Every summer resident inevitably has to solve two problems: how and how to soil. It turns out that to solve these problems you need only one device: a shredder. With its help, you can not only keep your plot perfectly clean, but also achieve record harvests. How to choose an electric garden branch chopper, the basic principles of its operation and advice from experienced gardeners - in this material.
Every year you should do a general cleaning of the site: remove last year's crops, trim trees, remove garden debris. Gardeners know that all this organic material can, over time, turn into natural fertilizer, which will greatly increase the fertility of the soil. For this purpose, all organic matter is placed in compost, where it rots for several years. If everything is relatively simple with green leaves and other plant debris, then small branches will have to be burned, because they can lie in the compost indefinitely without any visible result. This is a pity, because wood, especially from garden trees, contains many substances beneficial to the soil.
You can solve the problem very simply: buy a garden waste shredder, which is also called a chipper or shredder.
This simple device will not only help to effectively clear the area of debris without the need to start a fire, but will also provide excellent raw materials.
The shredded materials will be processed in a compost bin in just a couple of years, or even a year if you use chemicals to speed up the process.
Operating the garden shredder shredder is very easy. It easily copes with any plant debris, including garden tree branches. In addition, it can shred paper and cardboard, which can be used to mulch the soil in the rows of the garden.
The result of the device is fine chips or even powder, depending on the device settings.
The unit has an electric or gasoline motor. It operates several metal knives that grind everything that falls into the chipper funnel.
Advantages and disadvantages of the device
In a special publication, we will analyze all the advantages and disadvantages of this type of trimmers and consider all the important characteristics for the right choice.
Garden electric branch chopper: types of devices and their design
Shredders are available with gasoline and electric motors. In the first version, the motor power ranges from one and a half to two and a half kilowatts. This power allows you to process branches with a trunk thickness of up to five centimeters. These devices are moderately noisy and are limited in movement by the length of the electrical cable.
Gasoline models have a four-stroke or two-stroke engine with a power of up to eight kilowatts. This strength allows the device to easily grind large branches and even small trunks. Gasoline units can be moved around the site.
In any gasoline or electric version, the design of the garden shredder shredder is quite primitive. It includes:
- motor;
- shaft with cutting elements;
- metal and plastic body;
- funnel for receiving material.
The knives in the device can be of different types. Most often you can find a disk structure. Less commonly, metal fasteners with blades or structures consisting of a pair of shafts with cutting elements.
For your information! You can make your own garden shredder using a simple disc cutter. Designs with knives will require professional knowledge and skills.
How to choose garden shredders for your garden?
In stores you can find different models of household shredders with an electric motor. An electric garden branch chopper is suitable for a small plot of up to 18 acres.
Manufacturers and TOP 7 models
Among the manufacturers that have earned a good reputation, it is worth noting:
- Austrian Viking And Stihl;
- German AL-KO;
- well-known Bosch.
Let's look at the most popular models according to Yandex Market:
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Some tips on how to choose a garden shredder:
- For a small area of up to 15 acres, an electric shredder with a power of up to 2.5 kilowatts is sufficient. If the site occupies a large area, it is worth purchasing a gasoline unit.
- When choosing, you should ask the seller everything about the features of the cutting elements of the device. With intensive use, there will come a time when the knives need to be sharpened or even replaced. It is necessary to clarify whether the cutting elements of the device can be sharpened and whether spare parts are available for sale. The quality of material processing also depends on the characteristics of the cutters.
- An important aspect for selection is the safety and economical operation of the device. Devices with an automatic pusher make the task much easier, but it is important that the chipper can be switched off instantly if a dangerous situation arises.
- To ensure comfortable work on the site, the noise level from the unit should not exceed permissible values. Ask the seller how noisy the device is and ask to turn it on to evaluate the acoustics.
- For ease of movement, most garden electric wood chippers are equipped with wheels and comfortable handles. Wheels that are too small will get stuck in loose garden soil, so it's best to opt for medium-sized wheels with wide tires.
- If objects that are too large or hard get into the unit, work may stop. For easy removal of material, reverse motion is useful. He will return the stuck object to the funnel. If there is no such mechanism, you will have to disassemble the device.
- Almost all devices provide for motor blocking when the casing is open. But it’s better to ask the seller if there is such a function. For his own safety, the operator must work in rubber gloves and a mask that protects the respiratory tract. It is also necessary to use safety glasses. An accidental flying splinter can seriously injure the eye.
Article
Any owner of a garden plot or a private house has, to one degree or another, encountered the problem of disposing of plant waste. This issue becomes especially acute with the beginning of spring work and at the end of the season, in the fall. We have to come up with all sorts of ways to get rid of accumulated cut branches, dry grass and leaves, dead bushes and remaining tops, etc.
A special type of garden equipment, namely a garden shredder, will help solve this set of problems, and even get tangible benefits from it. Not so long ago, few people had heard of such a useful unit, but today it often becomes an indispensable assistant to the gardener. True, technology of this type is still new to most, and many do not even imagine what capabilities it has and which side to approach when choosing it. We will help our readers - an article about which garden shredder to choose, what to pay special attention to, what basic rules to follow during operation.
Find out how to do it with instructions on how to create it in our new article.
As a rule, such piles of vegetation waste are extremely uncompact, take up a lot of space, are very difficult to load and transport, and with their appearance they spoil a cozy area. What to do with them?
