A wood chipper takes constant shock load, and when it goes down it’s usually the hydraulics that feed it or the steel that takes the beating. Ames Hydraulics does wood chipper repair for tree crews, landscapers, and municipalities across Central Iowa — feed system hydraulics, bearings, and the welding that keeps the infeed and housing together. Free pickup within 60 miles of Ames.
Where Chippers Fail
The hydraulic feed system is the usual culprit: feed rollers that won’t pull material, a feed motor that lost power, or a control bar/valve that won’t reverse. Beyond that, chippers crack and wear where the wood hits them — the infeed hopper, the housing, and the anvil area — which is welding and fabrication work. And the rotating side (bearings, discs, drums) takes abuse. Because we’re a hydraulic, machine, and welding shop under one roof, wood chipper repair doesn’t get bounced between shops.
What We Fix
- Feed roller motors, cylinders, valves, and control bars
- Hydraulic pumps, hoses, and leaks — assemblies made same-day
- Cracked infeed hoppers, housings, and chutes — welded and reinforced
- Bearings, shafts, and drum/disc mounting
- Worn anvils and structural wear points built back up
Keep the Crew Working
A down chipper stops a whole tree crew, so chipper jobs move fast through our shop. Bring the unit in or have us pick it up, and we’ll diagnose the feed and hydraulic system, weld up the damage, and get it back to the job.
Free Pickup Within 60 Miles
Pickup and delivery are free within 60 miles of Ames. Text a photo of the problem to 515-292-2599 and we’ll tell you the same day what your wood chipper repair needs and what it’ll cost.
Common Wood Chipper Symptoms
The calls we see most: material won’t feed or feeds unevenly (feed roller motor, valve, or worn rollers), the feed won’t reverse at the control bar (valve or linkage), the machine bogs or won’t chip clean (dull or damaged knives, worn anvil, bearing drag), or oil is leaking and power is down (hose, pump, or cylinder). A real wood chipper repair means diagnosing the hydraulic feed system and the cutting side together, not just swapping a part and hoping.
Why an Independent Shop
Tree crews can’t afford a machine sitting at a dealer for weeks. We’re the independent hydraulic-and-welding shop that turns chipper work fast, fixes the feed system and welds the infeed damage in one visit, and works on every brand you run. That’s what keeps your crew chipping instead of hauling brush by hand.
How We Quote It — and Free Pickup
The fastest way to a price is a photo. Text a picture of your chipper and a quick note on what it’s doing to 515-292-2599, and we’ll tell you the same day whether it’s a seal kit, a pump, a valve, or a welding job — and roughly what it’ll cost — before anything comes apart. No surprise bills. If the chipper can’t be hauled in easily, pickup and delivery are free within 60 miles of Ames: Des Moines, Ankeny, Boone, Nevada, Marshalltown, Story City, and the towns between. A shop that does the hydraulics and the welding in-house is why our wood chipper repair turnaround is quick and the fix lasts.
Get the Chipper Running
See our full hydraulic repair, hydraulic hose repair, and welding & fabrication services. Call or text 515-292-2599 or bring it to 210 Freel Dr in Ames. Open Monday through Friday, 7AM to 5PM.
Written by Josiah Ragsdale
Owner, Ames Hydraulics — Ames, Iowa
Josiah owns and operates Ames Hydraulics. He has worked on hydraulic and heavy equipment since he was 18, and every hydraulic cylinder his shop rebuilds is pressure tested before it ships back to the customer. More about Josiah →
Got something broken? Call or text 515-292-2599