How to Build a Chipper Box

Remove the sides of the wood utility trailer if it has them.

Measure the length and width of the utility trailer so you know the size of your chipper box. Decide how high you want the chipper box to be. It must be high enough to catch the chips as they come out of the chute on the chipper shredder.

Cut 2-inch by 4-inch boards to the length of the trailer. You need four of these to make the the frame for the sides.

Cut 2-inch by 4-inch boards to the height of your chipper box minus 4 inches to accommodate the size of the top and bottom pieces to the frame. You will need eight of these to match the height: two of these will form the back frame, two are to reinforce the side and four are for the side frames.

Cut 2-inch by 4-inch boards for the back and front of the chipper box. You will need four boards that measure the width of the trailer minus 8 inches to fit them between the two side frames and two boards measuring high enough to allow the chipper chute to reach inside.

Assemble the four frames for the four sides of the trailer. Lay the boards out on the ground, lying perpendicular to the ground. The longer side frames should have an extra board running down the middle of the frame from top to bottom. Nail the frames together.

Cut pieces of heavy-duty plywood to the proper side for each side of the utility trailer. If one piece isn't large enough for the longer sides, cut pieces that stretch to the board in the middle of the frame and use two pieces for each side.

Nail the plywood in place on the board frames.

Stand a frame on one edge of the wood utility trailer. Drill through the bottom of the trailer up into the frame board at the bottom of the frame.

Insert wood screws through the predrilled holes to secure the frame to the side of the utility trailer.

Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for the two other solid sides. The shorter side needs to attach differently.

Step inside the trailer and hold the shorter side in place on the end of the trailer.

Position each hinge in place against the frame and the floor of the trailer. Drill holes where the screws need to go on the hinges.

Insert the screws to hold the hinges in place. This side should now open outward on the hinges.

Drill small holes in the side frames near the top of the hinged end of the trailer and in the hinged end.

Screw in the industrial hook and eye latches on either side to hold the door closed while you transport the wood chips.

Cut pieces of plywood to fit over the top of the chipper box. Use a ladder to position the plywood pieces on top.

Nail the top plywood into place over the frames on the three sides.

Cut a piece of landscaping mesh wide enough to span the width of the trailer and long enough to cover the opening between the top and the shorter frame. Cut the mesh at least 6 inches longer than necessary to cover the opening so you have room to tuck it in.

Staple the top edge of the landscaping mesh to the roof of the trailer.

Staple nylon ties to either side of the roof so one end is above the mesh and one is below. This allows you to roll up the mesh and tie it out of the way when not in use.