You're correct, that model is a wimp, as is my 5hp gas troy built.

BUT.....

I've got a Troy Built converted to a 220V 5hp that will eat most
anything that will fit. ( a little more than $250 USD. Anyone near Las
Vegas can haul it away for $250, the gas for $200....

Phish is right by implying they are more trouble than they are
worth...


On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:53:27 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

You won't get much service, nor power from an electric model. When
you finally get one anyway, you'll see for yourself how time-consuming
and frustrating an electric model can be. A small 4 HP gas-powered
chipper will be much better than the most powerful electric model you
can find. If you have a rather large pile, rent a chipper/shredder for
a day. Wear gloves, safety glasses, a tight-fitting dust mask and
hearing protection.

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 11:02:21 -0400, Roy Smith wrote:

I'm looking for an electric chipper. I've got a small yard (50 x 100
lot) and mostly need to turn trimmings from about 150 linear feet of
hedges into compostable material. Most of the woody stuff is under 1/2"
diameter, and I'm not too worried if I won't be able to handle anything
much bigger than that. The model I'm looking at is...

http://www.thecomposter.com/products...ies/index.html

Does anybody have one of these? Is it worth getting for my light-duty
needs? I figure the "chip limbs and branches up to 1.5" diameter" is
probably just some marketing guy's fantasy, but I'll be happy if it'll
handle half that without destroying itself.

I know most people say the gas powered ones are the way to go, but I'd
really rather have electric.

The other unit I see advertised a lot is

http://www.composters.com/docs/lawncare5.html

It's a lot more money, but the electric motor isn't any more powerful,
so I suspect it really doesn't do any better job.

All the motors on the electric ones I see seem to be designed to work on
a 20A 120V circuit, and that limits the power to about 1.5 HP. I've got
240V available outside, but nobody seems to make an electric unit that
takes advantage of that. It seems like if I want more power, I need to
get one of the gas powered ones.

Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.
-- Aldo Leopold