Shredders, or shredders, belong to the category of special-purpose equipment and can significantly 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 unsuitable. In addition, high-quality chopped grass and branches can serve as an excellent filler for compost heaps.
Garden shredder is a compact and easy to use unit that does not require any special knowledge to operate. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the attached instructions and follow all its points. Today we’ll talk about how to choose a garden shredder of branches and grass.
Types of equipment
Depending on the characteristics of the units can be divided into three types:
- household;
- semi-professional;
- professional.
Household shredders
Devices can be used for processing small volumes. The power of the unit does not exceed 1.5 kW. The shredder is able to cope with branches whose diameter is not more than 25 mm.
The case of the device is made of plastic, so its weight is not more than 20 kg. Household shredders do not have additional functions and are generally not intended for frequent, and even more so permanent use.
Semi-professional units
Grinders from this category are equipped with 3 kW engines and are already able to cope with branches with a diameter of 30 - 40 mm.
The material for the case is not only plastic, but also metal, so such devices weigh much more. On average, the weight reaches 40 kg. They can be used to chop not only branches and grass, but also dry tops of plants.
Professional Shredders
The most powerful devices of all existing models. They cope well with large volumes of work and can be used on farms.
Engine power reaches 6 - 9 kW, so the device easily copes with branches whose thickness is more than 60 mm. An indisputable advantage is the function of material retraction 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 man. In particular, aggregates are capable of producing mulch.
Additional features
The garden shredder of branches and grass, in addition to the main characteristics, can have additional functions. Most often it is:
- automatic material feed;
- the ability to block the engine during unplanned switching on;
- noise reduction;
- grinding speed adjustment;
- processing material into mulch, etc.
Cutting mechanism
When choosing a garden shredder of branches and grass, first of all pay attention to the type of cutting mechanism. In total, manufacturers offer three options:
If there is a need to chop grass, thin branches and various soft waste, for example, vegetable substandard, then you can safely choose devices equipped with a knife blade. As a rule, they are equipped with a pair of flat knives, but in some models their number reaches five. The disk 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 chopper models equipped with a knife cutting mechanism have an additional function of automatic feed of branches. And the simplest devices are practically no different from the classic trimmer and can only process foliage. In such models, a reel with fishing line is used as a cutting tool .
If you need to process thick branches, it is best to choose shredders with a screw or milling type of cutting unit. Such a shredder of branches (the price of the device in this case will be higher compared to the previously considered option) has more weight, but also works much quieter. Unfortunately, the models in this category are not intended for processing grass and leaves.
For disposal of both grass and branches, it is necessary to choose combined units. They differ from ordinary models in the process of processing the material. Soft waste is fed through the top funnel and onto a knife blade. After grinding, they fall on the mill located even lower. Branches and twigs are fed through a special receiving window and go directly to the cutter. Such equipment is the most expensive, but also has a greater return. The lower price bar is at around 3,500 rubles.
Garden Shredder Engine: Gas or Electric
Garden shredders can be equipped with both electric and gasoline four-stroke engines. In this case, the power of the electric grinder varies in the range of 1.2 - 4.0 kW, and for gasoline units it reaches 8 kW.
Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. First, consider a garden electric chopper. 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 in all horticultural partnerships.
- An electrical installation cannot work in rainy weather , even if it is just a fine rain.
- The electric motor is very sensitive to any voltage drops . In rural areas, such jumps are far from rare.
- Short cycle of work. The maximum that the device can work without interruption does not exceed 25 minutes. Then the shredder needs to cool completely.
- Connection problem. If you purchased a device with a three-phase motor, then connection problems most often arise, since a power supply of 380 V is a rarity for an ordinary partnership.
But at the same time the garden electric chopper is much cheaper and easier to use.
Gasoline powered shredders
Now let's get acquainted with the advantages of gasoline devices. These include:
- The possibility of uninterrupted operation in any weather. Stopping may only be necessary if the cutting mechanism needs to be cleaned or the material for processing has simply run out.
- Some models are equipped with an electric starter , the start is done with a touch of a button.
- The presence of reverse. This feature greatly facilitates the cleaning of the cutting mechanism, since rotation in the opposite direction automatically ejects the stone or the fiber wound around the knife.
Choosing a gasoline tree shredder (reviews about such units are extremely positive), you need to be prepared for the fact that he will need maintenance. This is an oil change, filters and other activities familiar to every motorist. Do not forget about refueling the engine. Save on this will not work, as the engine is quite picky in this regard. Therefore, the operation of a gasoline grinder will cost much more than its electric counterpart.
Gardeners often share their impressions of the equipment used on the garden plot. 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 others like gasoline units.
Here, in principle, is all the information that will help you make the right choice. If for some reason you can’t find the unit that suits you in all respects, then you can assemble a home-made branch chopper.
Drawings also will not become a problem, since the unit itself, if you think about it, is not overly complex in its design. Enjoy the shopping!