Chipper Shredders and Pine Needles

[RidgeHiker]

How do shedders do with pine needles. Do they get well mulched / chopped up? Do they need to go in with other foliage?

My property is largely evergreen forested with pines, firs, and cedars so there a lots of needles, especially longer pine one. I am probably going to get a moderately priced chipper shredder.

Thanks for your feedback!!!

 

[grsthegreat]

on my unit, the needles just fly thru without chipping up.

 

[Peter 315]

I would be careful with pine needles , So you don't put rocks and dirt through the chipper and dull the knives

 

[LMychajluk]

You know, I was just wondering the same thing last night after looking at Pine Straw Rakes. Subscribed.

 

[RalphVa]

The Mac TPH-122 smashes them up nicely. It has hammers and separate chipper blade.

Rocks would never get to the chipper blade to dull it.

Ralph

 

[RidgeHiker]

on my unit, the needles just fly thru without chipping up.

I am assuming that you are referring to your Jimna pto chipper and that it does not have a shredder.

 

[oldballs]

I guess that part of the decision is whether to buy a chipper only, or a chipper/shredder. And whether to get a stand alone or one driven from your PTO. And then, how much and how often does one use it. Or maybe one could consider whether one needs to operate the machine at different properties.

Shredders work well for leaves, yard/garden debris including your pine needles especially if one installs the fine screen with the hammers. The unit that I have had for several years services my purpose for chipping and shredding. But it is a lot of work....which I don't mind in the volumes that i have. :2cents:

 

[RidgeHiker]

I guess that part of the decision is whether to buy a chipper only, or a chipper/shredder. And whether to get a stand alone or one driven from your PTO. And then, how much and how often does one use it. Or maybe one could consider whether one needs to operate the machine at different properties.

Shredders work well for leaves, yard/garden debris including your pine needles especially if one installs the fine screen with the hammers. The unit that I have had for several years services my purpose for chipping and shredding. But it is a lot of work....which I don't mind in the volumes that i have. View attachment 549315View attachment 549316:2cents:

I just ordered one last night. Not as heavy duty as yours but a chipper shredder. Champion Chipper Shredder 338 cc from Home Depot. This should serve my needs well and 1/4 or less the cost of a good 3 point machine. I tend to like to get bigger, more powerful, heavier duty equipment but am learning to better match the equipment to the actual tasks (well, at least this is what I am hopping).

 

[lightninboy]

Why not leave pine needles alone for mulch?

 

[Tomtint]

I have a Wallinstein 62 chipper... If I run pines through that have a lot of needles.. It clogs up.

 

[RidgeHiker]

Why not leave pine needles alone for mulch?

California has strong regulations for fire safety around homes enforced by Cal Fire. Within the 30' zone around the home dead or dry leaves and pine needles are supposed to be removed. Cal Fire does inspections to make sure that requirements are followed. I would prefer to let a more natural forest duff which supports a healthy forest build up and will see if the shredder will chop the needles down enough to be acceptable if inspected. I have no complaints about the regulations or inspections which help to make our area safer.