For a long time, all gardeners and gardeners simply burned garden garbage. At the site of the fire there was always an ugly trace from the ashes that spoiled the overall garden picture. Now the times have changed and instead of burning a pile of organic garbage, it can be crushed and taken out of the site or used as fertilizer.
For this, garden shredders of branches and grasses were invented. Their use helps to reduce the amount of organic waste by 5-10 times. The smaller the branches and branches are crushed, the faster the microorganisms will process garden waste into humus. In addition, compost ripening is reduced to one season, and the summer resident quickly receives natural high-quality fertilizer. Shredded wood is good to use as mulch for sprinkling flower beds, paths in the garden or for warming autumn plantings.

Content
Types of garden shredders
All garden shredders by engine type are divided into gasoline and electric models. There is also a classification of devices according to the type of cutting part, according to the type of use and the volume of the fuel tank.
How to choose
To choose a garden shredder, it is worth evaluating the quantity and quality of garden garbage. There are three types of garden shredders for their intended purpose: for branches, for grass, and a universal apparatus for branches and grass.
If in gardening a large part is occupied by a garden and low shrubs, then it is better to choose a shredder for grass. The knives of these devices do not clog when processing wet leaves.
If trees mostly grow in the country, then it is worth buying a chopper for branches. It is necessary to pay attention to the diameter of the unit. There are devices capable of processing small trees whose trunk diameter reaches 7.5 cm.
Universal shredders have in their design both horizontal and vertical knives, and therefore process everything that they are served.
Other important characteristics when choosing a device:
- Dimensions, height of the socket in which the waste is laid. Sometimes the height of the bell reaches one and a half meters in height. This will bring certain difficulties to people of short stature.
- The location of the handles of the container. Some products have pens that are close to the ground. This causes great inconvenience when you need to take a heavy waste container.
- The noise that the unit makes. Sometimes you can’t do without an ear plug for work.
- The presence of a visor above the receiving hopper. If the visor is missing, the chips will fly in different directions.
At the end of the article, a detailed overview of garden shredders will be presented to identify their features.
Type and engine power
Also, all garden shredders are divided by type of engine into gasoline and electric. To understand what their differences are, you need to consider each species in detail.
Electric Garden Shredders

Garden electric shredders of branches and grass are lighter than gasoline in weight, smaller in volume, work quietly and do not emit harmful exhaust gases into the atmosphere. The downside of these models is the lack of mobility. Their movement is limited by the length of the cord and the presence of outlets nearby. Of course, you can always use an extension cord for the cord, but this can be inconvenient. Their power ranges from 2 to 5 kW, they are cheap. Such shredders are often bought for small garden plots and cottages where there is not a large amount of organic waste.
Gasoline Shredders

Gasoline chopper is more mobile than electric, but also heavier due to the volumetric engine. It is always more powerful and reliable.Models with such an engine are much more expensive and require more careful maintenance, but they break down less often than electrical devices. Gasoline shredders are often used in large farms or for commercial needs of factories and enterprises.
Engine power is measured in horsepower or kilowatts. 1 h.p. corresponds to 735 watts.
Fuel tank capacity
The fuel consumption, device power and speed are directly dependent on the volume of the fuel tank. The plus of a large tank is obvious - the device will work longer without refueling. The disadvantage of such grinders is their large size and weight. When choosing a tank volume, it should be taken into account that manufacturers do not always indicate the correct amount of fuel consumed. It depends on several factors. Some firms calculate the volume during continuous operation, others, on the contrary, calculate the minimum consumption of gasoline when processing soft materials, and still others take the average value.
Type of cutting part
The speed of the grinder and the amount of organic waste that the device can process directly depend on the type of cutting part. Her views:
- Models with knives. The simplest devices are equipped with two knives that are located horizontally. They are intended for grinding grass and small branches (1-1.5 cm). More expensive and functional models have 4 or 6 knives, which are perpendicular. They are designed to grind larger garden waste.
- Devices with a worm type crusher. Such shredders are equipped with a screw instead of knives. The screw is located vertically and is equipped on the sides with several additional smaller screws. These shredders are more powerful and faster. They cope with branches up to 4 cm in diameter: both dry and freshly cut. These devices are classified as universal. There is one minus - after grinding wet grass, the screws will have to be cleaned, otherwise the operation of the device will rise.
- Shredders with a multi-knife mill. They are classified as universal because the cylindrical cutting unit copes with any organic waste. Numerous knives do not wind the grass and remain sharp for a long time, but such choppers are expensive.
- Models with a cutting shaft. A powerful crushing unit copes with trunks of small trees up to 7.5 cm in diameter. The downside is the high price and large dimensions.
Rating
Top 5 most popular garden shredders, pros and cons of each model.
BOSCH AXT Rapid 2000 2 kW

- high build quality;
- the knife is easily removed and whetted;
- the device is light in weight and compact.
- turns off at low voltage.
High-quality reliable machine that grinds everything you need, from cabbage leaves to thick dry branches. The product copes with wet plants. The only drawback is that when grinding this type of garden garbage, the machine will often have to be cleaned by itself.
MTD Rover 464 Q 7.5 KM

- quality;
- universal grinding system;
- large trash bin.
- high price;
- There is no instruction in Russian.
Good chopper made in the USA. It is more suitable for use in large farms than for a garden or a summer residence. Conforms to all declared characteristics. The trunks of trees at 6-7 cm absorbs at high speed, but there is one caveat. If the trunks are short (less than 100 cm), it will be inconvenient and even painful to hold the lever when the blades shank it. As for foliage, most leaves are rubbed into dust by the device, but there are those that remain untouched. But it is rather nitpicking, as this chopper justifies its price.
Makita UD2500 2.5 kW

- fast recycling;
- reverse is provided;
- easy to use.
- inconvenient capacity for recycled garbage;
- capacity is quickly filled;
- the mulch turns out large.
The device corresponds to the price-quality ratio.The capacity for collecting branches is inserted heavily and quickly filled, the handle does not include carrying equipment, the foliage is practically not milled. This unit is suitable for those who do not have a lot of garden waste. You should not expect superpowers from this grinder, but he copes with his task.
Tazz K42 6.5 KM

- 2 entrance funnels;
- 6 steel knives;
- steel case;
- high grinding ratio;
- powerful reliable engine.
- high price.
This chopper is designed for domestic use, and for large enterprises. The device quickly copes with quite large branches without preliminary crushing and other garden waste.
AL-KO LH 2800 2.8 kW

- ease of use;
- quiet;
- light;
- reverse is provided;
- powerful enough.
- no serious identified.
Great chopper for garden and garden. With careful use, it will last a long time. You should not expect that the device will grind into the husk all branches, cones and foliage, but in general it will cope with its task. For example, it will chop branches up to 3-4 cm in length.