Most woodchippers rely on energy stored in a heavy flywheel to do their work (although some use drums). The chipping blades are mounted on the face of the flywheel, and the flywheel is accelerated by an electric motor or internal combustion engine.

Large woodchoppers are frequently equipped with grooved rollers in the throat of their feed funnels. Once a branch has been gripped by the rollers, the rollers transport the branch to the chipping blades at a steady rate. 

Although chippers vary greatly in size, type, and capacity, the blades processing the wood are similar in construction. They are rectangular in shape and are usually 4–10 cm (1+1⁄2–4 in) across by 15–30 cm (6–12 in) long. They vary in thickness from about 4–5 cm (1+1⁄2–2 in). Chipper blades are made from high grade steel and if we brazed tungsten carbide into the edge of the blades, wear life can be extended by 3~5 times.