Large branches can still be cut for firewood. To some extent, part of the problem is solved by the presence of a compost pit, but putting large fragments into it is extremely unprofitable, since the pit will quickly overflow, and dense branches will decompose for a very long time.
Removing such mountains of garbage is quite expensive, since renting a vehicle, loading waste, and removing it all costs a lot of money.
It would seem that the simplest way out is to burn. But here, not everything is so simple:
- Firstly, this is not a completely simple event from the point of view of fire safety.
- Secondly, in many regions, especially in urban areas, categorical bans on the burning of plant waste are introduced by law, and you can run into big trouble.
- And thirdly, this is a completely meaningless, unjustified event. Any plant feeds on “vital juices” from the earth, taking from it the substances necessary for growth and development. It turns out that burning plant waste is the deliberate destruction of a valuable biological product, and ultimately leads to an enormous depletion of fertile soil on the site. Isn't it better, instead of buying some fertilizers on the side, to use existing reserves?
All this “baggage” of problems can be solved by purchasing one garden unit - a shredder (foreign language synonyms are often found - garden shredder or chipper). This unit is capable of quickly grinding bulky plant waste into a fine mass, the disposal of which will no longer pose any problems.
- Such crushed waste will no longer clutter up compost pits, and the process of their biological decomposition will be much faster.
- Shredded wood becomes an excellent mulching material and good fertilizer.
- Even simply removing crushed waste from your territory is much easier. They can be compacted into bags and loaded into the trunk of your own car.
- Wood chips can even be used as fuel - in particular, they are processed into pellets.
Thus, such a unit has a great many advantages, and it can increasingly be seen in the “arsenal” of zealous owners.
How does a garden shredder work?
Schematic diagram of a garden shredder
Despite the wide variety of models of garden shredders, differing in size and operational capabilities, they are all assembled according to approximately the same basic design, somewhat reminiscent of a food processor.
- This is a durable body made of metal, polymer or a combination of both. The housing can be mounted on a frame, which is often equipped with wheels for easy transportation of the unit around the site.
- The operation of the chopper is ensured by the operation of a power drive - this can be an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.
- The drive is connected through a power transmission to a cutting (grinding) mechanism of one type or another.
- At the top of the chopper there is always a loading hopper, which usually has a funnel-shaped extension for easy feeding of plant waste for grinding.
- The ground mass can go into a receiving hopper, into a soft container (bag), or be thrown onto the ground. Some powerful models are equipped with spreaders that can adjust the height and direction of distribution of crushed waste.
Power point
Garden shredders can be equipped with either an electric drive or an internal combustion engine. Each option has its own pros and cons.
- The electric drive is more typical for small household units of low and medium power, up to 2.6 kW. Such shredders are quite capable of handling moderate volumes of waste from a typical garden plot.
They are usually not large in size or weight, so they can be easily moved to the work site. Their maintenance is kept to a minimum; preparation for operation, startup and management does not require any special skills.
At the same time, their “attachment” to the electrical network may be an inconvenience. For example, on a large suburban area, a long cable will be required, which is not always convenient, and sometimes simply impossible, due to the banal lack of a connection point. There are certain restrictions in operation based on weather conditions - simply for reasons of electrical safety.
- Gasoline-powered units are attractive due to their autonomy - they can be used in any “field” conditions.
As a rule, they are equipped with a two-stroke gasoline engine. Such shredders can already carry out more voluminous work, processing fairly large plant waste, right down to the trunks of small trees.
Prices and model range of ELITECH garden waste shredders
ELITECH garden waste shredders
Operating a gasoline engine will require the owners to have certain handling skills. So, for refueling you need to prepare a fuel mixture, you will have to regularly monitor the condition of the spark plugs, gasoline and air filters, and carry out preventive maintenance. However, equipment of this class does not have overly complex internal combustion engines, and all this can be learned quickly.
- Diesel engines are usually installed on professional equipment. Such drives are capable of operating for a long time without pauses, maintain low speeds well, and do not require a complex ignition system.
But in domestic conditions, such shredders are practically not used, simply because of their high cost, large size and difficulty in independently transporting them around the site.
However, the type of drive is not always the determining factor in the matter of the “professionalism” of the shredder. Thus, you can purchase a compact household model with a two-stroke gasoline engine, and at the same time, there are also stationary or mobile pro-class units equipped with a powerful three-phase electric motor.
Chopping mechanism of garden shredder
The torque from the power drive is transmitted to the working tool - the cutting or grinding mechanism of the shredder. And it, in turn, can be arranged in different ways. So, there are three main types:
- The knife mechanism is usually a disk with radially arranged knives made of tool steel. The rapid rotation of the blade disk ensures that the supplied plant waste is cut into small fragments.
The advantages of such a scheme are its simplicity, low price, and ease of maintenance. Well-sharpened knives are capable of processing foliage, grass, stems of bushes and annual plants, usually up to 20÷25 mm thick. A mechanism of this type copes well with freshly cut shoots and branches, but when processing solid, dried plant waste, the blades can become dull (even a large fruit pit, for example, from a plum or peach, can cause a problem). Some shredders use knives of a special configuration, having several blades located at an angle. The upper knife cuts the fed branches into smaller fragments, and the lower one already ensures the final chopping.
