Garden shredder for branches and grass: types, types, choice, prices, reviews

At the dacha and garden plots, periodically you have to do cleaning – remove foliage, tops, stems, cut shrubs and trees. Everything that is softer and smaller goes to the compost heap, but it stays there for a long time – several years. Larger branches-stems have to be disposed of by more radical methods – taken out or burned somewhere. 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 that rots faster or can be used as mulch. 

Purpose and opportunities

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

• For branches. The garden shredder for branches copes well with the processing of wood waste. Some of them can even cut small trunks (up to 7 cm in diameter). But they can do a poor job of chopping grass or vines.
  

• For grass. Grass choppers, on the contrary, process any grassy waste well, and branches can only grind small ones, and fed in small batches.
• For branches and grass. They usually have a larger number of knives (vertical and horizontal), which process everything that is served to them.

When choosing, you need to focus on what kind of waste you have more. If your yard is mostly occupied by a garden and shrubs, your choice is a grass chopper. Their knives are designed so that they do not clog when processing dry or “fresh” plant components. If the site is set aside for a garden, you need a branch chopper. When choosing, pay attention to the maximum diameter of the processed waste. Well, if there is both a vegetable garden and a garden, you need a “wagon” that can handle both hard branches and grass.

Garden shredder device

A garden shredder is a housing in which the motor and shredding system are hidden. A funnel for supplying processed raw materials is attached to the upper part of the body. It can be wider and narrower – depending on the purpose. A wide funnel is more convenient for supplying grassy residues and foliage, and a narrower one for branches.

Shredded waste is poured from the bottom – from a special hole. There are units with a plastic tank, there are – with a soft bag. Plastic is convenient to use, but it increases the size and weight of the unit. The soft container for recycled is a bag. It takes up almost no space and does not add mass, but it is not so convenient to use it. There is a third option – no container at all. In this case, you can choose to your liking or use both types – whichever is more convenient.

Criterias of choice

The choice of any technique is a responsible and difficult task. Many criteria must be taken into account. In the case of 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 of waste accumulation, rolled up / rolled out of the storage shed, 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 choice of model depends on the purpose of the unit and the tasks that it must solve. If branches will predominate, you need one type of aggregate, if grass and foliage – a completely different one.

Engine type and power

The garden wood and grass shredder can be powered by an electric or gasoline engine. Devices with an electric engine weigh less, run quieter, and have no exhaust. But their mobility is limited by the length of the cord and the presence of connection points. There is still the option to use an extension/carry. The power of electric garden shredders is 2-5 kW. Usually these are household models with not the highest price tag.

A gas-powered garden shredder can move anywhere, but it is heavier and more massive due to the larger engine. To its mass, it is necessary to add another mass of fuel to be poured, and this will turn out the weight of the unit ready for operation. But the engines are more powerful. These models are much more expensive, starting at $750, but they are more productive and can be used by businesses.

In addition to the type of engine, you need to pay attention to its power. It is necessary to see that the declared capabilities (the maximum diameter of the 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 unsuccessfully become branch that blocks the shaft. This speeds up and facilitates the work, but the cost of such units is slightly higher.

Garden shredder: type of cutting part

The productivity and dimensions of processed branches depend on the type of cutting part. It is of 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 and horizontal plane. These already cope with more serious tasks.
  

• With worm type crusher. In these models, the cutting part is similar to the screw that is in the meat grinder. Only it is placed mainly vertically and has fewer turns. A garden shredder with a cutting part of this type works faster, copes well with dry and freshly cut branches of a 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 the Bosch AXT Rapid 2200.
  

• Cylindrical cutting unit with a large number of knives. It is also called “multi-knife cutter”. This is a unique Bocsh development 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, plant debris. Only creepers can be wound, and even then only if the knives are dull. These knives are on BOSCH AXT 25 TC.
  

• cutting shaft. A more powerful crushing unit allows you to grind even thick branches and branches. They are equipped with garden shredders for branches. The maximum size of processed branches is 5-8 cm. These are household models, because semi-industrial and industrial ones can cope with thicker ones. The problem is that they have the appropriate dimensions and cost.
  

