Shredders, or shredders, belong to the category of special-purpose equipment and can greatly simplify the process of recycling plant debris in the garden. Of course, branches and weeds can simply be burned, but sometimes this option is completely inappropriate. In addition, well-chopped grass and branches can serve as an excellent filler for the compost heap.
The garden shredder is a compact and easy-to-use unit that does not require any special knowledge to operate. It is enough to read the attached instructions and follow all of its points. Today we’ll talk about how to choose a garden shredder for branches and grass.
Equipment types
Depending on the characteristics, the units can be divided into three types:
- household;
- semi-professional;
- professional.
Household shredders
Devices can be used for processing small volumes. Unit powerdoes not exceed 1.5 kW. The shredder can handle branches up to 25 mm in diameter.
The case of the device is made of plastic, so its weight is no more than 20 kg. Household shredders do not have additional functions and are generally not intended for frequent, much less permanent use.
Semi-professional machines
The shredders in this category are equipped with 3 kW motors and are already capable of handling branches with a diameter of 30 - 40 mm.
The material for the case is not only plastic, but also metal, so such devices already weigh much more. On average, the weight reaches 40 kg. They can be used to grind not only branches and grass, but also dry tops of plants.
Professional shredders
The most powerful devices of all existing models. They are excellent for large volumes of work and can be used on farms.
Motor power reaches 6 - 9 kW, so the device can easily cope with branches with a thickness of more than 60 mm. The indisputable advantage is the function of retracting the material in automatic mode.
Professional shredders are able to work for a long time at full load. Manufacturers, as a rule, add quite a lot of options that greatly facilitate the work of a person. In particular, the units are capable of producing mulch.
Additional features
Garden shredder of branches and grass, except for the main onescharacteristics, may have additional functions. Most often it is:
- automatic material feed;
- possibility of blocking the engine in case of unplanned activation;
- reduce operation noise;
- grinding speed adjustment;
- recycling material into mulch, etc.
Cutter
When choosing a garden shredder for branches and grass, first of all, pay attention to the type of cutting mechanism. In total, manufacturers offer three options:
- knife;
- screw;
- milling.
If there is a need to grind grass, thin branches and various soft waste, such as vegetable substandard, then you can safely choose devices equipped with a disk with knives. As a rule, they are equipped with a pair of flat knives, but in some models their number reaches five pieces. The disc can rotate in different planes, it depends on the design of the receiving hopper. The shredder works quite loudly and cannot boast of high performance.
Some models of shredders equipped with a knife cutting mechanism have an additional function of automatic feeding of branches. And the simplest devices are practically no different from the classic trimmer and are able to process only foliage. In such models, a spool of fishing line is used as a cutting tool.
If it is necessary to process thick branches, it is best to choose shredders with screw ormilling type of cutting block. Such a branch chopper (the price of the device in this case will be higher compared to the previously considered option) has more weight, but it also works much quieter. Unfortunately, the models in this category are not designed to process grass and leaves.
For the disposal of both grass and branches, it is necessary to choose combined units. They differ from conventional models in the material processing process. The soft waste is fed through the top funnel and onto the blade disc. After grinding, they fall on the cutter located even lower. Branches and branches are fed through a special receiving window and immediately fall on the cutter. Such equipment is the most expensive, but also has a greater return. The lower price bar is around 3,500 rubles.
Garden shredder engine: gasoline or electric
Garden shredders can be equipped with both electric and gasoline four-stroke engines. At the same time, the power of the electric chopper varies in the range of 1.2 - 4.0 kW, and for gasoline units it reaches 8 kW.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's first consider a garden electric wood shredder. The obvious disadvantages include:
- Lack of mobility. The range of movement of the device is limited by the length of the electrical cord. In addition, electricity is not available at all horticultural associations.
- Electrical installation cannot work in rainy weather, even if it is just a light rain.
- ElectricThe motor is very sensitive to any voltage fluctuations. In rural areas, such surges are far from uncommon.
- Short work cycle. The maximum that the device can work without interruption does not exceed 25 minutes. Then the shredder needs to cool down completely.
- Connection problem. If you purchased a device with a three-phase motor, then connection problems most often occur, since 380 V power supply is very rare for a normal partnership.
But at the same time, an electric garden shredder is much cheaper and easier to use.
Gasoline shredders
Now let's get acquainted with the advantages of gasoline devices. These include:
- Ability to work smoothly in any weather. The only time to stop is if you need to clean the cutterbar or just run out of material to process.
- Some models are equipped with an electric starter, starting with a slight push of a button.
- The presence of a reverse. This feature makes it much easier to clean the cutter as the reverse rotation automatically ejects any stone or fiber that has wound around the blade.
When choosing a gasoline wood chipper (reviews about such units are extremely positive), you need to be prepared for the fact that it will need maintenance. This is an oil change, filters and other activities familiar to every motorist. Don't forget aboutengine refueling. It will not work to save on this, since the engine is quite picky in this regard. Therefore, the operation of a gasoline shredder will cost much more than its electric counterpart.
Gardeners often share their impressions of the equipment used in the garden. And almost everyone agrees that such shredders are simply an irreplaceable thing, but opinions are still divided. Someone speaks more favorably about electrical devices, while someone likes gasoline units.
Here, in principle, and all the information that will help you make the right choice. If for some reason you can’t find a unit that suits you in all respects, then you can assemble a homemade branch chopper.
Drawings won't be a problem either, as the unit itself, if you think about it, isn't overly complicated in its design. Happy shopping!