The knife-type mechanism requires forced supply of material for processing - it will not “pull” branches into itself. For this, special pushers are used.
In maintenance, such grinders are the simplest, that is, removing the knife for sharpening or replacing with a new one is usually a completely simple procedure. Most household-grade devices have just such a mechanism.
- To process hard, dried branches of trunks, it is better to use a chopper, which is equipped with a milling mechanism. On the working shaft there is a cutter - a gear made of a high-strength alloy, with a certain configuration of teeth and their corresponding sharpening. Such a cutter does not need high speeds, which means that a reduction gear is provided.
The teeth of a rotating cutter are able to “crunch” the sober wood of dry branches and trunks, turning them into small chips. But this mechanism does not always cope with freshly cut branches and shoots - the fibrous structure is “chewed”, but may not be completely crushed.
The cutter does not have to be singular - there can be several of them on one shaft, with a certain angular “run” of the position of the teeth. And powerful professional-class installations often have a double-rotor grinding mechanism, where two rows of cutters rotate in the opposite direction, ensuring crushing of even the hardest wood waste.
The convenience of the milling chopping mechanism is also that it only needs to grab a long branch or trunk - then the gear simply drags it inside, simultaneously crushing it into small fragments.
- The advantages of both of the above cutting mechanisms are combined by a universal type chopper. In fact, this is also a milling cutter, but of a turbine type - instead of teeth, it is equipped with carbide blades-knives located at an angle to the longitudinal axis.
This structure of the cutting mechanism allows equally successful grinding of both freshly cut and old, dried waste. True, garden shredders of this type are already much more expensive.
- Some medium and high power models are equipped with a screw, screw grinding mechanism.
A rotating screw with sharply sharpened spiral turns copes well with any type of plant waste - it all depends only on the power of the installation itself.
Criteria for choosing a garden shredder
Unit power and waste processing capabilities
These two concepts, included in the subtitle, have a direct connection. The functionality of the shredder as a whole will primarily depend on the power of the power drive.
Prices for Bosch garden waste shredders
Bosch garden waste shredders
There is no clear gradation of the entire variety of such equipment, but there is a conditional division into three groups - models of the household class, medium, semi-professional level and, finally, equipment for professional purposes.
To make it easier to understand the criteria for such a division, it is better to present them in the form of a table:
| Shredder category | Drive power and type | Maximum diameter of chopped branches | "Weight category" | Applications and Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household | up to 1.5 kW, electric drive | up to 25 mm | Up to 20 kg | Small country or house plots, mainly with young trees. Short cycle of continuous operation. As a rule, it is a knife mechanism. |
| Middle class semi-professional | up to 3 kW, electric drive or two-stroke internal combustion engine | up to 40 mm | up to 40-50 kg | Average households or summer cottages with an orchard, shrubs, old trees that require regular pruning. Handles all types of green and dried waste within the specified size range. Capable of long-term non-stop operation |
| Professional | from 5 to 9 kW, petrol or diesel drive, three-phase electric motor | 60-80 mm | up to 100 kg and above | Waste disposal in forestry farms, industrial enterprises, large farms, public utilities, etc. Designed for long work cycles during work shifts. |
Naturally, as the power and productivity of a garden shredder increases, its price also increases. Therefore, before purchasing equipment, it is necessary to carefully weigh the planned volume of upcoming work, the characteristics of the waste being processed, the frequency of use of the shredder and other parameters. It would be a shame if the purchased shredder either fails to cope with the load placed on it, or if its capacity, for which a lot of money was paid, remains simply unclaimed.
In addition, the more powerful and productive the shredder, the larger and heavier it is. From this point of view, an adequate assessment is also needed - how possible it will be to move it around the site, especially on the ground.
Additional criteria for choosing a chopper
There are a number of important nuances that require attention when choosing a suitable model:
- Convenience of the receiving hopper. It can be placed vertically or at a certain angle. Some models provide the ability to change the position of the receiving funnel. For a blade shredder, the kit must include a pusher: pushing branches or leaves with your hands is extremely dangerous.
On many models, the receiving opening may have a distinct slot-like or cross-shaped shape, or be equipped with guide ribs - these “tricks significantly facilitate the feeding of branchy branches for processing.
Models of the middle and professional class, in addition, can have two receiving hoppers - each for its own type of waste. For example, fed soft waste goes to knife shredding, and hard branches – to crushing with a milling cutter.
It will be useful to learn how to make wood from husks in our new article on our portal.
- The collection of the processed mass can be carried out in a rigid hopper, usually included with the shredder. In this case, of course, it is more convenient when the hopper is made of durable translucent plastic - it is easier to control its filling level.
In other models, removable bags placed over the outlet neck can be used as a receiving container. By the way, on the forums you can find critical comments from users - the bags are sometimes ruptured by sharp fragments of crushed wood flying out at high speed.
There may not be any collection at all - the outlet neck is located at a certain height. Allowing you to substitute, for example, a basket. It is often practiced to throw crushed waste directly onto the ground of the site. In this case, models that provide the ability to adjust the direction and height of the ejection will be especially convenient.
- Some models of shredders have a built-in mechanism for automatically feeding waste to the cutting device. It is enough just to lower the branches into the receiving funnel, and then the mechanism will do everything itself. Unconditional convenience.
