Crusher for grinding. Choosing the best electric garden shredder for branches and grass. Professional class units

In your dacha and garden plots, you periodically have to do some cleaning - remove leaves, tops, stems, trim shrubs and trees. Everything that is softer and smaller goes to the compost heap, but it rots there for a long time - several years. Larger branches-stems have to be disposed of using more radical methods - transported somewhere or burned. In general, this is a regular headache. And a garden shredder can help solve it. It grinds branches and plant waste into a fine fraction, which rots faster or can be used as mulch.

Purpose and capabilities

The purpose of a garden shredder is to crush branches and plant waste into small pieces. The size of the “pieces” is different for each brand. Moreover, it may change between different models of the same manufacturer. Conventionally, garden shredders can be divided into three categories:

When choosing, you need to focus on what kind of waste you have more. If you have a large part of your plot occupied by a vegetable garden and shrubs, your choice is a grass shredder. Their knives are designed so that they do not clog when processing dry or “fresh” plant components. If the area is reserved for a garden, you need a branch chopper. When choosing, pay attention to the maximum diameter of the waste being processed. Well, if you have both a vegetable garden and a garden, you need a “station wagon” that can handle both tough branches and grass.

A garden shredder is a housing in which the motor and shredding system are hidden. A funnel for feeding processed raw materials is attached to the top of the body. It can be wider or narrower, depending on the purpose. A wide funnel is more convenient for feeding grass residues and leaves, and a narrow one for branches.

Shredded waste pours out from below - from a special hole. There are units with a plastic tank, and others with a soft bag. Plastic is convenient to use, but it increases the size and weight of the unit. A soft container for recycled materials is a bag. It takes up almost no space and does not add bulk, but it is not so convenient to use. There is a third option - without a container at all. In this case, you can choose according to your taste or use both types - whichever is more convenient.

Criterias of choice

Choosing any technology is a responsible and difficult matter. There are many criteria to consider. When choosing garden shredders, it is necessary to consider not only technical parameters, but also such “subjective” indicators as ease of transportation. The device will have to be moved around the site - to the place where waste accumulates, rolled up/rolled out of the shed for storage, so the location of the handles for transportation and the size of the wheels are of considerable importance.

Technical specifications

The initial selection stage is the selection of technical parameters. The selection of the model depends on the purpose of the unit and the tasks it must solve. If branches will predominate, you need one type of unit; if there is grass and foliage, you need a completely different one.

Engine type and power

A garden shredder for branches and grass can have an electric or gasoline engine. Devices with an electric motor weigh less, are quieter, and have no emissions. But their mobility is limited by the length of the cord and the presence of connection points. There is still the option of using an extension/carrying cable. The power of electric garden shredders is 2-5 kW. Usually these are household models with not the highest price tag.

A garden shredder with a gasoline engine can move anywhere, but it is heavier, and the structure itself is more massive, since the engine is larger. To its mass, you need to add the mass of the fuel being poured, so you get the weight of the unit ready for operation. But the engines are more powerful. These models are much more expensive - prices start at $750, but they are more productive and can be used by enterprises.

Gasoline garden shredder - more serious and expensive equipment

In addition to the type of engine, you need to pay attention to its power. It is necessary to ensure that the declared capabilities (maximum diameter of processed branches) are confirmed by the engine power. The average is 4-6 hp.

According to reviews, a useful feature is the ability to reverse. The reverse stroke allows you to correct an unsuccessful branch that is blocking the shaft. This makes the work faster and easier, but the cost of such units is slightly higher.

Garden shredder: cutting part type

The productivity and size of processed branches depend on the type of cutting part. It comes in three types:

• With two or more knives. The simplest models are equipped with two knives that stand in a horizontal plane. Such models grind mainly grass and small branches - up to 2.0-2.5 cm in diameter. More complex ones are equipped with four or six knives and they can stand in a vertical or horizontal plane. These people are already coping with more serious tasks.

  

  Models with knives are the simplest and most inexpensive

• With worm type crusher. In these models, the cutting part is similar to the screw that is in a meat grinder. Only it is installed mainly vertically and has fewer turns. A garden shredder with a cutting part of this type works faster and copes well with dry and freshly cut branches of larger diameter (about 4 cm). It is also good when working with grassy residues, but the grass can stick to the screw or wrap around it, so the knives have to be cleaned periodically. Garden shredders of this type are universal. Examples of popular models are Bosch AXT Rapid 2200.

  

• Cylindrical cutting unit with a large number of knives. Also called a “multi-blade cutter”. This is a unique development of Bocsh and has not yet been found in others. Universal garden shredders are equipped with it, so if you need such a model, you will have to choose between this cutter and a worm cutter. Knives of this type cope with fresh or dry branches and plant debris. Only vines can be wound, and even then only if the knives are dull. These knives are found on the BOSCH AXT 25 TC.

