Harbor Freight Chipper / Shredder Unboxing, Assembly, Break-In, & Review by

[@GettinJunkDone]

Hey Everyone, thanks for watching. Be sure to check out some of my other tool reviews using the playlist linked below. kzbin.info/aero/PLHRSPnh4bEkwTiDfESJ-QLP5OWo6wayYo

[@thehungrysage1917]

Late to the party but wanted to make sure I set it up right. Didnt see the part in the instructions about running it 3 hours to break it in so I appreciate you mentioning that. I'll go read it again before I fire it up.

[@theguillotinemafia]

Probably one of the best review vids ive seen. Informative and to the point.

[@oldguysrock2170]

I just bought this chipper from HF. I decided to purchase it after reading reviews on several different chippers. Cost was a factor but not the deciding factor. Lowe’s had several, but reading reviews on one that Lowe’s was selling, I was amazed at the volume of negative reviews. They were almost funny. The HF reviews were very positive with the only real negative was the ability to handle 3” pieces of wood. I burn wood so 3” pieces usually end up on a wood rack. I further saw KZbin videos showing users who made simple modifications to improve performance such as sharpening the blades. I feel confident it will work for my needs. When I use it, and if I don’t like it, I will follow up with a review.

[@hotwireman49]

I bought a similar unit from DR. The manual said the same thing about the break-in Being 3 hours. I called Dr to make sure that that was right. Didn't sound right to me. They said give it 30 minutes. That's all you need to do. 3 hours is ridiculous. Thoughts?

[@Gairuntee]

Thank you! Great video. Just picked one up.

[@qkranarchist3015]

I'm here for "the very awkward unboxing and assembly" process before I go do it too. I like predictions and just seeing where I'll be tripping. 🤗😃

[@rick4649]

Great video, It helped me make up my mind about which one to purchase. One question , did your front rubber engine mounts flatten out? Mine flattened out causing the bolts come lose. .

[@GettinJunkDone]

That has never happened to me. Depending on the thickness of the bushing, I'm sure you can find a piece of rubber or old tire to replace it with.

[@rodhoskin8238]

what about blades. I.E. sharpening, etc? How long do they last, getting them off and on.

[@anneholden2879]

Thank you for this video! It well appreciated

[@GettinJunkDone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@777stevieg]

Can I run kitchen waste thru this machine for compost ?

[@larryhogston7970]

Just bougt one of the chippers and I'm already sick of it. The wheels will not go on. They hit the brake pads and their is not enought adjustment to make them fit. I've even removed one of the brakes and tried to put it on last. That doesn't work either. It makes the brakes so tight you can't move the lever. Any ideas? Heading back for a refund soon as our truck is fixed; it died on the way home.

[@superprettyko]

We are going down to buy one. I did not know the break in was 3 hours. But it is OK, if it helps make it last a long time. Liked all you showed, did and said. Nothing beats seeing how to put it together, how it works, good and bad. All this makes choices very simple. Great video, great job. Keep chipping. I could not find the trip, but if ya slow the video down to ,25, man ya really sound drunk big time.

[@GettinJunkDone]

Hey, thanks for the comment. I’ll be addressing this on my next live stream, this Sunday night, September 6th, Episode #13.

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

I just got one and used it first time. It is much better than I was expecting, but I want to figure out how to control the feed of larger branches. The big branches (2-3") get pulled from your hand and have tendency to bog the motor down -- too much wood too fast. How can I slow down the feed?

[@cumminsdiesel7241]

Good question and I am wondering about it myself. In the video these branches get sucked in pretty fast. Does it make sense to break them into smaller segments before feeding them in?

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

@@cumminsdiesel7241 Ok, I've used mine a few times now and think I can comment. I think longer branches are probably easier to control (or at least to hold onto). You need to wear EXTRA heavy leather gloves when chipping. The heavy gloves are important for control as well as comfort. As for your question: If you're hand is closer to the input chute, you're going to feel the jarring of the branch more than if you're hand is further away, so longer branches are better. Always put the large end of a branch in first. As the branch gets shorter it will also get thinner so the jarring is less. You really cannot control the feed of a thicker branch -- its going to chew it out of your hands. Make sure you're running at high speed before feeding a thicker branch. One other comment: the shredder (ie top hopper) is worthless. On my unit, the inlet hole for the shredder is too small to let anything in, and you really do NOT want to poke your hand down in there!

[@georgiebearpaws]

Didn't take my pickup truck to get this wood chipper home. Used my little car with a hatchback. Bring a box cutter, cut the box down half way, Visegrips to tear those thin wood planks half way down. Have some extra cardboard and a thin rope. Do this in the parking lot, get the Harbor freight guy to help lift it into car, had no problem getting it home. But chances are the box may fit without modifying it.

[@nancycullen7796]

thank you!

[@GettinJunkDone]

Of course! Thanks for watching.

