look.

Have any other questions about Bandit chippers not covered here? Feel free to get in touch.