The choice of the type of cutting unit is determined by the tasks for which you need the unit. Pay special attention to this, so as not to 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 work. And this is important. Here’s what we pay attention to:

• Dimensions, or rather, the height of the unit in the assembled state. The socket, in which the waste must be placed, is located very high – at a height of about one and a half meters. For people of short stature, this is a critical indicator.
• The location of the handles for transportation. In some units, the handles for transportation are located very low – at ground level. Carrying equipment of considerable weight while bending low is the easiest thing to do.
  

• Wheel width. The wider the wheel tires, the easier it is to move the unit around the site. After all, it is not always possible to move it along the tracks. More often the opposite happens – it is necessary to drag along the aisles, grass or dug up earth. This is where wide tires come to the rescue.
• The shape of the receiving hopper, the presence of a protective visor. When working with a garden shredder, there may be situations when chips or pieces of branches fly out of the socket. The presence of a visor on the receiving hopper, at least on one side, will allow you to work more or less safely (goggles are still needed).
• Weight. This parameter is paid attention not very often and in vain. If women or older people are involved in processing, the mass of the unit is important.
• Noise volume during operation. The normal indicator is 70-80 dB, with everything else you need to work in special headphones.

All these “minor” details affect the work, and this is important, since it usually takes hours to process. Being in an uncomfortable position or transporting the unit bent over, it will not be work but torment.

Models and reviews

The choice of technical parameters is nothing compared to the choice of the manufacturer. There are two benchmarks in this business: brand awareness and owner reviews.

Famous manufacturers

A brand is good, but brand-name equipment costs a lot. If that doesn’t scare you, it’s easier. Choose from brands. Garbage shredders are produced by such well-known companies:

• Bosch
• Viking
• AL-KO
• Wolf garden

You can take any unit from these manufacturers, just carefully read for what purpose it is intended – more for branches or grass. For example (according to the owners):

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

But if you choose for your tasks, they all have excellent reviews. Same as Vikinga (150, 250, 350). The Vikings are generally recognized as omnivores, as they thresh everything (cones, spruce branches (stale), corn, sunflowers, old flower stems, raspberry and blackberry trimmings, stale leaves and grass). But they are high, especially the 250 and 350 models.

Models of unknown brands

Of the less famous and cheaper ones, they performed well:

• IKRA MOGATEC EGN 2500. It cuts everything and very quickly, the fraction is small. But, until the knives become dull. You can’t buy new ones in ordinary ones, only in service centers.
• MacAllister 2800W. He even processed the remains of boards, large chips – 2-3 cm. Cuts dried branches faster, fresh ones – more slowly, some of them remain crumpled 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 of 2 centimeters long, if the branch hits horizontally, longer pieces pop out. The kit comes with a bag, but there’s not even anything to hang it on, they framed the box. So that when working on the lower grate, the processed did not accumulate, it had to be cut with a pruner. In general, the design is “licked” from Bosch 25 D. Conclusion based on the results of the work, who needs to grind the tops – look for another device. This one is for branches.
• Garden shredder Skill. With willow branches up to 3,5 cm in size, he coped with a bang. With dry currant branches, things went worse – they are very branched. When working with dry branches, performance drops.
• Petrol wood chipper Earthquake 9060300. It has two receiving hoppers – for branches and a large one – for foliage. He worked 35 hours in a season. Disadvantages – big and heavy, rolling is still normal, but loading into a car is problematic, it rumbles 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. While worked 3 days (almost full light). Normally cuts branches and young trees. The branches are tightened by themselves, but the effort is not too great.
• Sterwins 2500. About 200 buckets of mulch were made during the season. We processed raspberries, cherries, irga, plums, apple trees, dogwood, willow, vesicle, birch. During continuous operation, the thermal protection is triggered every 15-0 minutes. After cooling, you can work again.

There are probably other garden shredders that don’t cost too much and work just fine, but read as many reviews as you can before buying them. Take into account only those that are given with their own photos and details that cannot be caught from the description.