- Modern garden shredders often have the ability to adjust the rotation speed of the cutting mechanisms - it can be adjusted to the specific type of material being processed. Moreover, “advanced” models also have a number of built-in processing programs (for example, raw wood, grass, dry branches, stone fruits, etc.).
- It’s great if there is a reverse function. This often helps to prevent the chopper from jamming if, for example, a strong, thick branch was fed. By putting the cutting mechanism in reverse, it will be easier to get it out.
- For operational safety, electric models must have a protection function against accidental starting, as well as protection against self-starting after an emergency power outage. It is imperative that the engine power supply is blocked when the upper casing of the shredder is open.
- It is important to assess the level of noise and vibration emitted by the shredder - many modern models have special noise reduction systems. This, of course, applies to a greater extent to devices with a gasoline engine.
- It is very good if the kit includes spare cutting equipment, or the store may offer to purchase it separately. This eliminates a number of problems with the inevitable, one way or another, dulling of knives. By the way, you can also pay attention to the fact that some manufacturers complete their products with double-sided knives. As the blades lose their sharpness, you can simply turn them over - the total duration of work before going to a sharpener or before purchasing new equipment doubles.
We will not dwell on the specifics of choosing models with gasoline engines. The subtleties of choosing garden equipment with internal combustion engines - two-stroke and four-stroke circuits, starting systems, lubrication, the procedure for preparing the fuel mixture, etc., are given enough attention in another article on this site.
Motokos are reliable helpers in a suburban area
Read about how to do it correctly in a special publication on our portal.
Brief overview of garden shredder models
The variety of models of garden shredders is very high, and this sometimes even makes it difficult to correctly determine the optimal model. Equipment of this class cannot be called too cheap, so money should be given only for high-quality products.
The fact is that a great variety of different equipment from completely unknown manufacturers have appeared on the market, masquerading under sonorous European or Russian names. The vast majority of such samples are semi-clandestine Chinese production in the negative sense of the word (there is a lot of really high-quality equipment from China on sale). The peculiarity of shredders is that the efficiency of their operation depends not only on the drive, but also on the quality of the cutting equipment. But in this matter, the manufacturer’s dishonesty very often manifests itself - knives or cutters are made of outwardly beautiful and shiny steel, at first they are sharp, but literally after a few approaches they become dull, and simply cannot be sharpened well.
And if we add to this the fact that the cutting equipment is not interchangeable, then it’s not far from a situation where a recently acquired device will stand idle simply because of its “unsuitability.”
So, if you are purchasing a garden shredder, then choose honeycombs in favor of proven models from well-known companies. These include “Viking”, “AL-KO”, “Black&Decker”, “Gardena”, “Bosch”. Russian-Chinese gardening equipment “Elitech” and “Zubr” earned very good reviews. Traditionally, units from Craftsman, Makita, MTD, and Oleo-Mac are in high demand.
The table below shows several models that, based on surveys and sales analyses, top the list of popular garden shredders:
| Model name, illustration | Brief description of the model | Approximate price level, rubles |
|---|---|---|
| "BOSCH AXT 25 TC" | One of the most popular models among all garden shredders. Electric motor with a power of 2.5 kW. The universal cutting mechanism “Turbine-Cut” allows you to process any plant material. Productivity – up to 230 kg/hour. The thickness of the trunks is up to 45 mm. Equipped with a collection of recycled waste with a capacity of 53 liters. Convenient wheels and handle for transportation around the site. Shredder weight – 30.5 kg. | 32900 |
| "VIKING GE 250 S"
| One of the main authorities in the field of garden equipment production is VIKING. The presented model is characterized by a powerful electric motor – 2.5 kW. The thickness of the processed branches is up to 35 mm. Knife system “Multi-Cut 150” with a two-level Z-shaped arrangement of blades. Reliable emergency locking system. Convenient wheel travel, stable working position. Assembled height – 1440 mm. Weight – 25 kg | 18000 |
| "OLEO-MAC SH210E"
| Garden shredder with a powerful electric motor – 2.1 kW. Low noise level during operation. The frame and body are metal, providing high strength. Convenient wide wheels for moving around the site. Wide loading funnel of the receiving hopper. Two pairs of knives - straight and side. The thickness of processed branches is up to 40 mm. There is no collection bin provided. Weight – 35 kg. | 37000 |
| "AL-KO EASY CRUSH MH 2800"
| Affordable price and excellent performance characteristics are the reasons why this shredder is at the top of the rating. Electric drive with a power of 2.8 kW. Built-in hopper for collecting recycled waste with a capacity of 50 l. The maximum diameter of branches is 42 mm. The cutting unit is a knife unit, additionally equipped with a roller mechanism for retracting the material. Shredder weight – 25 kg. | 15600 |
| "WOLF-GARTEN SDL 2500"
| A reliable, compact and inexpensive unit that can cope with large volumes of waste processing. Electric drive – 2.5 kW. Cutting system - several knives combined into rollers (mill) for high-quality crushing of wood. Operation does not require high revolutions of the cutting mechanism, so the shredder has a low noise level. The maximum diameter of branches is 40 mm. The weight of the device is 24.5 kg. | 13000 ÷ 14000 |
| "VIKING GB 370"
| Petrol garden shredder equipped with a 3.3 kW four-stroke engine. Capable of processing branches up to 45 mm thick. Cutting system - “Multi-Cut 370”, with straight and reverse knives and a cutting turbo disc. Convenient neck for supplying material (can be in two versions - vertical and inclined). Mechanism for automatically feeding material for cutting. Height – 1400 mm. Weight – 43 kg. | 72000 |
| "MTD ROVER 464 Q"
| Gasoline garden shredder with increased functionality. Powerful motor – 5.5 kW. Combined chopping system - rotating cutting knives plus 12 threshing cutters. Processing of trunks up to 75 mm in diameter is ensured. Automatic material pulling system. Two loading necks - for thick branches and for thin and small plant debris. Possibility of lowering the loading tray to ground level for direct feeding of waste by rake. Reliable frame with comfortable wheel travel. Weight – 75 kg. | from 70000 |
Prices for popular garden waste shredders
Disposal of weeds that are pulled out from garden beds, mown grass, fallen leaves of fruit and ornamental trees, branches remaining after pruning the garden is a serious problem for owners of personal plots, which can be solved in different ways. If nothing is done with garden waste, the site will very soon turn into a landfill.
