For trusted wood chipper hire in Cardiff and across South Wales, Cambrian Chipper Hire & Sales gives residential and commercial clients what they need most: reliable machines, practical advice and a straightforward service from a local team with long-standing experience. Based at Riverside Works, Ely Bridge, Cardiff, Cambrian Chipper supports homeowners, tree surgeons, landscapers, contractors, local authorities and estates with sharp, well-serviced wood chippers that are ready to work when you are.
Whether you are clearing a large garden, managing tree waste after pruning, or running a professional arborist team, the right chipper makes the job safer, quicker and tidier. Cambrian Chipper combines a quality hire fleet with expert guidance, flexible options and sales support for customers who need a machine of their own.

A dependable local name with over 40 years of trading experience

Cambrian Chipper Hire & Sales is part of Cambrian Group UK, a Cardiff-based business that has been trading for over 40 years. That history matters. It means customers are dealing with a real local team, not a faceless booking service.
Over the years, Cambrian has built long-term working relationships with domestic customers, trade users, contractors and public sector clients across South Wales. That experience helps when a customer is unsure which machine will suit the job. A homeowner clearing conifers from a back garden will not always need the same chipper as a contractor working on a roadside clearance project, and Cambrian Chipper can help match the machine to the material, access and hire duration.

A well-maintained fleet that is ready for work

Reliability is one of the biggest reasons customers return to Cambrian Chipper. A wood chipper needs to perform properly from the moment it arrives on site. If blades are dull, parts are worn, or the machine has not been checked, progress slows down and the job becomes harder than it needs to be.
Cambrian Chipper keeps its fleet sharp, serviced regularly and prepared for real working conditions, so customers can focus on the task, not the equipment. This matters for both domestic and commercial users: it reduces stress on a one-off garden project, and it supports productivity and reduces downtime on busy professional schedules.

Road-towable and tracked chippers for different sites

No two jobs are the same, especially when access varies. Cambrian Chipper offers road-towable and tracked wood chippers, giving customers a choice based on where and how the machine will be used.
Road-towable chippers are a practical option for many garden, landscaping and tree surgery jobs, and are often the preferred choice where the chipper needs to move between locations. Tracked chippers are designed for more challenging ground and tighter access. They can be useful on estates, farms, larger gardens, woodland edges and construction sites where positioning the machine close to the waste pile saves time and manual effort.
Choosing between the two is not always obvious, so the team can talk through site layout, access width, ground conditions and volume of timber before recommending a suitable option.

6-inch and 8-inch cutting capacities for the right level of power

Cambrian Chipper supplies chippers in 6-inch and 8-inch cutting capacities, giving customers flexibility whether they are dealing with light branches and hedge material or larger timber from professional tree work.
A 6-inch chipper is often a strong choice for garden clearance, landscaping projects and general maintenance work, giving plenty of capability while remaining manageable for smaller sites. An 8-inch chipper suits heavier workloads and larger material, which tree surgeons, contractors, local authorities and estate teams often need when handling higher volumes.
The right size depends on a few factors, including:

• The diameter and type of material being chipped
• How much waste needs processing
• Site access and ground conditions
• Whether the work is a one-off project or regular use

Getting the size right avoids wasted time and unnecessary effort, and supports safer, smoother operation.

Trusted brands, including FORST, GreenMech, Timberwolf and Weibang

Cambrian Chipper stocks respected names across the wood chipper and groundcare market, including FORST, GreenMech, Timberwolf and Weibang, all widely used by professionals and valued for performance, durability and practical design.
As a FORST-approved dealer, Cambrian Chipper has specialist knowledge of FORST machines and can support customers looking for capable, professional-grade chippers. Customers can explore the FORST hire range if they are interested in hiring from this trusted line-up. Being dealer-backed also gives customers confidence that the team understands the machines in depth, whether hiring for a weekend job or considering a purchase for regular work.

Hire options that suit one-off jobs and ongoing work

Flexibility is another key part of Cambrian Chipper’s service. Some customers only need a chipper for a short garden clearance project, while others need dependable kit for repeat commercial contracts, seasonal maintenance or long-term site work.
Cambrian Chipper offers short-term and long-term hire options to fit the job, useful for homeowners clearing a backlog of branches as well as businesses needing extra capacity during a busy period. For residential customers, hiring avoids the storage, servicing and maintenance demands of ownership, giving access to professional machinery for a specific task with guidance from a local team before the hire begins.

Sales and finance options for regular chipper users

For some customers, buying makes more sense than hiring. Tree surgeons, landscapers, estates, farms and contractors who chip regularly may benefit from owning a machine that is always available for their work.
Cambrian Chipper sells new and pre-owned machines, with finance options available for suitable customers, and can help buyers compare models and choose a chipper that supports their workload over the long term. Customers can browse the latest wood chippers for sale to see available machines. The benefit of buying through an experienced local dealer is the support that comes with the decision, from capacity and towing needs to future servicing requirements.

Practical guidance for safer operation

Wood chippers are powerful machines, so safe operation matters on every job. Before hire, the team can discuss the user’s experience, the type of work planned and any site challenges, to help make sure the chosen machine is suitable.
Good practice includes keeping the work area clear, feeding material correctly, using suitable personal protective equipment and ensuring only competent people operate the machine. This guidance is especially valuable for homeowners who may not use a wood chipper often, helping them plan the job sensibly and avoid common mistakes.

Straightforward enquiries and responsive local service

Customers want to know their enquiry will be handled quickly and clearly. Cambrian Chipper keeps the process simple: explain the job, share the key details, such as the type of material, estimated branch diameter, site access, location and hire duration, and the team will help identify a suitable hire or sales option.
This responsive approach is one of the reasons Cambrian Chipper is trusted by such a wide mix of customers, from a homeowner needing reassurance before a garden clearance to a contractor needing a reliable machine for a specific job date, or a local authority planning ongoing maintenance. In each case, Cambrian Chipper aims to make the next step clear and practical.

