Harbor Freight Chipper/Shredder Review - Worth $600???

My father-in-law picked up the Predator 212cc chipper/shredder from Harbor Freight to tackle a sizable pile of branches from a tree they had removed. After putting plenty of hours into it, I've got thoughts.
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#cherisheachmowment
Timeline:
0:00 - Intro
1:15 - Overview / Assembly
3:03 - Machine in action
5:28 - Pros and cons
7:55 - Worth $600??
8:51 - Wrap up

[@marcusmustard8285]

I have this same machine. I got mine from harbor freight 2 or 3 years ago. I use it a few time per year. Probably about 2 weeks total, per year. I always change the oil once a year. Also, before storing...i found a tip on youtube. Theres a way to turn off the fuel, while its running. This lets it burn all the gas out of the carb. It naturally stalls on its own, then ready for going in storage for a few months. Just slide the fuel switch to off, while its running and your all done. Also, I store it with a full tank and have some stabil in the gas at all times. I give it good reviews for easy starting and durability. Definitely a work out and needs patience to learn. But it is a nice result. I like the little wood chips.

[@phileisermann1257]

I bought this model two weeks ago. I have a small yard, maybe 0.6 acres. But it’s a subtropical climate, so growth is fast. We paid $2k for someone to clear it all out a year and a half ago. This chipper is totally worth it in my case. I estimate within that time, enough wax myrtles, crepe myrtles, shrubs, pine trees, etc grew back to fill three trailers worth (my trailer is 4x6). So instead of loading, hauling, and unloading three trailers worth at the municipal collection site (which isn’t free), I disposed of it at my leisure.

[@randallsullivan3692]

Anything over 2 inches is firewood here!!!

[@clintonjewell7115]

Great point

[@christopherumberger6142]

Exactly!

[@duanebeyer950]

In my area to rent a 12 inch chipper is $350 for one day. But I only need it for the little stuff, I burn the real wood. So for $600 bucks to clean up the brush pile and have it when ever I need it, I think it is well worth the price.

[@fordmodela3641]

Those 3” limbs would make decent firewood for some of us. They make heat too! Nice review…

[@saintmichael3879]

Right? I aim on getting a wood burning stove this year. Those 3" limbs would make perfect fuel.

[@lonnieblankenship8637]

I've used this model before with good results. The thing is that most branches over 2 inch diameter are better for firewood since limb wood is more dense and burns longer. As far as the top chute goes, it's basically for very small limbs and leaves. Now I personally heat with firewood so the larger branches are cut to length and usually split for kindling. It costs about $400.00 for a full day rental of a similar unit here so for just a little bit more I own the machine for future use and don't have a time table to get the brush mulched. I do advise draining the tank before storage and changing the oil yearly. Also sharpen the blade each season. You can easily upgrade the motor to a larger size in just an hour or so depending on your mechanical aptitude.

[@Walkercolt1]

If the HF chipper/shredder had a 10 HP or even a 8 HP (not a 6.5HP) engine, (300-400cc+/-) it'd be worth $800-900 IMHO, but having rented 6.5 HP chippers, they don't like 2 1/2" limbs of many kinds of wood. My 65 year-old crepe myrtle I took out, wouldn't "eat" the 3" limbs, so I went back and rented a 13HP (next size up they had) and it ate them like ice creme, also 4" pecan limbs. Guy at rental place said "home owner" machines almost always under-size the engine "one-size", much like most lawnmowers, to keep to a "price point". I rented a 28 HP opposed twin chipper tow-behind (all that was available) and it nearly worked me to death FEEDING IT FAST ENOUGH!!! Six inch hackberry (from my next-door neighbor's tree) 15 foot long were chips in less than 30 seconds! I finished with that twin in half a day (4 hours rental) what I thought would take MORE than 9 hours of daylight.

[@randyman8984]

I've had one for about a year and a half and I'm liking it so far.. I compost alot and it's been a game changer to speed up my composting. The first thing I did was remove all those safety rubber pieces on the chutes and that made it sooo much easie to use. Everything real big I just throw into a burn pile. Using the top chute makes a much more finer of a mulch. I have a lot of pine cones I run through the top but I have to push most of them down with a 1x1 board I use when it gets clogged. It's so cool hearing those pine cones explode in it once I push it down lol. Great review!

[@saintmichael3879]

Awesome. I also do a lot of composting. Do you do any wood-fungus compost piles?