  

• Cutting shaft. A more powerful crushing unit allows you to grind even thick branches and twigs. They are equipped with garden shredders for branches. The maximum size of processed branches is 5-8 cm. This is about household models, because semi-industrial and industrial ones can handle thicker ones. The problem is that their dimensions and cost are appropriate.

  

The choice of cutting unit type is determined by the tasks for which you need the unit. Pay special attention to this so you don’t regret the purchase later.

Ease of use

There are many parameters that also need to be taken into account when choosing a soda grinder. They only seem insignificant, but they affect how comfortable you will be at work. And this is important. Here's what we pay attention to:

All these “minor” details affect the work, and this is important since you usually have to spend hours reworking. Being in an awkward position or transporting the unit bent over will not be work but torture.

Models and reviews

The choice based on technical parameters is nothing compared to the choice of the manufacturer. There are two guidelines in this matter: brand awareness and owner reviews.

Famous manufacturers

A brand is good, but equipment from well-known brands costs a lot. If this doesn't scare you, everything is simpler. Choose from brands. Garden waste shredders are produced by the following well-known companies:

• Bosch
• Viking
• AL-KO
• Wolf Garten

You can buy any unit from these manufacturers, just carefully read for what purpose it is intended - more for branches or grass. For example (according to owner reviews):

• The Bosch AXT 25 D garden shredder copes well with dry branches, but it takes a long time to deal with freshly cut branches.
• The Bosch AXT 25 TC handles large branches well with factory settings. In order for it to properly deal with small branches and vines, you need to tighten the adjustment all the way (this model has it).
• The Bosch AXT Rapid 2000 has excellent reviews - it cuts branches, but is not very friendly with grass. The spruce branches, bushes, even young trees passed well.
• Bosch ATX 18-35. Power 1800 W. It has an auger like in a meat grinder, and there is another knife next to it. It chops coarsely, but copes well even with branches 45 mm in diameter.

But if you choose one that suits your needs, they all have excellent reviews. Same as Vikinga (150, 250, 350). Vikings are generally recognized as omnivores, since they thresh everything (cones, spruce branches (stale), corn, sunflowers, old flower stems, raspberry and blackberry trimmings, stale leaves and grass). But they are a bit tall, especially the 250 and 350 models.

Models of unknown brands

Among the less famous and cheaper ones, the following performed well:

• IKRA MOGATEC EGN 2500. Chops everything very quickly, the fraction is small. But until the knives become dull. You can’t buy new ones in regular stores, only in service centers.
• MacAllister 2800 W. He even processed the remains of boards, the chips are large - 2-3 cm. He cuts dried branches faster, fresh ones - slower, some of them remain crumpled into short sausages. The size of the branches is up to 4 cm. During operation, the noise level is high - 99 dB.
• Stiga Bio Quiet 2100. Works quietly, grinds into pieces 2 centimeters long, if a branch hits horizontally, longer pieces pop out. The kit comes with a bag, but there is not even anything to hang it on, they substituted a box. So that when working on the lower grid, the processed material would accumulate on it, it had to be cut off with pruning shears. In general, the design is “copied” from the Bosch 25 D. The conclusion based on the results of the work is that if you need to grind the tops, look for another machine. This one is for branches.
• Garden shredder Skill. It coped with willow branches up to 3.5 cm in size with a bang. With dry currant branches, things went worse - they are very branchy. When working with dry branches, productivity decreases.
• Petrol branch shredder Earthquake 9060300. Has two receiving hoppers - for branches and a large one for leaves. I worked 35 hours during the season. Disadvantages: it’s big and heavy, it’s still okay to roll it, but loading it into a car is problematic, it rattles a lot, so you need glasses and headphones. Three types of knives - two discs. The first with straight lines, the second with triangular and L-shaped ones.
• PATRIOT. So far I have worked for 3 days (almost full daylight hours). Normally cuts branches and young trees. It tightens the branches itself, but the force is not too great.
• Sterwins 2500. We made about 200 buckets of mulch during the season. We processed raspberries, cherries, shadberry, plums, apple trees, turf, willow, bladderwort, and birch. During continuous operation, thermal protection is triggered every 15-0 minutes. After cooling, you can work again.

There are probably other garden shredders that are not too expensive and work well, but before purchasing them, carefully read as many reviews as possible. Take into account only those that are given with their own photos and details that cannot be caught from the description.

Modern summer residents are accustomed to using all kinds of chemical fertilizers, but why waste money and harm your health if instead you can independently prepare humus that is so beneficial for plants. It is obtained from “garbage” collected on your site. Dried flowers, leaves and branches, as well as vine and grape cuttings, when met with a garden grass and twig shredder, become an excellent fertilizer, you just need to let it rot in the compost bin. Let's figure out what kind of “miracle machine” this is and what positive functions it has.

Advantages of using garden shredders

As the name suggests, The garden shredder is designed for shredding any garden waste: both small weeds and fairly thick branches. We can say that this is its main advantage, since it helps gardeners get rid of unnecessary vegetation.

