Chipper/shredder having rotatable feed chute

Abstract

A chipper/shredder for comminuting debris such as leaves, twigs, branches and the like, comprising a housing having at least one inlet for receiving such debris, cutting elements disposed within the housing, an engine operatively coupled to the cutting elements for selectively moving said cutting elements to comminute the debris, and a first feed chute attached to a first side of the housing and communicating with the inlet, wherein the feed chute is selectively rotatable between upright and lowered positions, rotation of the chute being about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first side of the housing. The housing preferably includes a second inlet on the opposite side of the first feed chute, with a second feed chute fixedly secured thereto for introducing larger debris into the interior of the housing for comminuting. The first feed chute is normally locked in its upright position, but may be moved to its lowered position by pulling a knob which disengages a plunger from a plate rotatable with the chute mounted adjacent the inlet. With the first feed chute in its lowered position, leaves and other debris may be introduced into the comminuting chamber. In the preferred embodiment the engine is an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft extending into the housing and coupled to the cutting elements, and the first feed chute rotates about an axis co-linear with the drive shaft.