[@ronaldzeoli7528]

Nice no nonsense video about a product i'am intrested in thanks

[@TheStruggleville]

👉 Can't wait to get my hands on one of these. Have tons of yard clean up to do and rather shred it then keep burning all the time. 👍

[@GettinJunkDone]

It's a good machine. I plan to do a follow up video in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

[@Pandemos]

Don't it's a piece of trash. Mine wouldn't even start after going through everything step by step. Don't waste your time on this hunk of junk.

[@TimmoDukes]

How's that wood chipper? Used it recently?

[@GettinJunkDone]

Works good! We have run it for many hours. I plan to have a follow up video eventually.

[@mvogelmeier1]

Cool

[@EdiMeanG]

How much oil ?

[@ClydeDoSomething]

I bet nobody else does the break in. 3 hours........ wow.

[@GettinJunkDone]

+Clyde's SoapBox you're not kidding. Strange this is that it was barely mentioned in the manual. A small little paragraph. Odd when you compare it to the obligatory warnings that cover the first 2 or 3 pages!

[@crpth1]

@@GettinJunkDone - Tip: For a long lasting, with less maintenance, beside all the oil change, air filter, etc. Make sure to run it dry every time it will go to storage for longer periods. Let the engine run until it dies without gas. You¨ll thank it on the next season startup. Valid also for outboards, lawn mowers, chain saws, etc. Clogged jets is a pain in the "seating area". LOL :-) Cheers

[@allenpost3616]

Hey Joe I'm on the market researching for a C/S is this unit still holing for you? My other concern with this unit is stuff hanging up in the small feed tube as I will be chipping some really crooked pecan limbs through it. Thanks for the vid.

[@GettinJunkDone]

This thing is great and I recommend it no problem. I plan to do a follow up video in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, I think it's a good buy.

[@freddaniali]

Buy the DR. This thing is crap.

[@cumminsdiesel7241]

Why the heck would he want to buy the Dominican Republic? Like he doesn't have enough problems of his own :-)

[@johnjude2685]

Thank you, I'm about to buy something, I think I will get over there and price what they have and your predator seems very sensible as a great choice, My son has a mower repair shop and plan to as his advice.Just to many little gas engine you either waiting a season for replacement parts or you don't even get the parts ( a very bad problem dealing with China manufacturing and USA ussally are super great after the sale and about helping consumer about parts. First time I seen a KZbin teacher say anything about a 3hr breaking in low speed run.That along got me hitting the thumbs up and subscribe buttons. Sir I thank you again and look forward for more of your teachings.

[@1rustytree]

Good video! How do you think it would do shredding up straw? Or do you think it always clog it up?

[@GettinJunkDone]

Straw? Not sure. I definitely don't want to be the guy to say that it can and cause you problems. Hopefully someone else will come by and help figure that out for you.

[@1rustytree]

Thanks for the reply!

[@SteveRobReviews]

Nice review it smoked thru the branches.

[@GettinJunkDone]

It sure did! I can't comment on longevity, but so far I got my money's worth.

[@skeets6060]

OK its been a year hows it holding up?

[@GettinJunkDone]

Been doing great. I plan to do a follow up video in the next few weeks or so.

[@zhangsunny156]

good

[@dixoncider7256]

Nice review.

[@GettinJunkDone]

Thanks for watching!

[@crosby3108]

thanks for the review but did anyone see where he tripped lol I must have missed it

[@jefflaporte2598]

Looks like assembly was under 2 minutes. Not bad. :)

[@AntoTheAvgeek]

2:43 it looks like a lawn mower lol

[@dougvanderhoop8012]

How much did it cost?

[@GettinJunkDone]

+Doug van der Hoop I forget exactly, but it was less than $500

[@Sctronic209]

Could you put cardboard through it?

[@genedameier8746]

Hvac, I would say no. Probably have little pieces stuck in the blades. Cardboard is recyclable in your "Blue Bin" with your trash or at a recycling drop off center.

[@1-shotslinger108]

When is someone going o put a bigger branch into one of these things . Not one of these videos make this thing look very strong.

[@Imwright720]

1-Shot slinger they aren’t made for large branches

[@mvb819]

Assembling a $450 chipper with a $200 ratchet.

[@GettinJunkDone]

That's how it goes sometimes. Both the ratchet, and chipper are probably worth what you paid.

[@GettinJunkDone]

BTW, I'll be using your comment during my Live Stream this Sunday night, Episode 36. Hope you can check it out.

[@mvb819]

@@GettinJunkDone I did! And you are correct. I have the same $200 (my guesstimate) Snap-On swivel head ratchet. I didn't buy it; I inherited it. It is handy for working in tight spaces.

[@paulrevere9174]

Still think the engine is to small. My Champion has a 338cc that packs a punch. 212cc is way to small.

[@GettinJunkDone]

You might be right, but that would be an easy enough upgrade if this engine ever quits.

[@ibthumper2]

I have the older yellow model. It just sucks!

[@GettinJunkDone]

I heard that the yellow one was a little lacking, but this one so far is awesome!

[@freddaniali]

This machine is a piece of junk. Buy a Done Right chipper.

[@cumminsdiesel7241]

Very nice, thank you!