You can periodically order a waste removal vehicle. Or pack the plant waste into large bags and take it out yourself in a personal car to the nearest landfill. There is a way - to form a giant one, but you cannot put thick branches in it, and any of its sizes will soon become small if the site has a large area and a high density of planting of various crops. You can burn the remains of plants, obtaining, of course, the necessary ash, but hopelessly polluting the surrounding air with smoke from endless fires. All methods are acceptable, but for the disposal of absolutely any waste with minimal labor costs, maximum environmental friendliness and benefits, only a device called a garden shredder is suitable. It is used for any plant residues. Studying the rating of the best models will help you navigate and choose the most suitable “garden assistant”.
The best help for a summer resident
This “smart” unit can effortlessly turn garden waste into valuable fertilizer. After processing, small shavings will remain, which can be easily removed from the site, or can be used as mulch or to produce vegetable compost, which is the best biological fertilizer for most crops.
What is this device? To put it simply, this is a large and very powerful “meat grinder” that grinds almost any vegetable waste. It can handle grass, stems, tops, leaves, as well as branches of varying thicknesses, bark, roots, pine cones and other materials that are suitable for processing.
Criterias of choice
If the need for a garden shredder is urgent, and you cannot decide on a model, read the selection criteria.
Grinding units are classified according to the following parameters.
- By engine type.
- By engine power.
- According to the type of knife system used in the device.
Also taken into account:
- waste receptacle volume;
- the presence of various modes that allow you to process different types of garden waste;
- degree of automation of the motor mechanism;
- availability of protection for the user.
Depending on the type of engine, the devices are made in two types - electric and gasoline. This is the main criterion and the main global difference.
Electrical
They operate on an electric motor, the power of which can reach 2.6 kW. They cope with soft, medium-sized waste and branches, the thickness of which is no more than 4 cm.
They are not very noisy, not very expensive, but their power leaves much to be desired. But these machines are easy to maintain and also easy to use.
One of the disadvantages of an electric shredder is its constant “attachment” to the cord, which, to be used over a large area, must be of considerable length. On the plus side, the first place can be given to the environmental friendliness of the device, which does not emit fuel combustion products into the atmosphere.
Gasoline
Models with a gasoline engine are used by owners of large plots and gardens, hedges and professional landscape designers. Equipped with a two- or four-stroke engine that runs on an oil-gasoline mixture, these devices are much more powerful than electric ones.
They can develop power up to 8 kW and process tree branches 6 or more centimeters in diameter.
Mobility is their absolute advantage; without wires, they move around the site without restrictions. The obvious disadvantages are loud noise during work and environmental damage during use.
There is another classification - according to the subject of use. The chopper is:
- amateur, and then its power does not exceed 1.6 kW;
- universal, having an average power of up to 2.5 kW;
- professional - from 3.8 kW power.
Amateur have an electric motor and a knife cutting system consisting of disks that can be used to chop three-centimeter (in diameter) branches and anything else smaller and softer.
Universal are produced with both electric and gasoline engines. They are suitable for thicker branches, up to 4 cm. Additionally, there may be functions for retracting debris, a sleeve for mulch, and a cutter acts as a cutting mechanism.
Professional– the most powerful and serious. Most often they are gasoline, but if the engine is electric, it is three-phase. The retractor system is a must, the receiving funnel is wide, and they additionally have the function of compacting mulch. Can easily cut eight-centimeter branches.
Knives and cutters
The “heart” of the chopper is the engine, and its “teeth” are knives or cutters. The knife system is a disk system, which has two or more steel knives driven by a shaft mechanism.
The grinding speed depends on the hardness of the waste.
It is easiest to chop dry branches with knives. And knives have a drawback - even if they are made of steel, they become dull quite quickly, and they need to be sharpened periodically.
A cutter is a gear with sharp edges. Much more productive and reliable than the knife system. If debris is caught by the knives, it is fed to the cutter by a retracting mechanism. On more powerful models, cutters or combinations of them with knives are installed.
Rating of the best models
Traditionally, certain global brands are leaders in each type of equipment, including gardening. It is their products that are rightfully considered the best and occupy first places in world rankings.
