Buying a Wood Chipper - 5 Tips & Things to Know (VOER 150A)

Buying a compact wood chipper is rarely decided by horsepower alone. The machine has to match the branches you actually process, the volume you handle in a normal week, the way you move it between sites, and the parts support you can get after delivery.

Buying a wood chipper requires more than comparing engine size, colour and price. The right machine must match the job, the material, the working environment and the long-term service requirements. These five practical tips can help contractors, landscapers, farms, orchards, rental businesses and equipment dealers make a more informed purchase - using the VOER 150A, a 90 kg petrol chipper rated for 6 cm branches, as a practical example.

1. Match the Chipper to the Work You Actually Do

Start by identifying the material the machine will process most often, and how much of it arrives in a normal week. Garden and landscape maintenance, orchard and hedge pruning, storm clean-up, municipal green waste and small tree work place very different demands on a chipper - in branch diameter, in hourly volume, and in how often the machine has to be moved or stored.

The VOER 150A is sized around the middle of that range. It is rated for a maximum crushing branch diameter of 6 cm and a production capacity of 0.8-1 tonne per hour, which suits regular pruning work and green-waste reduction where material arrives in batches rather than as a continuous industrial stream. Its 90 kg net weight and compact 1560 x 530 x 1040 mm footprint keep it manageable for one operator and practical to move between jobs.

Consider the working surface and access as well. A compact unit is easier to manoeuvre in gardens, orchards and yards with narrow gates, while a heavier machine may be needed if your material is consistently larger or your volume is measured in truckloads per day. Avoid choosing a machine only because it looks bigger: on a small frame, a larger feed opening does not create more capacity, and it can make the machine harder to move and slower to clear.

2. Check the Cutting System, Not Just the Engine

The engine gets the attention, but the cutting system decides how the machine feels in daily use. On any chipper, ask about blade count, blade type, blade size, and how blades are turned or replaced.

The VOER 150A uses a 150 mm blade set: two double-edged blades plus one static blade, running at a main shaft speed of 2800 r/min. Double-edged blades can be rotated and reused before replacement, which is a genuine running-cost factor for anyone operating the machine every week rather than a few times a year.

Confirm three details in writing before you order: the blade material and hardness, the sharpening or replacement interval, and how easily the cutting housing opens for inspection and clearing. A machine that is awkward to clear costs more in labour than it saves in purchase price, and blade wear compounds that cost over a season.

Also confirm which power configuration is being quoted. The 150A's standard configuration is a Rato 7.5 hp gasoline engine with manual start. Because weight and documentation change with configuration - the diesel version, for example, is quoted at 120 kg gross instead of 100 kg - the specification you compare prices against should match the machine you actually receive.

3. Learn the Four Numbers That Decide Everything

Most disappointing purchases come down to four numbers: branch capacity, hourly throughput, weight, and footprint. Everything else is detail.

Read them together rather than one at a time. A 90 kg machine with a 6 cm capacity is a compact, one-operator chipper: the numbers describe a machine that is moved by hand or with a small trailer, stored in a shed, and fed with prunings rather than whole trees. If your material regularly exceeds 6 cm, or your requirement is several tonnes per hour, you need a larger class of machine - not a larger specification on a small frame.

Two practical checks follow from the table. First, 100 kg gross with a 980 x 570 x 980 mm package is straightforward for a pallet or small consolidated shipment, which keeps landed cost predictable. Second, any numeric specification should be verified against the current product documentation for the exact model and configuration, because manufacturers revise details between production runs.

4. Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership, Not the Price

Purchase price is only one part of the investment. Freight, fuel, blades, belts, routine servicing, storage and downtime all belong in the comparison - and for dealers and rental businesses, parts availability matters more than a small difference in unit cost.

