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For many gardeners, it takes a lot of effort to keep your garden clutter-free. More often than not, we find twigs and leaves all over our backyard during seasonal changes. Cleaning up your whole garden requires too much effort and time. Aside from that, the excessive timber makes your garden cluttered and congested. Many gardeners find this situation problematic and would often spend money on extra hand to help clean the garden.
Chipper shredders chip the branches and twigs into smaller and finer pieces like the picture above
But with the advancement of technology, we don’t have to worry about excessive timber anymore. You don’t have to spend the whole day out cleaning the garden nor spend more cash for an extra hand. With the help of the best chipper shredder, cleaning the garden from debris becomes an easier task.
What Is A Chipper Shredder?
A chipper shredder is a tool that chops and shreds branches, twigs, and certain woods into smaller pieces. It is helpful in turning organic waste, including leaf and grass, into garden mulch that can be used to fertilize crops and flower beds. In other words, your chipper shredder can also function as a mulcher. This device can be used for both commercial, home use and residential purposes.
A chipper shredder often runs on electricity, but recently, gas-powered models have been released. Their blades are sharp, and they can shred any type of garden waste. Chipper shredders have different types, varying in power, design, functionality, and portability.
This electric chipper shredder is working on the twigs and other debris in the garden lot
Why Should You Get One?
Having a chipper shredder is highly suggested, especially if you want your garden to be neat and clutter-free. Chipper shredder is safe and easy to use. It allows you to get rid of unwanted twigs and leaves without spending too much time and money. Removing excessive debris can be tedious and time-consuming, but with this machine work is easier and faster. It also helps create natural fertilizer by shredding dead leaves and other organic waste in your garden.
A man in a garden with a wood chipper
#1 Patriot Products CSV-3100B
Via: Amazon.com
This chipper shredder is known for its high horsepower capacity. This shredder runs on 10 horsepower which can shred up to 3 inches’ diameter of thick branches. It can shred leaves faster and easier with its swinging hammer system. You don’t have to move the chipper around when you are clearing out the twigs and leaves because the side discharges can work around the spot where your chipper shredder is working on. It also has a 50-state compliant certificate. Moreover, most, if not all, Patriot products now use the superior quality Briggs & Stratton Engine for top-notch performance. With that, this chipper shredder is the best chipper shredder for home use and bigger gardens.
Pros
- It has a good chipping capacity.
- The engine horsepower is fast and effective to use.
- It shreds even larger debris and thicker branches.
- The leafhopper works efficiently as it rakes the leaves into the motor.
Cons
- The machine has a vague assembly instruction.
- The shredder is easily damaged because of the debris being forced into the feeder. It causes the device to jam easily when it is not drained properly.
#2 Tazz Chipper Shredders K32 Chipper Shredder
Via: Amazon.com
If you are looking for a chipper shredder that can be moved around your lawn, then this is the best chipper shredder for home use. This shredder comes with a 212cc Viper. It comes with a 5-year warranty and an optional vacuum kit which helps keep the leaves and debris off the grass. It stands around 25.4 inches wide by 29.9 inches long. Its size makes it easier for gardeners to stow it away without taking too much space. The shredder has 11 inches’ wheels which are very durable. Upon purchase, you will also receive the debris bag with a bottom out the zipper and a dock-and-lock bag connector.
Pros
- It has a very fast engine start-up.
- It has a good chipping capacity. It can cut up to 3 inches’ diameter of branches.
- It can shred wood into finer pieces.
- It is very portable and easy to move around the yard.
Cons
- It takes time to set up.
- It takes time to de-clog.
#3 Yard Machines 208cc Chipper Shredder
Via: Amazon.com
This shredder comes with a 205cc OHV engine which runs more efficiently as compared to the other side-valve engines. This chipper shredder is heavy-duty and has a four-cycle mulching process. The Yard Machine 208cc can shred up to 2 inches’ diameter and also has a high reduction waste ratio. It can shred up to 10 bags per sitting. Aside from that, this shredder comes with a 3-way feed which includes the rake-in chute, drop-down chute, and chipper chute. It has a built-in set of wheels, which make the device mobile and easy to manipulate around the lawn.
