Best Electric Shredders
Various types of electric branch shredders can be purchased both in specialized and in huge markets such as Castoram or Leroy merlin, as well as on the Internet.
For ease of selection, you can rank the most attractive electric garden shredder models.
Shredder AL-KO Easy Crush mh 2800
This German-made machine has a 2.8 kW knife cutter, designed for chopping grass and branches up to 4.2 cm in diameter. Equipped with a built-in mulch receiver. There is a system of uniform automatic pulling of raw materials into the receiving device. Wide frames provide reliability and stability of the device, and large diameter wheels provide mobility.
Hammer GS2500 chopper
The electric garden shredder from the German manufacturer has a power of 2.5 kW and can handle 4.5 cm branches. Equipped with a 45 liter grass catcher. Unit weight - 14 kg.
Electric garden shredder MTD SL 2800
The mtd sl 2800 electric crusher can grind raw materials up to four and a half centimeters in diameter. The cutting element is a system of gears with eight teeth. The convenient receiving funnel facilitates quick and accurate collection of wood and other debris. The 2.8 kW motor has overload protection.
Types of brush cutters
For dacha owners who have few shrubs on their land, we recommend manual hedge trimmers. In their design and principle of operation, they resemble ordinary scissors. Their long handles are designed to increase the force transmitted to the blades (lever principle).
Two or three bushes, a low hedge or the crown of a young tree, you can cut it quickly and without problems with such a tool. If we are talking about dozens of green spaces, then you need to consider more productive mechanized devices.
If the area of the site is small (2-5 acres), then it is most profitable to purchase an electric brush cutter - a reliable and low-noise mechanism. Its coverage area is limited by the length of the carrying wire. Therefore, it is not very convenient to use such a device in a large space. The power of the "electric scissors" is relatively low (from 400 to 700 W), so the maximum diameter of the branches should not exceed 30 mm.
It is necessary to work with such a mechanism carefully, taking breaks in hot weather to cool the engine. On rainy and damp days, it is not recommended to go out with him to the garden, since at this time the risk of electric shock increases.
A cordless hedge trimmer will help you get rid of the tethering and unraveling of a long wire. It is a lightweight and compact mechanism, quiet, easy to operate and unpretentious in maintenance.
The choice of power here is carried out depending on the voltage of the battery. The higher it is, the thicker the branches can be cut. For example, with a battery voltage of 14 volts, you can remove branches up to 15 mm thick.
The lithium-ion battery that this trimmer is equipped with has a high capacity and no memory effect. Therefore, you do not have to often put it on recharge and make sure that its duration does not turn out to be less than the manufacturer's recommended one.
If the tool kit includes not one, but two batteries, this is a big plus. In this case, you will be able to perform a large amount of work (up to 2 hours) without a break for recharging.
Where more power is required (750 to 1200 watts), a gasoline hedgecutter is required. These are all-weather devices, mobile and productive.Their maximum cutting thickness reaches 30 mm.
The disadvantages of "gasoline scissors" include:
- Considerable weight (5.0 - 6.0 kg);
- Quite high cost;
- Increased noise and toxic exhaust;
- The need to prepare the fuel mixture (gasoline with special engine oil).
Mounted brush cutter
The mounted hedgecutter is a cutter covered with a protective cover, which is controlled by a hydraulic manipulator. The manipulator with a mounted brush cutter is placed on a chassis with hydraulic supports. Such equipment is used for clearing heavily overgrown roadsides and ditches from bushes.
Rating of the best firms and models
In trade enterprises engaged in the sale of garden equipment, a wide selection of a wide variety of loppers is presented. The most popular models include such product modifications as Alligator, Raco, Wolf-Garten RR 900T, Stihl, Bosch, Grinda, Mr. Logo, Tsentroinstrument, Nikona, Worx WG307E, as well as Patriot and Palisad.
Let's take a closer look at the most popular secateurs.
Raco RT 53 / 143S
This is a German-made chain attachment. The length of the device is 21 cm, the knives are made of high-carbon hardened steel with a protective anti-corrosion coating. Aluminum handles, have a special vinyl coating, while the lower one can rotate 90 degrees in one direction, at the moment when the handles begin to diverge, it gradually rises to its original position. Usually the knives can be fixed in a static position using metal elements.
