Garden shredder - how to choose the best machine for processing branches and grass (85 photos)

Every year, garbage accumulates on the site, which has to be removed or burned. But there is a way to utilize branches, tops and grass for good. With the help of a garden shredder, plant waste can be processed into a valuable mass, which can then be used to fertilize or fill a compost pit.

In order not to get confused in the variety of models, the cost of which varies significantly, and whose technical characteristics make even an experienced gardener think, we have compiled a rating of garden shredders with the best reviews. We’ve also made a selection of useful tips that will help you decide on the optimal model for your site.

We select the type of engine - gasoline or electric?

There is a motor inside the chopper that makes the grinding knives work. To achieve your goals, you can choose a device with an electric or gasoline engine.

Electric shredders are an excellent option for not very large-scale work, if thin branches and stems 3-4 cm wide are being crushed. But a shredder for grass and branches cannot cope with larger residues, due to its low power - 1.6-2. 6 kW.

The weak point of the device also includes the inevitable presence of an electrical cord that needs to be connected to an outlet. Accordingly, this cord significantly limits the movement of the shredder across the garden area.

But, despite these minor disadvantages, this device is more common than its gasoline friend. This depends on the relatively affordable price, low weight (15-25 kilograms), and simple service.

By the way, if there are few trees on your site, and mostly leaves and plants are used as fertilizer, then you need to focus on another unit - a garden vacuum cleaner/shredder. This device will not only grind light waste, but also then remove it from the site.

If you need a strong device that can “cut through” large branches 6-7 cm thick, you should pay attention to a gasoline-powered garden shredder. Its power reaches 8 kW, which makes it possible to use it for use in large garden farms. The disadvantages of gasoline shredders are their enormous weight, high cost, and significant sound during operation.

The Best Garden Shredders for Grass and Branches

There will be no absolute leaders in this rating; after all, garden shredders are a specific technique. When choosing such a device, most buyers look at the cost, turning a blind eye to its shortcomings. And the latter can manifest themselves as excessive noise during operation or problems with purchasing spare parts.

However, there are models that have earned more positive reviews from users than critics. They are included in our selection of the best garden shredders.

Patriot PT SE24

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One of the most inexpensive on the market. The Patriot electric garden shredder has a motor power of 2.4 kW. The manufacturer claims its ability to chop branches with a diameter of up to 40 mm, which is ensured by the knife mechanism. You can use it to make mulch for the garden or decorative wood chips for paths.

The unit is stable thanks to the steel frame, and mobile as it is equipped with wheels. For user safety, a pusher is included in the kit; the device weighs only 13 kg.

The unit copes with its stated capabilities: the machine actually shreds branches, tops, and grass quite well. But only when the knives are sharp, and they are her weak point. According to reviews, they have to be sharpened often, sometimes even interrupting work. It is difficult to unscrew the knife mounting bolts; during operation they seem to stick to the body.

Average price: 9450 rubles.

Sterwins 2500 W

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The power of the electric motor is 2.5 kW, and steel knives are installed as the cutting unit. Thanks to this, the Sterwins garden shredder is able to cope with branches with a diameter of up to 40 mm, although according to reviews it is comfortable working with those that are thinner - up to 30 mm.

The package includes a stable frame, wheels, and a pusher for user safety. But there is no grass catcher, and the cord is short, but these problems can be solved with the help of a bucket and an extension cord. If you take a closer look at the price, the shortcomings seem trivial. Yes, you need to sharpen your knives periodically. Yes, to remove them you will need remarkable skill, a key and a Vedashka. But the cost is much lower than Makita and Bosch, and if the knives are sharp, then the unit works perfectly.

Average price: 8661 rubles.

Hammer GS2500

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This model is chosen for its “omnivorousness”. The Hammer garden shredder with a 2.5 kW electric motor quickly processes branches with a diameter of up to 45 mm into dust. Such fine grinding is ensured by steel knives, which remain sharp for a long time if you do not load grass with roots and soil into the hopper. The processed mass is poured into a plastic container; it is translucent, so it is easy to control the degree of filling.

In reviews, users note that the unit is indeed powerful and productive. It is convenient to use: if you need to sharpen a knife, you just need to open the case and unscrew just one screw. The wheels are large, so the 14-kilogram device is easy to move around the site. But the quality of the plastic leaves much to be desired: in the first year of service, the receiving container may crack. And the unit is seriously noisy; you can’t do without headphones during operation.