Pros
- The drop-down chute rakes a good amount of debris into the blades.
- It works with thick branches.
- It is a heavy-duty device.
- It is very portable, easy to move from one spot to another.
Cons
- It is a little noisy as compared to electric chipper shredders.
#4 Patriot Products CSV-2515
Patriot Products CSV-2515
Via: Amazon.com
This chipper shredder can easily shred a huge amount of leaves in just a short period of time. It can shred chips into a smaller diameter. It comes with a discharge bag where all the debris is placed once the process is complete. It has a low maintenance motor which starts easily by just flipping its switch. This machine is lightweight and easy to move around due to its portable wheels.
Pros
- The chipper shredder is easy to use.
- This device is mobile and easy to maneuver around.
- This chipper shredder is ideal for light work.
- It has a low-maintenance on the engine.
- This device does not produce a sound when it is turned on.
Cons
- The twigs and leaves must be very dry before they are processed.
- The upper shoots clog easily. It takes time to de-clog it.
#5 Earthquake 9060300 Chipper Shredder
Via Amazon.com
This chipper shredder is the best chipper shredder for heavy-duty gardening. It easily chips materials that have three inches’ diameter. It comes with chipping knives and hammers to assist you. It converts brush piles into mulch and has a high reduction waste ratio of 20:1. It also comes with a two-piece bushel bag upon purchase.
Pros
- It is very easy to assemble and lightweight.
- It can produce a high-quality mulch.
- It works well with larger gardens.
- The bags are durable.
Cons
- You need to cut the debris into smaller pieces before putting them into the shredder. It takes time to shred a whole piece.
- The wheels are not durable.
2 Types Of Chipper Shredders
The chipper shredders come in different sizes and with various accessories which can be very helpful for your gardening upkeep. These 2 types have different functionality, as well as design to cater to your needs.
Bucket-Type Wood Shredder
This shredder comes in a funnel-like design. The disc-like blades are attached to the motor and spread evenly when they are working. The bucket-like design allows you to stow away debris and woods easily after they are shredded into smaller sizes. This is well-loved by many homeowners because of its safety purposes and state-of-the-art design.
Portable Electric Wood Chipper Shredder
From the name itself, this chipper shredder is known for its portability. This design has a load feed up front, and its motor is located down below the feed. It is complete with handles and wheels, making this device mobile and easy to move around. The shredder also has a pusher which allows the load to be pushed down into the area where the blades are attached.
2 Power Types Of Chipper Shredder
1. Electric Chipper Shredders
They have a smaller end as compared to the gas-powered shredders. They are often lightweight with a lesser horsepower. These shredders are corded and are the best chipper shredder for families with smaller or lesser garden space. They are also the best chipper shredder for organic waste, dead leaves, and twigs. Some of them, like the highly portable electric shredders made by Sun Joe, are built to work more than just shred dried leaves and small twigs; they can also function as shredder vacuum that allows you to reach for organic material under the bushes, and blower to help you blow dried leaves off your patio.
The only disadvantage of using an electric chipper shredder is the inevitable need for an extension cord if your electric outlet is not conveniently located anywhere near the garden.
Once the leaves and twigs are shredded, they are often placed into the compost pit to create natural manure for the garden.
2. Gas-Powered Chipper Shredders
They are often driven by the Power Take Off system which is often found in tractors. They are stronger and often more powerful than electric chipper shredder and have an average of 4 to 10 horsepower when they are in use. The gas-powered chipper shredders are the best chipper shredders for medium-sized branches. It can also take more debris and leaves, unlike the electric ones.
Some chipper shredder can produce mulch that is as fine as the soil
A lot of chipper shredders have additional functions added to their system. Some of these machines have options like raking the debris or leaves into the hopper. Some of them even have functions like that of a vacuum cleaner which sucks all the debris and leaves off the ground.
