Gas wood chippers and chipper shredders that turn pruning piles, storm limbs, and brush into chips you can spread as mulch, add to compost, or haul off in a fraction of the space. Every model runs a 7 HP engine and takes branches up to 3 inches thick.
The high-reduction model. A 15.6-inch rotor with 2 blades and 6 hammers breaks branches down into fine chips.
Best for big pruning piles, or when you want the smallest pile of chips at the end.
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The same 7 HP engine and 3-inch capacity in a more compact build, with a discharge guide you can aim.
Best for regular pruning, storm limbs, and general yard cleanup.
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A branch-first machine with a cutting roller, serviceable blades, and an all-steel body that folds for storage.
Best for piles that are mostly wood: limbs, branches, and woody brush.
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Two ways in: a branch chute for limbs and a top hopper with 4 Y-hammers for leaves and lighter debris.
Best for fall and spring cleanups where the pile is part branches, part leaves.
View on AmazonAll four run on a 7 HP gas engine and take branches up to 3 inches. The real difference is the cutting system, and that comes down to what usually ends up in your pile.
Go with the S1 if you chip a lot and want the finest output, the S3 for a compact all-rounder, or the R30 if the pile is nearly all wood and you need it to fold away after.
Typical work: pruning, fallen limbs after a storm, clearing woody brush and trails.
The MF30 gives limbs and soft debris separate ways in. Branches go down the chute, leaves and light trimmings go into the top hopper, and the bag catches the output.
Typical work: fall and spring cleanups, garden beds, mixed piles you want turned into compost.
3 inches is the ceiling, not the sweet spot. Owners get the smoothest feeding at around 2 inches and under. Dense, dry hardwood, knots, and forks at the full 3 inches need a slow, patient feed, and dull blades make any branch harder.
A chipper runs best when the material matches the cutting system. Spend five minutes sorting the pile before you start and you'll spend a lot less time stopping to clear it.
Put straight branches in one stack, forked or awkward pieces in another, and anything unsuitable off to the side. Trim big forks into simpler sections so they drop into the chute instead of bridging across it.
Park the chipper on firm, level ground with open space around the feed and discharge sides. Aim the chute where you want the chips before you start. On a slope, the low-oil sensor can shut the engine off.
Oil may not come in the box, so check it before the first start. These are 4-stroke engines: oil and gas go in separately, never premixed. Use fresh 87+ unleaded; ethanol-free is recommended.
Start the engine as the manual describes and let it come up to speed. Feed one branch at a time and let the cutter pull it in. Don’t pack the hopper faster than it can clear.
If chips slow down or stop coming out, stop feeding. Shut the engine off and wait for everything to stop moving before you clear a jam. Never reach into the hopper.
If branches start feeding slower than they used to, check the blades before blaming the engine. Dry hardwood and dirty wood dull them faster. Some owners keep a spare set ready so they can swap and keep going.
Spread chips as mulch around landscape beds, cover a garden path, add them to a compost pile, or bag them up. Even if they leave the property, chips fill far less trailer space than whole branches.
Let it cool, brush off the debris, and keep it somewhere dry and covered. For a long off-season, follow the manual’s fuel-storage steps so it starts again in spring.
Safety comes with the machine. Read the manual before first use. Wear eye, ear, hand, and foot protection, and skip loose sleeves or jewelry. Keep kids, pets, and bystanders away from both the hopper and the discharge path, and never stand in front of a running chute. Move the chipper and refuel only with the engine off and cool.
