Morbark 20 Harvester Whole Tree Chipper

Introduction to the Morbark 20 Harvester Whole Tree Chipper

The Morbark 20 Harvester whole tree chipper is a compact, high-production drum chipper built for professional forestry and land-clearing crews. Classified as a whole tree chipper, the Morbark M20R is designed for in-woods chipping, feeding biomass plants, and supplying pulpwood or chip-mill markets with uniform material. It is effective for logging operations and biomass fuel production alike, and it is designed for mobile use across a range of job-site conditions.

What makes this machine compelling is the balance it strikes between maneuverability and raw chipping power. Contractors who work tight landings and narrow rights-of-way can move it in and out efficiently, while crews on large timber tracts still get the throughput they need to keep chip vans moving. It features a cab and boom for operation, giving operators direct control and clear sightlines to the infeed.

Modern units may also integrate basic monitoring and performing security verification on control systems that protect engine and hydraulic settings from unauthorized changes. This adds a layer of operational security that keeps parameters locked to factory or owner-specified ranges.

The tone of this guide is neutral and technical. Below, you will find the core specifications, real-world applications, maintenance priorities, and purchasing considerations that matter most when evaluating this machine.

Key Specifications and Performance Features

This section covers the core specs that matter most when evaluating a whole tree chipper of this class, from engine output and drum design to infeed geometry and discharge flexibility.

Engine and Power

The Morbark M20R is powered by a Caterpillar diesel engine delivering approximately 415 hp (309 kW). That places it solidly in the mid-to-upper power class for drum-type whole tree chippers. While Morbark does not publish an official green-tons-per-hour figure for the M20R, the manufacturer states that the M20R can fill a 53-foot trailer and sustain several loads per day. Industry benchmarks for similarly powered chippers suggest pure chipping rates in the range of 20-30 green tonnes per hour when feed supply is consistent and knives are sharp.

Chipping System

The drum measures 36 inches in diameter and 33.375 inches in width. Morbark equips it with the Advantage 3 Drum system, which produces more uniform wood chips and reduces maintenance intervals compared to earlier drum designs. Chip uniformity is critical for biomass buyers who need consistent moisture content and low ash, so this drum geometry directly affects the price your chips command at the plant gate.

Durability is enhanced by abrasion-resistant materials throughout the chipper's high-wear zones. Specifically, the M20R uses AR-450 steel for critical wear areas including the drum skin, belly band, and discharge chute liner. This significantly extends service life under heavy abrasion from dirty or bark-heavy feed.

Infeed and Feed System

The infeed opening measures 28 inches high by 20 inches wide, paired with a 20-inch-diameter top compression feed roll. The M20R can process whole trees up to 20 inches in diameter, making it versatile enough for both large-stem and small-diameter material. The M20R features a live chain drive and a sloped 6-foot feed bed that moves material steadily into the drum with minimal operator intervention.

The system handles whole trees, tops, and slash without frequent setup changes. The wireless remote allows for operational control of the chipper, including feed functions, throttle, and stabilizers, so the operator can position themselves for the best sightline to the infeed rather than being locked to a fixed control station.

Discharge and Mobility

The discharge chute is straight, with a hydraulically operated chip deflector that adjusts both vertically and horizontally. This makes it straightforward to direct chips into a 53-foot van or onto a pile, even in tight landing setups.

For transport, the towable version rides on tandem axles rated at 20,000 lb torsion capacity, fitted with (4) 235/75-17.5 tires. Transport dimensions run approximately 26 feet 8 inches long, 11 feet high, and 8 feet wide - within legal limits for most jurisdictions without over-width permits.

For remote terrain, the M20R is available with a two-speed track undercarriage (CAT 312B platform with 20-inch grouser pads). The M20R's track undercarriage navigates rugged terrain where wheeled machines simply cannot operate, opening up steep-slope and off-road biomass recovery jobs.

Operator Controls and Safety

From the cab or remote control station, the operator has clear visibility to the infeed and simple controls for feed rate and drum engagement. The machine verifies that safety interlocks are engaged before allowing drum rotation. Emergency-stop bars surround the infeed, and guards protect the valve bank and automatic feed system components.