Why homeowners and professionals both choose Cambrian Chipper

Residential customers often get in touch when a garden project, such as tree pruning, hedge removal or a landscaping redesign, creates more green waste than expected. Hiring a chipper makes the clean-up far easier: instead of repeatedly moving bulky material, customers can process it on site, and the resulting chip can often be used around the garden for paths, borders or mulch.
Commercial clients need equipment that works hard and fits around demanding schedules. For tree surgeons, landscapers, contractors, farms, estates and local authorities, trust comes from machine quality, availability, brand choice and knowledgeable support. The range of tracked and road-towable machines, in both 6-inch and 8-inch capacities, gives trade customers the flexibility to choose the right tool for each site, while homeowners get the same expert advice without needing to know every technical detail themselves.

FAQ

How long can I hire a wood chipper for?

Cambrian Chipper offers short-term and long-term hire options, so you can hire for a one-off project or a longer period of regular work. The team can help you choose a suitable hire duration when you enquire.

Can you help me choose between a 6-inch and 8-inch chipper?

Yes. The best choice depends on the branch diameter, volume of material, access and type of work. Cambrian Chipper can talk through the job and recommend a suitable machine.

Do you offer road-towable and tracked wood chippers?

Yes. Road-towable chippers suit many accessible sites, while tracked chippers are useful for tighter access, uneven ground and larger sites where positioning matters.

Is guidance provided for safe operation?

Yes. Cambrian Chipper can provide practical guidance so customers understand safe operation and choose a machine that suits their experience and site conditions.

Should I hire or buy a wood chipper?

Hiring is often best for one-off or occasional work, while buying may suit businesses, estates or farms that chip regularly. Cambrian Chipper offers both hire and sales support to help you decide.

Areas we cover

We cover Cardiff and the following surrounding areas:
Penarth, Barry, Dinas Powys, Sully, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major, St Fagans, Radyr, Whitchurch, Rhiwbina, Llanishen, Lisvane, Pentyrch, Creigiau, Tongwynlais, Caerphilly, Nantgarw, Llantrisant, Talbot Green and more.
If you need dependable wood chipper hire or advice on buying a machine, speak to Cambrian Chipper today. Call 02920 569311, email enquiries@cambriangroup.co.uk, or send your details through the wood chipper hire enquiry page and the team will help you find the right option.

Some wood chippers are absolute branch managers, while others chew one twig and look personally offended. There, that’s my timber pun done early. The real difference between professional chipper hire companies and amateur outfits is technical: capacity, cutting systems, feed systems, power, maintenance, safety, correct sizing and proper backup support.

If the chipper is underpowered, blunt, poorly guarded, wrongly matched to the job or unsupported when it fails, productivity drops and risk climbs. A professional hire company should know exactly what the machine can process, how it has been maintained, which safety systems it carries, and whether it suits your site.

Cambrian Chipper Hire & Sales, based at Riverside Works, Ely Bridge, Cardiff, supplies commercial wood chippers for hire and sale across South Wales, including premium machines from FORST, GreenMech, Timberwolf and Weibang. But rather than a “pick us because we’re lovely” piece, let’s get into the oily, sharp, horsepower-filled details.

Commercial-grade chippers are not just bigger garden shredders

A domestic garden shredder is handy for light pruning, leafy waste and the sort of branches you can carry in one hand while still holding a cuppa. A commercial chipper is built for sustained, repeated processing of woody material without overheating, stalling or turning the job into a smoky argument.

The main technical differences are:

• Branch diameter capacity, commonly 6-inch or 8-inch for professional arboricultural work
• Engine power and torque for sustained cutting under load
• Hydraulic feed rollers that pull material in consistently
• Disc or drum cutting systems designed for volume and chip quality
• No-stress feed controls that prevent the engine being overloaded
• Tracked or road-towable chassis options for different access conditions

Cambrian stocks professional machines in 6-inch and 8-inch capacities, with both tracked and road-towable configurations available. That matters because the best chipper is not always the biggest one. It is the one that matches the timber, access, ground conditions, operator skill and expected volume.

Using an underpowered machine for heavy brash is a bit like asking a toaster to cater a wedding. Brave, technically possible for three minutes, then everyone regrets it.

Capacity: branch diameter is only part of the story

Branch diameter capacity gets the attention, and fair enough. If you have 8-inch timber, a 3-inch domestic shredder is not “nearly there”. It is completely out of its depth.

However, professionals look beyond the headline number. A chipper’s rated capacity tells you the maximum diameter it can accept, but real-world performance also depends on material type, shape and volume.

Fresh leylandii behaves differently from seasoned hardwood. Forked branches need a different feed approach from straight stems. Wet leafy brash can clog lighter machines. Heavy timber needs enough engine torque and sharp blades to cut cleanly. High-volume work needs a machine that can keep feeding, not just cope once for the brochure photo.

A 6-inch commercial chipper is often ideal for tree surgery, estate work, grounds maintenance and garden clearance where branches are moderate but volume is high. An 8-inch chipper gives more capacity for larger timber and heavier arboricultural jobs.

The amateur mistake is treating all green waste as the same. Professional hire teams know that material type affects machine choice. That advice prevents delays, damage and a great deal of standing around saying, “I thought it would take that.”

Cutting systems, feed systems and power: the business end

The cutting system decides how efficiently timber is processed, how consistent the chips are, and how hard the engine has to work. Most professional wood chippers use either disc or drum cutting systems.

Disc chippers

A disc chipper uses a heavy rotating disc fitted with blades. Timber is fed into the disc, and the blades slice chips away as it rotates.

