Frequently Asked Questions

Start with the material you process most often, how frequently you will use the machine, your desired output, available power source, transport requirements, storage space, and budget. For wood chippers, branch diameter and feed system are important. For log splitters, log diameter, wood species, splitting force, cycle time, and material handling matter. If you are unsure, use our product guides or contact us before ordering.

Yes. Send us the models you are comparing and explain your normal workload, material size, expected usage, and any tractor, skid steer, or tow-vehicle details that may affect compatibility. We can help you compare the specifications that matter most for your use case.

We work to keep product descriptions, specifications, images, availability, and documentation accurate. Manufacturers can revise equipment without notice, so manufacturer information controls if there is a conflict. If a specific specification is critical to your purchase, contact us before ordering.

Yes. The catalog includes equipment suited to large-property owners, farms, contractors, landscapers, tree-service crews, rental operations, and commercial firewood production. Always match the machine to the intended duty cycle and manufacturer recommendations.

Yes. Many ATE products are intended for professional or commercial applications. Keep in mind that commercial use can affect warranty terms on some brands, so review the product-specific warranty information before purchasing.

Yes. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. Taxes, freight, lift-gate service, residential-delivery fees, special access fees, installation, permits, or other order-specific costs may be additional unless expressly included.

No. Submitting an order does not guarantee final acceptance. We may need to confirm product configuration, availability, freight requirements, delivery access, taxes, or payment details before an order is finalized.

It can. Many products ship from manufacturers or distribution facilities, and inventory or lead times can change. If an availability issue affects your order, we will communicate the next steps.

Financing options may be available when offered by an applicable financing provider. Approval, rates, terms, and conditions are determined by that provider, and financing approval is not guaranteed.

Where available, manufacturer manuals, specifications, warranty documents, and other technical resources are linked directly on the relevant product page.

Most equipment ships by LTL freight, commercial carrier, or another delivery service appropriate for the product. The exact method depends on machine size, manufacturer location, destination, and delivery requirements.

Do not assume every shipment includes every freight service at no charge. Product-specific terms control. Residential delivery, lift-gate service, limited-access locations, redelivery, storage, or other special services can create additional charges when they are not included.

Lead and transit times are estimates, not guarantees. Manufacturer production schedules, inventory, carrier availability, weather, destination, and other factors can affect delivery. Contact us before ordering if timing is critical.

For many freight shipments, the carrier may contact you to schedule delivery. Requirements vary by carrier and shipment, so watch for calls, texts, or emails after the order ships.

Curbside freight generally means the carrier delivers to an accessible point at or near the delivery address rather than moving equipment into a garage, building, field, or final operating position. Exact carrier service levels vary.

Possibly. Some equipment requires a forklift, tractor, skid steer, loading dock, or other unloading assistance. Review the product and delivery details before shipment so the destination is prepared.

Often yes, but residential or limited-access delivery may require additional coordination or fees. Make sure the road, driveway, gate, turning area, and unloading point can safely accommodate the carrier.

Inspect the packaging and equipment carefully before signing. If damage is visible, note it clearly on the carrier receipt and take photographs whenever possible. Contact us promptly with your order number, photos, and delivery paperwork.

Document what was received and contact us with your order number, photos, packing information, and delivery paperwork. We will help coordinate the appropriate next step with the manufacturer or carrier.

Contact us as soon as possible. Once an order has entered processing or has been handed to the carrier, address changes may create delays or additional charges.

Return eligibility varies by product and manufacturer and always requires prior authorization. Freight-shipped, special-order, configured, made-to-order, used, installed, or final-sale products may be non-returnable or subject to additional restrictions.

Yes. Contact us before sending any product back. Unauthorized returns may be refused or may not qualify for a refund.

There may be. Restocking fees, return-freight costs, original shipping charges, and manufacturer fees depend on the product and the reason for the return. Applicable terms will be communicated before an authorized return is completed.

That depends on the product, manufacturer policy, and reason for the return. Freight costs are handled according to the applicable return terms.

Contact us immediately. Orders that have entered production, been allocated, processed for shipment, or otherwise committed may be subject to manufacturer cancellation fees, freight charges, or restocking fees.

Special-order, configured, or made-to-order equipment can have stricter cancellation rules and may become non-cancellable once production or allocation begins.

Usually, product defects are handled under the manufacturer's warranty rather than as a standard return. See the Warranty page for more information.

Visit our Shipping & Returns page for the current general policy. Product-specific or manufacturer-specific terms may override the general guidance.

