PowerKing 5″ WoodChipper Review

This machine has been amazing to work with on our homestead. It is very proficient at chipping the Twisted Pinon and Juniper trees on our property. It will easily eat thru branches up to 3″. While still eating thru larger branches up to 5.5″ with ease, I notice you have to kind of restrain the branch a little bit so it doesn’t bog down the motor. But that is not an issue to me as it still eats it up, and really anything over 3″ I want to be saving for firewood. 

The PowerKing woodchipper I bought came with the extended wheelbase. Which I would recommend to anybody who plans to tow the machine around, or for anyone that will be chipping on somewhat uneven terrain. The woodchipper weighs in at 405lbs. It is pretty easy to move around on flat ground by hand. But try and push this thing up a small incline and you are going to need some help, whether that be your four-wheeler or wife. It feels a little bit tippy, but the weight is centered very nicely and has not tipped over on me yet (thanks to the extended wheelbase).

The Kohler Command Pro engine has treated me very well so far. I have around 25 hours on this machine, Without any complaints or issues. The 14 hp Engine is plenty strong. I have only bogged it down to the point of shutting down twice, and I’m sure that was user error as I tried to put way to big of a branch in. 

Maintenance on the engine has been easy. Kohler recommends Changing the oil after the first 5 hour break in period. Then you only have to Change the oil once every 50 hours or annually Whichever comes first . Make sure you check the air filter every couple of hours and give it a good Cleaning. The engine didn’t come with any oil so make sure you have some full synthetic  10w-30 on hand. Oil changes are super easy, There is a drain plug on both sides of the engine near the bottom.  Just drain and refill with .52 quarts of oil. 

The blades are very strong and sharp, and they hold an edge for a surpisingly long time. When they do get worn out the blades are reversable, so simply undo the 5 bolts holding them on and flip the blade around. And once that side is worn out you can take them off and sharpen them up pretty well using a flap disc on your grinder or even just a simple file will do the trick.

I have jammed this machine a few times But the latches make it easy to open up the chute and clear the jam. I normally keep a flathead screwdriver in the included toolbox, to help with clearing debris.  

This machine spits out some serious woodchips. It has a directional chip chute so you can chip right into a wheelbarrow or truckbed. I usually chip right into a large pile on the ground and move it where I want with my wheelbarrow when I’m done chipping for the day