Work through four lines. Freight and handling: at 90 kg net and 100 kg gross in a 980 x 570 x 980 mm package, plan how the crate will be lifted and stored at destination. Fuel: a 3.6 L tank on a 7.5 hp petrol engine is economical for intermittent use, but estimate fuel per operating hour and multiply by your real weekly hours, not your best-case week. Wear parts: blades, belts, fasteners and sharpening are consumables, so ask for a wear-parts price list with the quotation rather than after the first failure. Labour and downtime: clearing blockages, sharpening, and transporting the machine are recurring costs that a cheaper machine with slower service access will inflate.

A slightly higher purchase price is often justified when the supplier provides better documentation, a clear spare-parts process, and realistic lead times.

5. Evaluate the Supplier and Confirm the Configuration Before Ordering

Request a complete quotation showing the machine configuration, included accessories, optional equipment, delivery terms, warranty conditions and estimated lead time. Model-specific specifications and compliance documents should be verified for the destination market.

Before you place the order, get written answers to four questions:

• Configuration. Which engine and start type is being quoted, and does the quoted weight and CE documentation match that configuration?

• Scope of supply. What is included - tool kit, spare blade set, discharge chute or collection bag, operation manual - and what is quoted separately?

• Logistics. What are the packaging dimensions, loading information, production lead time and delivery terms?

• After-sales. How are blades, belts and filters ordered, what is the typical response time, and how are warranty claims handled?

VOER supplies the 150A wood chipper and other compact machinery for landscaping, grounds care and material handling, serving contractors, farms, orchards, rental businesses and equipment dealer partners. Buyers can discuss application requirements, configuration options, spare-parts planning and wholesale orders before purchasing.

Safety note: Wear eye protection when feeding material, keep all guards and the hopper shield in place, and operate the machine only according to the manual. Never reach into the feed opening while the machine is running, and keep bystanders clear of the discharge area.

Who the VOER 150A Suits

FAQ

What size branches can the VOER 150A handle?

The machine is rated for a maximum crushing branch diameter of 6 cm. Green wood, dry hardwood and dense knots behave differently, so feed material within the rated diameter and at a steady rate rather than forcing oversized pieces.

How much material can it process per hour?

The stated production capacity is 0.8-1 tonne per hour. Real output depends on branch diameter, wood type, moisture content and how continuously the machine is fed.

What is the blade setup, and how often do blades need replacing?

The 150A uses a 150 mm blade set with two double-edged blades and one static blade at a main shaft speed of 2800 r/min. Double-edged blades can be rotated and reused; the replacement interval depends on material type and cleanliness, so confirm the sharpening guidance in the manual.

Is the VOER 150A petrol or diesel?

The standard configuration is a Rato 7.5 hp gasoline engine with manual start. A diesel version is also quoted, with a different gross weight, so confirm which configuration you are being offered.

How much does it weigh, and how is it shipped?

Net weight is 90 kg and gross weight 100 kg for the standard configuration, in a 980 x 570 x 980 mm package. The diesel version is quoted at 120 kg gross. Packing is suitable for pallet handling and consolidated shipping.

What certifications does the VOER 150A carry?

CE marking is stated for the 150A. Confirm the documentation that applies to your configuration and destination market before ordering.

Can one person operate and move the machine?

At 90 kg net, with a compact 1560 x 530 x 1040 mm body, the machine is designed for single-operator use in gardens, orchards and yards. Moving it on uneven ground still requires care, and it should be transported rather than towed over long distances unless the configuration supports it.

What should I confirm before placing an order?

Engine and start configuration, scope of supply, spare blade availability, CE documentation, packaging dimensions, lead time, delivery terms and warranty conditions. Ask for any numeric specification in writing against the current documentation for the exact model.

Summary

A compact wood chipper earns its place when it matches your work: the branch sizes you actually feed, the volume you handle in a week, and the way you move and store the machine. The VOER 150A packages a 6 cm branch capacity, 0.8-1 t/h throughput, a 150 mm double-edged blade set and a 90 kg transport-friendly body into a machine that is simple to run and maintain.

Choose on four numbers - capacity, throughput, weight and footprint - check the cutting system and the configuration being quoted, calculate the total cost of ownership rather than the price, and confirm the specification and support in writing before you buy. Specifications and configurations can change, so verify the current details for your exact model and market before ordering.