Even if such a hedge trimmer falls, this structure does not open, which makes the device especially reliable and safe. The device is used for cutting branches with a saw cut up to 2 cm.
Gardena Comfort (8788)
This is another product of German manufacturers, one of the most expensive models. The length of the lopper is 19.5 cm, weight is 225 g. The blade is sharp, made of hardened steel, has a special Teflon coating that prevents leaves from sticking when cutting branches. The handle is made of enamelled aluminum, equipped with a rubberized ergonomic handle.
The retainer is plastic, the type of return spring is tape. Allows you to cut branches to branches up to 2 cm in diameter.
Fiskars 111340
Another popular Finnish pruner. Its length is 17 cm, the blades are made of stainless steel, treated with a special Teflon coating, so that juice and dirt do not stick to the cutting blades. Plastic handles, reinforced with fiberglass. The type of the return mechanism is lever. The device weighs 130 g.
"Tsentroinstrument"
This is a tool of a Russian enterprise, however, the production facilities of the company are located in the eastern countries. The weight of the product is 250 g, the length is about 20 cm. The knives are made of Japanese steel, there is no additional protective coating, the handle is rubberized, the type of return mechanism is spring.
In the event of a breakdown, spare parts for this brush cutter can be purchased at any store.
What is a brush cutter
Probably, every person is familiar with such a tool as a garden pruner. With this device, branches are cut, a crown of young trees is created, excess or dry shoots are removed, and vines are formed.
The pruner can cope with pruning several dozen branches, each cutting movement with it requires the muscular effort of a person. Therefore, with the help of a pruner, it will not be possible to form a hedge, trim tall or voluminous bushes - all that he is capable of is to slightly trim the formed bushes.
For larger-scale works, a brush cutter was created. Its distinctive feature is longer and more massive blades. In addition, brush cutters are not only hand-held, often the tools are driven.
DIY garden shredder: basic structural elements
A garden shredder, also known as a shredder or a chipper, greatly facilitates the process of caring for a summer cottage.With its help, you can easily clear the area from branches and grass. Recycled raw materials can be placed in a compost pit to obtain natural fertilizer. It is advisable to use the resulting small wood as firewood for heating the house. Shredded chips from fruit trees are ideal for smoking meat.
A grass and branch shredder helps you deal with plant debris in your area
The construction of a garden shredder is quite simple. It consists of the following main parts:
- bunker;
- drive;
- grinding mechanism;
- metal frame with protective cover.
Some models can be equipped with additional elements:
- bunker for shredded organic waste;
- pusher;
- a sieve for regulating the fraction of chips.
The principle of operation of any grinder is the same as that of a meat grinder and is as follows. When the shredder is turned on, the engine starts, which drives the working shaft equipped with the cutting mechanism. At this time, garden debris falls into the receiving funnel and, using a cutting device, is crushed to a state of fine chips.
Chips from shredded branches can be used as compost for plants
Chopping mechanism
Before you start creating a homemade shredder, you need to clearly define the type of waste that it will recycle. This directly depends on its design features and performance. Garden shredders are classified according to three main parameters: the type and power of the engine and the type of shredder.
The following chopping options are available:
- milling, for processing hardwood;
- knife universal;
- roller, for grinding thin branches of trees and shrubs;
- with rotating turbines for shredding thick branches;
- hammer, for the disposal of thin branches;
- line-based trimmer for soft debris.
When self-assembly of the shredder, preference is given to a knife system or a type-setting of circular saws. You can make a two-roll design, in which two or three knives are installed on a massive disc and rotate towards each other.
Various types of grinding mechanism: 1 - hammer, 2 - milling, 3 - knife milling and turbine, 4 - knife disc
Engine type and power
The shredder can be equipped with an electric or gasoline engine. Each of them has important advantages and some disadvantages. The gasoline-powered garden shredder is more mobile. Its operation does not depend on the power supply. It is capable of processing thicker, larger branches. However, such chippers are more bulky and heavy. In addition, they emit harmful substances into the atmosphere in the course of their activities.
Electric shredders are lighter and easier to use. However, they are inferior in terms of power and depend on the energy resource.
The ability to recycle a certain type of garden waste depends on the engine power. For small volumes of waste, where the diameter of the branches does not exceed 20 mm, a 1.5 kW motor is sufficient. If it is necessary to grind branches with a thickness of 20-40 mm, then it is advisable to use an engine with a power of at least 3.5-4 kW. Shredders equipped with a 6 kW motor will be able to cope with large wood 100-150 mm in diameter.