Did you know? A garden shredder is often called a chipper or shredder.

Today, there are several advantages of this type of special equipment: relatively light weight and compactness, ease of transportation, ease of use and control, and the presence of hardened knives.

Using garden shredders for branches and grass, you can easily reduce the amount of garbage in your area, as well as minimize the labor intensity of the cleaning process. Significant savings in free time is another reason to purchase such an indispensable assistant.

After meeting with a chipper, old branches, leaves and dried grass become dust, and after a certain time they can become an excellent soil fertilizer.

Thanks to the rapid process of decay, it becomes possible to create an additional organic layer that can protect the earth as much as possible during periods of severe frost.

Types of Garden Shredders

There are quite a few types of garden shredders on the market today, and to decide which one is best to choose, you need to understand what exactly you want from it. In most cases, buyers pay attention to two main points: the type of shredder blade system and the type of motor - electric or gasoline. The disk-type knife system is presented in the form of a disk, complemented by steel knives (there can be two or more of them). The stroke of the disk is set by the shaft of the device, after which sharp knives begin to process branches, bark and other parts of plants.

Important!

The quality of processing and the speed of this process depend on the characteristics of the material being processed.

A crusher with a disc blade system is most suitable for processing grass, stems and thin tree branches. You can also use this type of chopper for dry branches, only in this case you will have to sharpen the knives more often or immediately change them.

The milling blade system of the garden shredder is somewhat different from the previous type, and its feature is a solid cast shape in the form of a gear. In terms of reliability and practicality, it is an order of magnitude higher than the disk system, so it is excellent for processing thick branches with a diameter of up to 40-45 mm.

Another indisputable advantage of a milling garden shredder is its independent branch retraction mechanism, which will save you from the need to constantly push branches into the funnel.

Different garden equipment has its own design features, the main component of which is petrol or electric power plants. A shredder for processing branches and other vegetation is no different in this regard, so it would be logical to pay attention to both types of power units, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at them in more detail.

Electrical engine

Shredders of branches and other garden debris with an electric motor are considered the easiest to operate. When working with such a device, you don’t have to worry about the presence of fuel in the tank and don’t be distracted by the increased noise level that the crusher itself produces. Another advantage is the lightness of the design, thanks to which even women can move the device around the entire summer cottage. An electric motor will protect your plants from toxic combustion products.

There are quite a few types of garden shredders on the market today, and to decide which one is best to choose, you need to understand what exactly you want from it. In most cases, buyers pay attention to two main points: the type of shredder blade system and the type of motor - electric or gasoline. Electric garden shredders require little maintenance and can be activated at the touch of a button.

The disadvantages of using a shredder with an electric motor include dependence on the power supply (to move around the territory you will need a multi-meter extension cord), less power compared to gasoline models, and limitations in terms of processed materials (electric chippers cannot cope with branches thicker than 4 cm). If you lose power, you will not be able to use the crusher at all, and significant voltage drops can damage it.

Gasoline engine

Gasoline wood chippers are in most cases equipped with two-stroke power plants (four-stroke ones are much less common, although they have a significant advantage - ease of maintenance and relatively low noise levels).

The main advantages of the gasoline design include the greater power of the motor (capable of coping with branches up to 7 cm thick) and the absence of the need for power supply, thanks to which the device can be operated anywhere in the summer cottage.

As for the disadvantages of gasoline shredders, one cannot help but recall their high noise level, which quite often annoys neighbors, the large weight of the structure (compared to electric models) and the presence of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Besides, Gasoline shredders are more expensive, as they require material costs for fuel and engine oil.

What should be the power of a garden shredder?

If you don’t know how to choose a garden shredder, then first of all we recommend that you pay attention to the power of the device. Based on this indicator, all shredders can be divided into three groups: amateur models, middle-class models and professional devices.

“Amateur” ones are usually called garden shredders of low power (up to 1.6 kW), which operate from an electrical network and have a disk-type blade system. Before you decide to purchase a product from this class, be sure to check with the seller what material the knives are made of (it is best if it is hardened steel). Such devices weigh up to 20 kg and are suitable for chopping branches no more than 3 cm thick.

Medium power devices are an intermediate option between amateur and professional shredders. Such models can operate both on electricity and on gasoline, and their maximum power reaches 2.5 kW. Medium-power garden shredders are great for country and private plots with a small and middle-aged garden.

All units are equipped with milling knives, so they can easily cope with branches with a diameter of more than 4 cm.

As for professional devices, they are represented by large devices with a fairly large weight and a power of up to 4 kW. They can be equipped with both gasoline and electric engines, which allow them to operate for a long time. Such designs are designed to cope with branches whose thickness corresponds to 6-7 cm. Moreover, the resulting crushed material is pressed, as a result of which you get excellent mulch.

Professional units are equipped with convenient funnels, a powerful milling-type cutting mechanism and are able to pull in branches without pushing.