Average price: 11,999 rubles.

"Zubr" ZIE-40-2500

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Convenient and compact model for the garden. The Zubr garden shredder weighs a little - just over 14 kg, which is a plus of its plastic body. The package includes a container for collecting recycled materials with a volume of 50 liters, a funnel and a pusher. He chops branches and tops with knives, works from the mains. Motor power is 2.5 kW, more than enough for domestic use.

According to reviews, it chops branches like butter and easily shreds anything up to 40 mm in diameter. All waste goes into a container, so the area around the unit is always clean. It makes a lot of noise, but you have to put up with it: the noise level declared by the manufacturer is 108 dB. Other “little” shortcomings: when the knives become dull, they do not cope so effectively with the bark that wraps around the shaft. And the smaller the waste, the less “attention” the shredder pays to it: it can spit out grass and thin tops almost unprocessed, while the branches will be crushed into crumbs.

Average price: 14,990 rubles.

Bosch AXT Rapid 2200

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A popular but controversial model from a German brand. But its ambiguity can be explained simply: users expect miracles from it that the device is simply not designed for. If you use the Bosch garden shredder for its intended purpose, then there will be no disappointments.

The machine is designed for processing thin, freshly cut branches. It won’t cope with thick ones at all, it will turn off (there is built-in overload protection). It will also process dry ones to a C grade, but it will quickly chop fresh grapevines and only cut branches of bushes.

According to reviews, during operation it buzzes like a vacuum cleaner, not heavy or bulky. It is convenient that a dull knife can be turned over. The absence of a grass catcher can be solved by installing a plastic bucket or basin under the shredder. But the connector for connecting to the network, recessed into the case, is considered too non-standard by most users: the model does not even have a minimum wire.

Average price: 17,990 rubles.

Makita UD2500

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Another model with a milling grinding system. The Makita garden shredder is designed for processing branches. It is in this capacity that he does his job well. It “chews” dry branches and twigs with a diameter of up to 45 mm well, and the closer the diameter is to the maximum, the better. But it will not chop thin vines and freshly cut branches, but will only crush them, which causes complaints from users. And the “grinding” itself will not be fine: the fraction size is up to 2 cm, and the output is not dust, but real wood chips.

Users note that even with large volumes of work, the unit does not fail: processing cuttings from a dozen or more trees in one day is not a problem.

It works quietly, looks good, folds compactly: the device can be disassembled and placed in its own container. Among the shortcomings, they point out the tight lock of the container, which must be latched before use, otherwise the shredder will not turn on. But with experience of use the problem disappears.

Average price: 19,290 rubles.

Huter ESH-2800 PRO

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The manufacturer positions this model as a professional one, as indicated by the PRO prefix in the name. And although the power of the Huter garden shredder of 2.8 kW, of course, does not reach the professional level, it is superior to its competitors in some characteristics. It uses a milling cutting mechanism, typical for pro-level units. The permissible diameter of the branches is 45 mm, there is a pusher and a funnel, and the waste is compactly stored in a plastic container.

According to reviews, the unit is worth using for processing dry branches, as well as tops (corn stalks, cauliflower). It crushes raw branches; it also doesn’t handle grass very well, but if you “mix” it into the branches, it will chop it up tolerably. Everything that is ground can be sent to the beds or to the compost pit: the mulch fraction does not exceed 1-2 cm.

Average price: 20,490 rubles.

Knives - choosing a cutting method

During processing of the initial material, these installations may contain a device with metal knives or a screw-shaped conveyor. In the initial case, crushing is performed by a disk on which there is usually a pair of knives.

Summer residents who express their opinion regarding this device, and have their own views on the operation of the device, concentrate their interest on the fact that this arrangement of the knife is more suitable for tops, leaves, and early, freshly cut branches.

If you want to get mulch from a significant volume of previously stale, dried raw materials, then the blades of the knives will immediately become dull and you will be forced to sharpen them.

The cutting structure with a helical conveyor is called a milling structure - it involves a rotating solid cast gear. It is stronger than a disk with knives, for this reason it will not be damaged when cutting dried dense branches up to 6 cm in diameter.

In addition, the milling design has the ability to draw branches into the base and you will not have to regularly direct them to the knives.