High performance shredder capable of shredding branches up to 100 mm in diameter
Another design feature of shredders is the type of drive. This function can be performed by a chain, belt or the motor shaft itself, on which the knife mechanism is fixed.
How to choose a wood shredder?
So what should you look out for before purchasing a garden shredder? Here are the main parameters to consider
Device type.There are two main types of shredders: disc and auger. The former cut the plants with one or more rotating discs. They work faster, but the discs need to be sharpened periodically. In addition, such a structure cannot cut through thick branches. The latter process the waste using a special gear shaft. They are much slower in work, but they are able to cope with fairly thick branches and do not require periodic sharpening. In addition, they grind much better: the output is a finely dispersed mixture, and sometimes even gruel. This cannot be achieved with disk aggregates.
Working volume. Everything is simple here: the larger the working volume of the apparatus, the more plants can be loaded there for processing. The smallest devices (which are also the cheapest) can be loaded with just one or two small twigs. In more voluminous - several at once.
Power. The more powerful the attachment, the faster it works and the better it does chopping. In addition, powerful units are capable of processing even relatively thick branches. Keep in mind, however, that the price to pay for efficiency is the increased consumption of electricity or fuel.
Engine's type. There are three types of devices: hand-held, gasoline and electric. The former are set in motion by the muscular strength of a person. The vtors have an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline. Still others are driven by an electric motor, which is powered from a household power supply. The latter option is the most preferable because it is economical, requires almost no maintenance and produces much less noise during operation than gasoline models. In addition, to work with it, you hardly need to exert physical force, in contrast to manual devices. Therefore, this article will focus on electrical devices.
Build quality. Devices for shredding vegetation are designed with sharp cutting parts that rotate quickly. These items can cause serious injury to the person operating the equipment.
That is why the build quality of the device is extremely important. All units and parts must be tightly fitted to each other, not have any backlash and gaps
The fastening screws must be tightened so tightly that it is simply impossible to unscrew the fasteners without the help of a wrench or screwdriver. All this guarantees the safety of the gardener. In addition, the reliability of the device, its service life and comfort during use depend on the build quality.
Dimensions. Aggregates come in different sizes, from small ones that fit in the trunk of a car, to large ones that are practically unsuitable for transportation. Since many permanently live in the dacha for only one or two months a year and do not leave expensive things in their dacha buildings due to the risk of theft, when choosing, one should take into account the size and ability to transport equipment from one place to another.
Versatility. Shredders are versatile and non-versatile. The former are able to chop only branches. The latter can work with grass as well. A versatile piece of equipment is worth purchasing if you plan to use a rabbit feed preparation tool. And non-universal equipment will come in handy if you do not keep any animals, and use chopped vegetation as fertilizer.
Manufacturer. Devices are produced by a wide variety of manufacturers, from well-known brands (for example, Patriot or Bosch) to unnamed Chinese factories. The cost of the equipment also depends on this. In general, branded and little-known firms differ little from each other in the overall quality of products, although there are exceptions (but there are very few of them).
Price. The price of the device depends primarily on the brand. It has little effect on quality.Therefore, only a visual inspection and comparison of technical characteristics will help to determine whether to buy an expensive device or a cheap one.
Also, before buying, you must ask the seller to test the equipment. It consists in the idle start of the apparatus and monitoring its operation for five to ten minutes. Such testing helps to find out if there is a defect, technical malfunction or other defects.
Choosing the type of motor for the device
electric motors and gasoline engines
The simplest and most affordable device is considered to be an electric motor. Such equipment has a lot of positive characteristics. Among them, the following can be noted:
- Affordable price.
- Easy to operate. There is no need to lubricate the engine, it is turned on by a simple push of a button, there is no need to monitor the fuel level in the tank.
- Small size and weight. Such a unit can be easily moved to any point convenient for you.
- Makes little noise.
But the electric garden shredder is not without some disadvantages. For example, such a device needs a nearby electrical outlet. This makes it a little difficult to use it in places remote from the house (or other structure with power grids), for this you have to use extension cords or a carrier.
In addition, electric shredders are not very powerful. If a branch is thick enough, the device may simply not recycle it.
