13 Best Wood Shredders

Updated: 02/19/2021 18:37:15

Expert: Andrey Nikolaevich Kuznetsov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

To maintain order in your summer cottage on your own, you need a branch chopper. The unit will grind roots, flower stems, vines, twigs and trunks of bushes, which will serve as a subsequent good fertilizer. To process large volumes of branches in places where many trees have been cut down, professional models are used. They reduce the size of waste, which simplifies the collection and transportation of waste. In order to choose the right garden equipment, we have prepared a rating of the best branch shredders. A review of product characteristics and customer reviews will narrow your search and suggest garden equipment for specific tasks.

Which brand of wood chipper is best to choose?

Growing demand has increased the number of offers, and now the market is filled with a large number of different shredders. Many well-known companies and large corporations began their production long ago, and new developing companies have joined them. Among those whose products are recognized as the best are the following brands:

Bosch is a corporation with more than 200 years of experience in the creation and production of high-tech household goods.
Stiga Group is a leading European distributor and manufacturer of electric garden tools. The company was founded in Sweden in 1934.
Viking , began its activities in 1981 with the production of garden shredders. Viking to this day remains a leader among manufacturers of garden equipment.
Makita is a famous Japanese company with a reputation for creating power tools for various purposes.
Stihl , a company founded almost 100 years ago in Stuttgart, currently has production facilities in Austria, China, and Switzerland. All products are the standard of German quality.
Zubr - reliable power tools from a Russian company are highly appreciated by professionals. Ordinary consumers are attracted by the excellent quality-to-price ratio for which the bison branch chopper is famous.
DDE ( Dynamic Drive Equipment) is an American company famous for its innovative engineering solutions in the creation of large and small electrical equipment.
AL-KO is a German family company that has been specializing in the manufacture of professional garden equipment for almost 90 years.
MTD ( The Modern Tool and Die Company) - garden tools from an American manufacturer have guaranteed quality because all components are made at the company's factories.
Patriot is an American brand whose motto is reliability and produces excellent garden equipment.
Champion is a popular brand on the Russian market. It is in growing demand among domestic consumers.
E cho - the Japanese company is a confident leader in the production of garden petroleum equipment.

Advantages and disadvantages of homemade products

If you create a garden shredder with your own hands, you can use the required power unit and take into account other individual needs. But you will need the ability to process metal, welding and other specialized equipment. If you do not have the appropriate skills and equipment, the total costs will be greater than purchasing a finished product in a store. Before implementing the corresponding project, you need to sensibly assess your capabilities.

To make homemade products, standard parts, components and assemblies are used

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Rating of wood chippers

When selecting the best, first of all, the reputation of the manufacturer was taken into account, then other important indicators were considered. Based on the findings of garden equipment experts, opinions of experienced users, and reviews of ordinary buyers, a rating of the most successful models was compiled. The following mandatory parameters and characteristics were considered:

Type of food;
Power;
Knife system;
Equipment class;
Equipment;
Compactness;
Ease of transportation and operation;
Level of labor intensity;
Weight;
Safety.

Depending on where, how and how much the chipper will have to work, the emphasis in the requirements is on different parameters. The TOP 13 includes the best shredders, grouped by type.

CHAMPION SH251

Main characteristics

Country of origin: China.
Engine type: electric.
The maximum grinding diameter is 40 mm.
Power - 2500 W.
Weight - 10.3 kg.

Detailed characteristics and prices

Review

Garden shredder Champion SH251 is a device that is designed to shred garden waste, branches, leaves in order to turn it into compost.

Pros:

light weight and compact dimensions;
motor overload protection;
ease of transportation;
The set includes a pusher and a bag for products.

Minuses:

a power source is required - an electrical network.

Review from a real buyer:

The chopper is a very cool thing. Previously, I burned everything, there was an unpleasant smell, a lot of smoke. I decided to purchase such equipment so as not to worry about burning, and to make compost from leaves, branches and garbage, which is a good fertilizer.

Which wood chipper is best to buy?

The demand for chippers is growing, and along with it, the demands on the quality of the units offered are growing. In the presented rating of the best models, you can choose your option. At the same time, it is worth considering how much work awaits the future garden assistant, in what areas he will have to work, and who will use him most often.

Experts especially highlighted the following five models:

Bosch AXT 25 D - will do the job perfectly and will not take up much space during storage;
Viking GE 150 – with the help of a maneuverable unit, you can easily clean up areas near public and residential buildings, near sidewalks and roadsides;
Bison ZIE-40-2500 – you will have to push branches and leaves into the domestic shredder yourself. It does not have a suction system, but it is durable and inexpensive;
MTD Rover 464 Q 7.5 HP – a powerful gasoline chipper will process a large amount of material after construction work or tree felling;
Patriot PT SB 506 – will chop even trunks with a diameter of up to 8 centimeters.

When purchasing, you need to determine the type of food that is convenient for you, based on your goals and needs, and then choose one of the models considered.

Technical parameters and selection rules

An electric garden branch chopper is preferable to other options for the following reasons:

With equal power, this equipment costs less than gasoline or diesel models.
It is ready for immediate use without special preparation.
This power unit is characterized by increased reliability. It can be operated for a long time without changing oil, filters, or other routine procedures.
Shredders with electric drive are compact in size and relatively light in weight.