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There is another example of a knife - a multifunctional one, which combines the advantages of a milling and disk design.

Choosing the right one

The most important thing you need to pay attention to when purchasing a unit is the power supply and power. Decide whether you need an easier-to-use, but mains-dependent, electric shredder or a heavier, but field-operating gasoline shredder.

Also examine the grinding system of the device. It can be milling or disk. The first option is more expensive, but has a wider scope of application and is characterized by high reliability and durability. The second one is cheaper, but is not able to cope with a large volume of work, and if branches get into it, the device will not be able to cope with them and may even fail.

Non-professional shredders

This type includes weak installations (up to 1.6 kW), which operate from the mains. Their knife concept is disc. Before purchasing this type of unit, you should check the material used to make the knives.

The best type is hardened steel. The weight of such installations is up to 20 kg and they are ready to crush branches with a diameter of less than 3 cm.

Purpose and design of equipment

A shredder is a technique designed for recycling garden waste - branches, leaves, grass, tops.

Using this device, plant waste is crushed into fractions of various sizes. The resulting wood chips can later be used for mulching the soil, fertilizing, sprinkling paths, or as fuel for lighting a fire or barbecue. A garden shredder facilitates the process of cleaning the site and also solves the problem of waste disposal.

The device, which is also called a chipper or shredder, is a vertical structure with a motor, a shredding mechanism and a feed opening. The output of the resulting raw materials is carried out through the lower space - into a receiving tank, a suspended bag or an installed box.

Shredders – what are they?

The devices vary depending on the type of material they can process and are divided into three types:

• for grass, leaves and other soft plant debris - as a rule, they are low-power, low-cost, lightweight units. In order to save money, they are made by manufacturers from cheap materials, and therefore an attempt to grind something larger with it can lead to breakdown;
• for wood waste - this technique has a more durable and stable frame, as well as a grinding principle. Suitable for crushing branches of various diameters. But they are not capable of processing large log buildings, since they are household, not industrial equipment;
• universal - devices, being a lightweight version of professional equipment, are designed for garden waste of both soft and hard structure.

Choosing a chopper - motor type and cutting system

The engine can be electric or gasoline. Models with electric drive are lighter, more compact and mobile, they are easy to move around the garden. A gasoline engine requires larger dimensions of the device, but at the same time has greater performance compared to electric devices.

The grinding system can be line, knife, milling, auger and turbine.

Lesochnaya is used for crumbling leaves and grass. Its action is based on a line that cuts soft fibers at high speed, but even the thinnest branch will lead to its breakage.

The knife blade consists of radial knives mounted on a disk. In inexpensive devices, 2 knives are installed, in higher quality ones from 4 to 8. Sometimes, in addition, a pair of oblique knives are attached vertically for preliminary crushing. The mechanism is suitable for branches and withered greenery.

The milling system, which is also often called a milling shaft, refers to a gear with sharpened teeth, convenient because it itself grabs and advances the rods, cutting them into equal parts. The milling complex is capable of detailing even a 7 cm branch, but it is installed only in models with steel frames, which significantly increases the weight.

Turbine systems are most often built into universal models, as they cope with all types of waste. They look like a cone-shaped drum with protruding knife blades, and operate at low speeds but with maximum impact force. The peculiarities of the mechanism are such that leaves and grass must be fed along with branches to avoid the soft mass from wrapping around the drum.

The auger-type mechanism is not capable of grinding leaves and tops, as it quickly clogs, but it copes well with branches up to 5 cm. The operating principle is based on a rotating screw, which grinds the wood into a fibrous pulp interspersed with large pieces.

Additional criteria - power and body material

Conventionally, there are three categories of garden shredders based on engine power: amateur models, semi-professional (middle class) and professional.

Amateur devices are the most primitive; they include equipment with a low-power electric drive (up to 1.5 kW). The crushing system is most often knife-based, as it is the simplest and cheapest, but effective when processing thin twigs. Amateur-grade devices weigh up to 20 kg and are designed for raw materials with a diameter no thicker than 3 cm. Suitable for novice users.

Middle class chippers are an intermediate level - more advanced than amateur models, but less powerful than professional ones. They can run on both electricity and gasoline (2-stroke engine). The maximum motor performance is 2.5 - 3 kW. Total weight from 20 to 50 kg. Designed for wood material up to 5 cm. Weight up to 50 kg.

