Once or twice a week
Rarefish said it well. The handle bar type machines can get the job done--- But you won't want to do it more than once or twice a week. They will wear you out. Especially if the don't have ground drive to get into position. For jobs where there is truck maneuvering room the 630 or similar is a good choice at an affordable price. If you plan to do back yard work, the 222/252 style is a better choice. I have a 222 that I have done basic refurbishment on. For once or twice a week it is great. Concerning Chippers, BC625 class is a good starter. Main advantage of even a small chipper like this is the huge reduction in volume you get with branches. I do a lot of one man work, feed all the small stuff into the chipper and throw the intermediate and larger materials directly into truck. Positively go for a power feed not a manual feed machine. PS Don't be surprised when you dump a load of chips and find that you had 3000+ on your F150. Don't ask me how I know. Just like Chainsaws, keep the grinder teeth sharp and the blades and bed knife touched up. Engines last much longer when cutting chips or grinding roots instead of beating them into a pulp.