Gasoline-powered garden shredders are capable of grinding almost any size of raw material (within reasonable limits, of course). They are produced with sufficient power, but this characteristic entails an increase in size and weight.
In addition, gasoline units are more expensive. It is also worth noting that during operation you will have to spend your money on the purchase of fuel. But on the other hand, such a shredder can be used in any, even the most remote, part of the personal plot.
Gasoline powered devices can use two-stroke or four-stroke engines. The first option is the most common. It has enough power, but it runs quieter and "eats" less fuel than its four-stroke brother.
Tips for choosing a garden shredder
When buying a garden shredder, you should not aim for high power, everything will depend on the size of your site.
Recent Entries
Chainsaw or electric saw - what to choose for the garden? 4 mistakes when growing tomatoes in pots that almost all housewives make Secrets of growing seedlings from the Japanese, who are very sensitive to the earth
If a couple of apple trees and a small lawn grow in a country house or a country house, then there is no point in purchasing an expensive gasoline unit. In this case, an electric analogue, capable of chopping branches with a cross section of up to 4.5 cm, will quite cope.
If there is a large area of the site and many different plantings, then it is better to spend money on an expensive device. A gasoline shredder with sufficient power can be a great helper. In addition, just such devices can be easily used in any corner of your personal plot.
Factors to consider when choosing
spare knives or cutters
Pay attention to the particle size of the garden shredder. Many manufacturers offer devices capable of chopping branches and grass into small shavings or sawdust.
This material is perfect for mulching and as a fertilizer.
Also, at the output, small (up to three mm in size) pieces of branches can be obtained. In this case, they can be used for compost. If after crushing the pieces are large, then you should not purchase such a device.
Operational safety is a very important factor. Branches and grass sometimes do not want to climb into the receiver. In this case, they have to be corrected by hand.But doing so can lead to injury.
To avoid such troubles, many manufacturers add a special shovel to the garden shredder kit. Also, the device can be equipped with an automatic shutdown device.
In addition, it is worth paying attention to the noise level of the unit. Neither you nor your neighbors may like the deafening rumble coming from the site.
In this regard, electric grinders look favorably, but among modern gasoline devices there are models, the noise of which fits into the concept of acoustic comfort.
Also pay attention to the ease of movement of the unit. In most cases, electrical devices can be moved from place to place with little effort.
But such transportation of gasoline analogues can cause difficulties. Therefore, check the comfort of the handles and the presence of reliable wheels on the shredder.
Model selection
When, from a variety of telescopic pruners, a choice has been made in favor of one type that is necessary for a particular garden or park, the final decision on the purchase should be made after studying the rating of telescopic pruners. Today, Gardena Comfort StarCut and Fiskars PowerGear are among the best and most demanded products. Many craftsmen try to copy them.
Fiskars
Fiskars versatile wood cutters are capable of working both at a height of up to 6 meters and with shrub trimming. Their efforts are enough for the strongest branches. The cutting blade drives the chain, it can rotate 240 degrees, which allows you to quickly and efficiently trim the garden. Before starting work, pull one of the levers and activate the delimber. Then it is necessary to release the blockage at the cutting head and adjust the working angle to a position suitable for cutting branches. The model is equipped with a ratchet mechanism, it is comfortable and easy to work with.
Gardena Comfort StarCut
Lightweight and durable tool, easy to use. The toothed drive of the working knife is used, which increases the power. It has a large cutting angle (200 degrees), adjustable from the ground, which makes it possible to work with branches growing in different directions. Both telescopic handles are equipped with release buttons and can be easily extended by pushing and extending the handles.
"The Red Star"
Mechanical wood cutter with anvil and telescopic handles, manufactured by a Russian company. The equipment is a heavy duty geared power tool that cuts thick branches with ease. The handles have 4 positions, extendable from 70 to 100 cm.The cutting diameter is 4.8 cm.
Stihl
Comfortable and safe petrol telescopic lopper "Shtil" produced by an Austrian company. Its boom length is the maximum among the high-cutters, it allows to work at a height of 5-6 meters. The equipment has low vibration and noise levels. Equipped with a large number of attachments, "Calm" is able to perform work of any complexity.
Taking into account the needs and prospects of your garden, today it is not difficult to choose the right work equipment, in particular, a telescopic lopper. A good choice will help you quickly and efficiently put your garden in order.
For an overview of the Fiskars telescopic lopper, see the following video.