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A garden shredder or chipper is a power tool that can shred your garden waste. By passing leaves, sticks, small branches and hedge trimmings through a shredder, you can reduce a large pile of garden waste into a much smaller pile of mulch, which you can then use around the garden or turn into compost.
There are a few reasons why you may want to buy a garden shredder:
On the flipside, there are also a couple of reasons why you might decide that you don't need a shredder:
There are a couple of ways to distinguish between the different types of garden shredders available. First, you can choose either an electric or a petrol-powered shredder:
Next, consider how the machine shreds garden waste:
Before you start shopping for a garden shredder, take some time to think about how you will use the machine. For example, how big is your yard? What's the maximum thickness of the branches you'll need to cut? How often will you be shredding? What's your budget?
Here are the key factors you'll need to take into account when comparing your options:
Petrol models are significantly more expensive than electric garden shredders. Electric models are generally priced between $150 and $500, but can be as much as $800. Heavy-duty petrol-powered shredders start at around the $800 mark and commonly cost more than $1,000.
Head in store to take a closer look at how practical the shredder will be to use in the real world. Is the feed chute at a convenient height? Are all the controls easy to reach and understand? Will you be able to operate them while wearing gloves? Can you safely access the blades to clear any blockages? Is the opening wide enough for you to easily feed in garden material? How long is the power cord – will you need an outdoor extension lead?
Cutting capacity refers to the maximum branch diameter a machine is capable of shredding. This will typically be 40mm or 45mm for electric machines, but a little more for petrol models.
Another spec worth checking is the machine's noise rating, measured in decibels. Impact shredders are louder than roller shredders and may not be the best choice if your neighbours are particularly sensitive to noise.
Safety is an essential consideration when using any garden power tool. Garden shredders can be quite dangerous if used incorrectly, so make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper and safe use.
You'll also need to wear basic safety gear (goggles, ear muffs and gloves) when using one of these machines, and ensure that there are no kids, other people or pets in the immediate area. And if you ever need to clear a blockage, make sure you fully switch off and unplug the unit before you start work.
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