What Factors to Consider When Choosing a Chipper or Shredder?

 

Chippers and shredders are fantastic tools to buy because they help us make the most of our garden debris.

Let’s be honest, taking shrub, hedge and tree cuttings to the recycling centre is a terrible waste of our natural resources because every one of these things can easily contribute towards creating a completely free and continuous supply of compost or mulch for the garden.

All that you need to do this is buy a chipper or shredder.

What Is the Difference Between a Chipper and Shredder?

Traditionally, wood chippers and shredders were viewed as two completely different garden machines.

With their ultra-sharp blades, chippers were seen as the best tool to break down branches and larger pieces of wood into smaller, more manageable chips, to make mulch.

Shredders, on the other hand, were designed with blunter blades, making them ideal for turning softer organic material into compost or mulch.

However, in recent years, most garden machinery manufacturers have designed their chippers and shredders to perform both functions, so the difference between the two machines has become a little bit blurred.

In fact, it’s fair to say that most of us now regard ‘chipper’ and ‘shredder’ as pretty much interchangeable terms.

Which Is the Best Garden Shredder for Me?

Bearing the above in mind, we advise not getting too hung up on whether the manufacturer calls their product a ‘chipper’ or a ‘shredder’, especially as some models have names containing both terms.

Instead, when shopping for the best garden shredder/ chipper for your own requirements, it’s best to differentiate between roller and impact models, along with the method used to power them.

Roller Shredders

As the name implies, roller shredders use a rigid roller to draw garden debris into the shredder, which is then crushed against a plate.

These machines are highly effective at breaking down thick woody stems and shredding lots of material quickly, so they are an excellent option if you’re removing waste from a larger garden. Roller shredders usually operate more quietly too, which is an obvious selling point if you live in a densely populated area.

On the downside, these garden waste shredders tend to be bigger, heavier and more expensive than impact models, which are factors you’ll need to consider if you have limited garden storage space or are operating on a budget.

What’s more, although they’re great at breaking down wood, they’re arguably less effective when dealing with softer, greener organic waste, so don’t always make the best type of shredder for leaves.

Shredder Star Buy 1: STIHL GH 370 Chipper

Ideal for larger outdoor areas, the powerful STIHL GH 370 Chipper is capable of shredding branches up to 45mm in diameter, as well as woody hedge clippings.

This petrol-powered wood chipper shredder is designed with a wide chassis and sturdy wheels, enabling you to easily transport it around the garden, to wherever you’ve branches and hedge clippings to shred.

It comes with a soundproofed feed chute, including integral splash guard too, so you’ll get your shredding done quickly, without upsetting your neighbours or getting hit by shredding debris.

Buy the STIHL GH 370 Chipper now.

Impact Shredders

Impact shredders are usually lighter, cheaper and more mobile than roller shredders. Sometimes referred to as rapid or rotary shredders, they use sharp, high-speed rotating blades to finely slice up lighter garden foliage into mulch.

On the downside, impact shredders tend not to be as effective as roller shredders when dealing with thicker pieces of wood. They are invariably noisier when operating too.

Shredder Star Buy 2: Handy THISWB Electric Impact Shredder

Boasting some great user-friendly features, but retailing at under £160, this impact shredder represents extraordinary value for money.

Thanks to a 2500w motor and robust steel blades, it is easily capable of turning leaves, twigs and smaller branches into compost and mulch, for the benefit of your garden.

The shredder also features a set of wheels, 3-metre cable, and 40-litre collection box with locking lever. As a useful safety measure, the motor will cut out if the shredder is ever overloaded.

Buy the Handy THISWB Electric Impact Shredder now.

Should I Buy a Petrol or Electric Shredder?

The pros and cons of petrol and electric shredders tend to follow a similar pattern to most other garden machines.

Petrol Shredders

Petrol shredders are usually more powerful machines than electric models, making them quicker and more effective at dealing with large volumes of shredding. And, of course, as they don’t need connecting to a power supply, they’re the obvious choice of shredder if you’re working in a larger outdoor area.

Shredder Star Buy 3: Lawnflite PGS 45-SSE Petrol Chipper

There’s no need to worry about outdoor power supplies or extension cables once you’ve bought this superb petrol wood chipper!

Powered by a 196cc Loncin engine and with 10-inch wheels, it is a fantastic shredder to buy if you want to freely reach the furthest corners of your garden.

The chipper’s HSS blades are expertly designed to make very short work of shredding branches, with or without leaves, while the 45-litre collection bag provides ample space for the resulting mulch.

Buy the Lawnflite PGS 45-SSE Petrol Chipper now.

Electric Shredders

Much quieter when operating than petrol-powered models, electric shredders are, of course, also emission free, which makes them kinder to both your neighbours and the environment.

They are usually the cheaper option too, so are an attractive choice for anyone operating on a budget. This difference in price is even more evident if you factor in petrol shredders’ fuel and servicing requirements.

Shredder Star Buy 4: STIGA BIO SILENT 2500 Electric Shredder

Ultra reliable and quiet when operating, this electric shredder features a 2500w motor and 8-toothed rotary roller cutting system, which is capable of shredding branches up to 40mm in diameter.

Boasting a reverse function and adjustable shredding size too, this machine will perfectly shred all of your garden debris, with minimal fuss.

And with a large 60-litre container, plastic plunger and 2 sturdy wheels all included as standard, your shredding is sure to always be a pleasure, but never a chore.

Buy the STIGA BIO SILENT 2500 Electric Shredder now.

How About Battery Shredders?

Although not yet as common as petrol or electric shredders, battery-powered shredders are becoming a great alternative to both. While their cordless technology gives you the freedom associated with a petrol-powered model, their quiet operation, energy efficiency and sound environmental credentials also give you the benefits previously associated with purely electric designs.

Shredder Star Buy 5: Eliet Maestro Country Battery Shredder

Designed for demanding professional use, this high-end, battery-powered shredder is fitted with a 3.03 kW EGO motor, has a working width of 45mm, and chopping speed of 36,000 cuts per minute. The blades can be used on both sides to double their lifespan.

Eliet’s patented Chopping Principle™ mimics the action of an axe and follows the natural grain of the wood, for unbeatably effective shredding and much quicker composting.

Because of this revolutionary process, the shredder requires much less power and generates far lower noise levels than most garden shredders, making it the chipper of choice for eco-conscious gardeners, who value the tranquillity of their outdoor areas.

You really will struggler to find a better chipper for wood than this one!

Buy the Eliet Maestro Country Battery Shredder now.

Find the Best Shredders and Chippers for Sale Here!

Here, at Ron Smith, we stock shredders and wood chippers for sale in a huge range of designs and sizes, to cater for every conceivable budget. This includes roller and impact shredders, along with electric, petrol and battery-powered models – all brought to you by the world’s leading manufacturers of chippers and shredders.

And should you have a question about any of the chippers and shredders featured on our website, you’ll find our friendly, UK-based Garden Machinery Experts ready to assist you, in any way they can.

 

(Blog’s main image: STIHL GHE 250 Electric Chipper Shredder)