Professional shredders include large-sized machines with a power of 4-5 kW, capable of crushing branches with a diameter of 7-9 cm. They are distinguished by large feed funnels, a powerful crushing system (most often milling) and automatic feeding of raw materials. The motor can be electric or gasoline. Designed for large volumes of work. Weighing from 100 kg and above.

Depending on the type of material, the body of the device can be plastic or metal. Plastic structures are lighter, metal devices are more difficult to transport as they are heavy. The presence of a wheel base and handles makes it easy to move the device around the site. The wider the wheels, the more stable the unit and the easier it is to move it, especially along row-spacings and loose soil.

Middle class shredders

These are transitional types among non-professional and high-class types. Such devices can operate both on fuel and on electricity. Maximum power - 2.5 kW.

Suitable for houses and cottages where the garden area is small but overripe. The units are equipped with milling knives, for this reason they can freely chop branches up to 3.5 cm.

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What should you pay attention to when purchasing?

When purchasing, you should consider the presence or absence of the following parameters.

Volume of the receiving tank - the optimal container size for collecting mulch is considered to be a capacity of 40-50 liters. According to buyers, the most convenient are models to which you can also attach your own container for collecting mulch.

Regulator of the degree of grinding - allows you to change the rotation speed of the grinding mechanism and configure the equipment for a specific material. Thus, large wood chips are not suitable for mulching the soil, but they are effective as fuel and covering paths. And fine grinding is convenient for infusing alcohol.

Noise level – for operation of models whose noise level exceeds 80 dB, protective headphones are required. This parameter must be indicated in the product description.

Reverse function - allows you to run the chopping mechanism in the opposite direction and remove a stuck branch from the unit.

A pusher is a special device, usually plastic, for safely pushing waste into the funnel, since it is unsafe to do this by hand. It is also advisable to wear safety glasses for safe operation of the device.

Automatic feeding – eliminates the need to constantly push the branches towards the cutting mechanism.

Automatic switch - protects the unit from accidental activation when previously switched off electricity is supplied, and also does not allow the unit to start when the receiving tank is removed, which will protect against dangerous injuries.

Body height adjustment – ​​some designs of assembled garden shredders are quite high and this function allows you to install the device so that it is convenient to load raw materials into the feed funnel.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of electric models:

• They are easy to operate and do not require special maintenance, and therefore are convenient for technically inexperienced summer residents and gardeners;
• The electric motor-powered device makes it easy to maneuver around the site, even for women;
• They make little noise during operation;
• The equipment does not emit harmful combustion products and is therefore environmentally friendly;
• Affordable price.

Flaws:

• Low productivity;
• Depends on the outlet and requires multi-meter network extension cords;
• Designed for branches no more than 4 cm thick;
• They are prone to breakdown during power surges.

Advantages of gasoline-powered shredders:

• Universal, can process both wood and foliage with grass;
• Copes with branches 7 cm thick;
• Not tied to a stationary electrical outlet;
• High performance.

Flaws:

• The work is accompanied by a high level of noise, which may disturb neighbors;
• They are heavy, which affects the ability to move the device;
• Need additional and regular maintenance;
• They pollute the air with fuel combustion products;
• High cost, accompanied by gasoline costs.

How to choose a shredder?

For a home or small summer cottage where older woody plants grow, the best shredders are devices of the medium-power category with milling knives that can easily cope with branches up to 3-5 cm. The best option would be a model with automatic start, a funnel for wood chips and a wheelbase for movement around the site.

For a dacha with a young garden or a plot with a predominant garden area, there is no point in purchasing a powerful, expensive model, and therefore amateur-class devices are recommended as the most optimal. Their productivity is sufficient for grinding grass, weeds and thin fruit branches.

To process garden waste with predominantly grassy areas in areas where there are power outages, you should consider purchasing a model with disc blades, a self-start lock and an additional stabilizer for it.

For gardening and farming with large areas, where large-scale pruning of bushes and trees takes place every year, it is best to purchase professional-grade universal chippers with a powerful motor, a milling crushing mechanism and high productivity. Such installations are distinguished by their ability to grind large branches (up to 7 cm) and compress mulch.

For professionals who regularly process large volumes of vegetable waste, the purchase of a gasoline shredder is justified; in this case, the costs of gasoline and engine oil will pay off.

