The concept of full-cycle production has been successfully applied not only in industry, but also within the private sector. A modern summer resident uses chemicals to a minimum extent to fertilize cultivated plants in order to get a he althy and he althy harvest. Therefore, as a replacement for a special set of feed elements, he needs compost formed as a result of the processing of garden waste. The basis for a compost heap can be branches and plants that have undergone preliminary processing. At this stage, a grass chopper is required, which will provide the optimal raw material for humus.
Unit device
The design of the grinder can be conditionally divided into three parts - the bearing base, the processing unit and the body. Layout configurations are different, which is largely determined by the mobility of the unit. In mobile models, the carrier platform also acts as a running gear with wheels. The racks hold the body, which contains the power stuffing and processing elements.
Crushing mechanism as a wholeresembles the function of a meat grinder that produces minced meat. Processing devices are driven by an engine, which is also implemented in different ways. As for the body, an ordinary grass chopper for a summer residence is made of a durable metal sheet, which passes from the bottom into a running block, and from the top into a kind of loading funnel. A separate receptacle, such as a small-sized compost bin, may be provided for the release of ready-made waste.
Key Features
The power parameter is the main one for determining the operating potential of the unit. The initial power level in household models corresponds to 1-2 kW. This is enough for confident processing of stems up to 40 mm thick. This is followed by machines of the middle class, the performance of which reaches 2.5-3 kW. Accordingly, the endurance of equipment and the ability to cope with branches with a diameter of more than 45 mm increase. The highest class is represented by industrial grass grinders. The power characteristics in this case can be expressed in the range of 4-9 kW. Highly specialized garden waste recycling machines are powered by motors up to 20 kW.
If you plan to purchase a unit with the ability to move, then it will not be superfluous to refer to the weight of the chopper. Small-sized equipment on average weighs 7-10 kg. These are models with a small power reserve, which can cut thin branches. Cars weighing 15-20 kg are less convenient to move, but they have a massive loading funnel,allowing for the processing of a large amount of waste at a time.
Types of grinding mechanisms
Designers use two knife systems for processing branches, grass and leaves - milling and disk. In the first case, a one-piece gear is used, which automatically tightens the immersed workpieces. The user is only required to fill the funnel as the material is absorbed. This mechanism is characterized by high performance, so it is suitable for those cases when it is planned to process solid waste - the same branches and thick stems from bushes.
Disc models use a knife system with multiple blades mounted on a platform with a rotating shaft. If there is a question about which chopper to choose for branches and grass with leaves, then it is quite possible to give preference to equipment with a disk working mechanism. It is not as productive as a milling unit, but it saves energy and wears less in soft waste operations.
Petrol shredders
Garden equipment is traditionally equipped with internal combustion engines running on gasoline or diesel. The grinder is not the most demanding unit for energy resources, so heavy fuel is practically not used. But even compact models give the user reason to expect efficient processing of thick branches and large volumes of leaves in a short period of time.
In terms of performance, this is the best solution forlarge areas. More importantly, the gasoline grass chopper is independent of mains power supplies. This means that the equipment can be used at a distance from home or summer cottage without wires and other communication channels. But there are also downsides to gasoline shredders, which include air pollution and high maintenance costs.
Electric models
These are compact, lightweight and environmentally friendly machines for small areas. As practice shows, in terms of physical handling, the electric chopper does not cause difficulties for women either. Also, compared to gasoline counterparts, these models are almost silent and maintenance-free.
But before buying, you should consider the serious disadvantages of such a garden helper. First, the electric grass grinder must be connected to the mains during operation. Battery versions in this niche are not widely used, so you can only rely on wired power supply. There are also performance limitations. So, if for gasoline shredders the maximum thickness of processed branches is 60-70 cm, then for electric shredders it is 40-50 cm.
Additional functionality
In terms of auxiliary capabilities, three optional groups should be oriented - structural additions, protective systems and operating modes. As for the first group, it can include a removable carrier platform with a running system (for movement orfixed installation), branch and grass pusher, funnels of different diameters and carrying handles.
Protective mechanisms can be represented by a soft start of the engine, blocking the inclusion and systems for automatically stopping equipment in case of high overloads. Electric household grass grinder supports several processing modes. For example, a gardener can adjust the degree of grinding by fractions - into pieces, sawdust, wood chips, etc. Industrial units, in turn, are provided with reverse gear and automatic waste loaders.
What else to consider when choosing?
There are also a number of small technical and operational nuances that will not be superfluous to calculate before buying. For example, from the point of view of loading ergonomics, the configuration of the funnel matters. Many gardeners praise the sloping and cone-shaped load modules - they are easier to fill and maintain technically. In order to postpone the moment of changing or sharpening knives as much as possible, the material of their manufacture is also taken into account. Experts recommend buying models with cutting elements made of hardened steel. Now you can go to the review of garden shredders for grass and branches, which occupy a leading position in the domestic market.
Reviews on the Bosch AXT 25TC
Practical and versatile grinder from German developers, which copes with the processing of foliage and chopping branches. The power filling of the unit is represented by a 2.5 kW electric motor, which allows the production of raw materialsfor humus with a productivity of 230 kg/h. The owners of this equipment include ergonomics, silent operation, automatic tightening of waste and reliability of working bodies to the advantages of this equipment. Among the weaknesses of this grass chopper, there is an inconvenient base configuration with an upper center of gravity, not the most successful electrical interface and a high cost of 30 thousand rubles. However, the durability of the design and functional elements compensates for the overpayment by minimizing maintenance costs.
Reviews about the Einhell GH-KS 2440
A more affordable option for an electric chopper costing 9-10 thousand rubles. For this amount, an electric motor of 2.4 kW, knives made of special steel for processing foliage and branches with a diameter of up to 40 mm, and a fairly wide range of additional accessories are offered. The owners of the unit note good performance for a household class, flexibility and mobility in physical circulation, as well as a modest weight of 11 kg. The negative reviews about the grass chopper GH-KS 2440 are addressed to the quality of processing. So, crooked thick branches can jam the knife mechanism, and very small foliage is skipped without any processing. After completion of work activities, careful removal of the remaining sharp branches by hand is required.
Reviews about the model LASKI KDO 85/14
Czech shredder with petrol engine HONDA GX 390, designed for professional use. Powerthe power plant is 8.2 kW, which makes it possible to process not only foliage with thin branches, but also wood chips with a diameter of about 80-90 mm. The practice of operating this machine allows us to talk about such advantages as high performance, endurance, technical stability and maneuverability. Of course, this is not a small-sized garden grass shredder that can be carried over long distances, but the wheels allow it to be transported on a flat surface within a park area or farm. The advantages of the unit include several sets with grinding organs - from small blades to a group of crushing knives.
Conclusion
Maintenance of gardening at the proper level according to the principles of rational use of its main resources and waste inevitably involves the use of special equipment. It would be wrong to consider the chopper only as a means of destroying branches with grass. Depending on the model, this technique can perform the tasks of recycling various organic and plant materials, releasing raw materials ready for fertilization. Therefore, even before buying a grass chopper or other waste, you should answer questions about which processing modes will be involved and in what fraction the final product should be produced.
Having determined the appropriate model, it will be useful to take a closer look at additional devices. Manufacturers strive to provide their equipment as much as possible, but the basic set of accessories can beand not enough. For example, without fail, experienced summer residents recommend purchasing transport devices (wheels, handles), several containers of different capacities for collecting raw materials and pushers with which the target material will be immersed in the funnel.
