A wood chipper is a crucial step in the biomass energy, paper-making, and wood board industries. Choosing the right industrial wood chipper directly affects production efficiency, chip quality, and overall cost. Among various machines, the drum chipper and disc chipper are the most common. So, which one should you choose? Let’s compare them in detail.

How Each Wood Chipper Works?

Drum Type Wood Chipper

The machine uses a rotating drum with blades to slice wood against a stationary counter blade. Its continuous cutting action produces uniform chips at high speed. This design makes it one of the most reliable biomass chipper machines for large factories.

log chipping machine
log chipping machine

Disc Type Wood Chipper

A disc chipper uses a heavy spinning disc with mounted blades. As wood enters, the blades slice it into chips, and the disc helps eject the material. This simpler design makes it ideal for small to medium-scale wood chipping equipment.

Wood Chipper Machine in stock
Wood Chipper Machine in stock

Capacity & Applications

Drum Chipper

  • Processing capacity: ≥10 tons/hour
  • Suitable for logs, branches, slabs, and bulky waste wood
  • Widely used in biomass fuel plants, paper mills, plywood and MDF factories

Disc Chipper

  • Processing capacity: ≤10 tons/hour
  • Best for smaller logs, branches, and agricultural residues
  • Common in small factories, workshops, and family-scale production

Pros and Cons

Advantages of Drum Chipper

  • High efficiency and continuous feeding
  • Produces high-quality, uniform wood chips
  • Handles a wide range of raw materials

Advantages of Disc Chipper

  • Simple structure, low investment cost
  • Easy to operate and maintain
  • Compact design, space-saving

Drum Chipper vs Disc Chipper

FeatureDrum Chipper (Drum Type)Disc Chipper (Disc Type)
Cutting SystemRotating drum with multiple bladesSpinning disc with mounted blades
Processing Capacity≥10 tons/hour (industrial scale)≤10 tons/hour (small scale)
Raw Material RangeLogs, branches, bulky woodSmall logs, branches, wood waste
Chip Size QualityVery uniformModerate uniformity
Best ApplicationBiomass energy, paper, plywoodSmall factories, workshops
Cost & MaintenanceHigher cost, more complexLower cost, easier upkeep

When deciding between a drum chipper and disc chipper, think about your production needs:

  • Choose a drum chipper if you need industrial-scale wood chipping equipment with high output and consistent chip size.
  • Choose a disc chipper if you run a small to medium workshop and want a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution.
  • Both machines play an important role in the wood processing industry, but the right choice will maximize your efficiency, chip quality, and return on investment.
log chipper
log chipper

Model Recommendation

Drum Type Wood Chipping Machine

Model No.SL-216
Feeder port size(mm)230*500
Blade quantity2
Rotary 590
Max wood diameter(mm)230
Chip size(mm)25
Capacity(t)10-15
Main motor power(kw)55
Feeder motor power(kw)3-4
Pump motor power(kw)1.5*1
Weight(kg)4070
Size (mm)1800*1900*1210
Conveyor motor power(kw)3
drum chipper specification

Disc Type Wood Chipping Machine

ModelPowerCapacityNumber of bladesInput sizeWeight
SL-4007.5kw0.8-1.5t/h3pcs150*150mm160kg
SL-60015kw1.5-2.5t/h3pcs180*150mm380kg
SL-80022-30kw3-6t/h4pcs200*200mm550kg
SL-95037-45kw5-8t/h4pcs230*250mm900kg
SL-115055-75kw8-13t/h4pcs300*330mm2400kg
disc wood chipper specification

Get Your Industrial Wood Chipper Today

The comparison above shows that both drum chippers and disc chippers have their unique strengths. The right choice depends on your production scale, raw materials, and budget.

If you are looking to purchase a reliable industrial wood chipper for your business, feel free to contact us today. Our team will recommend the most suitable drum or disc wood chipper based on your requirements and provide you with a cost-effective solution.

Our customer
Our customer