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Wood chip volume calculator
Estimate cubic yards of chips from trees, limbs and brush, plus truck loads, dump trips and haul cost.
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Chip and dump trucks: body types, job fit, checks and what to ask a dealer
A tree crew spends a lot of its day moving wood and chips. The right truck makes cleanup fast and keeps the crew on the job. This guide explains the common truck setups in simple words.
By Umair Nawaz, Lirevon. Last reviewed: October 2026. We do not sell equipment and we do not name brands.
What it is
A chip truck has a body made to hold wood chips from a chipper, often with a high-sided box or a hydraulic dump. A dump truck is a general truck with a bed that tips. Many tree companies use one or the other, or both.
The truck is a cost center that earns nothing while it is parked. Sizing it to your real work saves money. A truck too small slows every job, and one too big sits half empty and costs more to run.
This page is part of our equipment library. For the money side, see the equipment guide.
Types
Chip dump truck
A truck with a tall, solid-sided body that tips to unload chips. Common on tree crews. Often has a body made to take the chipper discharge.
Flatbed or stake-body dump
A flat bed with low sides, good for logs and cut wood. It may tip or not. Easy to load by hand or with a loader.
Straight truck with dump body
A general-purpose truck that fits cleanup, hauling and a mix of work. Easy to find used and to service.
Pickup with trailer
A pickup pulling a dump trailer. Cheaper to start. Limited by tow rating and weight, so check the numbers.
Roll-off or container truck
Hauls a container that you drop at a site and pick up later. Useful on big cleanups and land clearing.
Truck with a loader or grapple
A truck with a crane or grapple arm for loading logs. See the grapple saw trucks and log loaders pages.
Jobs it fits
- Residential removals: the truck sits by the chipper while the crew feeds brush.
- Large cleanups and storm work: bigger trucks or several loads.
- Land clearing: containers or several dump trucks and a loader.
- Firewood and mulch sales: a truck that keeps the product clean and can unload where you want it.
- Commercial accounts: a truck with the right size and appearance for a property manager.
Inspection and safety basics
These are general points, not a full safety program. Your equipment maker, ANSI Z133 and OSHA set the real rules, and a trained person on your crew should own them. Read the job site safety guide and use the tailgate safety sheet before work.
- Never go over the rated weight of the axles, the tires or the truck. Learn the rating and check it.
- Walk around the truck before moving it. Check tires, lights, brakes, mirrors, hoses and the hoist. Keep a written check log.
- Stay out from under a raised bed. Use the safety prop or locks for any work under the bed.
- Watch for overhead power lines before raising a bed. A raised bed can hit a line.
- Park on level, firm ground, set the brake and use cones when working near a road.
- Secure loads so nothing falls on the road. Tarp or net where required.
- Drivers should hold the right license, be rested, and follow federal and state rules for commercial vehicles. Ask your state DMV or DOT.
- Follow the truck and hoist maker manuals, OSHA rules that apply and ANSI Z133 guidance for tree work.
What to ask a dealer
A good dealer answers plainly and puts it in writing. Take this list with you, and get at least two written quotes.
- What is the gross vehicle weight rating, and what is the real payload with this body?
- Will I need a CDL to drive it in my state?
- What does the service history show, and what is due next?
- How does the hoist work, and how are the safety props and locks used?
- What repair shops near me can service this make?
- What are the fuel and maintenance costs, as you see them for this class of truck?
Not sure whether to buy or rent? Try the equipment buy versus rent tool with your own numbers.
Quick comparison
| Truck type | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Chip dump truck | Chips and brush from a chipper | Cost and size |
| Flatbed or stake dump | Logs and cut wood | Chips can blow off |
| Straight dump | Mixed hauling | Less made for chips |
| Pickup and trailer | Starting out, small jobs | Tow and weight limits |
| Roll-off container | Big cleanups | Needs a special truck |
| Truck with grapple | Loading logs fast | Higher cost, training |
General guide only. Specific machines differ, so use the maker manual.
Related equipment pages: Chippers, Grapple saw trucks, Log loaders. Back to the equipment hub.
Common questions
Do I need a chip truck or can I use a chip trailer?
A trailer can work for small jobs, and a pickup is cheaper to start. Check the tow rating and the weight. As your volume grows, a truck often saves time.
Do I need a CDL for a dump truck?
In general a CDL is needed over 26,001 pounds GVWR, but state rules differ and there are other cases. Check with your state. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
New or used truck?
Used costs less up front but can cost more in repairs. Have a trusted mechanic check it, ask for records and compare total cost with the buy versus rent tool.
How much does a chip truck cost?
Prices vary a lot by size, age and make. Get written quotes from more than one dealer and compare them with your own budget.
How do I stop chips blowing out of the truck?
Use a tarp or cover where allowed, avoid overfilling and drive at a sensible speed. Check local rules on loose loads.
Where do I take chips and wood?
You may sell, give away or dump them. Rules and fees vary by place. See the wood waste and firewood guide.
How do I pick the right size?
Start with your biggest typical job and your crew. Use the chip volume calculator to get a rough idea of the load, and leave room to grow.
What should I check daily?
Tires, lights, brakes, fluid leaks, hoses, the hoist and the body locks. Keep a written log and fix problems before driving.
This page is general information, not legal advice and not a safety manual. Follow the maker manual, ANSI Z133 (the US safety standard for arboricultural operations), the OSHA rules that apply to your work, and your own written safety plan. Prices vary a lot, so get written quotes.
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