There are models in which a special inlet allows the feeding of spreading branches. You can also find devices with two separate funnels - one for solid raw materials, the other for fresh grass and leaves. Such shredders will be appropriate in mixed-type areas where there are branches of medium thickness, perennial plants, thorny bushes, ornamental trees and waste from hedge trimming.

Errors in selection

Before purchasing low- and medium-power garden equipment with a blade crushing system, you should clarify what material the knives are made of. It is best to choose a model with knives made of hardened steel; they are stronger and more durable. In addition, it is important to consider that cutting mechanisms of this type require regular sharpening of knives.

If you violate the operating rules and try to process materials for which the equipment is not intended, for example, food waste, fruits or branches larger than indicated in the product instructions, there is a risk that the knives will become dull very quickly, the grinding system will become clogged, or the unit will become completely will fail. Therefore, when choosing which shredder is best to buy, you should clearly decide in advance what type of waste will be processed. Or opt for a universal chopper.

You should also pay attention to the shape and structure of the funnel. Some models do not have it, but only have a hole for branches, which can be inconvenient and unsafe. In other garden units, the funnel is removable, which makes the structure more compact and convenient for storage. According to reviews from experienced gardeners, the most convenient form of supply tank is a slightly inclined cone-shaped bell. And the presence of a protective visor will prevent chips and small particles from getting into your face.

Main technical characteristics

High profile devices

Here there are voluminous structures with a sufficiently large weight that they are ready to generate power up to 4 kW. The motor is capable of operating both on gasoline and electricity (three-phase). Ready to function for a long period and crush branches up to six to seven centimeters in diameter.

In addition, the crushed base undergoes compression, resulting in excellent mulch. The units are equipped with large comfortable funnels, a strong cutting device of a milling type and are ready to swallow residues without pushing.

Rating of quality models in 2021

Garden shredder KRÜGER GGSK-2500

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: impact-resistant plastic;
• Motor type and power: electric, 2500 W;
• Price – 8990 rub.

Electric shredder Kruger GGSK-2500 with automatic engine start, durable housing and good performance of 120 kg/h. Weight – only 10 kg. There are also wheels on a metal frame under the body, so there will be no problems with transporting the device. The Kruger shredder is designed for shredding plants, branches and shoots with a diameter of up to 4.5 cm. Equipped with a spacious 40 liter waste bin.

Advantages:

• volumetric waste bin;
• there are wheels;
• pusher included;
• acceptable price.

Flaws:

• a little noisy.

CHAMPION SH-250

• Brand country: Russia;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 230 W;
• Price – 9,000 rubles.

Household shredder with automatic start and maximum diameter of processed material up to 4 cm. Weight – 15 kg. Knife rotation speed: 4000 rpm.

CHAMPION SH-250

Advantages:

• motor overload protection;
• blocking from accidental start;
• with handle and wheels for transportation;
• with hardened cutting elements;
• additional pair of vertical knives;
• vibration reduction system;
• stable stand;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• only for freshly cut branches;
• There is no container for collecting mulch.

Tazz K-42 6.5 hp

• Brand country: USA;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: metal;
• Engine type and power: petrol/6.5 hp;
• Price – 70,000 rubles.

A garden device with manual start, a rotation speed of the chopping mechanism of 3600 rpm and a branch diameter of 7.5 cm. Weight – 60 kg. The volume of the 4-stroke engine is 205 cm3. The volume of the fuel tank is 3 liters. Crankcase volume – 0.59 l.

Tazz K-42 6.5 hp

Advantages:

• with container;
• with wide (28 cm) transport wheels;
• large bunker for loading raw materials;
• complete with mulch bag;
• with two feeding holes for thick and small branches;
• with the possibility of converting into a garden vacuum cleaner;
• 6 knives.

Flaws:

• high price.

MTD Rover-464-Q

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: metal;
• Engine type and power: petrol/7.5 hp;
• Price – 90,000 rubles.

Professional-grade petrol shredder with manual start, designed for processing branches with a diameter of up to 7.5 mm. Knife rotation speed 1180 rpm. The engine is 4-stroke, volume is 250 cm3. The fuel tank size is 3.8 liters. Weight – 75 kg.

MTD Rover-464-Q

Advantages:

• versatility;
• 3 ways to load raw materials;
• built-in handles on the loading hopper;
• grinding capacity 90 liters;
• safety glasses included;
• 12 threshing and 2 rotating knives;
• automatic branch tightening system.