Disc systems are known for producing consistent chips with the right feed design and sharp blades, and are often valued where chip quality matters, such as landscaping or biomass preparation.

Drum chippers

A drum chipper uses a rotating drum fitted with blades, fed against the drum which cuts and pulls material through. Drum systems are often excellent for high-throughput work with brash, branches and mixed arboricultural material, and tend to be rugged and productive when correctly specified.

The key point is this: a professional hire company should understand how the cutting system suits the job. An amateur outfit may simply say, “It chips wood.” That is true in the same way a spoon and a digger both move soil. Technically yes, but please do not landscape a business park with cutlery.

Hydraulic feed and no-stress control

The feed system is where a lot of time is won or lost.

On small domestic machines, you often push material in manually and hope it catches. That might be fine for light garden waste, but it becomes frustrating and risky with awkward branches, forked material or volume work.

Commercial chippers usually use hydraulic feed rollers. These grip the timber and draw it into the cutting chamber at a controlled rate. Better machines also allow operators to stop, reverse or regulate the feed, which helps with awkward branches and reduces operator fatigue.

Many commercial chippers also feature no-stress or auto-feed technology. This senses engine load and pauses or slows the feed rollers if the chipper is working too hard. Once engine speed recovers, feeding resumes. Without it, operators may keep forcing timber into a struggling machine, causing stalls, blockages and unnecessary wear.

Horsepower and torque

A chipper’s engine does more than make noise and look important. It has to generate enough torque to keep the cutting system spinning under load.

Underpowered chippers may cope with straight, dry, small-diameter material, but struggle with dense, wet or knotty timber. They slow down, stall, snatch at branches, clog more often and produce uneven chip.

Professional hire fleets use commercial petrol or diesel engines designed for sustained work. The machine specification should match the chipper’s diameter capacity and workload. A wide throat is not much help if the engine cannot keep up.

When Cambrian advises on machine selection, power source and horsepower are part of the discussion. A road-towable 6-inch chipper might suit accessible domestic tree work. A tracked 8-inch machine may suit larger sites, uneven ground or places where dragging brash long distances would waste hours.

Tracked vs road-towable: access is technical too

Choosing between a tracked chipper and a road-towable chipper is not just personal preference. It is about site layout, ground conditions, access width and where the timber is coming from.

Road-towable machines are ideal when you can park close to the work area or process material near a roadside, driveway, estate road, car park or hardstanding. They are efficient for arborists, landscapers and contractors moving between sites.

Tracked chippers can travel across rougher ground and get closer to the cutting area. That reduces dragging distance, saves labour and helps on awkward sites such as large gardens, woodland margins, parks, estates, sloping ground or soft ground, where appropriate ground protection is used.

An amateur approach might be, “Here’s the chipper we’ve got.” A professional approach asks, “Where is the timber, how do we get the machine there, and what will the ground tolerate?”

That question can save more time than people expect. Brash dragging is the gym membership nobody asked for.

Blade sharpness and maintenance: servicing is not a wipe with a rag

Sharp blades are one of the clearest signs of a properly maintained chipper fleet.

A sharp blade slices timber cleanly. A blunt blade batters, tears and crushes material. That affects throughput, fuel use, vibration, wear, operator effort and chip quality. It can also affect safety, because blunt blades encourage poor technique. Operators may push harder, feed badly or try to force awkward branches.

Well-maintained sharp blades help produce:

• Cleaner, more uniform wood chip
• Faster throughput
• Lower fuel consumption
• Less vibration and component strain
• Reduced risk of snatching or bouncing material
• Easier feeding

Cambrian’s machines are described as fully maintained, kept sharp and serviced regularly. That is exactly what you want to hear when hiring a chipper. Blade condition should never be a mystery solved halfway through the first pile of branches.

A professional maintenance regime covers far more than blades. Commercial chippers involve anvils, belts, bearings, hydraulics, feed rollers, guards, tyres, tracks and safety systems, and each needs regular inspection, from anvil clearance and hydraulic oil levels to brakes and hitches on road-tow units.

A professional outfit can explain how its machines are serviced and prepared. An amateur operator may rely on the machine starting as proof that everything is fine. By that logic, my car is in perfect condition because the radio works. My mechanic has expressed views.

Safety features: proper chippers are designed around risk control

Wood chippers are powerful machines. That power is the point, but it also means safety systems matter enormously.

Professional-grade machines should include safety features designed to control access, stop feeding quickly and protect operators during use and maintenance: emergency stop or bump bars around the feed hopper, feed control with forward, stop and reverse functions, guarding and interlocked covers around moving parts, an infeed hopper design that keeps hands away from rollers and blades, and a stable chassis with secure towing.

The emergency bump bar is particularly important. If an operator needs to stop the feed quickly, it provides a large, accessible control point. On professional machines, these systems should be checked regularly and taken seriously.

Safety is not just about having features bolted on. It is about ensuring they work and that users understand them.

If you are weighing up DIY risk more broadly, Cambrian has also covered the practical differences in Specialist Chipper Hire vs DIY: What’s the Real Difference?. Here, the technical point is simple: hire equipment must be designed, maintained and explained with safety in mind.

Operator training: the machine is only half the equation

Even a top-spec chipper becomes risky in the wrong hands.

Trained operators understand feed technique, exclusion zones, PPE, emergency stops, machine positioning and what not to feed. That last category is surprisingly important. Chippers like timber. They do not like metal, stones, fencing wire, soil-packed roots, forgotten nails or someone’s optimism.

Proper instruction should cover safe start-up and shutdown, emergency stop operation, feed direction and reverse controls, what material the machine can and cannot process, how to feed forked branches safely, keeping hands and clothing clear of the infeed, and what to do if the machine blocks or behaves abnormally.

