· · 4 min read
How Much Does a Wood Chipper Cost? 2026 Price Guide
A wood chipper cost depends mostly on throughput capacity, feed opening size and power type. Entry-level 6-inch chippers start near $8,000, mid-range 12 to 15 inch machines sit between $25,000 and $70,000, and industrial 20-inch-plus chippers cost $100,000 to $180,000 or more. This guide breaks down each price tier, the factors that move the number, and how factory-direct buying changes your total wood chipper cost.
Key Takeaways
- Entry 6-inch chippers: $8,000 to $20,000 — suitable for grounds crews and small orchards.
- Mid-range 12 to 15 inch chippers: $25,000 to $70,000 — the most common band for municipalities and recycling yards.
- Industrial 20-inch-plus chippers: $100,000 to $180,000 — high-tonnage biomass and storm-debris work.
- Power, feed size and mobility (tracked vs wheeled) are the three biggest price drivers.
- Factory-direct purchase from WeiDong Machinery typically cuts 20 to 40 percent versus dealer-listed machines.
Wood Chipper Cost by Tier
| Tier | Feed opening | Typical throughput | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 6 in / 150 mm | 2 to 6 T/h | $8,000 – $20,000 | Landscaping, small farms |
| Mid-range | 12 to 15 in / 300 to 380 mm | 10 to 25 T/h | $25,000 – $70,000 | Municipalities, pallet yards |
| Industrial | 20 in / 500 mm and up | 30 to 60 T/h | $100,000 – $180,000 | Biomass plants, storm cleanup |
The numbers above cover standard diesel-powered drum chippers with a grapple feed. Compare model-level pricing on our wood chipper lineup before you request a quote.
What Drives the Price
Five factors explain most of the spread in a wood chipper cost:
- Capacity — every step up in hourly tonnage requires a larger drum, heavier chassis and a bigger engine, and price rises roughly with the square of throughput.
- Power unit — diesel engines from 74 kW to 400+ kW add $5,000 to $40,000; electric drives cost less to run but need grid or genset supply.
- Feed system — roller or grapple auto-feed adds $8,000 to $25,000 versus manual gravity feed, but doubles effective output per operator.
- Mobility — tracked undercarriage for soft ground adds roughly 10 to 15 percent over wheel-mounted units.
- Screen size and output spec — producing specified chip sizes for biomass fuel or paper pulp needs interchangeable screens and sharper anvils.
For context, a mid-tier machine processing pallet wood is covered in our pallet recycling application guide, while large drum units for clean wood are detailed on the tub grinder category page.
Factory-Direct vs Dealer Pricing
Dealer-listed machines include importer margin, freight markup and local service contracts. Buying factory-direct from WeiDong Machinery in Renqiu, Hebei removes those layers: the same capacity class lands 20 to 40 percent below dealer quotes, and you get direct access to engineering for screen and feed configuration.
Lead time is 15 to 30 days for standard models, with export packing included. Send your material type and target tonnage to our sales team and you will receive a model recommendation with an ex-works price within one business day.
Running Costs After Purchase
Budget 3 to 6 percent of the purchase price per year for wear parts — hammers, anvils and screens are the consumables on any chipper. Fuel typically costs $12 to $20 per ton of chips produced on a diesel mid-range machine. Factoring both, a $50,000 mid-range chipper costs roughly $20,000 to $25,000 per year to run at 1,500 operating hours, which is why capacity matching matters more than sticker price when you compare machines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wood chipper cost for commercial use?
Commercial 12 to 15 inch chippers cost $25,000 to $70,000 new. Machines in this band handle 10 to 25 T/h and cover most municipal and recycling workloads.
Is a factory-direct chipper cheaper than a dealer machine?
Yes. Factory-direct pricing from WeiDong Machinery is typically 20 to 40 percent below dealer-listed equivalents because importer margin and freight markup are removed.
What is the cheapest way to chip wood at scale?
Renting covers one-off storms, but above 300 hours per year owning a mid-range machine costs less per ton. Use our contact form to model total cost against your tonnage.