Flaws:

• high noise level;
• engine overheating;
• price.

BOSCH AXT-Rapid-2000

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: milling-turbine;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 18,000 rubles.

Middle class model with automatic engine start, productivity up to 80 kg/hour. Designed for branches with a diameter of up to 3.5 cm. The chopping mechanism rotates at a speed of 3650 rpm. Weight – 12 kg.

BOSCH AXT-Rapid-2000

Advantages:

• with pusher included;
• with wheels;
• there is a 50 l grass catcher;
• copes with both fresh and dry raw materials;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• no protection against motor overheating;
• switches off at low voltage;
• there is no blocking against accidental activation.

AL-KO LH-2800

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.8 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 20,000 rubles.

Medium power device with automatic engine start and productivity up to 80 kg/hour. The permissible branch diameter is 4.2 cm. Shaft rotation speed is up to 46 rpm. Weight – 29 kg.

AL-KO LH-2800

Advantages:

• with reverse;
• with a wide wheelbase;
• container 48 liters;
• with 16 A fuse;
• with overload and short circuit protection.

Flaws:

• there is no pusher.

BOSCH AXT-25-D

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 27,000 rubles.

The unit has a throughput capacity of 175 kg/hour, the shaft rotation speed is 41 rpm. Branch diameter – 4 cm. Weight – 32 kg.

BOSCH AXT-25-D

Advantages:

• 53 liter container;
• with reverse;
• with pusher;
• with transport wheels;
• automatic tightening of raw materials;
• removable funnel;
• convenient design height;
• protection against unintended activation.

Flaws:

• noticeable noise level.

RYOBI R-SH-2545-B

• Brand Country: Japan;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 14,000 rubles.

A popular semi-professional model with automatic engine start. The permissible thickness of branches is up to 4.5 cm. Weight is 14 kg.

RYOBI R-SH-2545-B

Advantages:

• mulch collector 40 liters;
• there is a pusher;
• with wheels;
• with reverse function;
• with brush type motor;
• processes dry and fresh branches;
• there is overload protection;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• sensitive to voltage changes.

STIGA BIO-SILENT-2500

• Brand country: Sweden;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 15,000 rubles.

Medium-power shredder with automatic engine start, material diameter up to 4 cm, milling shaft rotation speed of 2850 rpm. Weight – 28 kg.

STIGA BIO-SILENT-2500

Advantages:

• pusher included;
• with a 60 l container;
• with grinding degree regulator;
• with reverse;
• there are transport wheels;
• acceptable price.

Flaws:

• there is no protection against accidental start.

BISON ZIE-44-28-00

• Brand country: Russia;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.8 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 15,000 rubles.

A device with an electric drive of a medium-power class, designed for branches with a diameter of up to 4.4 cm. The grinding mechanism makes 60 revolutions per minute. The weight of the structure is 20 kg. Automatic engine start. The throughput of the device is 150 kg/hour.

BISON ZIE-44-28-00

Advantages:

• universal;
• with a 60 liter container;
• with reverse;
• there is a pusher;
• with transport wheels;
• with grinding degree regulator;
• with a safety lock against accidental activation;
• protection against motor overheating;
• transformable frame;
• with extension cord socket lock;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• short power cord.

Makita UD-2500

• Brand country: Sweden;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric / 2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 15,000 rubles.

A mid-category device with an electric drive that accepts diameters up to 4 cm and a milling shaft rotation speed of 2850 rpm. Productivity is up to 65 kg/hour. Weight – 28 kg.

Makita UD-2500

Advantages:

• with reverse function;
• there is a pusher;
• there are transport wheels;
• the collection is designed for 60 l;
• suitable for dry and fresh branches;
• grinding mechanism made of hardened steel;
• with a regulator of the size of the resulting fraction;
• overload-resistant motor;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• There is no power lock.

A short analysis of models from the garden shredder catalog

The variety of shapes of shredders for the garden is huge, which sometimes hinders the competent choice of the appropriate brand. Equipment of this class can be considered an expensive pleasure, for this reason you should only buy high-quality products.

In fact, a large number of different units from completely unknown manufacturers have appeared on trading platforms, hiding behind ringing European or Russian names. What holds back most of these products are clandestine manufactures from China in the negative sense of this phrase (a lot of it is sold and actually high-quality equipment from this country).

