Choosing a gas shredder
When should you consider buying a gasoline-driven shredding machine? If over the season you collect a significant amount of sticks and branches that fall or are pruned from your many trees or shrubs, you might consider buying a chipper/shredder machine. While not cheap, they last for decades and might help keep your organic waste on the property instead of sending it out to the trash. It makes wonderful mulch.
Shredders come in all sizes and shapes. Since this is not a low-cost item, it is wise to get a feel of your options.
• Electric chipper/shredders: I do not recommend the little electric chipper/shredders. I've tested a half dozen over the years and because they are under-powered they clog up too easily no matter how careful you might be in feeding material into the machine's hopper.
• Gas chipper/shredders: I have had good experience with gasoline-driven chipper/shredders over the years. All kinds of organic yard waste can be shredded into particles the size of a nickel. In most cases, the leaves, weeds, and twigs will be reduced at a 10-to-1 ratio. In other words, 10 bags of leaves when shredded produce one bag of shredded leaves. In the best machines, the shredding function is joined by a chipper attachment, allowing larger branches to be chipped into more mulch. Depending on the model, homeowner units can accept branches up to 3 inches in diameter.
The two variables to consider when making a selection are: horsepower and size of the chipping hopper.
A 5-horsepower machine will handle the load for an average property that is less than an acre (Yard Machines, $550). It can chip branches up to 2 inches in diameter. If you have a large number of trees to maintain, you should look at machines with 8.5 horsepower (Craftsman, $800) or even 10 horsepower (Troy-Bilt, $900). These machines will chip branches up to 3 inches in diameter. Shredding and chipping requires significant power to be done effectively. The higher the horsepower, the easier it is to handle larger volumes of material, especially if it is wet, which is often the case.
To get an idea of all the sizes of shredders available, check out the shredder section of Amazon.com. Most tool rental outlets will have one or two gas shredders for the home landscape. I used to go in with a neighbor and rent one for a day and cover both properties.
Yard Machines 24A-452G700 205cc Briggs & Stratton 800 Series Gas-Powered Chipper Shredder
by Yard Machines
- A powerful 5.5 HP chipper/shredder ideal for home or professional use
- 3-way poly drop-down and rake-in hopper
- 2.5-bushel bag capacity
- 10:1 reduction ratio
- Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California
The Yard Machines 5.5-horsepower chipper shredder comes equipped with a 5.5-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine, and features a 2-inch chipper capacity with a 10:1 reduction ratio. The unit also comes with a 3-way poly drop-down and rake-in hopper with a steel blade for added strength and durability. The chipper comes with a 2.5-bushel bag capacity for added convenience and is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Troy-Bilt CS 4265 205cc Briggs & Stratton 850 Series Gas-Powered 2-Way Feed Chipper Shredder
by Troy-Bilt
- Briggs and Stratton 850 series OHV engine
- 2-inch chipper capacity
- 10:1 debris reduction
- 5 bushel bag capacity
- Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California
A powerful 205cc 850 Series Briggs & Stratton OHV engine makes quick work of chipping and shredding branches, leaves and clippings. Feed material into the large, drop-in steel hopper or chipper chute and 12 steel flails and cast iron screen turn leaves, sticks and other light debris into fertilizing mulch and compost. 5-bushel collection bag capacity. Includes 9in. x 2in. semi-pneumatic steel wheels, 1-gallon capacity fuel tank and safety goggles. U.S.A. Engine: Briggs & Stratton, Engine Type: OHV, Walk or Pull: Pull, Chipper: Yes, Shredder: Yes, Displacement (cc): 205, Bagger Volume (bushels): 5, Fuel Capacity (gal.): 1, Tire Size (in.): 9 x 2 pneumatic steel
Blue Max 3349 6 HP Gas Powered Chipper Shredder
by Blue Max
- Fuel tank volume 0.95 Gal, Oil tank volume 0.63 Qt
- Max. cutting speed: 2000/min
- Engine type: 4-stroke,Overhead valve, Single Cylinder
- Fuel consumption: 395g/kwh , Sound pressure level: 95db(A)
- Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California
The Blue Max chipper shredder is a heavy duty piece of equipment that was designed with the commercial user in mind. It's high quality design and features also make it an excellent choice around the home without cutting into the family budget. This item must ship motor freight. Make quick work of branches, leaves, and yard clean up. Use the mulch for landscaping, and playgrounds. Turn all of your branches and leaves into valuable garden mulch.