For shredders, such leaders are:
- Bosch
- Elitech
- PATRIOT
- Ryobi
VIKING GE 250
One of the most popular today. It is characterized by compact dimensions and mobility due to a convenient wheeled frame. Equipped with an electric motor with network overload protection. It has an extended funnel and two knife discs, plus knives for primary grinding. You can throw branched branches into it without preparing them for chopping, the main thing is that they are no thicker than 4 cm.
The security system involves starting with a relay, which eliminates accidents and spontaneous activation. If the funnel is removed, the unit will not start, and when turned off, the brake blocks the knives instantly.
IRON ANGEL ES2500
Also an electric model, which attracts buyers with an ideal ratio of price and quality parameters. Their knives are steel and work almost silently. There is protection against overheating, thanks to which the device is characterized by high productivity (it processes 200 kg of garden waste with a diameter of up to 4 cm within an hour) and the ability to work for a long time without interruption. Compactness makes storing and transporting the device convenient.
AL-KO EASY CRUSH MH 2800
This model is loved by consumers for its reliability. The unit has stood the test of time and, despite the outwardly rather fragile plastic case, is gaining more and more popularity, since the steel “filling” claims to be durable. The blades of two circular knives are laser sharpened and can handle four-centimeter branches.
Additional bonuses are the patented Easy crush retraction system, motor protection from heating and a large retractable outlet container.
WOLF-GARTEN SDL 2500
The characteristics of this unit are similar to all previous ones. Also electric, with the same technical capabilities. It has a reinforced cutting unit consisting of a system of knives, which provides high productivity. The engine is equipped with additional protection against overloads.
The frame consists of a steel pipe, which provides good resistance to mechanical damage. The collector is plastic, large volume. The protective mechanism is triggered if the knives jam for even a second, and the engine immediately stops. The device is quiet and has low vibration.
IKRA MOGATEC EGN 2500
Another leader among electric knife machines that chop branches with a diameter of up to 4 cm. It is considered the best in its price category. The dimensions are small, the engine is powerful. The operating speed is high, hence the good performance. Double-sided laser-sharpened knives made of hardened steel. Bunker for collecting mulch 50 liters. This device does not have a retracting mechanism, but has a feed pusher handle, which greatly facilitates the passage of branches into the funnel neck. Large, reliable wheels make movement easy.
OLEO-MAC SH210E
This model is the last in the ranking of the first of the amateur and universal electrical devices. The appearance is quite modest and compact, but the “filling” is fraught with remarkable possibilities. The neck is wide and long, the strength is high, the frame is made of steel, made like a sled, and stands on impressive wheels.
It is comfortable to work on this machine. It has a combined complex system of knives, directed in different directions. All this makes it possible to process not only dry, but also fresh branches.
PATRIOT PT SB 100E
Moving on to shredders whose engines run on gasoline, it’s worth starting with the “patriot”, which can process everything. Dried branches - up to 10 cm in diameter, fresh branches - up to 8. Metal body, Power 9.5 kW. It has a system of 16 knives and impressive dimensions.
Equipment of this kind no longer belongs to amateurs, but to professional ones, and accordingly, it comes in a different price category. It is advisable to purchase such a machine for a farm; staying in a small dacha would be unprofitable.
MTD ROVER 464 Q
This gasoline shredder is a little more modest in power and parameters, but it also belongs more to professionals than to generalists. It can perform various tasks - from chopping leaves and grass to turning twigs with a diameter of 6-8 cm into dust. It is characterized by quiet operation (for a gasoline engine this is a bonus). The knife assembly consists of two cutters and a pair of threshing knives.
Moves on a wide chassis with large wheels. It has two bins for receiving crushed waste - one goes into large ones, the second goes into small ones.
BOSCH AXT RAPID 2000
Compact in appearance but interesting model, which, despite its modest technical indicators, shows amazing performance and endurance. A 2 kW motor and a double-sided cutter, which is made using Swiss technology from specially hardened steel, work real miracles with mountains of small debris.
Everything about this model is good - from the wide funnel to the comfortable pusher. It can work at high grinding speeds without interruptions for a long time. The only negative is that there is no container for receiving mulch. As planned by the designers, at the exit, a bag is put on a special transition device. Not all users are happy, but many say that it is even convenient - there is no need to pack garbage, pouring it out of the bin.
WORX WG430E
An interesting electric model that shreds small-sized debris quickly and gracefully using a fishing line. The original technology is patented under the name Flex-a-Line. It allows, with a low power of the device, to grind garden waste thoroughly and quickly. The line has a thickness of 2.3 mm and rotates at a speed of 8500 rpm. In an hour of grass and leaves or thin twigs, the unit can process up to 12 m³. Not bad for a small country farm.
The device has a cooling system that guarantees protection against overheating and simultaneously absorbs dust. It features quiet operation and small size.
Whatever shredder you choose, it will certainly help deal with plant waste better than any “old-fashioned” method. The unit, specially designed for grinding, copes with its task, whether it is small and low-powered or huge and strong. Three points that you should pay attention to when purchasing are the purposes for which the machine will be used, the volumes and dimensions of the waste that it will have to process, and the manufacturer’s brand. It is always better to overpay a little for a well-known brand and get guaranteed quality than to choose a cheap model of dubious origin.
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 your 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 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.
The end of the summer season entails the appearance of a large amount of garden waste on the site, which is difficult to deal with. An electric garden shredder of branches and grass comes to the aid of summer residents, which in a matter of minutes will turn seemingly useless garbage into future fertilizer. This article will tell you how not to make a mistake when choosing a shredder from among various models, which will also tell you how you can make it yourself.