Very often, gardeners and municipal services are faced with the question of recycling household waste in the form of various bushes, branches and tree trunks. If large wood waste can be sawed up and used in wood-burning stoves, then other tree debris is simply thrown away or burned. With the tightening of environmental requirements, this type of disposal began to raise a lot of questions from the relevant government services, which began to impose penalties on the culprits. The appearance on the market of mechanisms, branch shredders, made it possible to solve all these issues.

Mechanical disposal of wood waste

The process involves passing cut tree trunks and branches through the nozzle of a wood chipper equipped with a disc or rotor with blades. The result is wood pulp (mulch).

The advantages of this type of wood waste processing:

• Legality of this disposal method. Throwing this type of waste into garbage containers not approved by utilities, and dumping in the wrong place may result in a fine. Burning of garbage is also prohibited.
• Getting excellent fertilizer. For an individual gardener, it is unacceptable generosity to remove biological waste from the garden plot. Thus depleting their land.

The use of artificial fertilizers is not as effective as natural components. Using a wood chipper to grind wood waste, it is possible to obtain excellent component of compost fertilizer. Shredded sawdust is sprinkled on beds and garden paths.

Businesses have also learned to make a profit from grinding waste in the form of bushes, twigs and other plant components, obtaining various compositions of organic fertilizers.

The disadvantages include the price of a crushing apparatus for grinding waste from tree processing. Although it is worth noting that due to savings on fertilizer, it is possible to recoup the costs of a wood chipper, not to mention business projects for the sale of fertilizer additives.

Types of crushers for crushing twigs and branches

There are two main commonly used wood chipper mechanisms:

• autonomous (petrol or diesel);
• electric.

The advantages of a combustible fuel shredder include autonomy of production. When fuel is available it will work at any distance from power sources, which is of great importance for working in large areas and far from electrified settlements.

Gasoline branch shredders are more powerful and can process a volume of about 70 mm.

The disadvantage is noise and toxic emissions. Although modern technologies reduce these problems to a minimum. It is also worth noting that maintenance is more complex.

Electric grinding allows you to work with much less noise than on gasoline. There are no harmful emissions. In addition, it is much lighter in weight.

The price of electric shredder models is lower than gasoline ones, as is the power. But tree trunks of about 40 mm are quite tough for an electric crusher.

The main disadvantage is the attachment to the power source. Electrical failures and lack of voltage make the use of an electric shredder model useless.

Types of knives used in wood chippers

For shredder motors cutting mechanisms are of great importance devices. Let's note three types of knives:

Power of crushing mechanisms for chopping branches

Unit power – important component in processing branches. In addition to the thickness of the shredded branches, the volume of processing and the duration of uninterrupted operation of the shredder depend on this.

Not all consumers need powerful branches shredder mechanisms, so the manufacturer distinguishes the devices according to different purpose groups:

• non-professional (amateur;
• semi-professional;
• professional.

Non-professional wood chipper models do not have much power(around 1.6 kW). Capable of chopping branches up to 30 mm. They operate on electric motors. They are quite capable of maintaining a garden plot with new plantings.

Models of the second level have a power of 2.6 kW. Can be gasoline or electric. Copes with branches up to 40 mm.

Professional crushers have increased power up to 8 kW. Equipment weight up to 100 kg. They run on gasoline engines. Allows you to chop branches up to 75 mm.

What to consider when choosing a wood chipper?

For an amateur gardener, there is no need to purchase a professional shredder. With a constant power source just buy a simple model branch chopper.

If you have old stands of bushes that you plan to cut down, it is advisable to purchase more powerful models of crushers.

Professional models of shredders are suitable for utilities and entrepreneurs.

In addition to power and power sources, you should pay attention to the design of the chopper blades. Since different cutting plane devices make it possible to obtain shredded wood waste of different sizes, such as small sawdust and small chips.

Additional crusher options

Household models of branch shredders, in addition to crushing branches, small tree trunks, can also grind other organic waste: grass, wood chips, various plants. This is especially true after the end of the harvest of garden crops: tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. Processed and used seedlings serve as excellent components for compost and caring for garden beds.

What to pay attention to when working with wood chippers?

All mechanisms of this type require special care and proper use in accordance with the documentation. The main thing that you must pay special attention to in order not to spoil the mechanism:

• items to be disposed of must be no larger than the processed volume specified in the shredder instructions;
• prevent stones, plastic, fabric, glass, etc. from getting into the receiving funnel;
• do not treat shrubs or roots with soil on the root system;
• To minimize wear on the shredder, it is preferable to process fresh wood waste.

Safety requirements when working with a shredder

All work on crushing twigs and branches must be carried out wearing protective glasses or a mask. Depending on the power of the wood chipper, wood chips may fly, so it is advisable to completely cover your face and head.

The gloves on your hands should be tight-fitting and not slip off your hands. You must dress in such a way that parts of your clothing cannot get caught in the wood chipper mechanism. Do not remove stuck objects while the engine is running.

