Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)First off, it is not a gasoline engine so it is not going to have the same power due to the limits of amperage typical households can supply. However, even with these power limits I was very impressed with the power this electric chipper has. I was able to chip wood up to 2 inches in diameter with no problem except that the chipper pulls the wood into the machine faster than the machine can handle. So when chipping thick branches it is important to grasp them firmly and pull back when the chipper starts to pull them in too quickly. Be prepared, it pulls hard! If you are patient and feed at the correct rate you should not have any problems with clogs.
If the unit does clog the engine pulls too much power and your breaker will trip, which did happen to me a few times before I learned what the machine could handle. This chipper needs its own 20 amp dedicated circuit or it will trip the breaker when it starts. I live in an older house with older wiring that is mostly 15 amp, which could not handle the current. Luckily, the circuit my refrige is on is a 20 amp circuit that is close enough to a door so the extension cord can reach, but now I have to unplug the refrige when I want to run the chipper. (i'll fix this inconvenience by running a new 20 amp circuit to an exterior plug) So you should plan to put in a dedicated 20 amp circuit if you don't have one before you purchase this.
This chipper is very solidly built. If it does clog the plastic leaf bin is sturdy enough so that the entire unit can be upended to clear the chips, but it is heavy so be careful flipping it. The chipper cone isn't too hard to take off either in case wood gets stuck there. Since it is electric you just flip a switch to turn on and off, which is much more convenient than a gas engine. It is also much quieter than a gasoline engine, but you still should wear hearing protection when using it (no complaints from the neighbors so far).
The wood chips it produces are very fine, but the shredder doesn't work that well on green stuff. In fact, the shredder part is the easiest to clog. I tried a palm frond in the shredder opening and it clogged the machine. So now I just have to pull the fronds apart and put them through the chipper. It seems the shredder isn't much good for anything but dry twigs and leaves. But that is no biggie as it is not hard to feed most stuff into the chipper.
I bought this unit when I read the poor reviews for the cheaper electric chippers (free shipping if you order direct from their site). You get what you pay for. Patriot sells a quality machine that you can buy replacement parts for and that can be serviced. The other cheapo chippers don't even sell replacement blades! What do you do when your blade wears out? Don't buy a foreign-made piece of crap that you'll just end up throwing out. No regrets with my purchase.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder
Our most popular model! This Electric Chipper Shredder is the only one of its kind on the market today. Our unit will chip branches up to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. It is also ideal for shredding leaves. There are no hassles with gas or oil. It turns on with the flip of a switch. It can be used inside your garage, basement or hothouse. This environmentally friendly workhorse has no ugly fumes. It plugs into your standard 110 volt outlet. You will need a good heavy-duty extension cord of less than 100 ft as this unit draws 14 amps of electricity. The electric chipper shredder weighs less than 100 pounds and comes with large wheels for easy transport around your home and yard. See for yourself why this valuable yard and garden tool received the National Home Gardening Club Member Tested Seal-of-Approval. We are also excited to report that in the summer of 2009 our electric chipper was rated a "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest magazine. This honor is given to less than 3% of the products tested and our chipper has received this honor for a SECOND time. This unit comes complete with a 2-year warranty, a collection bag, and safety goggles.