A professional hire company should give clear guidance on machine use and suitability. For larger, more technical or commercial jobs, experienced advice at the hire stage can prevent problems before anyone starts the engine.

Cambrian’s team is highly experienced and offers expert advice on machine selection. That matters because good advice is part of the equipment package. You are not just hiring metal, blades and horsepower. You are hiring the knowledge that helps you use the right machine properly.

Correct machine sizing: one-size-fits-all is where jobs go wrong

One of the biggest differences between professional and amateur chipper hire is how the machine is specified.

Amateur or fly-by-night setups often have a tiny fleet, or perhaps just one machine. That means every enquiry gets the same answer. Convenient for them, less convenient for your site.

Professional hire companies ask better questions instead: what diameter is the largest material, is the waste mainly brash or mixed timber, how much volume needs processing, what the ground and access are like, and whether delivery, collection or a trailer is needed. These questions are not faff. They are how you avoid hiring a machine that is too small, too large, unsuitable for the site or awkward to transport.

Too small, and the job drags on with jams, stalls and constant cutting down of material. Too large, and you may struggle with access or manoeuvring. Correct sizing gives you the best blend of throughput, safety and practicality.

Cambrian offers short and long-term hire, along with delivery and collection and trailer provision. They also supply new and pre-owned machines, with 0% finance available on selected machines, for those looking to buy rather than hire. As a FORST approved dealer, they can advise on premium commercial equipment, not just point at the nearest machine and hope.

You can learn more about the company and its hire and sales services on the Cambrian Chipper Hire & Sales homepage.

Insurance, liability and backup: boring until something goes wrong

Insurance and records are not glamorous. Nobody has ever shouted, “Tell me more about servicing documentation!” across a pub garden. But they matter.

When you hire from an amateur operator without proper cover or maintenance records, you may expose yourself to significant risk. If the machine fails, causes damage, injures someone or turns out not to have been maintained properly, liability can become messy very quickly. Professional hire firms should be able to discuss hire terms, servicing and maintenance records, safety inspection routines, roadworthiness checks for towable units, insurance arrangements and guidance on safe operation. For businesses, contractors, estates and local authorities, that paperwork is part of your risk management. Domestic customers benefit too, because a chipper is too powerful a machine to hire on a handshake and a shrug.

Even well-maintained machinery can develop faults, and the difference is what happens next. With an amateur setup, a breakdown may mean the job stops completely. If they only have one machine and no workshop support, your project waits. Professional hire companies plan for this with spare machines, fast servicing, access to parts or the expertise to diagnose faults quickly, because chipper failure always happens at the worst possible moment. Woodchip waits for no one. Well, technically it waits forever, but it does so in a really inconvenient pile.

Cambrian hires and sells established brands including FORST, GreenMech, Timberwolf and Weibang, and is a FORST approved dealer, offering 0% finance on selected machines for those looking to buy rather than hire. Working with premium equipment helps, but the support behind it, servicing, spare capacity and honest advice, is just as important.

Signs you are dealing with a professional chipper hire company

If you want a quick technical sense check, look for clear answers to these questions: What is the maximum branch diameter capacity? Is the machine tracked or road-towable? How does the feed system operate, and does it have reverse and emergency stop functions? How is blade sharpness managed, and when was the machine last serviced? What safety guidance will you receive, and what happens if the machine develops a fault mid-job?

If the answers are vague, that is a warning sign. “It’ll probably do it” is not a technical specification. It is a phrase that usually appears shortly before disappointment.

The professional difference is technical, not cosmetic

A smart-looking chipper is nice, but paintwork does not process timber. The real difference lies in specification, maintenance and support.

Professional chipper hire companies invest in commercial-grade machines with the right capacity, proper cutting systems, strong feed mechanisms, suitable power and robust safety features. They keep blades sharp, service equipment properly, size machines to the job and offer backup if something goes wrong.

Amateur or underprepared operators may still have a machine that chips wood. But if it is underpowered, blunt, poorly maintained, wrongly specified or unsupported, the job can become slower, riskier and more expensive in time, labour and disruption.

For commercial arborists, landscapers, estates, grounds teams and serious domestic projects, that technical difference matters.

If you need help choosing the right 6-inch or 8-inch chipper, tracked or road-towable, for short or long-term hire, Cambrian Chipper Hire & Sales can talk you through the options properly. Call 02920 569311 or enquire about chipper hire and get matched with the right machine for the job.

A pile of brash by the gate is a hazard waiting to happen, and we’re not just going out on a limb saying that. Anyone who’s spent a day felling, pruning or clearing has looked at the mountain of branches left behind and thought “someone else’s problem”. The truth is, that someone is usually still you, a few hours and a sore back later.

Professional tree waste management isn’t a nice-to-have tacked onto the end of a job. It’s the difference between finishing a site clean and finishing it with a skip full of brash sitting there for a week, annoying the client and eating into your next booking.

The real cost of dealing with it later

Leaving tree waste to “sort out another day” always costs more than it looks like it will. Brash left on site attracts complaints, blocks access, and often means a second visit just to clear what should have been dealt with the first time. Add in tip fees, van space, and the hours spent loading and unloading by hand, and the maths rarely favours doing it the slow way.

A proper chipper changes that equation completely. What takes a team half a day with loppers and a trailer takes a fraction of the time with the right machine, and you drive away with the job actually finished.

What professional tree waste management actually looks like

For most tree surgeons, landscapers and groundworks contractors, “professional” simply means having a machine that matches the job rather than fighting one that doesn’t. A domestic garden shredder will not touch a 6-inch branch, and turning up to a commercial clearance without a tracked chipper means you’re the one apologising to the client, not us.