Unless a product page states otherwise, warranty coverage is provided by the equipment manufacturer under that manufacturer's published terms.

Warranty duration varies by brand, model, component, and whether the equipment is used personally, commercially, professionally, or for rental. Check the product page and manufacturer warranty documentation.

Some manufacturers require registration of the equipment, engine, or serial number within a certain period after delivery. Review the included documentation as soon as the machine arrives.

It can. Many manufacturers apply different warranty periods or conditions to commercial, professional, or rental use.

Often not. Normal wear items, routine maintenance, misuse, improper installation, unauthorized modifications, accidents, and operation outside manufacturer specifications are common exclusions. Exact terms vary by manufacturer.

Usually not. Shipping damage is generally handled as a freight or carrier issue. Inspect freight before signing and document visible damage immediately.

Not always. Parts, labor, diagnostics, technician travel, pickup, freight, removal, and reinstallation may be treated differently under a manufacturer's warranty.

Have your order number, machine model, serial number, delivery date, a clear description of the issue, and photos or video available. The manufacturer determines final claim eligibility and remedy.

Yes. We can help organize the information needed to start an eligible warranty inquiry and point you toward the appropriate manufacturer process.

Visit our Warranty page for an overview, then check the individual product page and manufacturer documentation for model-specific terms.

Choose around the branches you process regularly, not the largest limb you may encounter once. Typical branch diameter, wood type, feed system, duty cycle, storage, transport, and available tractor power all influence the right size.

Compact chippers are usually easier to store and maneuver for occasional property cleanup. Commercial machines are designed for higher throughput, larger material, powered feed, repeated transport, and heavier duty cycles.

Gravity or self-feed systems rely more heavily on branch shape and cutting action to move material. Hydraulic or powered feed rollers pull material into the cutting system at a controlled rate and can improve productivity on larger or irregular brush.

For frequent, high-volume, or professional use, powered feed can significantly reduce manual feeding effort and improve consistency. For occasional smaller cleanup, a simpler self-feed machine may be sufficient.

A PTO chipper uses power from a compatible tractor rather than a dedicated engine. This can reduce engine maintenance but requires the correct tractor PTO horsepower, hitch configuration, PTO speed, and driveline setup.

Check the chipper's stated PTO horsepower range, PTO speed, hitch category or quick-hitch requirements, driveline geometry, lift capacity, and any manufacturer compatibility notes. Compare them to your exact tractor model.

Maximum rated diameter should not automatically be treated as ideal continuous operating size. Material species, condition, forks, knots, feed opening, available power, and duty cycle can affect real-world throughput.

Common causes can include dull knives, wet or stringy material, overfeeding, low operating speed, restricted discharge, or material that is too large or poorly prepared. Follow the manufacturer troubleshooting procedure before servicing the machine.

Possible causes include branch shape, low engine or PTO speed, hydraulic issues, roller wear, feed-control settings, automatic-feed intervention, or dull knives. Shut down and isolate the machine before inspection.

There is no universal interval. Knife wear depends on species, dirt contamination, operating hours, feed rate, and machine design. Inspect at the manufacturer-recommended interval and sharpen or replace when performance declines or the specified edge condition is reached.

Clean chips may be useful for mulch, paths, compost carbon, landscaping, or temporary ground cover. Avoid reusing chips from treated lumber, painted wood, contaminated debris, or material affected by pests or disease without appropriate guidance.

Typical maintenance can include knives, belts, bearings, fasteners, engine fluids, hydraulics, feed rollers, tires, trailer components, and safety systems. Always follow the exact service schedule in the operator manual.

The right force depends on wood species, diameter, knots, grain, moisture, and how often you process difficult rounds. Tonnage is important, but cycle time, wedge design, log handling, and duty cycle also affect productivity.

No. Higher force can help with difficult wood, but it can also increase machine size, cost, fuel use, and transport requirements. Choose a machine that matches your normal workload.

Horizontal operation places logs on the beam, which is convenient for routine splitting. Vertical operation can reduce the need to lift very heavy rounds onto the beam. Some machines switch between both positions.

A bi-directional splitter is designed to split in both directions of cylinder travel, reducing or eliminating a non-productive return stroke on certain designs and potentially improving throughput.

Cycle time matters, but it is only one part of productivity. Log staging, lifting, wedge configuration, species, crew size, and removal of finished splits can have an equal or greater effect on real output.