A branch chopper is a necessary tool on the farm. The price of simple models allows almost everyone to purchase it. Currently, it is being widely introduced into all private households. And only the lack of information about its benefits does not allow it to be used everywhere.

It is possible to predict that in the near future, the shredder will become an indispensable piece of gardening equipment any farm.

Disposing of garden waste is a problem that requires an immediate solution. Otherwise, in the shortest possible time, your plot of land will turn into a grandiose landfill. Don’t want to constantly order a car to remove dry leaves and old branches? Buy a shredder and the problem is solved!

This wonderful unit will turn waste into valuable fertilizer. By purchasing it, you kill two birds with one stone - you get rid of unnecessary garbage and lay the foundation for rich harvests. That is why shredders have long become indispensable assistants in the improvement of garden areas. Have you been dreaming about this for a long time? Check out our rating of the best models and choose!

First, you need to understand what a garden shredder is. The tool can be compared to a large meat grinder, which instead of meat grinds branches, cones, bark, roots and other waste. The grinding level can be adjusted and the result will be sawdust or small pieces. Shredders come in gasoline and electric types. Knife system - disk or milling.

The disk one includes several steel knives. Optimal for processing green stems, thin dry branches, grass, leaves and other “soft” debris. The milling system is a monolithic gear that automatically absorbs what you want to grind. The powerful mechanism easily grinds thick branches, but grass often gets stuck in it.

When choosing, weigh the pros and cons, think about what you will recycle more often.

Rating of the best

Let's move directly to the description of the best models. The rating is based on reviews from real customers.

VIKING GE 250

One of the most popular models. The compact size and frame on wheels make it easy to move the device around the territory. This electric shredder gets the job done quickly and efficiently without putting a strain on the network.

The wide funnel adds ease of use - you can throw in branched branches without breaking them.

A disc with two blades and additional knives for pre-processing does its job perfectly. The knives are located in different directions, helping the Viking to crush debris of any caliber.

The security system has been carefully thought out. So, you can “wake up” the car using a relay - the possibility of spontaneous starting is excluded. When the funnel is removed, the device also “sleeps”. When turned off, the brake is activated, instantly blocking the movement of the knives.

IRON ANGEL ES2500

An electric shredder with an optimal price/quality ratio. Durable steel knives quickly grind branches, tree bark and sunflower trunks.

In an hour of operation, the unit is capable of processing 200 kg of waste. The main advantages of the product of the Dutch company are versatility and high performance.

The Iron Angel ES2500 shreds debris in seconds. It can handle even thick branches without any problems.

I am glad that the machine operates almost silently. The chopper is very compact - it does not take up much space when stored. The motor is reliably protected from overheating - work as long as required without fear of accidental breakdown.

AL-KO EASY CRUSH MH 2800

A reliable shredder from a popular German brand in its segment. AL-KO relied on durability and was right. The body is made of plastic, but this should not scare you. The device is truly “indestructible” - all internal elements are made of aluminum and steel.

The circular knife with two laser-sharpened blades quickly cuts through branches up to 42 mm. If necessary, the funnel can be removed to provide access to the cutting parts. This model is equipped with a patented Easy crush system (retracting rollers in the neck). The powerful motor is protected from heat and overload. There is a large pull-out container for collecting crushed material.

WOLF-GARTEN SDL 2500

A workhorse that is not afraid of difficulties. If your site collects a lot of waste that requires immediate processing, then such a shredder will come in handy. Without “thinking” it chops dry wood, corn trunks, tree branches up to 40 mm. And all thanks to the strong cutting unit.

The frame of the structure is made of a steel pipe - the device is not afraid of mechanical damage. The plastic manifold is located under the ejection port. The electric motor is protected from increased load. If the blades jam, the safety mechanism is activated and the engine stops working. Another significant plus in the piggy bank is the low level of vibration.

IKRA MOGATEC EGN 2500

One of the leaders in the field of knife shredders. The German manufacturer managed to offer the best at an affordable price. The device has a powerful “heart”, small dimensions and good processing speed. The knives are made of high-quality steel, double-sided laser sharpened. They cut branches up to 40 mm in diameter without any problems.

A spacious plastic container (50 liters) is designed for collecting waste materials. For the convenience of placing branches in the neck, a pusher handle is provided. Large wheels facilitate fast movement.

OLEO-MAC SH210E

The Italian chopper is characterized by a modest appearance, but behind it lies unprecedented capabilities. It is strong and durable, capable of flawlessly performing work of any complexity. A wide funnel and a long neck will add comfort to use. The steel frame, shaped like a skid on wheels, does not cause difficulties when moving.

The knife system is combined. It consists of a disk with two blades and additional side knives directed in different directions. In the middle of the disk there is a two-bladed knife.

The clever arrangement of the blades allows you to process both soft and dry stems equally well.

PATRIOT PT SB 100E

This gasoline shredder will recycle absolutely everything. Dry branches with a diameter of 100 mm are cracking like nuts. Metal body, high power (9560 W), 16 knives - these are just a few of its advantages.