Why do you need an electric garden branch chopper?
Many of us currently own a country plot where we can not only take a break from the bustle of the city, but also grow a good harvest of fruits and vegetables. And some were lucky enough to have their own house within the city with an adjacent free area for a garden.
With the onset of autumn, both of them are equally faced with one serious problem - how to collect and dispose of grass, fallen leaves, cut branches from trees and shrubs. And sometimes the volume of such garden waste reaches a decent size.
It is during this period that an electric garden branch shredder is a reliable assistant for gardeners and summer residents. Reviews of his work can be easily found on specialized forums. To be fair, not all shredders run on electricity. The industry also produces gasoline models that have a completely different level of power and performance, and can cover other scales of household farming.
The main advantages of shredders with an electric motor:
- compact, small-sized design, which is lightweight, which facilitates easy movement of the unit within the site;
- minimal power consumption with high performance;
- allows you to chop branches into fine chips, which can be easily used as natural fertilizer;
- low noise device;
- low cost.
Disadvantages of electric shredders:
- the units have a low power rating;
- the range of action is limited by the length of the cord (you should take care of an extension cord);
- susceptible to voltage surges;
- processes branches with a diameter of no more than 40 mm.
Choosing the right electric garden shredder: unit price
Before purchasing a shredder, you must clearly determine the manufacturer of the unit, the type of engine and the total area of the site for subsequent processing. When choosing a specific model, you should consider the main points. The unit must be:
- simple and convenient in further operation;
- have small dimensions. It can be equipped with reliable shock-absorbing wheels. This will greatly facilitate its movement around the dacha area;
have a high noise reduction rate. The noise level should not be higher than 84 dB;
- have the maximum power rating depending on the class of the device;
- equipped with chopping knives, which are made of high-quality material;
- equipped with an automatic engine shutdown system;
- with built-in reverse function;
- suitable for shredding garden waste and fine wood chips;
- with a receiving funnel of convenient shape and size. The most optimal is a cone-shaped funnel, or inclined to one side.
Shredders can be equipped with a milling or disk shredding system. The first is suitable for dry branches, and the second is ideal for processing grass and small twigs.
Today there are a great variety of models of electric shredders from various manufacturers. However, it is worth choosing companies that have proven themselves and produce high quality products.
The price of a shredder that runs on electrical energy depends on the engine power. And this is directly related to the technical ability of the device to process branches of various diameters.
Shredders with motor power up to 3 kW can cope with branches up to 40 mm in diameter. The price of such devices will range from 9-30 thousand rubles, depending on the manufacturer and additional characteristics of the unit.
Shredders with motor power exceeding 3 kW are capable of processing branches up to 50 mm in diameter. Their cost ranges from 30 to 65 thousand rubles.
Garden electric Viking branch shredders: prices of popular models
VIKING has established itself as a responsible manufacturer of high quality garden shredders and sells its high quality equipment exclusively through a network of dealers who specialize in these units.
There is a wide range of cutting and crushing models powered by electric (GE) and gasoline (GB) engines. Let's take a closer look at the most popular models with an electric motor.
VIKING GE 35 L shredder with a 2.5 kW electric motor, a disk shredding system with a speed of 40 rpm. used for chopping leaves, weeds, branches with a diameter of up to 35 mm in small summer cottages. Equipped with reverse function. Its weight is 28 kg. Thanks to the presence of reliable wheels, it is convenient to move around the site. Its average cost is about 31,500 rubles.
The VIKING GE 103 shredder grinds garden waste into useful compost. The electric motor power is 1.8 kW. Equipped with a knife mechanism for chopping. Has two loading funnels. One is made in the shape of a rectangle, the other is a clover. Makes slight noise during operation. The price of the unit is 18,000 rubles.
The VIKING GE 105 electric garden shredder processes branches up to 35 mm in diameter using the Sandwich shredding system. It has a longitudinal inlet for grass and leaves and a special inlet for loading branched branches. Equipped with a motor overload protection function. Its price is about 22,500 rubles.
The universal models of VIKING shredders GE 250 and GE 260 are capable of shredding soft grass and foliage, and hard branches with a diameter of 30-35 mm. The motor power is 2.5 kW. A special feature of these models is the Multi-Cut 250 shredding technology, thanks to which garden waste is first crushed and then cut into small pieces. The noise level of such shredders does not exceed 105 dB. They have a touch control system. Equipped with an auto-start function when the network fails. The price of such shredders starts from 31,500 rubles.
More powerful universal shredders are models GE 355, GE 375, GE 420, GE 450. They allow you to grind branches with a diameter of 55 mm. The first two types of shredders are equipped with a safety system against spontaneous activation. The last two models have a two-chamber system for grinding soft and hard material, and there is a built-in mechanism for servicing the unit. The average cost of the GE 355 and GE 375 models is 42,000 rubles, and the GE 420 and GE 450 – 75,000-80,000 rubles.
Garden electric branch chopper Bison
The mobile shredder Bison with an electric motor is capable of turning mountains of garden waste into raw materials suitable for the household. In an hour of continuous operation, it can process up to 120 kg of waste. The noise level during its operation does not exceed 98 dB, which is equivalent to the operation of a vacuum cleaner.
