A feed system for a woodchipper including a material-interface member for feeding material into a chipping mechanism of the woodchipper, an actuator for moving a material-interface member into interfacing and non-interfacing positions with the material, a sensor for detecting an operational parameter of the woodchipper, and a controller to direct the actuator. The controller operates by receiving the operational parameter of the woodchipper, establishing a normative operating value, and determining if the woodchipper is a first status or a second status based on a comparison between the operational parameter and the normative operating value. If the woodchipper is a first status, the controller instructs the actuator to move the material-interface member into the interfacing position. If the woodchipper is a second status, moving the material-interface member into a non-interfacing position.