Commercial chipper shredders are larger as compared to the residential shredders. They have a 15- centimeter diameter which can cater to larger debris and thicker branches. A commercial chipper shredder often comes in a bucket-type design.
A commercial chipper shredder looks like a tractor with sharp blades and brushes
Gas-powered vs. Electric-powered Chipper Shredders
Gas-powered
In terms of power, the gas-powered model has more edge than the electric-powered shredder. However, it can be dangerous to our people’s health as this type of shredder produces harmful fumes when it is turned on. It is therefore essential to use your gas-powered shredder machines outdoors where there is ample ventilation. These models also produce a lot of noise due to the heavy-duty engine, but they do more work due to their power capacity. Furthermore, they are bulkier and can take a lot of space in your shed or garage. They are also more expensive and need high maintenance.
Electric-powered
An electric-powered shredder is easy to maintain as compared to the gas-powered one. One good thing about it is that the power source is available anytime you want to use the chipper shredder. They are quiet and are best for light gardening upkeep. They are also eco-friendly as they rely on a cleaner source of energy. However, they are not as portable as their gas-powered counterpart and need to be plugged into the power source in order for the device to function. Most of the models are more affordable and do well in mulching and chipping off twigs and branches. Regardless of the advantages and disadvantages, chipper shredders functionality depends on the size of the debris and lawn.
What Is the Best Chipper/Shredder
Again, choosing the best among the many high-quality chippers and shredders on the market will depend on your specific needs and preferences. You may have the best tree shredder advertised on TV but you will only waste its powerful shredding capacity if you only have a pocket-sized garden in your tiny yard. Tiny yards will be best served by electric leaf shredders that operate on low noise and have very little need for maintenance. If you have a small yard, try to shop and compare the best electric chipper shredder on the market today.
Regardless of the size of your yard, if you hate raking dried leaves, picking up small branches, and hauling them in a wheelbarrow to your shredder, consider getting a chipper shredder vacuum. Most of these machines work just like your regular vacuum cleaner; they suck up leaves and twigs off your lawn and often come with an extension hose that lets you suck debris from under the bushes and hard-to-reach places.
While a chipper shredder vacuum can be convenient, it can only handle small branches under 1.5 inches in diameter. If you know you will be dealing with tree branches of up 3 inches in diameter, you might want to get the standard gas-powered wood chipper shredder. Not only is this unit more powerful in turning leaves and larger branches into finely-milled organic material, it allows you to handle a much bigger workload as well.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Chipper Shredder For The Money
In choosing the best chipper shredder for home use, there are things that you need to consider before getting one for your garden.
When choosing the chipper shredder, consider the diameter of the branches and other types of debris that you have in your backyard
- Tilt-down hopper. The hopper allows you to rake the grass or leaves into the shredder.
- Trailer hitch. This allows you to use a lawn tractor or an ATV to transport the device from one place to another.
- Self-sharpening blade and knives. They are great for cutting and maintenance.
- Electrical starter. This tool allows a gas-powered chipper to start easier and faster.
- Reduction Ratio. Whether you’re checking for gas or electric models, always consider the reduction ratio of the chipper shredder, or its ability to reduce the amount of debris into mulch or composting material. Most of the best units have a reduction ratio of 10:1 to 20:1.
With a chipper shredder, your backyard is a much neater state than it originally was
Final Review of the Best Chipper Shredder
In conclusion, having a first-rate chipper shredder is a must-have for gardeners. It helps you keep your garden clutter-free and neat with very minimal effort. And because your chipper shredder can turn all organic wastes in your garden into a fine composting material, it can also help your plants healthy without spending extra cash on chemical fertilizers. This gardening tool is indubitably one of the best investments you can make for home and garden.
Thank you for reading this article, I hope you had fun reading it. If you want to suggest other chipper shredders, click the comment box below and share your experiences with it.
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