What are grass grinders and how to choose them?

If you want to have a good harvest, take care of the garden. Autumn is a busy time for such events. Branches are completely cut off, tops are dug out, various plant waste is removed. Once it was all burned at the stake. At the present time, when there is a struggle for the environment all over the world, and making fires even in private plots threatens with administrative responsibility, one should think about another method of disposal. An irreplaceable assistant in this matter will be a garden shredder (crusher) for a summer residence.

This is a highly specialized equipment created for the processing of plant waste. For example, such as grass, cut or cut branches of shrubs and trees, fruits, small pieces of processed wood, sticks, chips, etc. And in the end:

• you get excellent fertilizer in the form of mulch or excellent filling for the compost pit;
• keep your area clean;
• save money that you would have spent on garbage collection and the purchase of fertilizers.

Plastic units are the lightest. They are comfortable and easy to move around the garden area. Steel body versions are usually used for stationary applications, regardless of the presence of wheels for movement, since they are heavy.

An important detail is the wheels. If they are too narrow, then the heavy shredder will be difficult to move around the site, it will get bogged down in the ground. Therefore, the wider the outside of the wheel, the better.

A material receiver or hopper (loading box) is located on top of the body. With it, you can load debris to the cutterhead. It can be a fixed extension of the body, or it can move, changing the degree of inclination.

The crushed material is discharged through a special bell or hopper. It can be straight or located at a certain angle (it can be rearranged). This makes it possible to more conveniently collect the crushed material.

Taking into account the power, weight and diameter of branches for processing, chippers can be symbolically divided into 3 types: household, semi-professional and professional.

Garden shredders can be electric or gasoline, some professional modifications are equipped with diesel engines.

Electrical are mains powered, therefore their use is determined by the size of the cable. For the most part, these are small samples with a power of up to 1.5 kW. They are capable of crushing branches with a diameter of 20-30 mm. If you have a small plot (10-15 acres) and not a lot of grass, foliage and natural waste that needs to be recycled, this version is fine.

There are also more powerful electrical units that are capable of chopping branches up to 50-60 mm. Their power can reach 3.8-4 kW, but for their operation they must be connected to a 3-phase network, therefore, these modifications can hardly be called a household version for a wide range of users.

Gasoline function without being connected to the mains. The power of these units depends on the application.

For household samples, this figure is 5-8 liters. with. For professional modifications, the power can reach up to 14 liters. with. The diameter of the shredded branches is 10 cm (for domestic ones, it is 5-8 cm). In small areas with several fruit trees, this technique is not justified.

On the bulk of gasoline units, in order to provide the necessary torque on the cutting mechanism, 4-stroke engines with a horizontal crankshaft are practiced. Manufacturers install third-party motors on the shredders. On modifications of the budget segment, as a rule, motors from Chinese companies are used.

The main advantage of gasoline samples is maneuverability. Professional units are installed as a trailer to a walk-behind tractor, car or tractor. On separate devices, it is possible to operate from the power take-off shaft (PTO) of the tractor. For the sphere of housing and communal services, the fundamental parameter is the noise of the engine, since it is often brought to work in parks and squares, where the loud operation of the engine will be inappropriate.

Diesel motors, as a rule, are installed on professional equipment. These drives can operate for a long time without interruptions, they perfectly keep low revs, they do not need a complex ignition system.

Such samples will fit in organizations engaged in the improvement of significant territories, squares, parks, as well as in industrial enterprises and forestry enterprises. But at home, such grinders, in essence, do not find use, simply because of their high price, large size and difficulty with independent movement across the site.

However, the type of power plant does not always become a determining condition in terms of the "professionalism" of the unit. So, you can buy a small-sized household model with a gasoline 2-stroke engine, along with this, there are also stationary or mobile units of the pro class, equipped with a powerful 3-phase electric motor.

An important criterion that has a great influence on the choice of a garden shredder is the type of cutting mechanism. The type of waste that the installation is capable of processing depends on it.

• Knife system - the cutting mechanism includes circular knives. It is suitable for crushing fresh branches with a diameter of 1-2 cm, leaves and raw grass. When using the knife system to chop hard woody branches, the cutting tool will quickly become unusable and the knives will need to be replaced.

• Milling (gear) mechanism - contains in its structure a large gear rotating on a shaft, and a gearbox that reduces the speed. The cutter speed is low, but a huge force is applied to the gear, which makes it possible to split and chop large dry branches. The output is coarse chips, which are suitable for surface soil coverage.The gear mechanism is not suitable for chopping green grass, soft debris will wind up on the gear shaft, and the unit will eventually clog.

• Universal cutting mechanism - copes with both branches and leaves. These shredders are equipped with a milling-turbine crushing system, it has the shape of a funnel with sharp blades that process soft material, the branches are pressed against the stop and crushed according to the pattern of the milling system. In some modifications, the universal system is performed differently. Inside the shredder, 2 separate channels are formed with two funnels, one for branches, the other for soft organics. Such a design implies a serious complication of the design, which affects the cost of the unit. Separate channels are present in the bulk of professional samples.

• Fishing line - the cutting mechanism contains in its structure a spool with a fishing line similar to a grass trimmer; a garbage bag is installed under it. Samples with a similar design belong to electric ones and are capable of crushing leaves and grass exclusively.

We bring to your attention an overview of the best garden shredders. This rating will give you the opportunity to thoroughly familiarize yourself with these units, find out some of the features available in each model.

Not all gardeners can afford to purchase an expensive garden shredder. It is not at all necessary to do this, since among the inexpensive samples there is a fully workable technique.

The high-performance electric unit perfectly handles branches and knots up to 40 mm in diameter, crushing them to the consistency of mulch. The powerful motor enables the blades to rotate at 4,500 rpm for high-quality and fast chopping of waste in garden areas. The engine makes little noise during operation. And specialized protection will protect it in case of excessive loads.