Zubr shredders have a convenient design and large wheels. This allows you to maneuver around individual corners of the site without much effort. After finishing the work, the frame attached to the chopper can be easily removed, and the unit folds compactly. The unit can be stored in winter in any unheated room, protected from moisture. The Zubr shredder with an electric motor is available on the market in two models.
The compact Zubr ZIE with a 40 mm diameter and a power of 1.6 kW is suitable for a summer cottage where grass and berry bushes predominate. It will be difficult for such a shredder to cope with large branches. Thanks to reliable large wheels and a convenient pusher, it can be easily moved around the garden area.
A more powerful Zubr unit is the ZIE model with a 65 mm r/s and a motor power of 2.5 kW. This chopper can easily process not only grass, but also large branches up to 6.5 cm in diameter. This model has a spacious tank for collecting crushed waste. The shredder design includes a reverse function.
An important distinguishing feature of Zubr shredders from other similar units is that they are equipped with three safety systems. The device turns off if the receiving tank is in the wrong position, if the engine is overheated or overloaded, or during a power outage.
Reading introductory articles on the Internet and in personal communication with owners of Zubr shredders, you can see and hear only flattering reviews. The electric garden branch chopper Bison is praised for its high performance. Thanks to a powerful electric motor, shredders are able to process large volumes of waste in a short time. The wide chassis of the unit provides stability to the device during operation. Equally important is the long period of official warranty, which is 5 years.
Why you should buy an electric garden branch chopper from BOSCH
BOSCH is one of the most famous European companies that produces various equipment. The high quality of the products of this German company is beyond doubt. Garden shredders are no exception. Let's take a closer look at several of the most popular models.
The BOSCH AXT 25D shredder is equipped with a 2.5 kW electric motor. Thanks to the improved design of the cutting rollers, it can process branches up to 40 mm in diameter. It has the function of automatically tightening the raw materials for grinding. Equipped with a safety function against spontaneous activation after stopping as a result of an accident. The cost of such a chopper can be within 14,000 rubles.
If there are no trees and shrubs on your site, then it is recommended to buy an electric garden grass shredder BOSCH RAPID 2200, which is designed exclusively for processing soft waste (grass, dry leaves, plant tops). This shredder is lightweight, has a comfortable pusher and durable wheels for easy maneuvering around the garden. The engine power is 2 kW. Its price does not exceed 8,500 rubles.
A more versatile model with an improved shredding system is the BOSCH AXT 25TC shredder. Thanks to the Turbine-Cut cutting system, it can easily cope with soft grass and leaves, and hard wood with a diameter of 45 mm. Has a mechanism for automatically tightening debris. Comfortable operation of the chopper is ensured by a relatively low noise level. Equipped with a practical grass catcher that holds 53 liters of shredded waste. Its price can start from 18,500 rubles.
Other budget shredders
The Elitech garden shredder is a convenient, mobile and powerful device (2.4-2.5 kW) that can cope with wood waste up to 40 mm in diameter. The knife grinding system is made of hardened steel. It has a protective function for the engine against overheating and spontaneous start-up. The price of such a chopper, depending on the model, can be 9,000-10,500 rubles.
The LUX garden shredder is used for small areas. Thanks to a powerful 2.5 kW motor and a blade chopping system, it quickly and efficiently copes with thin branches, leaves, grass and tops. It works almost silently.
How to make a garden electric branch chopper with your own hands
You can make a chopper for country needs yourself. This will not present any difficulties for an experienced locksmith. To do this, you need to purchase the following components:
To complete the work you will need a drill, grinder, welding machine, a set of fasteners and other tools.
In the case of chopping grass and small branches, you can make a shredder of a primitive design, in which the cutting mechanism will resemble a knife system for chopping cabbage. An old saucepan or metal bucket will work for a work bin.
For the knife mechanism, you can use a metal disk with slots for knives, or sharpened plates. Once in the slots, the debris is crushed and thrown out into the side hole. The feed socket must be designed in such a way as to prevent fingers from getting into contact with the knives.
If thick, large wood will be used for processing, the shredding unit should have a more massive and stable design. As a grinding mechanism, you will need a milling cutter with large teeth, which you can purchase at a mechanical engineering plant or grind yourself. The bunker should be made of sheet steel 5 mm thick. This requires a powerful motor of more than 2 kW.
An important detail of the entire structure is the adjustable support plate, which facilitates the grinding of branches. With its help you can adjust the size of the crushed wood chips. The entire powerful and rather heavy structure of the device must be located on a solid stationary base without wheels.
The width of the cutter may vary. But it should be remembered that as it increases, it is necessary to use a more powerful engine. If you cannot find a cutter wide enough (40-50 cm), you can put several cutters of the same size and shape on the shaft.
A good owner in his garage will definitely find many components for making a chopper himself from scrap materials and an angle grinder. This can significantly save your budget, and an excellent result will be a reward for your hard work.
Before purchasing a garden shredder with an electric motor, it is worth deciding on the amount of work it will perform. Then you should carefully read consumer reviews of specific shredder models. Here you can get as much useful information as possible, which will dispel all doubts and help you make the right choice. It’s worth taking a closer look at shredders made by domestic manufacturers, which are no worse than their European counterparts, and their price will be significantly lower. Once you don't skimp on purchasing a good shredder, you will receive a reliable assistant for many years.