That’s the gap Cambrian Chipper Hire and Sales exists to fill. We stock 6-inch and 8-inch machines from GreenMech, Timberwolf, FORST and Weibang, in tracked, towable, and short or long-term hire options, so the machine suits the ground and the job rather than the other way round. If you’d rather buy outright, our wood chippers for sale range covers new and pre-owned machines with finance available.

Turning brash into something useful

Here’s the bit that makes the investment genuinely worth it: chipped material isn’t waste at all once it’s through the machine. It becomes mulch, path cover or biomass, which means less going to landfill and more going back into the ground it came from. Chipping on site also cuts down transport, which is no small thing once fuel and disposal costs are added up.

We’ll admit our first chipper years ago sounded like a washing machine full of spanners on a bad day, and we’ve learned a fair bit since about what actually holds up on a busy site. That experience is exactly why our machines are maintained properly and ready to go, rather than something you’re crossing your fingers over on a Tuesday morning job.

Access, terrain and choosing the right machine

Not every site has a flat driveway and a wide gate. That’s where a tracked chipper earns its keep, working its way over uneven ground, through narrow access points, and into gardens a towable unit could never reach. For roadside jobs or bigger clearances where mobility between sites matters more than crawling through mud, a towable machine tends to make more sense. Getting that choice right before the job starts saves far more time than it costs.

Based at Riverside Works in Cardiff, we supply hire and sales across Cardiff and the whole of South Wales, and we’re used to fitting around early starts, with next-day collection available the evening before if a job needs a prompt start.

Compliant, tidy, and ready for the next job

There’s also the legal side that’s easy to overlook. Businesses have a duty of care over the waste they produce, and how tree arisings are handled and disposed of falls squarely under that. Managing it properly on site, rather than leaving a trailer of brash to deal with “eventually”, keeps you on the right side of the waste duty of care code of practice as well as your client’s good books.

Investing in the right equipment, whether that’s a single hire for a big clearance or a machine you keep on the van permanently, pays for itself in time saved, sites left tidy, and jobs that don’t need revisiting. It’s one of those costs that stops looking like an expense the moment you add up what the alternative actually costs you.

If you’re weighing up hire against buying, or just want the right machine for your next job, get in touch through our contact page, call us on 02920 569311, or email enquiries@cambriangroup.co.uk. We’ll help you find the machine that gets the brash gone and the job signed off, no crossed fingers required.

The benefits of using a specialist chipper hire company versus DIY methods

If your garden’s buried under a season’s worth of hedge trimmings, fallen branches or storm damage, a specialist chipper hire company is usually the fastest way out of that mess. It’s tempting to grab whatever machine is going cheapest and get stuck in, but the gap between that approach and hiring from a business that actually lives and breathes wood chippers shows up quickly, in the results, the safety of the job and often the final cost too.

At Cambrian Chipper Hire, we talk to people every week who’ve tried the DIY route first and come to us afterwards, usually with a story about a jammed machine or a job that took three times longer than it should have.

Equipment that’s actually up to the job

Consumer-grade chippers bought or borrowed from a general tool hire counter are built for light, occasional use. They’re fine for a handful of thin twigs, but feed them anything with real diameter or a bit of green, sappy growth and they’ll clog, stall or strain the motor.

We stock proper working machines from brands like FORST, GreenMech, Timberwolf and Weibang, in 6-inch and 8-inch capacities, and we know which one suits which job. Clearing a small border is a different task to processing a felled tree, and getting that match right from the start saves hours of frustration.

No maintenance, no storage, no guesswork

Own a chipper and you own its upkeep too. Blades need sharpening, engines need servicing, and a machine that sits unused for months between jobs has a habit of not starting when you finally need it.

Hiring removes all of that. Every machine that goes out from us is regularly maintained and checked before it leaves, so you’re working with equipment that performs the way it should, not something that’s been gathering dust in a shed since last autumn. You also don’t need anywhere to store a chipper for the other fifty weeks of the year.

The right chipper for the job, not just the nearest one

One of the biggest advantages of going through a specialist rather than a general hire desk is guidance. We can talk through what you’re clearing, how much of it there is and what the material’s like, then point you towards a towed or tracked model that actually fits.

Get that wrong with a DIY approach and you’ll either underpower the machine and spend all day feeding it small batches, or end up wrestling something far bigger and heavier than the job called for. Browse our full range of wood chippers for hire and you’ll see there’s a genuine difference between models, not just a one-size-fits-all rental.

Safety that DIY setups often miss

Wood chippers are serious pieces of kit. Loose clothing, tiredness, distraction or simply not knowing a machine’s quirks are behind most of the accidents that happen with hired equipment.

When you hire through a specialist, you get more than the machine. We talk you through safe operation, what the chipper can and can’t handle, and the warning signs that mean you should stop and call us rather than push on. That knowledge, built from years of doing this daily, isn’t something a quick read of an instruction leaflet can replace.

Delivery, collection and a bit of common sense

Chippers are heavy, awkward things to move, and not everyone has a vehicle capable of towing one safely. We deliver and collect, so there’s no borrowed trailer, no straining your back loading a tracked machine onto a flatbed, and no wasted fuel driving across the city to pick one up.

Add it all together and hiring through a specialist rather than muddling through with whatever’s cheapest tends to work out both quicker and less stressful, with a far lower chance of anything going wrong along the way.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to hire a wood chipper?
No. We talk you through safe operation and which machine suits your job before it leaves us, so you don’t need prior experience.

What size chipper do I need for garden branches?
For most garden clearance jobs a 6-inch machine is plenty, though larger felled branches or bigger volumes are better suited to an 8-inch model, something we can advise on when you enquire.

Can a chipper handle green, sappy wood?
Some can struggle with very flexible, sappy branches, which is why picking the right machine for the material matters more than just grabbing whatever’s available.