Update January 2025 I cannot even remember how much I have chipped with this chipper. It keeps running and chipping as well as when I bought it. Starts on the first pull almost every time. It is not really good with fresh cut material. I am chipping mostly dry large ceanothus and some small oak branches. It is perfect for this. Some of what I am chipping has been sitting for a long time and is extremely hard, it will take most of this, but there is a point where the harder wood wins. In any case, every time I start her up - and it is one or two times a week for 1-4 hours - I marvel at the value I have gotten out of this and if this one ever dies, will buy another. The best money I have ever spent. I did buy a spare set of blades and have swapped out sharpened blades a couple of time, but honestly, I do it because it just seems like a good idea, not because there is any loss of effectiveness. A couple of ideal improvements - maybe a way to rotate the output. I do spend a bunch of time and effort realigning the spray and to do so can be challenging as it changes my orientation to the pile I am working. Maybe larger wheels and a bit longer handle would be helpful. And it's great as is. Original Review I have 9 acres of oak woodland with a really varied terrain, covered with tons of dead wood. I've typically rented a 7" Vermeer chipper at $250 a day and spend a few weeks gathering wood to chip alongside the roads on the property to then bring the chipper through and do a day of chipping. As I've progressed though, the wood is farther and farther from the road. The majority of the wood is under 3" which is even more of a pain to move it to the road. Anyway, my thought was to get this and take the chipper to the wood. First day I did about 3 hours of chipping with this little workhorse and just kept thinking wow, this thing is amazing. So, the instructions to put together were very clear, nuts and bolts in separate bags for each step. Nut and bolt heads were a little tight in some place, best to have the correct size wrenches. Started on the first pull which shocked me! I wheeled it down a narrow trail where I had a good pile of wood that I hadn't brought to the road and was just really happy with how well it chipped. It actually also produced fairly small chips that I will be using in my composting. It is very maneuverable, but with a little design effort could be more so, not an issue, just an opportunity to make it almost perfect. I haven't got to the sure to follow dulling blades and how I will service them, but likely will buy a spare pair and keep them sharp so I can continue to chip for a full day. I was pushing some pretty tough stuff through this and did notice a little bit more effort required to get the wood through over the 3 hours I chipped, and it was still chipping well. We'll see. If I learn anything helpful, I will report back. This is a really good little machine! PS It came with an insert about altitude which I was told by the company to ignore. I was operating it at ~3600 feet and no issues. I saw another person mentioned running it ~6000 feet. So, seems to be ok as is at elevation. Oh, last thing - make sure the chute is completely empty before shutting down, so starting is possible...
Steve
I’ve never owned a wood chipper and did a lot of research before selecting the S1. I was impressed with the ratings and unlike many other chippers there were no horror stories about engines that wouldn’t run, broken parts, etc. Other features like 20:1 reduction (almost all other 3” chippers are 15:1 or 18:1), light weight (119 lbs), a handle instead of a slot cut in the top of the hopper, windows to see what is going on inside and large opening to load branches. The weight was of concern because I have 2.6 acres with hills. Once assembled most of the weight is on the wheels and it is easy to pull by hand. Many people criticize manufacturers saying only 1.5-2” branches can be handled and machines will bog down or stall with 3” if longer than 3-4’. The S1 clearly states that for 3” only a 10” length can be fed so there seems to be truth in advertising here. For me I won’t use it for 3” and burn those in my fireplace. The chipper was very well packed with parts separated by Styrofoam so nothing could move around. It would help if you had a second person to unpack and assemble but I managed this alone. Assembly instructions are a series of pictures and the assorted hardware (nuts, bolts, cotter pins) is separated into zip lock bags which correspond to each assembly step. One criticism is there is no clear indication which side of the pieces to be joined to insert the bolts in but this can be figured out by looking at the preassembled parts or seeing where you can get sockets or wrenches in place to tighten them. All nuts and bolts are 13mm or 10mm. The nuts have to be driven onto the bolt so they lock in place. Just to be sure I added some thread locking liquid. Another criticism is how the wheels are joined to the main unit. The latter consists of the engine and the flywheel and is very heavy. The instructions (step 3) show the wheels being placed by lifting the unit up while sliding wheels under and inserting bolts and nuts. Impossible for one person to do and awkward for two. What I did was turn the unit 180⁰ so it is resting on the engine and then the wheels can easily be attached (see picture). Finally, the handle is difficult to attach to the hopper since the heads of the nuts or bolts disappear into a recessed slot as they are tightened leaving nothing to grab onto on one side. Still this doesn’t have to be very tight. I used a skinny bicycle open end wrench allow me to get these tight enough. Once assembled, oil (15W-40, an odd choice and difficult to find) has to be added. This can be done on either side of the engine. One side has an oil fill fitting and the other a port for the dip stick. It is actually easier to add to the dip stick port since it is more accessible. The manufacturer provides a nice funnel with an angled tube which is very convenient. There are also two oil drain holes one on each side. My guess is that this engine is used in many applications so whichever is easier to get at can be used. The air filter is the foam type which has to be soaked in oil and then wrung out. This has to be done before using. Starting the engine is relatively easy if somewhat awkward. One has to put a foot on the front support bar and pull up. There is more force required than I anticipated but it started right up. For its first use I had a mix of apple, cherry and white pine branches. It handled all of these fine up to about 11/2” diameter an up to 6 or 7’ long. For 2” diameter the engine would bog down but still do the job. I would not use this for anything larger. There were no problem with jamming. Very small side branches may not be grabbed if very short but just using another longer piece or a stick to push down does the trick. You don’t have to remove every side branch just those that don’t bend easily. I was impressed with how quickly it devoured my wood piles. In summary this is a great machine for up to 2” diameter branches, makes a fine mulch, is well made and does everything you can reasonably expect from 7 HP.