It’s worth mentioning right away that this “tank” is intended for professional use.

If you have a small area where you visit from time to time, then such a huge thing is of no use to you.

The impressive dimensions and “biting” cost also indicate career guidance. There are two funnels. One is for soft waste, the second is for hard branches and logs. Large wheels provide good maneuverability.

MTD ROVER 464 Q

This shredder is also gasoline-powered, but it operates much quieter than an electric one. Focused on the implementation of various tasks. It quickly utilizes not only thick branches, but also “trifles” - grass, leaves, thin branches. The unit is based on a four-stroke heart with a capacity of 8.5 horsepower. The engine, paired with a blade unit, is mounted on a wide chassis with large wheels.

The knife unit is represented by two threshing knives and two chopping blades. There are two spacious containers.

The front one is for large debris, the rear one is for small items. The second bunker is lowered level with the ground - it is very convenient to rake the grass.

WORX WG430E

If the main problem that you are tired of dealing with is mountains of grass and dry leaves, then there is no need to purchase a large shredder. The WORX WG430E, which operates via line (patented Flex-a-Line technology), is suitable. Grinds debris into fine dust in just a couple of seconds. Power - 1400 W. The weight of the device is 9 kg.

The life of the shredder is extended by the cooling system, which simultaneously protects against dust accumulation. The rotation speed of the fishing line (2.3 mm thick) is 8500 rpm. This allows you to process 12 m3 of grass in an hour.

BOSCH AXT RAPID 2000

The compact-looking baby will surprise you with its performance and high quality of work. Weighs 11.5 kg. Equipped with a 2 kW motor using the Bosh-Powerdrive system. The double-sided cutter with sharp teeth is made of hardened steel using Swiss technology. Has a high safety margin. Works great for chopping dry branches.

The wide funnel and pusher add convenience to use. A well-thought-out security system will prevent accidental activation.

The only negative is the lack of a tank. But it is easily compensated for by special devices at the bottom - you can put any bag on them.

Here is the TOP 10 best shredders for grass and branches. Branded models have proven themselves on the positive side - they are distinguished by high power, increased reliability, thoughtful design and impeccable work quality. Choose proven models, and your site will always be in perfect condition!

When caring for your garden, you cannot avoid trimming old and dried branches on trees and shrubs. As a result, a fairly large amount of brushwood accumulates, which you want to use for good. The most practical solution in this situation would be to send the branches to the compost, leaving them to rot there. Unfortunately, the process of turning solid wood into compost is quite lengthy, and a mountain of dry branches spoils the overall appearance of the site. In this case, a garden shredder comes to the rescue. Thanks to a garden waste shredder, you can speed up the composting process and reduce the pile of branches to a very modest size. Today, purchasing a garden shredder is not difficult, especially if you have the required amount of money. But those who cannot afford it can make a shredder themselves.

To make a garden branch shredder with your own hands, you need to understand the principle of its operation and how it works. Otherwise, it will be impossible to create the correct drawing and assemble the entire structure together.

The chopper has a fairly simple design. It consists of a motor, a working shaft with knives, a metal frame, a receiving box and a protective casing. The chopper itself is installed on a two-wheeled base for ease of movement. Of course, the design of any garden shredder consists of smaller parts. We will consider which ones and in what quantity at the stage of creating the drawing.

The operating principle is also extremely simple. Rotations from the motor are transmitted to the shaft directly or using a belt or chain. At the same time, branches are fed into the receiving box, which are ground by the knives of the working shaft. The output is shredded wood, ready for composting. The operating principle is somewhat similar to a meat grinder.

The simple and at the same time effective design of a garden waste shredder is used not only by summer residents and gardeners. There are also industrial devices capable of processing fairly thick tree branches. The design of such machines is an order of magnitude more complex and advanced. But it should be noted that some technical solutions for industrial shredders can be implemented at home. This will allow a regular garden shredder to process thick branches efficiently and quickly.

Types of Garden Shredders

When creating a garden shredder with your own hands, you will have to know in advance what exactly it will chop. The type of chopper, its performance characteristics and some design features depend on this. In general, all garden waste shredders can be divided according to parameters: power and type of engine used, as well as the type and operating principle of the shredding unit.

Engine

Garden shredders can be equipped with both gasoline and electric engines. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, a gasoline garden shredder is capable of processing large branches much more easily; it is mobile and does not depend on the remoteness of the energy resource. But some models of choppers, especially powerful ones, require connection to agricultural machinery, such as a tractor or walk-behind tractor. As opposed to a gasoline one, an electric garden shredder is more compact, lighter and easier to operate. But electric shredders are strictly tied to the connection point and are slightly weaker in power.

In general, if you select an engine for a homemade shredder, you need to consider the following.

• Electric motors with a power of up to 1.5 kW quite easily cope with branches up to 2 cm in diameter and are most often installed on factory models intended for a small area with low intensity of work.
• Motors of 3 - 4 kW can process branches with a diameter of up to 4 cm and are intended for owners of a small garden.
• But engines with a power of more than 6 kW are used in shredders for large farms and are capable of grinding branches 10 - 15 cm in diameter.