Do you deliver and collect the chipper?
Yes, we deliver and collect so you don’t need a trailer or a tow-capable vehicle of your own.

Is hiring cheaper than buying a wood chipper?
For most one-off or occasional jobs, yes. Hiring avoids the upfront cost, storage and ongoing maintenance that comes with owning a machine you might only use a few times a year.

If you’ve got branches, hedge cuttings or a tree that needs turning into manageable chippings, get in touch and we’ll help you find the right machine for it. Call us on 02920 569311, email enquiries@cambriangroup.co.uk or get in touch through our contact page.

Areas we cover

We cover Cardiff and the following surrounding areas:

Penarth, Dinas Powys, Barry, Wenvoe, Sully, Llandaff, Whitchurch, Radyr, Tongwynlais, Taffs Well, Caerphilly, Nantgarw, Pentyrch, Creigiau, St Fagans, Peterston-super-Ely, St Nicholas, Rhiwbina, Castleton and more.

Choosing between a tracked wood chipper and a towable wood chipper comes down to access, terrain, type of work and how often you move between sites. The right choice will save time on every job, reduce manual handling and keep your crew safer and more productive.​

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What is a tracked vs towable wood chipper?

A tracked wood chipper is a self‑propelled machine that runs on rubber or steel tracks, built for rough, steep or soft ground where a wheeled chipper or vehicle would struggle. These machines are common in forestry, utilities, rail and large site‑clearance work where stability and off‑road performance are essential.​

A towable (trailed) wood chipper is mounted on a wheeled chassis with a tow hitch so it can be pulled behind a suitable vehicle between sites. Towable chippers are widely used by tree surgeons and landscapers for domestic and commercial jobs with reasonable access, because they travel quickly by road and are simple to position near the work area.​

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Key differences at a glance

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Tracked wood chippers: benefits and best jobs

Tracked chippers are designed for stability, traction and heavy‑duty work where a normal towable chipper would be limited. Tracks spread the machine’s weight, helping it climb banks, traverse rough rides and work safely on uneven terrain when used within recommended limits.​

Key advantages of tracked chippers include:

• Superior off‑road access: Ideal for embankments, woodland, utility corridors and wet or rutted sites where wheeled machines can bog down.​

• High stability and durability: Built for demanding environments, with robust construction for large, continuous projects and tough material.​

• Less manual handling: Because the chipper can drive to the brash, crews spend less time dragging heavy branches, boosting efficiency and reducing fatigue.​

Tracked wood chippers are usually the best choice when you are:

• Clearing woodland or forestry blocks away from hard standing.​

• Working on riverbanks, rail and highway embankments or steep ground where towing would be unsafe.​

• Completing long utility lines or large clearance jobs where the machine must keep up with the work as you move along the site.​

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Towable wood chippers: benefits and best jobs

Towable or trailed chippers focus on road mobility and convenience while still offering strong performance for professional work. Many professional towable models keep weight under 750 kg, making them easier to tow legally with the right licence and setup.​

Key advantages of towable chippers include:

• Fast transport between jobs: Perfect for tree surgery teams doing several domestic or commercial jobs in a day, as you simply hitch up and go.​

• Simple setup on firm sites: Ideal for driveways, streets and car parks where you can park close to the chip site.​

• Cost‑effective power: Professional towable chippers offer strong performance and reliability at a generally lower hire cost than tracked machines of similar capacity.​

Towable chippers are usually the best choice when you are:

• Carrying out domestic pruning, removals and hedge reductions with driveway or roadside access.​

• Visiting several addresses or commercial sites in a single day and need quick road travel.​

• Working mainly on firm, level or gently sloping ground where off‑road traction is not a major issue.​

Safe towing matters too: guidance for towing chippers on UK roads stresses correct loading, nose weight and staying within weight limits, especially when the trailer is carrying timber or chip.​

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How to choose: tracked vs towable for your next job

1. What is the terrain like?

   • Choose tracked if you expect steep banks, soft ground, ruts or off‑road access only.​

   • Choose towable if you’ll mainly be on tarmac, concrete, compacted tracks or gently sloping sites with vehicle access.​

2. How far is the chipper from the brash?

   • Go tracked if brash is spread over a wide area and you want the machine to follow the work.​

   • Go towable if you can park close to the tree or work zone and keep dragging distances short.​

3. How many sites are you visiting in a day?

   • Pick towable if you’re doing multiple domestic or commercial jobs and need fast road travel.​

   • Pick tracked if you’re on one large contract site all day or for several days in a row.​

4. What’s your budget and project size?

   • Tracked chippers typically cost more to hire but can pay for themselves on big, challenging projects by saving time and labour.​

   • Towable chippers offer excellent value for routine tree work and maintenance where access is straightforward.​

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Hire the right chipper with Cambrian Chipper Hire

No two jobs are the same – and that’s why having access to both tracked and towable wood chippers gives your business a real edge. Whether you’re tackling steep, muddy banks or a full day of domestic removals, matching the machine to the terrain is the fastest way to protect your team, your schedule and your profit.​

Cambrian Chipper Hire supplies high‑performance tracked and towable wood chippers for professional tree surgeons, arborists, landscapers and grounds contractors across the UK, with flexible short‑ and long‑term hire options to suit your workload. Get in touch today to talk through your next project, and get expert help choosing the best tracked or towable wood chipper hire for your job.

Get in Touch

Need help or have a question, use our contact page to send us your enquiry or call us on 02920 569 311.

For many projects involving outdoor work, wood chippers are essential tools that can make significant tasks more manageable. However, purchasing a wood chipper may not be the most cost-effective solution, especially for short-term projects. Hiring a wood chipper, on the other hand, offers several benefits that can help reduce project costs while still providing access to high-quality equipment. Here’s how hiring a wood chipper from a trusted provider like Cambrian Chipper Hire can save you money and streamline your workflow.

