Harbor Freight Wood Chipper - Setup and Test

[@4056yates]

Finally, someone who actually shows a real varighty demonstrated between sticks and twig.1s. Thanks,, everybody else Just shows forcing sticks in the chipper part. I wanted to see how it handles twigs and small branches through the shredder

[@matty-0]

Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@MrKmd27]

I was impressed as it seemed to do a really nice job. I also liked that it started first pull.

[@CombatDoc54]

I just got mine this evening. It came in a wood crate inside the box. It started on the first pull. It felt like I was trying to spin start a WWI Bi-wing. It sound like a small car engine. Pretty good for a 6.5 hp.

[@matty-0]

I've had mine for about a year now and it's been running strong. It's about time to sharpen the blades (I feel like the machine is not feeding itself as eagerly as it used to), but other than that, I've had no real issues. Watch out for tree debris collecting on the engine/exhaust. I haven't had any fires, but my governor got jammed up with fine wood particles, causing the RPM's to climb. I caught it before it chucked a rod.

[@CombatDoc54]

@@matty-0 When you sharpen the blades, make a how-to video. I guess it's pretty good to just blow it all off after using it. I tested it out a little last night. It seems to be pretty strong. I was actually impressed with it. It sure does have a beefy pull start on it. I imagine it's because of the blade's weight.

[@matty-0]

@@CombatDoc54 I will definitely make a video!

[@SwamiMasters]

@@matty-0 Read somewhere that dude has had his Predator since '19 and uses an Ego blower after every use to wedge out small particles/chips/wood that might otherwise build up around cavities, joints and such and says he's never had any major issues with service

[@SwamiMasters]

great job, Matty O! Best video of: this chipper BY FAR and I just tagged along building my own 212cc right there with ya. 🤙🏽

[@matty-0]

Thank you for the kind words! Be safe and enjoy mulching those branches!

[@merchantmariner6132]

Good job with the video. Thank you!

[@matty-0]

Glad you liked it. I feel like it's a pretty good value for what it is. Mine has held up good so far. They cut some corners here and there (my bag clip retainer failed), but the important stuff seems to work just fine.

[@John_Ridley]

Good review and you're a funny guy. Thanks. Probably getting one this afternoon. Wind storm here too and in the past I've burned a pretty big pile of brush once or twice a year and I probably should stop doing that. Plus, free landscaping chips.

[@matty-0]

Thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed the video. I'm definitely familiar with the burn pile and it's nice to not have to resort to that now. The wood chips it makes are useful for landscaping or compost, so that was my push to spend the money. I'm planning on making a video showing the woodchips (i have a stock pile now!), how to clean jams out, etc., so stay tuned!

[@jamesmarinelli2177]

AWESOME CHIPPER BUT be careful Ive had mine for 5 years with no problem cept a leak in muffler caused HOT exhaust to pass over a plastic part in carberator that holds the linkage for carburater venturi to be open (rabbit sign). When the plastic part melted from hot exhaust gases it let go of the linkage holding the venturi in carb open and it then partially closed, so the motor got choked wouldnt start wouldnt run, but i got it to run only when I had throttle half way open, halfway between turtle and rabbit. Thats logical because venturi halfway open only needs half gas to make equal mixture going into carb. But it ran only half as fast, would chip leaves but not big sticks. Took muffler off and air filter off then saw the melted plastic part on the linkage. I made a replacement for plastic connecter out of stainless steel hose clamp and tightened it on. So now linkage works perfect. Oh and yes I bought new muffler assembly $17. So moral of story if theres ANY leak in muffler replace it for 17$ it aint worth agony of what I went thru to troubleshoot this problem. Your chipper is new so this problem wont happen till maybe 4 to 5th year? So Im from the future with future advice.

[@matty-0]

I will keep an eye out for that. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on the muffler during use. I could see leaf debris posing a fire risk. So far so good on my end, though!

[@alanatkins4315]

In Australia it is called a Raptor, colour grey,. I have one, if you put the bigger branches through chip side and want smaller chip's feed through top hopper. Fine cut on top, course material through side feed.

[@matty-0]

That's been my experience, too.