Roger
Great little wood chipper !!! I really like how easy it is to move it around . It's lightweight , chips really well on 2.5 inch branches & smaller , I like how the branches pretty much feed themselves in once the cutter grabs the branch & make sure your branches are straight as much as possible so it will go into cutter .... If you try & put 3 inch branches in , you must take your time & feed the machine real slow so the engine won't stall . I started it on 2nd pull , on the branches 2 inches or less its a beast ... it tears up the 2 inch branches great for a 7 hp engine . I was chipping in the backyard which is sloped so I noticed the engine was starting to shut down , so I leveled the chipper & then it was fine . It has a oil safety feature to shut the engine down if it senses there isn't enough oil , so since the machine wasn`t sitting level it would start to shut off . This S1 chipper as 11.8 inch cutting rotor with 2 blades & 6 hammers for turning out smaller chips . This machine is so much better than the Brushmaster I use to have that had a 15 hp engine , that machine was too heavy ... But if you buy this , I think you will enjoy it . I wish Efcut had other colors for the S1 , there other machine they offer the efcut C30 is basically the same machine , just painted orange ... overall I think the machine is great for the price . I got it with a $50 coupon which was nice . it was pretty easy to assemble as well . The owners manual shows you which bolts go where . there is several bags of bolts & nuts . The bigger bolts & nuts go for wheel assembly bracket & the chute . the smaller 4 bolts & nuts are for your handle . Enjoy it if you buy it
Mark
No wood chipper gets great reviews even if you buy top of the line DR for $2000. With that said, this wood chipper at $800 is very satisfactory for the home owner. I have had this for one year now and I have not had a lick of trouble out of it. It starts, it runs and it chips. Now the manufacturer claims you can chip up to 3 inch limbs. Well, that's pushing it a little too far. Maybe 2 inch and then you have to feed it slowly a bit at a time. But, for small limbs and brush it will chew it up fast as long as you don't try to stuff the throat full. It will get hung up at the bottom. My only con is that because of the direct drive between motor and flywheel, you really have to pull hard on the rope to start it. And even at that, trying to pull that heavy flywheel over, it is a chore for a 72 year old man. Maybe a 20 year old man it would not be too bad. I can never get the flywheel to spin over more than 4 revs with each long pull. But, even at that, it has never failed to start on the first or second pull. I worry about when the motor gets older. It would have been nice if the manufacturer had installed a belt clutch so your not having to pull that heavy flywheel over while starting. Beyond all that, the machine is a good buy.
SEG
This thing is absolutely amazing. Very straight forward assembly. A little oil and fuel and it started the very first pull and has started first pull every time since. It demolishes everything you can throw at it 3 inches and under. Personally mine prefers the fresher cut stuff vs the dried up stuff from last year. This little thing is an absolute powerhouse for home use. Yes it’s small. But it’s mighty. Very sleek design. I love the green. Very easy to move around. The solid wheels make sure it will not get a puncture and go flat. Bang for the buck 100%.
Melissa Mitchel
I needed a small chipper around my yard. This chipper has really made clean up and pruning so much easier. The engine is powerful and it really does handle branches up to 3”. The only gripe I have is the starter cord is on the exhaust side. Since the chipper is light enough you need to hold it down when starting it, leaving a hot exhaust as the logical place to hold it down. It does have a warning on the exhaust housing but if you are not paying attention and just go to start it, your left hand might get really hot really fast. Ask me how I know. No burns thankfully as I was wearing gloves. I can highly recommend this chipper!
Jack T
GardenBeaut builds gas wood chippers around one practical job: taking the branch and brush piles that build up on real properties and turning them into something easier to handle. No more cutting limbs down to fit the yard-waste bin, loading the truck, and paying to dump it.
The lineup doesn’t force one cutting system onto every job. The S1 goes for high reduction with a larger rotor. The S3 packs the same 3-inch capacity into a compact everyday machine. The R30 sticks to woody branches, and the MF30 adds a shredding hopper for the leaves and soft stuff that come with a seasonal cleanup.
What they share is a familiar platform: 7 HP gas power, wheels instead of a trailer hitch, serviceable cutting parts, and enough capacity for branches that most small electric shredders can’t take. They’re made for homeowners with mature trees, larger suburban and rural lots, gardeners, and anyone keeping trails, fence lines, or firebreaks clear.
Eligible models carry a 1-year warranty after product registration, covering qualifying defects in machine construction (blades are wear parts and are excluded). The S1 and S3 are EPA/CARB certified. Keep your serial number with your purchase record so support can help faster.
GardenBeaut makes gas-powered wood chippers, chipper shredders, and mulchers for residential property maintenance, landscaping, forestry work, and green-waste processing. Current models are built around 7 HP gas engines and can process suitable branches up to 3 inches in diameter.
The lineup includes branch-focused machines as well as a multi-purpose model that handles lighter yard debris through a separate shredding hopper.
Choose based on the material you expect to process most often.
