What is the difference between a chipper and a chipper shredder?
A chipper is built to cut woody branches into consistent chips using a blade and flywheel style cutting action; a chipper shredder adds a second reduction method to break down lighter yard debris (like leaves and small twigs) into finer mulch. For your Troybilt SUPER, the “chipper/shredder” design is meant for versatility across mixed yard waste.
How each machine handles material
- Chipper: Best for hard, woody branches; produces chunkier, uniform chips.
- Shredder: Best for leaves and soft debris; produces finer mulch.
- Chipper shredder: Does both jobs; typically has separate feed areas or different internal cutting stages.
- Output: Chips are better for paths and landscaping; shredded mulch breaks down faster for composting.
- Feeding style: Chippers usually need straighter branches; shredding handles irregular, leafy material more easily.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Chipper | Chipper shredder |
|---|---|---|
| Primary job | Chips branches | Chips branches + shreds yard debris |
| Typical output | Coarser chips | Chips plus finer mulch |
| Best for | Pruning waste, limbs | Mixed cleanup (limbs + leaves) |
| Versatility | Lower | Higher |
Why it matters
Matching the machine to the material prevents clogs, reduces vibration, and helps protect wear items like fasteners and retainers. If you are servicing your SUPER, using the correct hardware and keeping assemblies tight helps the cutting system stay aligned.
Parts and maintenance tips for a chipper/shredder
- Inspect and tighten mounting hardware before each use.
- Replace missing or damaged fasteners instead of reusing stripped threads.
- Check for abnormal rattling; it often points to loose hardware.
- Keep the discharge area clear to avoid recirculating debris.
- When ordering, use the model-based parts list first, then search by model on Sears PartsDirect.
If you need common hardware for this model, examples from the parts list include the troy-bilt hex nut 1186389 and the troy-bilt whiz nut 1186393.
Last updated: February 2026
What not to put in a wood chipper?
For your Troybilt SUPER SUPER Tomahawk chipper/shredder, never feed anything that can shatter, wrap, or hide hard debris. Avoid metal, rocks, plastic, rubber, treated lumber, and stringy vines because they can damage cutting components, clog the chute, and create dangerous kickback or flying debris.
Materials to keep out of the chipper
- Rocks, gravel, dirt clods, and root balls
- Metal of any kind (nails, screws, wire, fencing staples)
- Plastic, rubber, fabric, and rope
- Pressure-treated, painted, or chemically treated lumber
- Glass, ceramics, and other brittle non-wood materials
- Food waste (meat, dairy, greasy scraps)
Wood and yard debris that commonly causes jams
Even when it is “wood,” some material is more likely to bind up a chipper/shredder like the SUPER.
- Long, stringy vines and creepers
- Palm fronds and very fibrous stalks
- Wet, sappy, or freshly cut green branches in large batches
- Crooked limbs with big knots or multiple forks
- Brush with mud packed into bark crevices
Quick pre-check before you feed branches
These steps prevent blade damage and reduce the chance you shear fasteners or bend internal hardware.
- Inspect branches for embedded nails or wire (especially reclaimed wood)
- Knock off mud and stones; do not “chip dirt”
- Cut off root balls and any sections with rocks trapped in them
- Feed butt-end first when possible for smoother pull-in
- Stay within the machine’s rated capacity (diameter limit)
If the chipper suddenly rattles, vibrates, or stops pulling
Stop the engine and let all moving parts come to a complete stop before clearing a jam.
| Symptom | Most common cause | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Loud clanking | Hidden metal/rock | Remove debris; inspect cutting area |
| Frequent clogging | Vines, wet material, forks | Switch to drier, straighter pieces |
| Excess vibration | Impact damage or loose hardware | Check fasteners; replace damaged hardware |
If you find stripped or missing hardware during inspection, replace it with the correct fastener. For example, the hex nut 1186389 is one of the model-listed fasteners for this unit.
Why it matters
Chipping the wrong material dulls or chips cutting edges, overloads the engine, and can turn debris into projectiles. Keeping contaminants out also helps protect internal fasteners, housings, and the feed system so your Troybilt SUPER runs smoother and safer.
For more parts and diagrams for your model, use the parts list for SUPER on this page, or search by model on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with chipper machines?
Common problems on the Troybilt SUPER SUPER Tomahawk 8HP chipper/shredder are dull or damaged cutting edges, frequent jams from wet or oversized material, vibration from loose hardware, and engine issues such as hard starting or stalling. Most problems trace back to maintenance, feed technique, and fasteners working loose.
Most common symptoms and what they usually mean
- Poor chipping or stringy output: blades/anvil clearance out of adjustment or cutting edges dull
- Frequent jamming: feeding too fast, wet/green material, or exceeding branch diameter
- Excessive vibration or rattling: loose screws/nuts, worn washers, or debris buildup in the housing
- Hard starting or stalling under load: stale fuel, dirty air filter, fouled spark plug, or governor/carburetor issues
- Uneven discharge or clogging at the chute: damp material, packed chips, or restricted discharge path
Quick checks we recommend before replacing parts
- Shut the engine off, remove the spark plug wire, and let all moving parts stop.
- Clear packed debris from the chipper chute and shredder hopper.
- Inspect cutting components for nicks, rounding, or damage; sharpen or replace as needed.
- Check and tighten visible fasteners; vibration commonly loosens hardware over time.
- Verify fuel is fresh and oil is at the correct level; replace the spark plug if it is fouled.
Hardware-related issues (very common on chippers)
Loose or missing fasteners can cause vibration, misalignment, and repeated jams. If you find stripped threads or hardware that will not stay tight, replacing the fastener is often the correct fix.
| What you notice | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Rattling, panels shifting | Loose screws | Re-tighten; replace damaged fasteners |
| Vibration that gets worse | Nuts backing off | Replace locking hardware |
| Parts not clamping tightly | Worn washer or nut | Replace the worn hardware |
If you need replacement hardware for this model, match what you remove to the parts list for SUPER, such as the hex nut 1186389 or whiz nut 1186393.
Why it matters
A chipper/shredder that is dull, jammed, or vibrating is harder on the engine and can damage housings, mounts, and cutting components. Keeping blades sharp, feeding at a steady rate, and keeping fasteners tight helps the machine chip cleaner and last longer.
You can order replacement parts from the parts list for your Troybilt SUPER, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