[@randyman8984]

@@saintmichael3879 no I dont, I had to goole it lol

[@swissmaid]

Why do some prefer a shredder vs a chopper? Is the top part a shredder? Do you put household stuff like veg, eggshells etc also through the shredder? What about cardboard

[@wescraven2606]

How does it work with wet leaves? Does it clog with them? I have a big pile in the yard that I want to shred for the garden.

[@WCollins041791]

Dead dry wood is always harder to chip than green wood, even big pull behind chippers can have problems with dead wood

[@linzierogers5024]

I have the same machine and as you said I stay within its limits. It's not intended for the bigger limbs so I don't push it.

[@johnhamilton9229]

It’s something you own and become a specialist with it within a year. You go Jimmy.

[@tavismckenzie2679]

The hopper is for mulching leaves and shoveled debris

[@JMaestro175]

I purchased this unit 4 or 5 years ago. I didn't pay $600. You are correct in saying it is not worth that. It does what is advertised except the larger branch diameter. I got tired of wrestling with the small inlet on the shredder and the fact it sucks in branches much too fast. This is what makes it stall. I upgraded to a Patriot 10hp model.

[@JMaestro175]

I wanted to add that the shredder opening on the HF unit is 4x2". The inlet got the Patriot is 7x2". That's 43% larger than the HF unit.

[@saintmichael3879]

How does the Patriot work for you?

[@freddy4130]

Breaking mine in right now. Have tons of palm fronds from 4 coconut trees and six other palms. Just spent over $600 for a mulch delivery which will certainly need to be done at least twice a year. Since I have so many palms and fruit trees, I’m constantly pruning. Nothing o we 2” anyway but it is a pile every few weeks in the summer. Seemed like this was better than throwing away pruned material and paying for mulch.

[@rockpadstudios]

I've had mine for years and it's been great.

[@ianboard544]

I took a chop saw out to cut up the bigger pieces into kindling size chunks. For the smaller stuff, this works well.

[@justinRoo88]

It will do 3" if you cut the stick shorter. I've learned that over time 3" needs to be about 2' long. Also depends on type of wood and wet or dry. Otherwise good money maker

[@crazidirtbiker]

I just bought a Bilt Hard 224cc. It’s the same setup as that but with a slightly bigger engine. I compost all my yard waste so I figured I’d invest in something to help. I didn’t even know these little things existed till a week ago. There’s so many different brands of these it’s unreal. Bilt Hard has a 212cc also but I settled on the slightly bigger one, it’s a all new machine for 2023. I can’t wait to put it together tomorrow.

[@JanicePhillips]

Lemme know how that bigger banger get's on! I've been dreaming of "free" wood chips for years...decades even. As a gardener/chicken farmer, wood chips are like gold to me!

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

I never really have high expectations for anything I purchase from Harbor Freight. For something like a wood chipper I'd very rarely use, I'd probably rent a commercial grade one for a fraction of the cost. Great video Jimmy 👍🏻

[@JimmyLewisMows]

Definitely the way to go if you need a one time use. This will be used regularly.

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

@@JimmyLewisMows that definitely makes a difference then. If I don't talk to ya again have a great Thanksgiving and congratulations on the girl!

[@transgenderific1507]

Spoken like a person who abuses thier equipment, lol...bye

[@jeremynottingham6277]

Renting a 6in Wood chipper here is $500 per 4hr use, plus it needs to be towed ( i have a truck) this HF Chipper is around $500 now. all though I wouldn't need it much after trees are cleared, I'll work with its limitations..... clean it up after I'm done and sell it.

[@zarne2061]

Not even a Daytona Lift?

[@noyopacific]

Thanks for the video. I've had this chipper for a couple years. I was happy with it until yesterday when it broke. This description of it is accurate. There was a learning curve for me too. I do use the top hopper on small brush because it shreds the material into smaller pieces. You have to be sure not to overload the hopper. I seldom get a clog anymore now that I've learned how to use it but clogs are a real nuisance to clear. The machine isn't easy to move far, especially over rough surfaces. I got a hitch so I can tow it with an ATV which has worked well. Yesterday I managed to shear off the engine output shaft. I was chipping a 2 inch Monterey Cypress branch which isn't too hard but it was dry. I was surprised to see such major damage to the engine. It'll cost me about $165 for a new engine. 🤪 I've used it quite a bit and other than that this chipper has worked well.