The unit is characterized by mobility and ease of use. The large wheel diameter and wide frame guarantee the shredder excellent stability and movement. For the convenience of loading grass and small branches, it has a special pusher and a large funnel.

The garden unit is equipped with an electric motor with a power of 2.5 kW, it can process excess waste in the form of branches, leaves and grass into useful fertilizer in a very short time.

The electric unit is quite comfortable to move due to the maneuverability of the small wheels. An additional advantage of this model will be the presence of a capacious storage hopper for already chopped branches. A container with a capacity of 45 liters greatly facilitates and speeds up the procedure - chopped branches and grass can be immediately scattered over the surface of the beds or placed in a pit for compost.

It will recycle waste wood with a diameter of up to 40 mm and is equally easy to handle any grass and foliage. The mulch obtained in a similar way has a lot of applications in a summer cottage.

Shredding of garden waste is carried out by means of sturdy knives made of steel, which, if necessary, can be replaced without much effort. Due to the wide funnel, it is quite easy to load branches and grass into the machine thanks to the wide funnel, and at the same time it is safe, since the start block will work when the cover is open. Moving this shredder is also straightforward due to its light weight and comfortable wheels.

All the best characteristics of electric shredders are shown in the premium versions. They are sturdy, reliable, characterized by excellent productivity and long service life.

Suitable for chopping thin branches after garden pruning. This unit is equipped with an 8 teeth cutting drum and a high torque gearbox. This enables him to process branches with a diameter of up to 40 mm.

Of the features of this modification, it is necessary to highlight a rather convenient option for adjusting the fraction, taking into account the purposes of use. For to ensure the safety of the user during the operation of the Stiga bio silent 2500, a specialized funnel has been developedconfigured to keep hands out of the hazardous area. In its absence, the blocking system will not allow the motor to start.

A chopper, the basis of the cutting mechanism of which is formed by cutters, will be the best purchase for owners of summer cottages. It frees you from the long work of processing cut branches of bushes and trees with a diameter of up to 45 mm, turning them into a fine fraction. A characteristic feature of this modification is the reverse system, which is triggered when jammed for a second attempt to crush them. If the situation occurs more than 3 times, the installation goes into standby mode, allowing you to pull out the stuck branch.

Convenient handles and large-diameter wheels provide ease of movement of this device around the site.

Universal model, can be used as a chopper for foliage, cut grass, branches, tree bark. The machine is equipped with a low speed turbo shaft that grinds the plant material effortlessly. The largest branch diameter is 44 mm. The unit is equipped with a motor with a power of 2800 W, as well as a receiving tank with a volume of 60 liters.

The greatest agility and independence are provided to the owner of large land plots with gasoline units. They have high productivity, grind branches up to 70 mm thick, and with proper use they serve people for a long time.

The model is equipped with a high-quality Briggs & Stratton engine with a capacity of 6.5 liters. with. and two receivers. The upper tray is supposed to load soft and damp waste of plant materials, and in addition, thin branches and knots with a thickness of no more than 10 mm. Dry and thick wood fragments up to 76 mm in diameter can be thrown into the second hopper. Sharp knives will turn the wood into fine chips at high speed. Safety during work is guaranteed by a robust metal housing.

This machine attracts attention with its large feed hopper, which speaks of the versatility of the shredder. It recycles not only garden branches and grass, but also any other organic waste. This makes it possible to successfully practice the Tazz K42 in public utilities. 6 knives are ready to process large wood waste with a diameter of no more than 75 mm into mulch. Especially for them there is a separate funnel (set at a different angle for the highest quality work of steel knives).

The iron body, the reliable rotary mechanism suggest a decent margin of safety and long-term use. The 4-stroke gasoline engine has a good power of 6.5 liters. sec., which makes it possible to develop a large torque up to 12.2 N * m.

The manufacturer from China equipped this model with a compact 2.5 liter gasoline engine. with. The kit contains all the necessary accessories to get started immediately. These are 2 funnels of the receiving box, a spacious 10-liter bag, a pusher and a special hook for pulling branches stuck in the knives. The sample does not have wheels, but its low weight (16 kilograms) makes it possible to carry the equipment around the site on its own.

By sticking to a simple algorithm, you will have no difficulty in choosing the right shredder for your garden. The order of actions and decisions you made is as follows:

• decide on the mode of use of the unit, then consider modifications of a suitable class (household, semi-professional, professional);
• on a house plot and in a small garden, it is more economical and more comfortable to use units with an electric drive, in suburban areas you cannot do without a gasoline engine;
• you need to buy the model you like only at a specialized outlet;
• for chopping grass, foliage and thin shoots, circular knives are better suited; with large branches, milling units are better controlled;
• you definitely need to make sure of the convenient configuration and location of the receiving funnel, the presence of a pusher in the composition will be an additional plus;
• for further movement and use of chips, it is advisable to buy a chipper with a rigid plastic receiver;
• the ability to adjust the speed and fraction of grinding will make your chipper universal;
• the reverse option makes it easier to release the cutting element when it is jammed;
• think about your safety, choosing a sample with protection against accidental start and the impossibility of starting when the case is open, find out the level of noise emitted by the apparatus;
• try to choose a model with a spare set of knives or with the possibility of purchasing them.

The shredder needs minimal maintenance.

1. The ventilation slots must be kept clean and easily accessible.
2. Keep an eye on the fixing screws and tighten them occasionally.
3. It is imperative to clean the unit after each use. The shredder can be cleaned with a damp cloth and soft brush. Solvents and cleaning agents must not be used under any circumstances.
4. It is strictly forbidden to use washers and machines for cleaning the shredder.