Abstract: A wood fragmenting rotor assembly has a drive shaft driving a series of radially projecting hammers. Replaceable fragmenting knives are removably secured to the leading portions of said hammers and have generally axially extending fragmenting edges. An impaling tool having a generally conical leading end is carried on the hammers radially inwardly of the edges to project a generally tangentially predetermined distance forwardly and provide an initial rigid work contacting portion ahead of and cooperating with the knife edges.