The gas-powered versions work better for chipping limbs but have little advantage over electric ones when shredding leaves. All units work best when the materials are dry. Leaves to be shredded are stuffed through a top-feed hopper. When limbs are fed into the chute, pay particular attention to the pulling force the chipper exerts on the limb. Heavy work gloves help prevent cuts if a limb is pulled from your grasp.
Gloves also help reduce the effects of limb vibration as limbs are fed into the chute.
During leaf shredding, always use the tamper on the unit. This device pushes leaves into the shredding chamber and stops short of shredding itself. Never reach into the hopper of a chipper-shredder that is running . Those who use chipper-shredders also should watch for rocks or other objects that could damage the machinery or cause injury. An object propelled at 6 miles an hour is traveling fast enough to dislodge an eye.