Evaluating Your Chipper Blade Supplier

When was the last time you reviewed your chipper blade supplier options? Most forestry and debris removal experts use the same supplier without routinely evaluating their options. If the knife is available and seems reasonably priced, why not order it? The decision is as easy as deciding to buy gas for your truck. You need the gas, it is available, and the price is consistent with your expectations. Done.

The decision regarding where to purchase your replacement chipper knives shouldn't become so routine that it's made out of habit or based solely on price. Putting a little more thought into your supplier options could have a significant impact on your bottom line. Here are some critical things to consider when evaluating your supplier relationship.

• Are you getting the right value for your purchase? There's more to a product than just price. If you're a dealer, does your supplier offer stock rotation agreements, extended terms, and warehouse agreements to help support the unique needs of tree care equipment dealers? If you're an owner/operator, does your supplier have a team of industry experts who are available to evaluate your specific blades needs?
• Are you getting your replacement blades when you need them? Does your supplier have enough available inventory on-hand so that you don't have to wait for your shipment to arrive? How quickly do you typically need your replacement blades to arrive? Can you afford to wait or do you need them right away?
• Are your replacement blades the quality you expect and deserve? Are the replacement blades you're purchasing made with the highest quality steel? Are they engineered to meet the exact specifications of leading manufacturers? Is the price point comparable or better than OEM replacement blades? Does the price you are being charged for your replacement blades require you to evaluate the price you're charging your customers so you can retain your margins and profitability?

Is It Time to Replace My Chipper Blade Supplier?

How often do you evaluate your suppliers? Whether you are purchasing a new piece of equipment, restocking office supplies, or replacing wear parts on your machines, researching your vendor options is a smart move.

The right supplier for your business provides competitive pricing, consistent product availability, knowledgeable staff, and of course, a high quality, reliable product. Choosing the wrong supplier could mean that you do not have the tools needed to meet the demands of your customer. In short, if your supplier lets you down, you could let your customer(s) down. If your supplier overcharges for your replacement chipper blades, you could be overcharging your customer.

As an essential part of your business, consistent pricing and availability of replacement knives enable you to plan your workload, ordering, and budget with confidence. Suppliers of OEM compatible blades that meet the exact specifications demanded by your Altec®, Asplundh®, Bandit®, Vermeer®, Morbark®, Rayco®, Woodchuck® equipment provide a one-stop-shop for all of your chipper blade replacement needs “ whether you operate a single wood chipper or maintain a fleet of chipping and mulching equipment.

What Should I Expect From My Chipper Blade?

Your chipper blades should provide you with consistent, reliable chipping of branches and tree sections. The knives should come packaged in protective edge guards to ensure the integrity of the blade during shipping.

High-quality steel and precision grinding ensure that the performance of OEM compatible knives meets or exceeds that of blades sold by OEMs. Chipper knives dull at a rate that is consistent with use. When working on soft woods, such as pine, spruce, or cedar, your chipper knife will last longer than when chipping hardwoods like maple, oak, hickory, or palm trees. If your blade wear is not consistent with use, it is a sign that your blades may be manufactured from low-quality materials.

Mulchers and wood chippers are a significant investment in any business. Make certain that you are getting the best possible performance from your equipment by purchasing high-quality replacement chipper knives from a supplier that provides consistent products and competitive pricing. This ensures that you achieve longer run times with fewer blade changes, ultimately increasing productivity and safety.