[@linzierogers5024]

I just bought a used one today. It isn't for heavy duty or commerical work. That said, it performs just about how I thought it would.

[@ItsVideos]

Cut the 3" sections to a size that goes through without causing it to stop. The remaining (smaller diameter) parts will probably go through too.

[@darkshadow756]

There is a trick if it jams up. Try to pull start the shredder if it moves (doesn't stop or the blades get caught while pulling the cord) if you can still move the blades and it turns with resistance. Open the air filter box remove the filter and spray starting fluid in there while pulling the start cord it fires right up.

[@Brettsgrasscapades]

Sounds very similar to my experience using that machine.

[@johnhamilton9229]

No need to change jet in Florida. 👍

[@demogorilla]

3in, if dry, if you cut down the tree and it's wet, it won't handle it

[@Mikidy303]

This sounds very typical of Harbor Freight tools. They generally work well for the home user but they are not ideal for any professional or commercial use. If I hired a tree trimmer and they showed up with a Harbor Freight chipper, I'd be a little concerned. Most of the people who will buy this will find it works fine for their needs. And then they will put it in the back of the shed for a couple of years until another branch blows down. But thanks for showing this.

[@davidward1259]

If it's like the older USA made Troy Built and Craftsman chipper's I have, the big top chute feeds into a chamber with flail hammers and not a chipper blade. The branch/limb feed chute goes through 1 or 2 chipper blades and then that debris is further hammered with the flails before ejecting it from the machine. That is likely why you are seeing a difference in performance from the big and side chutes. I would also not be surprised to find that 212cc "Predator" engine from HF a bit over-rated in HP (212cc is normally a 6.5hp engine). A bigger engine will bog down less (if you have one laying around from some other equipment you don't use anymore).

[@woodstream6137]

I don't know anything but the absolute basics about small engines - a motor turns a shaft to do a job. Would the next size up be a similar form factor to fit on the chassis, shaft alignment, etc?

[@davidward1259]

@@woodstream6137 It depends. Most motors come in more than one form factor, and you can have the same cc motor with different shaft height or shaft length, diameter, etc... Best thing to do is get the specs for the existing engine and compare them to a potential upgrade engine. At one time most of this was pretty much standard across the small engine world, but with the advent of everything being made in China in many clone factories, who knows...

[@bobadams8818]

The grinder that almost could.... 😂.... needs more power, Scotty!!

[@farmerdude3578]

This is just a great review. Thanks

[@brooklynboy4224]

Up to 3" Jimmy you know what 3" is

[@3dprintingbiker693]

not a fan, neighbor has one and while it will chip most stuff the instructions should tell you that it will chip 3" at like a 8" length or something similar. ended up getting a efcut c30 because of the straight funnel infeed hopper. Havent had really any issues with that one and neighbor likes it too. I set up saw horses by where I am chipping with a old circular saw and just cut anything 2.5 and up into smaller sections it can properly handle. Only takes a few seconds. best of luck and have fun!

[@mikehagan5722]

Used it this past summer. Worked ok. Couldn't start it the following season

[@mikevi33023]

another video says if the wood is green near 3" it will jam, if its dry it should be ok

[@user-ik4fd9ny4b]

EAR PROTECTION are a must! You mean below its limitation! These small chippers are a LOT OF WORK (man hours). Ask me how I know . Recommendation: chip as you cut. Stacked/piled cuttings that sit become time consuming to take apart. It is best to have a helper or two. One to cut while the two transport, delimb and chip. The person doing the initial trimming needs to remove the larger limbs that come off the main branch in order to feed the oval hopper - feed tube. Cut them flush to the main branch.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I had a larger Yardmax and same shit. Had to baby it somewhat. If a jam you had to spend 20 mins taking shit apart. I used it for a few years an was happy to sell it. If I was to buy one again it would be a huge trailer type commercial type.

[@m998hmmwv7]

Try using a chipper collection bag. You can use the chips all over your place.

[@jimeckenrode1271]

I have a question, My son gave me one that he only used once so he no longer needed it. I used it early this year it worked great but I had a very hard tome pulling that engine over. I read a review where another person had the same issue but many more say it starts easy. Is there a compression release on this engine or is it actually hard to pull over ??

[@cristianstriblea792]

I got mine today with 20% off coupon so I was able to add 2 year’s warranty for extra $169 . Total price $668 If everything happens to him in this two years they will change it no questions asked …..

[@oldfarmer9004]

That looks like it’s going to take forever!