Some configurations add electronic interlocks that perform limited security verification before the drum can spin - once verification successful is confirmed, the system unlocks normal operation. These interlocks protect the machine from accidental starts and unauthorized use, which is especially valuable on unattended job sites.

Applications, Maintenance, and Purchasing Considerations

This section explains where the Morbark 20 Harvester excels in the field, how to keep it running reliably, and what to check when comparing units on the market.

Primary Applications

The Morbark M20R is designed for efficient biomass production and land clearing. Its most common deployments include:

• In-woods whole tree chipping to supply biomass power plants or pellet mills

• Clearing rights-of-way for utilities and pipelines where full trees and brush must be removed quickly

• Producing uniform chips for smaller pulp or chip-mill contracts

• Processing logging slash and residuals left behind by harvesting crews

The M20R is suitable for processing dense brush and logging slash alongside larger stems, which means mixed operations can run a single machine without frequent changeovers. The M20R helps reduce hauling and disposal costs for tree management by converting waste material into a sellable chip product on-site rather than trucking whole trees to a central yard.

Maintenance Priorities

Keeping the M20R productive comes down to a handful of recurring tasks:

• Knife changes and sharpening. Dull knives increase fuel consumption and degrade chip quality. Monitor knife condition every shift.

• Anvil inspection. Check the gap, wear, and alignment. An improperly set anvil wastes horsepower and produces oversized chips.

• Drum bearing lubrication. Follow the manufacturer's grease intervals to avoid catastrophic bearing failure.

• Hydraulic filter changes. Replace filters on schedule and inspect hoses and fittings for leaks, especially around the valve bank.

• Daily walk-around. Check guards, clean-out doors, stabilizer hydraulics, infeed chain wear strips, and emergency-stop devices before each shift.

Some modern monitoring systems log operating hours and fault codes, and basic security verification or password protection can prevent unauthorized changes to engine or hydraulic parameters. This kind of security service adds peace of mind for fleet owners who want to protect their investment across multiple operators and shifts.

Buying Checks for New or Used Units

Whether you are purchasing new or shopping used, here are the items to inspect:

• Engine hours and service records. High hours without documented maintenance are a red flag.

• Drum condition. Look for cracks, dents, excessive wear on the AR-450 surfaces, and check drum runout.

• Knife and anvil condition. Worn or chipped knives and a battered anvil tell you a lot about how the machine was operated.

• Infeed wear. Inspect feed-roll teeth, live-floor chains, and bed-plate surfaces.

• Hydraulic system health. Check for leaks, fluid cleanliness, and hose condition.

• Safety devices. Test every emergency-stop bar, feed-wheel reverse function, and interlock.

• Transport compliance. At roughly 18,000 lbs gross weight, confirm the machine meets local road weight and dimension regulations for your routes.

The Morbark 20 Chipper is priced at approximately $25,000 on the used market, though prices vary by condition, hours, and configuration. The Morbark 20 Chipper is listed on multiple equipment sales platforms, so comparison shopping is straightforward. When browsing listings on a dealer website, you may encounter a page waiting to load while the site's security service screens for malicious bots - it may display a respond ray id before access is granted. This is normal; once the security check completes, the listing and specs are displayed for review on the website. Don't let a brief bot screen deter you from doing thorough online research across platforms like www.machinio.com or similar marketplaces.

You can also add a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified diesel mechanic to your buying process. A few hundred dollars spent upfront can save thousands in unexpected repairs.

Final Thoughts

The Morbark 20 Harvester whole tree chipper offers a proven balance of performance, durability, and manageable operating costs for professional forestry and land-clearing operations. Its 415 hp engine, Advantage 3 Drum, and AR-450 wear surfaces deliver the throughput and longevity that production-focused contractors need, while its compact footprint and optional track undercarriage keep it viable on sites where larger machines cannot reach.

If you are evaluating a tree chipper for your next biomass or land-clearing project, start by matching the M20R's specs against your typical feed size, daily production targets, and site access constraints. Request a demo if buying new, or schedule a thorough mechanical inspection if buying used. The right machine, properly maintained, will pay for itself in reduced hauling costs and consistent chip revenue.