CAT CLASS: HQ-10536

16-20 in Brush Chipper

16-20 in brush chippers are sized for whole-tree processing with minimal material handling, typically supporting bucket truck or crane operations. This class sits above 13-16 in units on the brush chipper ladder, offering chipping capacities up to 18 in nominal diameter. These machines handle high-volume land clearing and utility right-of-way work where larger branches and stems are fed directly from aerial equipment.

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Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.

Key specifications

Specification	Typical range	What it means
Chipping capacity	18 in nominal diameter	Maximum branch diameter the drum and feed system are designed to process
Engine power	97–250 hp	Diesel power required to maintain drum speed under load with larger-diameter material
Operating weight	8,818–26,896 lb (4,000–12,200 kg)	Machine weight influences towing requirements and on-site stability during feeding
Fuel capacity	40–190 gal	Onboard diesel storage determines operating duration between refueling stops
Drum speed	916–1,100 rpm	Rotational speed at which cutting knives engage material; higher speeds support faster throughput

How to choose

This size class is appropriate for whole-tree processing where material is fed directly from bucket trucks, cranes, or grapples, and where branch diameters regularly approach 18 in. For smaller-diameter brush and residential trimming debris under 16 in, the 13-16 in Brush Chipper class offers easier transport and lower fuel consumption. When processing timber-scale logs, clearing large-diameter hardwoods, or operating in industrial land-clearing environments with material exceeding 20 in, the 20+ in Brush Chipper class provides the necessary drum diameter, torque, and feed system capacity.

What this size handles

Utility right-of-way clearing with crane-mounted grapple feeding whole trees
Storm debris cleanup processing large limbs and trunk sections from bucket truck operations
Municipal tree removal crews handling park and street trees up to 18 in diameter
Land clearing for development sites with mixed hardwood and softwood species
Highway median maintenance chipping mature tree removals
Vegetation management for transmission line corridors with minimal manual handling

Safety & operation

Operators maintain clear zones around the feed chute and discharge to avoid contact with moving material and chip ejection paths
Emergency stop controls and feed roller reversal allow rapid response to jams or unsafe feeding conditions
Machine stability during feeding requires level positioning and consideration of operating weight distribution
Hearing and eye protection are necessary due to diesel engine noise and airborne chip debris

Transport & logistics

Typically mounted on tandem-axle or tri-axle trailers; lighter models may use single-axle configurations
Towing requires heavy-duty pickups or medium-duty trucks rated for 4,000–12,200 kg loads plus trailer weight
Road transport width and height often require awareness of bridge and overhead clearances due to drum housing and feed chute geometry

Power & supply

Self-powered by onboard diesel engines; no external electrical or hydraulic connections required
Fuel consumption scales with material throughput and engine load; larger capacity tanks support extended shifts
Feed systems use hydraulic power derived from the diesel engine to control roller speed and reversing

Frequently asked

What differentiates this class from 13-16 in models?

The 16-20 in class offers larger chipping capacity for whole-tree work with bucket or crane crews, reducing the need to cut material into smaller sections. Engine power and drum torque are higher to maintain feed speed with larger-diameter hardwoods.

How does drum diameter relate to chipping capacity?

Drum diameter in this class ranges from 36.0 to 91.4 cm; larger drums provide greater knife arc and more aggressive material pull-in, supporting the 18 in nominal chipping capacity and reducing stalling on tough knots or forks.

What towing equipment is required for this size class?

Operating weights from 4,000 to 12,200 kg require heavy-duty pickups or medium-duty trucks with appropriate tow ratings. Trailer type—single, tandem, or tri-axle—depends on the specific model weight and jurisdictional road limits.

Compare popular models

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Normalised to the same units. A dash means the figure was not published.

Model	Engine power	Operating weight	Fuel capacity
Morbark BVR19	275 hp	8,999 lb (4,082 kg)	40.0 gal
Vermeer AX19 Brush Chipper	173 hp	11,199 lb (5,080 kg)	40.0 gal
Bandit 280HD	213 hp	13,001 lb (5,897 kg)	-
Morbark BVR16	174 hp	8,499 lb (3,855 kg)	30.0 gal
Vermeer AX17 Brush Chipper	130 hp	9,751 lb (4,423 kg)	40.0 gal
Vermeer BC1800XL Gas Brush Chipper	165 hp	8,801 lb (3,992 kg)	50.0 gal