The S1 is designed for higher-volume branch processing and uses a 20:1 reduction system with a larger cutting rotor. The S3 offers the same 3-inch maximum branch capacity in a more compact general-purpose design with a 15:1 reduction ratio.
The R30 is mainly intended for woody branches and uses a cutting-roller system. The MF30 is the better fit for mixed cleanup because it adds a separate hopper for leaves and lighter yard debris.
Current GardenBeaut gas wood chippers are rated for suitable branches up to 3 inches in diameter.
That figure is a maximum, not a promise that every 3-inch branch will go through at the same speed. Dense hardwood, large knots, forks, irregular shapes, moisture content, and blade condition all affect how easily wood feeds through the machine.
Straight branches below the maximum diameter generally process more easily than heavily forked material at the full 3-inch limit.
A wood chipper is mainly designed to reduce branches and other woody material into chips.
A chipper shredder mulcher can also process certain lighter yard debris through a separate shredding system. The GardenBeaut MF30 has two feed areas: a branch chute for larger limbs and an upper hopper for suitable leaves and smaller material.
If nearly everything you process is wood, a dedicated branch chipper is usually the simpler choice.
The reduction ratio describes how much the machine can shrink the volume of suitable yard debris under normal operating conditions.
A 20:1 ratio means material taking up about 20 units of volume can be reduced to roughly one unit. A 15:1 system reduces a little less but still cuts the size of a branch or brush pile dramatically.
Actual output varies with wood species, moisture, leaf content, branch shape, and feeding conditions.
Some models are better suited to leaves than others.
The MF30 is designed for mixed material and has a separate upper hopper with Y-hammers for suitable leaves and lighter yard debris.
Branch-focused models such as the R30 should be used mainly for woody material. The S1 and S3 can process approved brush and some yard debris, but they are not general-purpose leaf shredders unless the material matches the instructions in the product manual.
Yes. Properly processed wood chips work as surface mulch, path covering, compost feedstock, or material for other landscaping uses.
Fresh wood chips are usually spread on the soil surface rather than mixed deep into garden soil. Whether they suit a particular plant depends on the wood species, chip size, intended use, and local growing conditions.
Chipping branches also makes the material much easier to store or haul away if you will not use it on the property.
Do not feed metal, rocks, glass, wire, plastic, soil-heavy roots, or other foreign objects into the machine.
The S1 and S3 should not be used for fresh greens, pine cones, palm fronds, vines, or petrified wood. Flexible vegetation can wrap around rotating parts instead of passing through the cutting system.
Always follow the material restrictions in the manual for your specific model.
Models such as the S3 and MF30 are designed to run on 87+ octane unleaded gasoline, and ethanol-free fuel is recommended.
Fuel requirements can vary by engine, so the engine manual supplied with the machine is the final reference.
GardenBeaut gas chippers use 4-stroke engines. Gasoline and engine oil go in separately and should not be premixed.
Engine oil may not be included with the machine.
Check the oil level before the first start and add the oil type and quantity listed in the engine manual. Starting a 4-stroke engine without enough oil can cause serious damage.
Models with low-oil protection may not run normally when the oil level is too low.
GardenBeaut chippers are designed for fairly straightforward assembly, but some setup is required before first use.
Depending on the model, this can include installing the wheels, hopper parts, discharge chute, handle, guards, or other external parts.
Check the fasteners after assembly and again after the first few sessions, since vibration can loosen hardware that was not fully tightened.
Store the chipper in a dry, covered place after the engine and cutting system have cooled completely.
Clear built-up debris from the outside of the machine before storing it. If it will sit unused for a long time, follow the engine maker’s fuel-storage procedure to avoid carburetor and starting problems.
The R30 folds to take up less storage space.
There is no single service interval, because blade wear depends heavily on what you feed the machine.
Hardwood, dirty branches, gritty debris, and frequent use dull edges faster. A noticeable drop in feeding speed or cutting performance is the usual sign to inspect the blades.
Sharp blades lower engine load and help the machine process material more consistently. Blades are wear parts and are generally not covered under the standard warranty.
Selected GardenBeaut models, including the S1 and S3, are listed as EPA/CARB certified.
These certifications cover engine emissions. Local rules on fire prevention, equipment use, noise, fuel storage, or residential operation may still apply.
If emissions rules in your area are a deciding factor, check the certification details of the exact model before you buy.
Eligible GardenBeaut wood chippers come with a 1-year warranty after product registration for qualifying defects in machine construction.
Consumable parts such as blades are excluded, and coverage is subject to the applicable warranty terms. Damage from misuse, incorrect maintenance, unsuitable material, or normal wear may not be covered.
Keep your purchase information and the machine’s serial number handy when asking for warranty or technical support.