2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Every summer resident is faced with the need to dispose of garbage and organic waste. A special inconvenience is created by the branches of bushes and fruit trees left after their pruning. A garden shredder (chipper) - a machine for shredding organic waste and garbage will help to recycle all this
This unit not only quickly disposes of the remnants of perennial plants, branches, cones, twigs and debris, but also turns it all into mulching material. The mulch obtained in this way can improve the structure of the soil, using it as an organic fertilizer, or sprinkle paths or gaps to prevent weed growth. Although the chippers appear to be bulky in appearance, they can be easily converted into a compact size, which makes them convenient to store and transport.
Types of garden shredders
The produced models of chippers may differ in the type of engine, their power, the type of the knife system, the size of the funnel, the type of recycled waste, as well as weight and some other features. Depending on this, various types of this unit are distinguished.
By type of knife system
Depending on the type of knife system, shredders can be disc and milling.
* In discs, grinding occurs with a disc with two or more steel knives, the course of which is set by the unit shaft. The quality of processing and its speed depend on the type of waste. Such chippers are optimal for chopping thin branches of trees, leaves, grass, stems. You can also process dry branches with them, but this will lead to a quick stupefaction of the knives.
* In milling, the grinding system is made in the form of a gear, it is one-piece. Such chippers are considered reliable and practical: they can also chop dry branches with a diameter of up to 45 mm. This type of chipper is equipped with a branch retraction system, which eliminates the need to constantly push them into the funnel. You just need to place the branches in the unit, and then it will cope with the work itself. Milling chippers can have a reverse and an adjustment of the processing fraction, however, leaves and grass are much more convenient to chop in disc aggregates.
By engine type
Chippers can be electric or gasoline powered.
* Electric machines have low power (up to 2, 6 kW) and low noise level. They easily handle branches up to 45 mm in diameter. These chippers are easy to maintain, and the cost is relatively low. However, their mobility is limited by the length of the power cord, and power surges can damage them.
* Gasoline units - powerful machines (up to 8 kW). They will process almost any summer cottage waste, they can chop branches up to 60 mm in diameter. Such chippers are mobile, easy to move to the right place. However, their two-stroke or four-stroke engine makes a lot of noise. In addition, he is picky about the fuel mixture, which must be prepared from gasoline and oil in strict proportions.
By power
One of the most important indicators for a chipper is its power. On this basis, they can be low-power, medium-power and professional.
* Low-power chippers (up to 1.6 kW) are disc models with an electric motor. They have a mass of 12-20 kg, they grind branches with a diameter of up to 30 mm. These units are good for new garden plots where they can process grass, weeds, tops and young branches.
* Medium-power shredders (up to 2.5 kW) - equipped with an electric or gasoline engine. They often have a milling knife system, they can process branches with a diameter of up to 35 mm. Their mass is greater than that of low-power ones, and they are intended for processing medium-sized (in age and size) summer cottages.
* Professional chippers (3, 8 kW and more) have large dimensions and impressive weight. They are equipped with a gasoline or three-phase electric motor. These units often have a powerful cutter blade system, wide funnels, and a retraction mechanism. Waste is not only crushed, but also slightly compressed, which makes it possible to obtain high-quality mulch. Professional shredders can process branches up to 60 mm in diameter, which is why they are used in gardens and large farms.
Choosing a chipper
* When choosing a garden shredder, consider the age of your plot and your mulch needs. It is possible that an inexpensive, medium-power electric model with a milling knife system will perfectly handle all the waste.
* Chippers with a large funnel are convenient in operation. In such models, it is easier to load raw materials for processing.
* There are garden shredders from different manufacturers on the market. You can find out the features of their work on specialized forums in social networks. This will help you make smart choices.