The electric motor turns on in any weather

Helpful information! Diesel engines have difficulty starting at low temperatures. Gasoline units are less sensitive to such conditions, but they consume more fuel.

Operating principle

Structural and technological drawings

This figure shows the structure of a simple crushing unit. With its help, it is easier to understand the purpose and functionality of the components of the equipment:

1 – support posts.
2, 9 – fastening elements.
3 – disk with blades installed perpendicularly. This device throws the crushed waste out.
4, 5 – knives installed at an angle and horizontally. This arrangement of tools ensures efficient processing of different types of waste.
6, 7 – inlet necks. Branches are loaded on the side, leaves and other small plant waste are loaded on top.
8 – chopper body.
10 – device that prevents the accumulation of debris.
11 – neck for unloading processed raw materials.
12, 13, 14 – structural elements fixing the power unit.
15 – electric motor.
16 – power button.

Using a garden shredder

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Equipment for different models of equipment

Above is a simple old model of domestic production. The consumer parameters of a modern garden shredder are much better.

Compact model

The body, necks and other parts of the structure are made of high-quality polymers. The use of new materials provides high strength with low weight. Pay attention to other features of the shredder:

Even light models are equipped with wheels.
Some models include special bags for storing recycled waste as standard.
Compact dimensions do not make it difficult to perform work in cramped conditions. They will come in handy when choosing a suitable storage location.

Waste pusher with red handle increases safety

The raised body allows the use of bulk containers

In this model, a reliable metal frame ensures rigidity of the structure. Large wheels with rubber tires make it easy to navigate uneven areas.

Shredder with a plastic container for storing processed waste

Protrusions on the neck guide branches in the right direction, reducing the risk of injury

Knife chopper

The cutter is better suited for crushing solid waste

The universal tool “knife-cutter” effectively processes various wastes, but is expensive

How to purchase a suitable electric garden branch chopper

The following list shows the criteria that must be taken into account when choosing an electric garden wood chipper:

A powerful power unit costs more. But it performs its functions with less load, so the service life of the equipment is longer.
It is necessary to check what maximum thickness of branches a particular device is designed for.
Heavy equipment will make it more difficult to move around. But it is more stable compared to compact models.
Household garden waste shredders operate on a 220 V network. Professional-level equipment is connected to 380 V (three phases).
Be sure to check the type of working tools (knives, milling cutter, combined version). You should make sure that there will be no problems with sharpening or purchasing spare parts.

Conclusions and additional recommendations

To figure out how to choose a garden shredder without making mistakes, you need to make a list of personal requirements:

The area, number of plants, and other parameters of the land plot are taken into account.
The weight of the equipment and its dimensions matter.
Some new brands make quality products, but offer them cheaper than the established manufacturers.
You should check not only the warranty, but also the availability of a technical service center.

A comprehensive analysis of all significant factors will help you make the right decision.

Best lists

The review highlights the key technical features of garden shredders, notes the advantages and disadvantages of the devices, and studies user feedback. We explore the best garden shredders by category:

The most productive.
The most convenient.
The most economical.

Let's take a closer look at this assortment.

BOSCH AXT 25 TC 2.5 kW – the most productive

A universal garden shredder manufactured in accordance with international requirements and standards. The design is thought out in detail, so the device is characterized by high performance and ease of use. The rotary mechanism with extremely sharp blades will grind soft tops and dry branches up to 4.5 cm in diameter.

The product does not shake during operation, and waste will be drawn in on its own. When jammed, the knives can be released by pressing the “reverse” key. For safety reasons, it only starts when the grass catcher is attached. The device operates almost silently and very quickly - it grinds 230 kg of branches, grass, and leaves in an hour. The funnel is easily removed, which ensures compact storage of the device. The cutting parts are covered by a casing, which ensures adequate safety.

Hammer GS2500 2.5 kW – the most convenient

A comfortable garden shredder equipped with a 2.5 kW electric motor. The device is capable of converting garden waste in the form of branches, leaves and grass into fertilizer in the shortest possible time. For these purposes, all waste with a diameter of no more than 4.5 cm must be placed in a wide hole and, if necessary, use the provided pusher. The cutting system will then be started with a blade speed of 4500 rpm to ensure that the resulting mass is suitable for composting.

The electric shredder is extremely comfortable to move due to the maneuverability of its small wheels. An additional advantage of such a device will be the presence of a large storage tank for processed branches. A container with a capacity of 45 liters will significantly simplify and speed up the process - crushed branches and grass are immediately scattered over the beds or placed in a compost pit. The owners of the device in question notice a significant reduction in the time and energy required to tidy up their garden plot. If necessary, the knives of the chopping mechanism are removed and sharpened again.

Einhell GC-KS 2540 2.5 kW – the most economical

The chopper is intended for use in household and semi-professional purposes. In addition to effectively grinding garden waste, the resulting mass can be used to fertilize the soil, make briquettes for heating, etc. The device itself is convenient to store and move, and is easy to maintain. To ensure high-quality work, it is equipped with an efficient electric motor with increased wear resistance. The blade system is made of durable materials, which guarantees high efficiency in processing garden waste.

High-quality grinding will be a key advantage of the technology. The performance of the device lies in the fact that it grinds both thin and thick branches. Reverse provides a significant advantage in the operation of the device in question. If a branch gets stuck in the shredder itself, this function will eliminate the need to dismantle the device. The package includes a comfortable pusher, the chopper is equipped with comfortable wheels for transportation.