To ensure that garden waste decomposes quickly on the compost and can be used as fertilizer, it should be shredded well beforehand. This is perfect if you don’t want to spend time turning your yard clippings by hand or using a bulky lawn mower that takes up too much space in your garage. For this purpose, shredders are suitable, with which you can also cut large quantities of compost material into small pieces. In this blog post, we will explore what makes a chipper shredder great, and how it can improve your composting efforts!
Table of Content
Top 5 Chipper Shredders for Composting
Earthwise GS70015
Last update on 2024-12-28
The Earthwise GS70105 mulcher is a powerful way to get rid of all those pesky branches in your yard. Great for anyone who wants their hands free and safe from the chipper/shredder cord, this product has everything you need for hassle-free gardening. With wheels on the back and an easy-to-clean collection bin with 1.2 Bushel capacity, there’s no better tool than the Power Tools by ALM mulcher material: 15 Amp Electric Motor Collar Shredder – All Metal Chipper.
Pros:
- Collection bin included
- Bigger hopper opening
- Chute and tamper tool
- Shredding branches up to 1.75 inches thick
Cons:
- Does not handle fresh leaves
Sun Joe CJ603E
Last update on 2024-12-28
The Sun Joe CJ603E is a powerful leaf mulcher designed to be efficient and safe. With a rating of 120 volts, it can handle branches as thick as 1.73 inches with ease! The safety hopper includes a locking knob that prevents the motor from operating when opened for added peace of mind, and the sturdy 7-inch wheels make this tool perfect for naturalists on the go looking to turn leaves into nutrient-rich mulch. Use your Sun Joe CJ603E to easily transform those overgrown yards into lush gardens in no time—you won’t believe how easy it can be!
Pros:
- Ideal for turning leaves
- Chips and shreds branch up to 1. 73-inches thick
- Safety hopper with locking knob
- Compact design with 7-inch wheels
Cons:
- Narrow discharge chute
WORX WG430
Last update on 2024-12-22
Mulching leaves has never been easier. Turn 11 bags of leaves and debris into 1 with the 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher. The WORX WG430 features a clean air motor cooling system that enables it to run at peak efficiency, cutting 53 gallons of leaf mulch per minute! The WORX WG430 also comes standard with an easy-to-change string system for sharp lines every time. No more dragging multiple bags up four flights of stairs to dump in your yard waste binб, let the WORX WG430 help you keep neat your outdoor space!
Pros:
- Mulches up to 53 Gallons of leaves per minute
- Disposes of leaves and debris into a bag
- System to reduce dust
Cons:
- Can’t mulch wood
Sun Joe CJ601E
Last update on 2024-12-22
The Sun Joe CJ601E can help transform a nature-viewing oasis into a nature-creating environment. This strong, no lawn care product is powerful enough to make short work of fallen branches and other garden refuse with its 14 amp motor. Mulching reduces yard waste by up to 1/16th – perfect for those who want their compost heap without running out of room for it!
Pros:
- Suitable for turning branches into garden mulch
- Portable
- Affordable
- Small and lightweight
Cons:
- Small maximum diameter
- A waste container is not included
Super Handy Wood Chipper
Last update on 2024-12-28
The Super Handy has a 15:1 reduction ratio so your branches and limbs are chipped down to nice, small pieces! With its unique slanted housing design, you’ll reduce jams more often than not while still getting a 15:1 reduction ratio with the top hopper for 1/2″ max volume chipping or shredding of material. The side channel is perfect for users looking to get branches and limbs of up to 3″, while the attachable leaf vacuum lets you mulch leaves with ease. Let’s not forget about its powerful 7HP hop starting Horizontal 4-stroke Single Cylinder OHV engine, stopping jamming in its tracks before it even begins!
Pros:
- Possibility to use vacuum and towbar accessories
- Different entry options
- Affordable
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Heavy
What compost can you chop?
Basically, you should chop all garden waste nice and small before composting. Since shredding by hand can be very strenuous for large quantities, it is worth purchasing a garden shredder.
Especially in large gardens with a lot of tree and shrub cuttings, a good shredder is indispensable.
- Tree trimmings
- Shrubbery cuttings
- Leaves
- Dried up plants
- Fruit and vegetable waste
Caution: Garden waste that is infested with pests or fungal spores such as mildew should not be chipped or composted in the garden. Such waste belongs in the household garbage.
Various devices for shredding compost
The market of shredders for the garden is unmanageable. There are three main types:
- Knife shredders
- Roller shredders
- Shredders with turbine cutting unit
The larger the garden, the higher the quality and performance of the shredder.
Knife shredders work very fast, but are very noisy and therefore not ideal in closely built-up residential areas. Roller shredders are quieter, but they do not shred the compost as quickly. Turbine shredders are both quiet and fast.
Safety first when shredding
Shredders work with very sharp knives or rollers. They can shred not only branches but also fingers and hands. Follow our safety instructions to get the job done without injury.
- The feed hopper must be high or narrow so that the arm does not come close to the cutter when filling the garden waste.
- When purchasing, look for a short blade restart time.
- The restart protection prevents the shredder from continuing to run immediately after a power failure, for example. It is now standard, just like the automatic motor stop and the overload protection.
- Always place the shredder in a stable position.
- Read the instruction manual carefully before first use.
- Wait for full speed after switching on and only then feed the material.
- Unplug the shredder immediately if it becomes clogged and then clear the clog.
- Extension cords must be suitable for outdoor use and matched to the power of the unit.
- Always keep children away from the shredder.
- When shredding, always wear work clothes and work protection, such as gloves, helmet with face shield, safety goggles, sturdy shoes, and hearing protection.
Care and maintenance of the shredder
If you want to get something out of your wood shredder for a long time, you should not neglect care and maintenance.
- Important: With roller shredders, the pressure plate must be regularly adjusted, otherwise the machine will no longer shred properly over time. You will find more information on this in the operating instructions for your model.
- In knife shredders, the cutting knives must be regularly sharpened by a specialist and replaced if necessary. Make sure that the knives are lubricated with some oil or care spray.
- If your shredder is dirty, never hose it down with water, as the cutting mechanism can rust.
- Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions in the operating manual. There you will also find the intervals for maintenance.
You don’t trust yourself to check the machine? Find a professional to assist you.
