For home use, Echo's Bearcat is one of the best. The rental yards carry them which says something for their durability.I used to sell them and some customers were turned off by the cost. We brought in the much cheaper Ardisam line but once people saw the difference, they went back to the Bearcat.
The box store units are very light duty, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

I have a McKissic 12P10 and it has been an excellent chipper/shredder. It has a 10 HP engine.

It will easily handle branches three inches in diameter and with extra screens, will produce compost that ranges from chips to powder.

I second the vote for MacKissic. I have the older 12PT9 model, and several accessory screens.

ZM

Hi Meadow Lark, I don't post much in these forums, but I too was looking for a reliable c/s and thought I'd share the results of my recent search & purchase.

I just picked up a Kemp K6CHE off of eBay for $300. 5HP, electric start, 42 flail hammermill; chips 3" branches. It looks like new, the previous owner having only run it for a season or two. Very heavy unit; seems to be solidly built.

I was looking at the Mackissic products; but they were a bit out of my price range. The Kemp already has devoured two-inch limbs from my ash, elm, and spruce trees. Oleander branches go through with ease. I'm very happy with the purchase.

Good luck; hope you find something good!

I think the original poster needed a bigger machine then the Mac or the Kemp. More industrial sized chipping jobs would need larger machines like maybe something from the DR line.

captturbo,

"I think the original poster needed a bigger machine then the Mac or the Kemp."

MacKissic has some big machines, like the MacKissic SC262.

ZM