How to choose a chopper branches: tips and feedback. Garden shredders for branches, grass and garbage

Crushers, or shredders, belong to the category of special-purpose equipment and can significantly simplify the process of recycling vegetable debris in the garden. Of course, twigs and weeds can simply be burned, but sometimes this option does not fit. In addition, crushed grass and branches can serve as an excellent filler for the compost heap.

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 carry out all of its points. On how to choose a garden chopper branches and grass, today and talk.

Types of equipment

Depending on the characteristics of the aggregates 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 the branches, whose diameter is not more than 25 mm.

The body 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 not designed for frequent, let alone permanent use.

Semi-professional units

Crushers from this category are equipped with engines of 3 kW 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 weigh such devices are much more. On average, the weight reaches 40 kg. They can be used for grinding not only branches and grass, but also dry plant tops.

Professional Shredders

The most powerful devices from all existing models. They cope well with large volumes of work and can be used in farms.

The power of the engine reaches 6 - 9 kW, so the device can easily cope with the branches, the thickness of which is more than 60 mm. An indisputable advantage is the function of retraction of material in the automatic mode.

Professional shredders are able to work for a long time at full load. Manufacturers, as a rule, add quite a few options, which greatly facilitate the work of man. In particular, the units are capable of producing mulch.

Additional Features

Garden shredder branches and grass, in addition to the main characteristics, may have additional functions. Most often this is:

• Automatic feed of material;
• The ability to lock the engine when unplanned;
• Reduction of work noise;
• Adjustment of the speed of grinding;
• Processing material in mulch, etc.

Cutting mechanism

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 the grass, thin branches and various soft waste, for example, vegetable substandard, then you can safely choose the 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 disk can rotate in different planes, it depends on the design of the receiving hopper. The shredder works quite loud and can not boast of great performance.

Some models of grinders, equipped with a knife-edge cutting mechanism, have an additional function of automatic feeding of branches. And the simplest devices almost do not differ from the classical trimmer and are able to process only the foliage. In such models, a reel with a fishing line is used as a cutting tool .

If it is necessary to process thick branches, it is best to choose shredders with a screw or milling type of cutting unit. Such a chopper of branches (the price of the device in this case will be higher in comparison with the previously considered option) has more weight, but it also works much quieter. Unfortunately, models from this category are not intended for processing grass and leaves.

For the disposal of both grass and twigs, combined aggregates must be selected. From conventional models, they differ in the processing of material. Soft waste is fed through the upper funnel and falls onto the blade with knives. After grinding, they fall on the milling cutter located below. Branches and branches are fed through a special receiving window and fall immediately onto the milling cutter. Such equipment is the most expensive, but it also has more impact. The lower price bracket stands at about 3500 rubles.

Garden chopper motor: gasoline or electric

Garden shredders can be equipped with both electric and petrol four-stroke engines. At the same time, the power of the electric grinder varies in the range 1.2-4.0 kW, while in gasoline units it reaches 8 kW.

Each option has its own merits and demerits. First consider the garden electric chopper. The obvious disadvantages are:

• Lack of mobility. The range of movement of the device is limited by the length of the electric cord. In addition, electricity is not available in all horticultural partnerships.
• The electrical installation can not work in rainy weather , even if it is only a shallow rain.
• The electric motor is very sensitive to any voltage drops . In rural areas, such jumps are not uncommon.
• Short cycle of work. Maximum, which the device can work without interruption, does not exceed 25 minutes. Then the shredder must be completely cooled.
• Connection problem. If you purchased a device with a three-phase motor, then the connection is more likely to cause problems, since 380 V power for a normal partnership is a rarity.

But at the same time the garden electric grinder is much cheaper and easier to use.

Shredders with gasoline engine

Now let's get acquainted with the advantages of gasoline devices. These include:

• The possibility of trouble-free operation in any weather. Stopping can be required only if you need to clean the cutting mechanism or just run out of material for processing.
• Some models are equipped with an electric starter , the start is made by a slight push of a button.
• Presence of a reverse. This function greatly facilitates the cleaning of the cutting mechanism, since reverse rotation facilitates the automatic ejection of the fallen stone or wound fiber.

Choosing a gasoline shredder branches (reviews of such units are exceptionally positive), you need to be prepared for the fact that he will need to conduct maintenance. This is the replacement of oil, filters and other activities familiar to every car enthusiast. Do not forget about filling the engine. You can not save on this, because the engine is pretty fastidious in this regard. Therefore, the operation of the gasoline shredder will cost much more than its electrical equivalent.

Gardeners often share their impressions about the equipment used on the garden plot. And almost everyone agrees that such shredders are just an indispensable thing, but the opinions are still divided. Someone more favorably speaks about electrical devices, but someone liked the petrol units.

Here, in principle, and all the information that will help make you the right choice. If, for some reason, you can not find the unit that suits you in all respects, then you will be able to assemble the homemade branch chopper.

Drawings will also not be a problem, since the unit itself, if you think about it, is not too complicated in its design. Enjoy the shopping!