i have a echo bear cat 20 hp chipper shredder it will honestly chip a 5" branch , anything under apx 1" dia can be fed in the shredder hopper in mass quanity not 1 at a time. i have never stalled it out. it is /or was a $8000 unit new. and ya i still have one of those 8 hp chipper shredder units from the box store $800 - pia . ( that unit has the unique distinction of being able to completely trash my back while trying to start it)