Since a homemade shredder is usually focused on a wide range of work, it is recommended to install a 4 kW electric motor. As for gasoline engines, an internal combustion engine with a capacity of 5 - 6 HP will cope with all the tasks.

Important! It is necessary to highlight the drive of garden shredders. This could be a chain, a belt, or attaching the blades directly to the motor shaft.

Knife design

Another criterion by which garden shredders are distinguished is the design of the blades. Since the quality of grinding depends on this. For example, some models of shredders produce pieces of branches ranging from 2 cm to 10 cm in length, depending on the diameter of the shaft and the principle of chopping. Others are a combined design and are capable of processing fairly large branches and producing small shavings. But if the shredding system uses only a disk with knives directly mounted to the motor shaft, then such a shredder will be able to process only thin branches and produce small dust.

In factory models, the following three options are most often used.

The first is a knife disk. These devices are good for chopping small branches with a diameter of up to 2 cm and grass.

The second is the milling design of the knives. Shredders with a similar blade design can cope with thick branches up to 8 cm. But under one condition - the branches must be cut dry. Otherwise, the remains of damp bark and wood will clog into the cutter and stall the mechanism.

Third - universal milling-turbine knives. This knife option is perhaps the most preferable. Such shredders are capable of handling large and small branches, both wet and dry.

Of course, the types of knives described above are almost impossible to make yourself. That is why the following knife designs are used in homemade shredders.

• First - double shaft design with 8 knives.
• Second - knife-disc.
• Third - set of circular saw blades. Their production is the simplest and materials for them can be found at any flea market.

Below we will look at the creation of these particular types of shredders.

How to make a garden shredder with your own hands

Creating a homemade garden shredder is a rather labor-intensive process that requires a high level of skill from the master. The work itself takes place in two stages. The first one is preparatory. The second is assembling a garden shredder.

Preparatory stage

At this stage, we create drawings of a garden shredder and purchase all the necessary materials. The shredder drawing can be drawn by hand or in a special program such as AutoCAD.

As noted earlier, the structure of the chopper consists of a motor, a shaft with knives, a frame, a receiving box and a protective casing. But this is just a general view and, as they say, the devil is in the details. When creating a drawing of a chopper, it is necessary to pay special attention to the location of the shaft with knives, as well as the cutting angle of the knives.

For a shredder with two shafts drawing will look like this: between two metal plates there are two shafts with knives. There are 3 - 4 knives on each shaft. The knives themselves are secured with 3 bolts and offset relative to the center of the shaft. Free rotation of the shafts is ensured by 4 bearings fixed in the holes of the metal plates. Synchronous rotation of the shafts is achieved by two gears, which are driven by a motor. The transmission of torque can be done using a belt or chain. The distance between the shafts is selected based on the width of the knives and the thickness of the branches being processed.

Important! It is necessary to pay special attention to the number of engine revolutions. In electric motors with a power of 4 kW, the number of revolutions is from 2500 to 2800 rpm. This number of revolutions is good for a disk shredder of small branches and grass. For a twin-shaft shredder, power is important, so the speed should be reduced. To do this, it is enough to install a gear or pulley of a smaller diameter on the shaft, and to drive the shafts, install a large pulley or gear.

Below are drawings of a garden shredder with two shafts, 6 knives, three on each shaft.

For blade disc chopper drawing looks much simpler.

First of all, this concerns the disk with knives. The drawing can show the diameter of the disk and the location of the knives and their number. Depending on the requirements for grinding quality, there can be from 1 to 3 knives. The disk itself can be placed either vertically or at an angle. Below are the drawings of the blade disc chopper.

Drawing for a chopper with a set of circular saw blades also quite simple.

A pin with circular saws is placed on the frame, which is driven by a motor. Most often, such designs use a belt drive. Therefore, pulleys are placed at the end of the motor shaft and the stud. The pulley sizes may be the same. Below are drawings of such a chopper.

The materials needed to make the shredders described above can be purchased in stores, flea markets or car markets. Of course, some spare parts will have to be ordered from turners, but most can be purchased without any problems. To complete the assembly work, you will need an angle grinder, a welding machine and wrenches.

For a dual shaft shredder you will need the following materials:

• electric or gasoline engine;
• two metal plates 10 mm thick. Width and height are selected individually;
• two gears for synchronous drive of shafts;
• a pulley or gear for transmitting torque to the shafts;
• pulley on the motor shaft;
• two shafts for knives;
• 5 bearings and fastening to them;
• knives or material for their manufacture;
• profile pipes for the frame;
• sheet metal 2 mm thick for the protective casing and receiving hopper.