1. Avoiding the High Upfront Costs of Buying

Purchasing a wood chipper, particularly for commercial models, can be a considerable investment. For many businesses and individuals, the cost of owning a chipper outweighs the benefit, especially if it’s not needed year-round. By hiring, you can access premium machines without the financial commitment of buying outright.

2. No Maintenance or Repair Costs

One of the major ongoing expenses of owning a wood chipper is the maintenance and repair required to keep it in optimal condition. From blade sharpening to engine tune-ups, these costs can add up quickly. When you hire from Cambrian Chipper Hire, maintenance is covered. Our machines are regularly serviced to ensure reliability and performance, so you don’t have to worry about the upkeep.

3. Flexibility to Choose the Right Machine for Each Project

Hiring allows you to select the specific chipper model that best suits your project requirements. For example, smaller electric chippers are ideal for residential garden work, while larger petrol-powered models are necessary for heavy-duty commercial jobs. With access to a range of models, you can select the right machine each time, which helps avoid overspending on equipment that’s more powerful than needed.

4. Minimizing Storage and Transportation Costs

Wood chippers can be bulky and require proper storage to prevent wear and tear. Additionally, transporting them between sites involves logistical costs. By hiring, you eliminate the need for long-term storage solutions, and many hire services also offer delivery and pick-up, saving you time and money on transport.

5. Improved Efficiency and Productivity

High-quality, well-maintained wood chippers can speed up your project, helping you meet deadlines more efficiently. Hiring ensures that you always have access to a chipper in top working condition, which can lead to fewer delays and less downtime on-site.

6. Seasonal Flexibility

Many landscaping and garden maintenance tasks are seasonal, with higher demand in spring and autumn. Hiring equipment on an as-needed basis means you won’t be paying for equipment that sits idle during the off-season. This flexibility allows you to plan around project peaks without the cost burden of ownership.

7. Expert Advice to Maximise Efficiency

When you hire from a professional provider, you also gain access to expertise. At Cambrian Chipper Hire, our team is ready to help guide you through selecting the right equipment and providing tips to get the most out of your hire. Whether it’s advice on safety, usage, or matching the chipper’s capacity to your specific tasks, our team’s insights can help you work more efficiently.

8. Competitive Rates and Flexible Hire Options

Hiring from Cambrian Chipper Hire means you get competitive pricing tailored to the length of your project. Our flexible options, including daily, weekly, and longer-term hires, ensure you only pay for what you need, allowing you to manage your budget effectively.

The Cost-Effective Choice of Hiring

Hiring a wood chipper for your project offers a variety of cost-saving benefits. From avoiding high upfront costs and maintenance expenses to accessing a range of machines that fit your project needs, hiring is often the smarter, more economical choice. At Cambrian Chipper Hire, we pride ourselves on delivering top-quality equipment and exceptional customer service. Let us help you find the right wood chipper for your next project, and start saving today.

Get in Touch

Need help or have a question, use our contact page to send us your enquiry or call us on 02920 569 311.

Selecting the right wood chipper is essential for tackling outdoor projects effectively, whether you’re a professional arborist, landscaper, or DIY enthusiast managing garden maintenance. With numerous types and sizes of wood chippers available, understanding what each offers can make a significant difference in performance, efficiency, and safety. This guide will walk you through the key considerations for choosing the best wood chipper for your needs.

1. Understanding Wood Chipper Types

Wood chippers come in various types, each suited to different tasks:

• Electric Wood Chippers: Ideal for small-scale tasks, electric wood chippers are lightweight and suitable for garden maintenance. They are generally quieter and require less maintenance, but their power is limited compared to petrol models.
• Petrol Wood Chippers: Known for their power and versatility, petrol wood chippers can handle larger branches and tougher materials. They are more suited to large properties and professional use.
• Tracked Wood Chippers: These chippers provide excellent mobility on uneven or rough terrain. Ideal for challenging landscapes, they are commonly used in commercial settings where stability and access to remote areas are necessary.
• Towable Wood Chippers: Offering the convenience of being transported between sites, towable chippers can be hitched to a vehicle. They’re perfect for larger projects that require frequent relocation.

2. Determining the Right Size for Your Project

The size of your chipper affects its capacity and the types of materials it can handle. Here are some pointers to help choose the appropriate size:

• 6-Inch Capacity Chippers: Suitable for light to medium tasks, these chippers can handle branches up to 6 inches in diameter. They’re often ideal for residential landscaping and small commercial projects.
• 8-Inch Capacity Chippers: Perfect for larger projects, these chippers can handle thicker branches and larger volumes of debris. They are well-suited for professional arborists and contractors dealing with substantial tree or brush removal.

3. Key Features to Look For

When selecting a wood chipper, it’s important to look for features that enhance ease of use, safety, and performance:

• Self-Feeding Capability: Some chippers feature self-feeding mechanisms that pull branches in automatically, saving time and reducing manual effort.
• Safety Features: Safety is crucial with wood chippers. Look for models with emergency stop buttons, wide in-feed chutes, and sturdy hopper designs to protect the operator.
• Easy Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to keep chippers running smoothly. Look for models with easy access to blades, filters, and other parts to streamline upkeep.

4. Matching the Chipper to Your Specific Needs

Consider the specific tasks you’ll be undertaking. For example, small-scale landscaping and garden clean-ups are manageable with smaller electric chippers, while larger, heavier-duty petrol models are needed for commercial clearing and larger branches.

5. Noise Levels and Environmental Impact

Electric chippers are generally quieter and emit no direct emissions, making them an eco-friendly option for residential areas. In contrast, petrol chippers are louder and emit fumes, though newer models often meet strict environmental standards.