[@brushcrawler8612]

I wonder if replacement knives are universal or not

[@toadranger50]

It’s called brush, and on a chipper that size you need to meter the amount of 3” at 2-3’ intervals. It’s not a 20 horse diesel.

[@toadranger50]

It would have cost you $600 to get a tree company to chip that pile of brush for you.

[@tjgordon4270]

Definitely wouldn’t work to stuff Steve Buscemi in that machine!😂

[@robertpalmer3166]

He'd start shrieking.

[@death_stalker]

How long did you take ?

[@siggi5395]

Is a good Maschine vor the prise 😁

[@NoferTrunions]

Thanks for the loud music - that way I can't hear how the engine is loading and performing.

[@annaskippings6256]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@auntfloyd9408]

Purchased one 4 yrs ago from HF, used it once, had a storm tree fall in the yard with gazillion sticks, SOB will not start for sh*t. POS. Yes, you're correct when I did use it was 2" tops.

[@TFitz]

I dont have to watch the video. I have had two of these. They both sheered the crankshaft and became garbage quickly.

[@ericroberts7485]

The only question I have is, If it’s not worth the money then what’s the alternative? I’m not necessarily in love with harbor freight products but it’s not worth it then what is?

[@ralphmowery2898]

I just bought a Champion that Tractor supply sells. It was on sale for just over $ 600 with free shipping to house. It is suppose to take a 3 inch limb. However the hole is only 2 1/2 inches. It will bog down and stop on only those branches. The wood was a dead pine tree. I have been on the phone with them about the small hole but it was only yesterday . Sent them a vidio they requested. Still waiting on their response.

[@cowshottv5867]

Its always better to rent a chipper which will be used a couple of times a year at most. Doesnt make sense to buy one

[@russellpetrie119]

i wish we had harbour frieght in the uk

[@ChrisG-ez3vs]

If you're going to buy from harbor freight keep your receipt

[@Striperman]

Curious which chute would be better to use on haters. Both would be satisfying to watch lol .

[@trevormuggeridge4560]

Striperman, Good Friday arvo to you mate , heading for 30 max today and 35 max on Sunday . Have a great rest of the day 😎

[@DallasHarv]

Harbor Freight should have the motto "You get what you pay for" or "Half the cost for half the lifespan" the only thing that has lasted longer than a year in my shop is the woodworking table.

[@morrishutcheson5011]

Had mine 3 years; maintained well and learned as he did the limits of what it would do; well this week while chipping dry palm fronds, one of the blades came spinning off shutting the machine down and breaking another blade and vibrating so badly that the machine dug itself into a hole. I have had this thing in ths shop more than once. Not worth it; defi nitely not the workhorse they say it is.

[@ColeSpolaric]

Would have been cheaper to rent a tow behind unit and would have saved a ton of time

[@donflash1128]

I need a shredder for leaves mostly.. is this a good one for that?

[@JimmyLewisMows]

Totally

[@RCPSU4]

Jim, I'm curious what octane number fuel you're using. Is it traditional 87 or something higher like 93? I saw some have mentioned about the bag, Double M Farm Homestead did a neat modification to collect the chips. All they used was a dryer hose, gutter adapter and a bolt to toss the chips in a trailer. I think if you do that and put a screen over the trailer, you'll be doing good with it. If you're wanting something bigger, Troy Bilt (Stanley/Black and Decker) has a 3" chipper with a 250cc Briggs&Stratton. But you'll find yourself doing the same thing on the discharge chute.

[@JimmyLewisMows]

Hey Robert, using ethanol-free fuel.

[@jgavin2174]

great rfeview

[@bobmanp8653]

for 600 thats pretty dam good

[@bmk418]

what kind of drone do you have? im looking at getting one, interested on your thoughts?

[@JimmyLewisMows]

DJI Mavic Air 2

[@bmk418]

@@JimmyLewisMows is it worth it?

[@hankdyck8963]

The only thing that I know that is better is a bigger machine. At some point the knives are going to get dull and U will need to change them.

[@trevormuggeridge4560]

First Aussie 😁. Jimmy, got the job done , sort of . 😬

[@ItsVideos]

You were chipping hardwood. 3" pine would go through easier.

[@eddiereyna2998]

Machetes!

[@davidlaney6153]

I just bought and it's worthless, small apertures, either going to rent a chipper or just create a burn pit.

[@death_stalker]

Took

[@xxxbrooklyn]

JUNK