Rules for choosing a garden electric shredder
One of the most popular types of modern country and garden equipment is an electric garden shredder - a device that can reduce the amount of garbage. Almost every owner of a personal plot or summer cottage should buy it. However, before that, you should choose the right tool correctly or spend some time and do it yourself.
Equipment types
The main task of the garden shredder for grass and branches is the disposal of organic residues that constantly accumulate on the site during the main work. The result of processing is a homogeneous mass that takes up a minimum of space and can be easily processed into fertilizers using a compost pit. This means that the tool also provides additional feeding for agricultural crops.
Manufacturers produce two options for shredders:
- with disc knife systems;
- with milling systems.
The disc tool is in the form of a disc with several knives. The grinding speed of biomass with it depends on the material. It is best to use this leaf shredder, grass and thin twigs. Dry and thick branches can also be processed using the disc system, although they blunt the metal of the knives much faster.
The milling knife system of an electric garden chipper is considered more reliable and productive. It can be used to process large pieces of wood up to 45-100 mm in size. In addition, such devices are equipped with a special mechanism for retracting branches, thanks to which the user does not need to constantly push them. The system recycles waste automatically, although it is best to chop the grass with disc equipment.
Selection by technical characteristics
The choice of a garden shredder should be started according to its technical parameters - first of all, in terms of productivity. Depending on its value, devices are divided into three categories:
- Low-power, the performance of which does not exceed 1600 W. They are usually equipped with a knife system, weigh no more than 20 kg and cut branches with a diameter of up to 30 mm. Used for processing weeds, grasses and young stems.
- Medium power installations (1600–2500 W). The weight of the equipment is not less than 20 kg, and the diameter of the processed branches reaches 35 mm. Equipment of this type is moved by wheels, and its grinding system is usually milling.
- High-performance devices, the power of which reaches (and sometimes even exceeds) 3800 watts. They have increased dimensions and large weight and operate on a three-phase electric motor. The equipment is equipped with a powerful cutting tool and a wide straight funnel. Such installations, which include the powerful Viking GB 460C garden shredder, shred branches with a diameter of 75 mm.
The most powerful devices work with even larger pieces of wood (up to 100–120 mm in diameter). They are used in large horticultural farms to remove almost any organic waste. The price of equipment in this category is the highest, and the dimensions are maximum. Some of these models are not even equipped with wheels, but are installed in one place.
Chopper selection by manufacturer
On the market you can find devices that differ not only in size and power, but also in brands. The most popular manufacturers of electric garden shredders are devices:
- German Bosch, Ikra Mogatec and Alko;
- Austrian Viking;
- Swedish Stiga;
- Slovenian Sadko;
- Chinese DTZ.
The equipment of the Stiga brand is distinguished by its high performance, long service life and affordable price. Shredders of the Ikra Mogatec type are known as reliable devices, not much different from the most expensive and functional devices. The popular garden shredder Bosch AXT Rapid 2000 weighing 11.5 kg is perfect for processing small waste. And the advantages of Sadko models are the large diameters of the shredded branches.
Other selection criteria
When choosing equipment for shredding garbage, it is advisable to use the following tips:
- Visually determine the maximum diameter of the branches that will be processed during operation. Perhaps a small hand-held device is sufficient for such work, or a high-performance stationary device with a conveyor belt may also be needed.
- The best option is equipment with conical funnels, which simplify system maintenance.
- It is worth buying a garden shredder shredder for permanent use on a large area only if it has several working speeds. This will ensure that both large branches and grass can be processed with one device.
- Equipment must have multiple loading holes. On the one hand, small branches will be loaded through them, on the other, long and large ones.
An additional factor is the availability of pre-cut knives, which extend the life of the main knife system. It is also worth paying attention to the level of noise generated by the equipment. Its value should not exceed 84 dB, otherwise the chopper will be too loud.
For the convenience of using the equipment, it is worth considering the size of the wheels, the possibility of height adjustment and the presence of several funnels. And also - the attached instruction in Russian, additional parts and knives.
Homemade chopper
If a suitable option for equipment was not found or the financial capabilities of the owner of the garden plot do not allow the purchase of expensive equipment, you can make a disc shredder of branches with your own hands. To do this, you will need to have some experience in welding and buy materials from the following list:
- steel sheets 1–1.6 cm thick for the main disc and 0.5 cm for the hopper and casing;
- high carbon steel, from which the knives will be made;
- several round or shaped pipes required for welding the grinder frame;
- shaft with a diameter of 2 cm;
- 2 bearings # 307, fasteners, pulley or belt. Although when using a motor with a speed of less than 1500 rpm, the last element is not needed.
The next stage of work is to find do-it-yourself drawings of a branch shredder, according to which the equipment will be manufactured. After that, it is necessary to cut a circle with a diameter of 40 cm from a thick steel sheet and make a hole in its center for installing a shaft, at the ends of which a thread is cut. The knives, casing and bearing races are manufactured according to the drawing.
A do-it-yourself garden electric shredder is mounted on a frame, the design of which can be chosen arbitrarily. In this case, a sliding motor mount should be made, which allows the belt to be tensioned. And the knives are screwed to the flywheel at an angle of about 30 degrees.