Reduce debris around your property with the DR Power Chipper Shredder
Owning land is a nice luxury, but it comes with higher maintenance needs, especially if you have a lot of trees on your property. As fall rolls around, we take a DR Power Premier 310 Chipper Shredder to our farm in Georgia to help PTR reviewer Luke Smith with some cleanup.
DR Power Chipper Shredder Performance
power plant
For the Premier 310, DR Power uses a 233 cc gas engine producing 6.6 HP and 11.1 ft-lbs of torque. The smallest in the line, it's the most fuel-efficient and capable of chopping branches up to 3 inches long.
If you need more power and capacity, there are several options. The Pro 410 has a similar design and lets you reach 4 inches. For ATV/tractor towing options, the Premier 375 handles branches up to 3.75" and the Pro 475P is 4.75" with a Class 1 PTO tractor drive. The Pro 475P is also available as a stand-alone tow vehicle for the Pro 475. The Pro XL501 is the most powerful in the series, with 5" capacity and a tow truck design.
feed correctly
If you're not familiar with chippers, the two hoppers are for different applications depending on how the chips come into contact with the chipper knives or shredder hammers. Smaller side hoppers hold branches up to 3 inches and handle the toughest jobs. Turning at 231 feet per second (158 miles per hour), DR Power's sturdy Pro-Spec alloy steel chipper knives make quick work of those branches. It feeds itself, so you only need to help support the weight and the machine takes care of the rest.
Larger top hopper accepts debris up to 1/2 in. From this direction, eight freely swinging hammers shatter the smaller fragments.
It is important to use the correct hopper. If you insert larger twigs from the top, they won't splinter like smaller twigs and will bind the drive. If this happens, there is an access door to help you scoop out the larger chips.
While you're eating, the DR Power Premier 310 shredder reduces your waste by a 10:1 ratio, with chips exiting through a specially designed screen on the side. Once you're done, you can use the chips however you want.
DR Power Chipper Shredder Design Notes
portability
DR Power features a high wheel design on the Premier 310. Its 14 x 2-inch wheels roll with ease on everything from concrete pads to trails. A handle on the large hopper helps you move it, and a stand on the bottom provides stability during use and storage.
While this model isn't towable, it doesn't get stuck in a limited area. With a dry weight of 129 lbs, Luke and I were able to lift it into the back of the truck and into the UTV to work in different areas around the farm. Be sure to attach it to your bed or frame when traveling.
other highlights
- Manual recoil start
- 0.9 gallon fuel tank (3.4 liters)
As the smallest product in the series, the DR Power Premier 310 is also the most affordable. List price is $969.99, and it's on sale for $849.99 as we write this. DR Power backs it with a 2-year residential warranty or a 90-day commercial use warranty. If you are interested in any other models, check out the full price list:
- Advanced 310: $969.99
- Pro 410: $1499.99
- Pro 400 $1499.99
- Advanced 375: $2199.99
- Pro 475: $3499.99
- Pro XL501 $3799.99
the bottom line
The DR Power Premier 310 Chipper Shredder did a great job helping us clean up fallen branches around our riding trails. While some properties will definitely require the higher capacity of some other models from DR Power, the Premier 310 is a convenient, affordable way to help keep your property looking great year-round.
Specification
- Model: DR Power Premier 310
- Power source: DR Power 233cc, 6.6 HP gas engine
- Engine Torque: 11.1 ft-lbs
- Engine oil L 10W-30 or 15W-39
- Starting method: manual recoil
- Cutting capacity: 3 inches
- Crumb Hopper: 10.4 x 7.2 inches
- Chipping knife: 4.125 x 1.25 x 0.25 inches
- Shredding Capacity: 1/2 in.
- Shredder Hopper: 19.8 x 13.7 inches
- Discharge screen opening: 0.94 in.
- Wheels: 14 x 2 inches
- Dry Weight: 129 lbs.