A hydraulic log lift raises heavy rounds to working height and can reduce repeated manual lifting. It is especially useful for commercial firewood production and oversized hardwood rounds.

Not necessarily. A multi-way wedge can increase output when round size and desired firewood dimensions suit it, but very small, irregular, or difficult rounds may still require different splitting strategies.

A skid-steer splitter uses the carrier's auxiliary hydraulic system rather than a dedicated engine. It can reduce manual handling and is useful for operators who already own a compatible skid steer.

Confirm auxiliary hydraulic flow, pressure, couplers, quick-attach interface, attachment weight, rated operating capacity, and any manufacturer-specific requirements for both the splitter and carrier.

Only if the attachment manufacturer specifically lists that operating range. Hydraulic flow and pressure need to remain within the attachment's published limits.

Compare splitting force, cycle behavior, maximum log size, wedge options, log lift, work table or cradle, hydraulic system, engine, towability, duty cycle, serviceability, and the amount of labor each design removes from your workflow.

Real output varies widely with machine design, species, round size, wedge setup, operator experience, staging, crew size, and finished-wood handling. Use manufacturer claims as reference points rather than guaranteed production figures.

Have the tractor make, model, PTO horsepower, PTO speed, hitch category, lift capacity, and quick-hitch details available. The engine horsepower number alone is not enough.

Have the carrier make, model, auxiliary hydraulic flow in GPM, maximum pressure in PSI, coupler type, quick-attach interface, and rated operating capacity available.

Not safely. Attachments are designed for a specific flow and pressure range. Too little flow can reduce performance, while excessive flow or pressure can damage components or create unsafe conditions.

Sometimes, provided every component is correctly sized and pressure-rated and the attachment manufacturer allows the setup. Direct matched connections are preferable when possible.

Check the machine's loaded weight and tongue weight along with the truck's tow rating, payload, hitch rating, gross combined weight rating, brake requirements, and local regulations. Never rely on appearance or engine size alone.

No. Road-towing equipment requirements vary by machine and jurisdiction. Lighting, brakes, tires, safety chains, coupler ratings, registration, speed restrictions, and other requirements may apply.

Brake requirements depend on equipment weight, tow vehicle, and applicable law. Follow manufacturer instructions and local regulations.

We can help compare the published equipment requirements with the specifications you provide for your tractor, skid steer, or tow vehicle. Final compatibility remains subject to manufacturer requirements and the exact machine configuration.

Yes. Read the manufacturer's operator manual before operating, servicing, transporting, or adjusting any machine. Controls and safety procedures differ between models.

The exact checklist depends on the machine, but common items include guards, fasteners, hoses, fluid levels, tires, tow hardware, cutting components, feed controls, emergency controls, and the surrounding work area.

No. Follow the manufacturer's complete shutdown and energy-isolation procedure before inspection or service. Chipper rotors can continue moving after power is removed.

Do not use bare hands to search for high-pressure leaks. Follow the manufacturer inspection procedure and use appropriate methods because hydraulic fluid under pressure can penetrate skin.

Use parts and service components that meet the manufacturer's specifications. Substituting incorrect blades, hoses, belts, filters, fasteners, or hydraulic components can affect performance, safety, and warranty coverage.

Follow manufacturer storage guidance. In general, protect equipment from unnecessary exposure, stabilize it securely, maintain fluids and batteries as required, keep cutting components protected, and address fuel storage requirements for engine-powered equipment.

Stop operation and follow the manufacturer's shutdown procedure. Unusual vibration can indicate cutting-system damage, imbalance, loose hardware, bearing issues, or another condition that should be inspected before continued use.

Availability depends on the brand and part. Contact us with the machine model, serial number when applicable, and the part or component you need so we can help identify the appropriate next step.

Use the equipment collection pages and the Product Guides section of our blog. Many product pages also include model-specific FAQs, downloadable documents, warranty information, and buying guidance.

Yes. ATE publishes educational and product-specific buyer guides covering wood chippers, log splitters, firewood production, maintenance, compatibility, ownership costs, and individual equipment models.

Yes. Contact us if delivery access, compatibility, specifications, warranty terms, or returnability are important to your purchase decision.

Include the product or models you are considering, your normal material size, how often you expect to use the machine, your location, and relevant tractor, skid steer, or tow-vehicle specifications.

Use the Shipping & Returns link in the footer or visit /pages/shipping-returns.

Use the Warranty link in the footer or visit /pages/warranty.

Use the Contact Us page linked in the footer and main navigation. Include your order number when contacting us about an existing order.