6. Hiring a Wood Chipper from Cambrian Chipper Hire

At Cambrian Chipper Hire, we offer a wide range of chippers suited for all types of projects. Our expert team can help guide you through the selection process to ensure you choose the right machine for your needs. Our rental options are flexible and affordable, whether you need short-term or long-term hire.

Get in Touch

Need help or have a question, use our contact page to send us your enquiry or call us on 02920 569 311.

CHRISTMAS may be over but that didn’t stop students from Wiltshire College chipping more than 100 trees and raise money for charity.

The 131 trees were collected from across Chippenham in a scheme by Dorothy House, who as well as collecting the trees raised £6,041.

Horticultural students from the Lackham campus, which specialises in land based courses, then chipped the trees last month.

“This was a great opportunity for our students to gain work experience during their time at college to enhance their skills and increase their employability,” said Chris Roberts, horticulture lecturer.

Wood chipping specialist Bill Johnston, brought a Greenmech chipper to the campus to assist in the processing and recycling of the Christmas trees, which will now be used on the rhododendrons and azaleas in the grounds at Lackham.

Anthony Cockell, head gardener at Lackham, said: “We would like to give our sincere gratitude to Bill, not only for providing the equipment but Bill’s approach and delivery of information to the students was exemplary.”

Check out more of our news articles.

AutoIntelligence Feed Control

A simple yet advanced electrical control system that manages all the machine’s electronics. While electrical systems on plant machinery are historically troublesome, AutoIntelligence overcomes this with a completely water and vibration-proof system designed and tested in the toughest environments. This system provides excellent usability, outstanding reliability, and alerts you when servicing is due or routine maintenance is recommended.

Overrun Brakes & Lockable Hitch

Features overrun brakes and a handbrake, complete with a cast lockable hitch.

Open Top Flywheel System

Delivers phenomenal velocity when chipping. The open-top flywheel system, featuring large gusseted draught fins at the rear, allows the Forst to throw chips right to the front of a wagon. Because the chip is thrown rather than blown, blockages caused by wet material are not a problem.

ForstGrip Feed Roller System

A unique feed roller system designed for exceptional crushing power. The ForstGrip top feed roller climbs on an arc toward the timber, pulling material toward the flywheel and naturally climbing butt ends for exceptional grip. Twin high-tension springs on either side of the roller, combined with its sheer weight and gravitational pull, ensure even the toughest forks and limbs are broken down.

Touch Button Feed Control

Features illuminated touch pads with IP69-rated feed controls to eliminate water and vibration issues. These are easily located on either side of the hopper, so you don’t have to lean over the hopper to operate them.

Folding Hopper

A fold-down hopper with a level feed tray and an open top for easy feeding of bushy material. A top bar hopper is also available as an option.

LED Lights

Equipped with LED lights as standard, which operate on both 12 and 24-volt systems. This eliminates the common problem of bulb failure.

Central Greasing Bank

All bearings requiring grease are easily maintained via a central greasing bank, ensuring there is no excuse for poor maintenance.

Forst ST6 Towable Wood Chipper

The first and famous Forst Woodchipper. This is the machine which set new standards in the 6” Woodchipper market and gave Tree Surgeons & Contractors the opportunity to discover performance and true value.

You might call this the ultimate 6” woodchipper – in fact our customers do. There is nothing holding this machine back, it delivers a performance to astound you and levels of quality and durability to stand the test of time.

If you value quality and customer support as much as you do performance then the ST6 is the solution for your company. A no compromise machine with a no compromise warranty.

3 YEAR WARRANTY AS STANDARD

Exactly what it says on the tin. Every New Forst Wood Chipper comes with an absolutely guaranteed, no quibble 3 Year Warranty. It’s all about making your life and job easy and that’s just what the 3 Year Warranty is designed to do. We’ll give you an excellent product and an outstanding warranty to make your purchase decision as straight forward as possible.

We won’t run away from the fact that we do have issues every now and then, and who doesn’t? The difference is that we’ll make sure you are supported when misfortune does occur and that you are kept on schedule and working at your best.

Any machine is only as good as the backup and support given by the manufacturer. With Forst you can be assured of a genuine Warranty to back you as well as a rock solid and high performance machine. Forst is the perfect work partner for any arboricultural contractor, tree surgeon, council or hire company. Make no mistake, Forst Wood Chippers are built to stand up to a hard life, and we’ll stand beside you all the way.

SPECIFICATION
Feed Roller Aperture	6″ x 8″ (150 x 200mm)
Feed Roller System	ForstGrip Feed Roller System
Flywheel System	Open Top Flywheel (640 x 25mm) Twin 8″ Blades
Engine	Kubota Diesel (V1505) 35hp
No Stress System	AutoIntelligence No Stress Device
Feed System	Fully Water & Vibration Proof Touch Pads
Capacity	30 Litres
Noise Level	Lwa 122dB
Machine Width	1300mm
Machine Length	3577mm
Machine Height (Chute On)	2297mm
Weight	955kg
Brakes	Fully Braked Chassis & Handbrake

British wood chipper manufacturer GreenMech has successfully wrapped up a patent dispute with a German competitor.

GreenMech launched a patent infringement action against Jensen in the German Patent Courts to protect its ‘Safe-Trak’ European patent. It has concluded with Jensen agreeing to stop production of its ‘X’ track system.

GreenMech says that its ‘Safe-Trak’ wood chipper is “the world’s most successful tracked wood chipper of its type”. It is designed to safely access, and operate on, difficult terrain by using two independently adjusted track-mounted legs.  By extending one track at a time embankments up to 35° can be traversed safely.  With both track mounts fully extended a ground clearance of up to 600mm can be achieved for clearance of hidden obstacles on the most difficult terrain. This feature makes it a popular machine for de-veg contractors working on power line and railway track maintenance, GreenMech says.