The disc and drum chippers are primarily utilized in the wood-cutting industries for more or less the same purposes.
It is not how they deliver the performances that stand both chippers distinct but the efficiency accompanying them.
Disc vs. drum chippers can exhibit their functions and do the job you wish to pursue. However, regardless of this, there are variations in how both types of equipment have been composed.
Especially, and the most prominent distinguishing feature of a disc vs. drum chipper is the blades that are on them, commonly also known as the knives.
Without any further adieu, let’s discuss the minute variations that make the product stand in difference.
Disc Vs. Drum Chipper
Every time an industry has to purchase a particular chipper, the only problem that arises or the only component where there are disputes is the debate of Disc Vs. Drum chipper.
This is a never-ending debate because advocates of either side present their arguments in favor, which are, in fact, entirely valid and justified.
In this article, too, we will be taking our attempt on the disc vs. drum chipper debate but in a way where we put them aside in light of comparison and not hostility.
Differences- Disc Vs. Drum Chipper
Accompanying Knives (Blades)
We will start our comparison between disc vs. drum chippers with the basic and essential component encountered inside a chipper- knives.
Typically known as the chipper’s blades, they are responsible for transforming the wood into fine chips of high quality and later further processed.
The blade of the disc vs. drum chipper is that significant equipment component that provides its rates and grants its uniqueness.
In both the chippers, blades are installed, but the positions vary for the either.
For instance, in a drum chipper, the knives have been fixed in a motion and style of scooping, whereby they have been mounted against a horizontal orientation and angle.
The drums usually have some vacant space towards the rear end of the feed rollers.
As a result, the risk of injuries to the users and the chances of any piece of clothing or jewelry jamming the disc chipper is reduced.
In comparison, the blades for the disc chippers are positioned upright and on the machine’s surface.
Due to this setting, your disc chipper can cut through any log of wood placed at a 90 degrees angle, closer or a bit further.
Performance of Cutting
The performance delivered while cutting wood is another important factor you must be bothered about.
This is because you are in the first place buying the chipper to cut wood, and if the chipper is not specialized in the field, then the entire purpose of purchasing it could go to waste.
If you want to go ahead with a disc chipper, its cutting performance is all to your benefit because of its exceptional velocity for cutting and chipping wood.
Additionally, the specifications are ideal for working with hardwood, too, such as timber that is a fibrous wood and requires increased assistance from the chipper.
Whereas the drum chippers serve more of a rotational function. When using this chipper with a wood log, the outcome will be wider cuts in breadth than if you cut the same log under a disc chipper.
Although the drum chippers are dense in size and construction, they continue to deliver cutting performances. Their build is sturdy and durable, guaranteeing it to last for a more extended period.
Therefore, keep yourself from being led astray by the common misconception that because drums are heavier in their weight, they cannot serve and thus result in poor chipped wood pieces. This is not true for the chipper at all.
Usefulness of the Chipper
Previously, we talked about how the disc chippers are positioned at a 90-degree angle. Considering and keeping this in mind, in fact, now take account of the possibility of locating the disc at a differing angle.
You can find discs at any angle, such as the flywheel disc can be set to an angle of 270 degrees. Therefore, the location and the corresponding angle can be changed conveniently.
This depends and is determined by the project you undertake and the requirements that it brings forth for cutting wood.
Even though these disc chippers can be easily changed in their directions, they are simultaneously slightly challenging to move around and less ergonomic.
But your drum chipper will provide you with a hopper that is wider, due to which the trims too will be lowered before it starts to chip the wood.
Hence, the user will be aided with more straightforward accessibility when servicing and sharpening the knives of the chipper.
Both blades are useful, but the usefulness is subjective and has to be concluded by you and on your terms. What may seem more advantageous to us might be useless, in your opinion.
Efficiency
According to reviews of previous users and a fair and objective analysis of disc vs. drum chippers, it has been found that drum chippers are less efficient than disc chippers.
So, your disc chippers are here taking the lead in the race for efficiency.
The disc chipper tends to use less fuel for every unit of chip that is produced by them when in comparison, 19% more power is utilized by a drum chipper.
The reason behind such a notable difference in fuel consumption between the chippers is that the disc chipper has a synergistic design further aided by a seamless system for discharge.
Therefore, the simplified and straight design helps the equipment save on fuel.
However, the notion of a disc chipper having a high efficiency cannot be conclusive because drum chippers have been rated to have an enhanced productivity of 8% compared with a disc chipper.
Where the disc chipper would save you fuel, the drum chipper would save you energy. So now it is on you to decide and conclude which is more valuable for you- fuel or your energy.
Contrasting Quality
When we talk about the quality of disc vs. drum chipper, we tend to compare and contrast the qualities of the chippers produced and not the equipment themselves.
The quality of cut and chipped wood by a disc chipper has been renowned for the delivery of uniformity.
They are all in the same shape and size and possess the same high quality, which is at no cost compromised during the process.
However, the quality is also evaluated by the sort of wood that you have fed into your chipper. What size, type, and quantity of it that are you inserting? Such as if the wood is hard or soft.
A uniform cut by the disc chipper will not be delivered if the wood has been processed because its knives will face difficulty. But if the wood is raw, the results for uniform cuts will be effortless.
In contrast to your disc chippers, considering the drum chippers, they are way more productive.
This is because they are assisted by a continuous and consistent level of energy, and the accompanying blades, without coming to a halt, run along the sleekness of the wood.
Final Overview
Before you decide on one chipper out of the two-disc vs. drum chipper, do not forget to consider the sole reasons for your purchase.
For example, a primary reason deriving you towards your conclusion should be the project you are working on and its demands.
We have seen the purposes are the same, but the outcome and efficiency differ in their terms.
Purchase of both chippers is a massive investment but to simplify it all for you is to say you must be inclined toward buying a drum chipper for the high ergonomics, easy portability, and similarly convenient use.
But if you prefer efficiency over any other feature, then you may conclude your favor for a disc chipper.
Conclusion
We have ensured to take our discussion in detail while trying to discriminate between a disc vs. drum chipper and have added all the information that seems relevant to the issue.
Now to take the final decision is on you and per your needs.
