About Chipper Trucks
Chipper trucks (aka “tree chipper trucks”) are cab and chassis trucks fitted with a tipping, semi-enclosed chip box. Municipalities, utility companies, arborists, and other tree service operations use them to haul wood chips and other tree-related debris away from jobsites and dump them at depots or recycling centers.
A chipper truck’s chip box is generally open to the rear to receive chips thrown from a wood chipper’s discharge chute. Once full, the chipper truck transports the wood chips and other tree debris to the collection or storage site and can dump them out the rear of the chip box.
2025 Ford F-750 SD Chipper Truck
Chipper trucks are often designed to tow a wood chipper to jobsites, where it will be used to break down tree branches, limbs, and smaller trunks when performing tree removal and landscaping work.
How Chipper Trucks Improve Tree Service Efficiency
The size of the chipper truck you need will depend on the volume and frequency of tree chipping operations. Medium-duty chipper trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) ranging from 14,001 to 26,000 pounds (6,350 to 11,793 kilograms) are typically equipped with chip boxes measuring from 11 to 14 feet (3.3 to 4.3 meters) in length.
They can often haul approximately 10 to 15 yards3 (7.6 to 11.5 meters³). Heavy-duty chipper trucks with a GVWR of at least 26,001 lbs can be equipped with tipping chip boxes that exceed 16 ft (4.9 m) in length and 25 yd3 (19 m3) in volume.
One example of a popular chipper truck platform is the Ford F-750 SD diesel. It has a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel engine with 300 horsepower (223 kilowatts) and 825 pounds-foot (1,118 newton-meters) of torque and a GVWR of 26,000 to 37,000 lbs (14,000 to 16,800 kg).
Typical Tree Chipper Truck Features
Chipper trucks are built for rough terrain and typically feature a chassis, floor, tailgate, and other components reinforced with heavy-duty welds, corrosion-resistant coatings, and protective bed liners to extend the truck’s operational lifespan. Additionally, nearly all tree chipping trucks incorporate multiple storage areas for items such as ladders, pruning shears, ropes, chains, and other tools and materials.
The International Durastar 4300 is another widely used model. With a durable chassis and ample payload capacity, the Durastar 4300 chipper truck is well-suited for hauling large volumes of wood chips and debris. The Freightliner Business Class M2 chipper truck is another popular option, with the power and space needed to handle tough debris and a comfortable cab. Both models also offer spacious storage compartments and operator-friendly controls for tree care crew efficiency.
You’ll also often find chipper trucks equipped with air brakes, trailer brake controllers, push-button dumping controls, strobe and marker lights, and tailgates with safety latch systems. Some chipper trucks even include a chip box with a removable roof that allows easy conversion for use in other kinds of work.
What To Look For When Buying A Chipper Truck
In addition to the features listed above, when buying a chipper truck, you’ll find some models outfitted with steel chipper boxes and some with aluminum bodies. Steel chipper truck bodies offer the greatest durability due to their corrosion resistance and slick coatings, but they are heavy, which reduces the truck’s effective payload capacity. Aluminum alloys offer durability with less weight, reducing the impact on load capacity and fuel consumption, though they will likely cost more upfront.
Where To Buy & Finance Chipper Trucks
Explore TreeTrader.com to find new and used chipper trucks for sale, including models from leading manufacturers such as Ford, Freightliner, GMC, International, Isuzu, Ram, and others. You’ll find trucks on the site in a variety of sizes and configurations, making it easy to find one that meets your needs and fits your budget.
Have a particular truck in mind? Check out your chipper truck financing options at CurrencyFinance. Currency helps tree care and landscaping specialists get fast funding with the best available rates and terms for all types of equipment.
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