For the shredder from the circular saw pack you will need the following::

• 15 - 20 circular saws. The diameter can be taken 18 cm;
• engine;
• M20 pin or its equivalent;
• 2 bearings and fastening to them;
• 2 pulleys;
• 17 - 22 metal washers 5 mm thick for separating saws;
• 2 mm sheet metal for the protective casing and receiving hopper;
• profile pipes for the frame.

A shredder with a blade disc requires very little:

• engine;
• sheet metal for the protective casing and receiving hopper;
• knives and sheet of metal for the disc.

As you can see, the disc chopper is the simplest in design. But it should be noted that the version of the shredder with two shafts is capable of processing branches up to 8 cm in diameter, and a disk one up to 2 cm.

Assembling a garden shredder

Having the drawing and necessary parts in hand, you can begin installing the garden shredder. The assembly work is divided into several stages - assembling the frame and creating a receiving hopper, assembling the chopping drum and installing the motor and chopping drum on the frame.

Let's look at the assembly process using the example of a shredder with two shafts. We start work by creating a frame:

• cut pieces from the profile pipe using a grinder. Four blanks will be 40 cm long and two 80 cm;
• We weld short pieces at right angles between two long ones. In this case, we place the two internal crossbars at such a distance from each other that the grinding drum is securely installed on them;

Important! To give the chopper mobility, the entire structure will be mounted on a wheel base. To do this, it is necessary to weld two racks to the frame, to which the axle with wheels will be attached.

After creating the frame, you can begin to create the shafts for the chopping drum:

• We take a metal square blank if you plan to install 4 knives on one shaft. Or a round blank for three knives;
• for a square piece, grind both ends, making them round so that they can fit into the purchased bearings. With a round workpiece, we sharpen the central part, making three flat cuts for installing knives.

As for the knives themselves, they can be made from Kamaz springs:

• take the spring and cut a piece of the required length;
• the workpiece itself can be leveled if necessary. To do this, you will have to heat it in a forge and make it even with a few blows of a hammer. Then re-harden and let cool;
• in the knives themselves we make holes for the bolts;
• Now we are sharpening the knives. The cutting edge angle is chosen to be 35 - 45 degrees. Sharpening is carried out on a sharpening machine;

• Finally, we apply the knives to the shaft and mark the places on the shaft for fastening. Then we drill holes and make threads in them.

The next stage is the creation of a chopping drum:

• in two metal plates that will be the walls, we cut out holes for installing bearings in them. This is best done using a welding machine, and then sand the edges. Or you can contact the company. In this case, the holes will be perfectly shaped;
• Now we install the bearings inside;

• For fastening, we use special linings that are bolted to the metal walls;
• We insert the shafts inside the bearings and secure them;
• We connect the drum walls together with threaded metal studs and secure them with nuts.

Upon completion of work with the drum and frame, we make a receiving box:

• we take thin sheet metal and make 4 blanks in the shape of a parallelepiped;
• We measure 4 - 5 cm from the narrow edge of each workpiece and bend it;
• do the same for the long sides of the workpieces. But we make the bend in the opposite direction;
• we assemble the entire structure and check how the workpieces fit together;
• We connect the edges using welding or self-tightening rivets;
• At the base of the box, on the bent edges, we make holes for fasteners.

After assembling the grinding drum, we put the gears on the shafts and install the entire structure on the frame, where we secure it with bolts. Then we put the engine in place and tighten the drive chain or belt. Finally, we install and secure the receiving box. We also install a protective cover on all rotating parts of the chopper to prevent accidental entry of foreign objects.

Creating the other two grinders is somewhat simpler. For a disc chopper you need the following::

• create a frame and place the motor inside;
• install a reflective shield made of thin sheet metal with a hole for the motor shaft on top of the motor;

• make a hole in the disk for installation on the shaft, as well as slots for knives;
• knives can be made from car springs using the previously described method;

• assemble and install the disk with knives;
• We create a receiving box and install it on top of the disk chopper.

The assembly of a chopper from circular saws looks like this::

• create a frame;
• We thread circular saw blades onto a threaded stud. In this case, we place washers between the disks. This is necessary so that the teeth do not cling to each other. We clamp the saw package on both sides with nuts;

• We weld fasteners for bearings on the internal cross members of the frame;
• we put bearings on the stud and secure them, after which we install the saw package on the frame and secure it there;

• We install a pulley or gear from the longest end of the stud and secure it with a retaining ring;
• install the engine and tension the drive chain or belt;
• Finally, we install the receiving box.

When creating one of the homemade shredders proposed above, it is necessary to take into account the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. The twin-shaft chopper is characterized by high power and the ability to process thick branches. The chip fraction will be from 2 cm to 8 cm depending on the speed and the number of knives. On the contrary, a knife-disk chopper will cope perfectly with small branches and produce a small fraction of wood chips, but thick branches are a problem for it. A chipper with a circular saw package can handle both thick branches and smaller ones. But at the same time, it is very dusty, and a lot of chips get stuck between the saws, which requires careful cleaning after work. The above-described versions of garden shredders can be created either in a single version or by combining types with each other.