A distinctive feature of shredders is that the effectiveness of their activity depends not only on the drive, but also on the features of the cutting equipment. And here the dishonesty of the manufacturer is often expressed - knives or cutters are made from attractive and sparkling steel in appearance; in the initial period they are extremely sharp, but after some time they become dull in use, and are simply not subject to high-quality sharpening.

And if we add to this that the cutting equipment cannot be repaired, then it may soon happen that the device received not so long ago will become ineffective in the absence of work, simply because of its own “incompetence.”

Bottom line, when purchasing a garden shredder, it is recommended to select the best trusted manufacturers of shredders. These include modern models “Viking”, “AL-KO”, “Black&Decker”, “Gardena”, “Bosch”.

How to choose a garden shredder

The design of garden shredders is simple. The cutting mechanism is enclosed in a plastic or metal housing. The upper part of the housing serves as a receiving hopper, the lower part is a discharge hopper, from where the processed mass comes out. A receiving box may be provided for its collection. For stability, the unit is equipped with a metal frame, and for ease of movement - with wheels.

There are three types of cutting mechanism:

• knife;
• screw;
• milling.

The milling garden shredder is considered to perform better than other types of models. In fact, the milling mechanism, as a rule, is found only in high-power, professional models, while household and semi-professional models are usually equipped with knives or a screw mechanism, similar in design to a meat grinder. If cutters are included in the design of a household model, it will cost an order of magnitude more than a knife model.

Advice . It is a mistake to consider some shredders better and others worse, focusing only on the type of blade mechanism. The main thing is to choose a model of the power that meets your requirements. And the following classification will help determine this.

Domestic

It will be compact and relatively light. Thanks to the frame on wheels, it is convenient to move it around the site. The cutting mechanism, as a rule, is a knife one, and this is not bad: you can sharpen the knives as they become dull yourself, while the cutters will only have to be changed.

Household models are designed for chopping thin branches and thick tops - for example, sunflower or corn stalks. But they don’t cope with grass very confidently: if you load only grass into the bunker, it will wrap around the knives, and the soil from the roots will dull them.

Fact . It is worth adding grass to the garbage mass only in small quantities, understanding that it is unlikely to be properly chopped. For this purpose it is better to use a lawn mower or trimmer. The latter, equipped with a knife and fishing line, instantly chops a bunch of grass into dust.

Semi-professional

You should choose this model for shredding wood waste. The power of semi-professional units is higher than that of household ones, and therefore they theoretically cope well with branches with a diameter of up to 40 mm. Why theoretically? Because the manufacturer, indicating this parameter in the technical specifications, focuses on only soft varieties of wood - for example, aspen, bird cherry, linden.

If you chop branches of any trees without taking into account softness, you should reduce the permissible diameter by at least 10 mm. By making such an amendment, it will be possible to extend the life of the unit by several years.

Fact . In some models, the receiving hopper is equipped with a nozzle with a hole through which branches must be fed. This is not only a tribute to the user’s safety, but also an opportunity to control the diameter of plant materials and prevent excess load on the cutting mechanism.

Professional

Such models are not bought either for the dacha or for the garden. They are intended for gardening farms and companies involved in landscaping and maintenance of park areas. Professional shredders are very powerful. Most of them can easily handle not only branches with a diameter of up to 60 mm and old twigs, but are also able to process stumps broken into four to six pieces into dust.

But they have two drawbacks. Firstly, they are expensive: it is unlikely that an ordinary gardener will have the desire to spend 70-120 thousand rubles on a plant waste shredder. And secondly, they are bulky, a unit weighing 80-100 kg, roaring like a beast, will not look very harmonious on the garden plot.

Additional functions – a course for convenience and safety

A significant feature of a perfect garden shredder is reliability. It is preferable that the device you choose has a self-start locking system for the chopper. In addition, electrical units should have a voltage splitter, which, after a power outage, prevents the chopper from starting up independently when the current supply is restored.

The branch chopper is capable of possessing even more necessary qualities. For example, crushing the initial raw materials into particles of different groups, adjusting the height of the body, and having the necessary “reverse” function.

If the unit you have selected has a large list of components, the previously mentioned distinctive features and additions, then the name of the manufacturer is no longer important. However, products from famous manufacturers are still better, as they have stood the test of time.