[@justing6594]

That things ready to take off a hand.😂

[@matty-0]

It's no joke!

[@bgregg55]

I'd like to see what's involved in sharpening. My old Craftsman was a real PITA to sharpen the cutting edges.

[@matty-0]

I'm going to take a crack at sharpening the blades soon - stay tuned!

[@MuddyHelmet]

I got one it worked great and you just can't beat on it, if you're putting bigger logs in you should chop them up into smaller pieces so it doesn't jam up

[@matty-0]

Good advice - it really does come down to prep work. Get everything cut nicely and send it through! I am impressed at what the branch shredder will devour. The leaves and small branches get taken care of quickly.

[@johnwojtsvideos3616]

Very good review. There was a time that I would jump on one of these but right now I live in a house with a yard. The size of a postage stamp. I've been thinking about the Harbor freight chipper that's electric. I think something like that might be great for my house. No more than what i'd need to chip up. Maybe somebody could do a review on that. But I agree as dangerous as it looks. It also looks like a blast chop up stuff like that, thanks for the info.

[@matty-0]

I had the electric one many moons ago. It still looks the same as the one I had, but I'm not sure if they've changed it over the years. It was pretty good for little branches, and you really couldn't shove in anything too big for it with the guard they have on it. I know I jammed mine up a time or two, but it was easy to clean out and get back to work. For light duty stuff, it was nice.

[@simpleminded5215]

I have the small electric one. I’m not a fan, in fact you could have mine I like it that much. I just bought this one the other day. Assembly was just about identical to Matt’s O’s including dropping a nut into the chipper. Great minds and all that. It takes about 1/2 of a quart of 10/30 oil. Kinda a shame it’s not included but hey we are bargain shopping. I got lucky with a 15% off coupon on mine so I pulled the trigger. Nice video Matt’s O.

[@everybodysjonathan]

Nice review. I like how well this auto feeds.

[@matty-0]

Thank you. I'm impressed so far. It made short work of a giant branch pile. We'll see how it holds up!

[@jcampb4]

If you sandwich the rubber bushings with 5/16"x1&1/2" fender washers instead of those small ones, vibration will be reduced and the shock absorbers will not wear from dust & debris.

[@matty-0]

That would definitely help. I think Harbor Freight should consider that upgrade. It would help with assembly and operation!

[@dogcreekproject6872]

Nice video man! Would have liked to seen the wood chips afterwards. That’s just because I’m into gardening and I’m possibly a little weird. 🤔

[@matty-0]

Thanks! I actually did mean to get some video of the woodchips, but the camera shots I took were kinda crappy. I think I'll make a video that shows the finished product. The woodchips seem ideal for mulch if you have branches with lots of green leaves.

[@CrusaderGeneral]

Just got mine, only things I had to attach was the wheels, stand and handle. Also, did yours come with a rubber shroud for the top hopper?

[@matty-0]

There are some rubber flaps for the top hopper. They don't do a whole lot, unless you are standing behind the machine. I have grown accustom to pieces of wood flying at me whilst operating this little bundle of joy.

[@merchantmariner6132]

FYI forgot to mention, I just bought one this afternoon. $500 + govt cut with coop.

[@JujuPig-vz5mq]

If one uses it for weeds, make sure they're dry,, bone dry!

[@matty-0]

I don't know why, but I am curious of how this thing would handle carboard. Maybe even tire chunks...

[@larrypatterson3957]

Always wear heavy gloves when feeding sticks into the chute. Your hands will thank you!

[@matty-0]

Yes! These branches will rattle your bones as they enter the machine. Gloves are a must.

[@random-vida8951]

Looks a little dangerous

[@matty-0]

Ever so slightly, I would say. But it's a blast to shove sticks in this thing and watch them get obliterated! It's not too bad if you're wearing gloves/goggles and keep your fingers and hand out of the machine. If it gets jammed, turn it off and deal with it.

[@happyfeet231259]

wearing gloves and security glasses would be great, , at least you would see what you are doing.......

[@phreshone295]

But why are you so scared😅

[@matty-0]

Well, it does bite after all!

[@justinsane7128]

Does it come in pedo size?

[@matty-0]

This one does: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZordpIqMirRgldE