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Post by Fi on Jul 16, 2008 13:27:05 GMT
We already have a shredder for garden waste, but I'm keen to get a garden chipper as well, so that there is a wider range of sizes in our compost to aid drainage and texture, since the soil here is clay. We have no experience of using a chipper, and there is no-one close by from whom we could hire one. So - does anyone else have experience of using one and knowledge of what features to look for? None of them are exactly cheap, so we're very leary of buying one without knowing as much as possible about them. One specific question is how often do the blades need sharpening.
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Post by tigerlily on Jul 17, 2008 9:39:41 GMT
I am just reminded of the scene in Fargo where the chappy is disposed of by shoving him through the woodchipper.
(Yah, you betcha by golly).
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Post by Fi on Jul 17, 2008 12:15:16 GMT
Doesn't that make the blades rust very quickly?
*forgets the new patio idea - the chickens can have  ?? instead*
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Post by Suzy R Sopham on Jul 17, 2008 12:27:55 GMT
Not too sure if you mean the type of thing we have or something a bit more industrial Fi.
We have a 'wood chipper' which will take branches up to about 3" diameter. We use it to shred all the smaller branches when we trim any trees we have then we use the resulting chips as a mulch on the garden.
We've had it about 3 years and it tends to get high bursts of use once or twice a year rather than regular use. We've never had the blades sharpened (yet).
It was only a cheapish one from a DIY place and generally works quite well when we use it.
The only real problem I have with it (I am the chief operator!) is that it can get a bit bunged up and then you have to take the cover off and un-bung it manually which is a nuisance.
I suspect to avoid that, you'd have to pay a good deal for one. Although having said that, some friends of ours have a much more expensive model and that also gets bunged up. Perhaps it is an inherent problem.
Hope that helps.
Sooooz
xxxxx
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Post by Fi on Jul 18, 2008 22:48:31 GMT
Thanks Sooz - the only difference between a shredder, which we already have, and a chipper, is that a chipper cuts into larger bits than a shredder and is therefore quicker. I suspect from your comments about clogging up that yours is a shredder, although if it is a chipper then that is bad news. I know what you mean about short bursts - the size of our new garden is such that we are now looking at industrial sized heaps of material to compost, but we don't want an industrial chipper - they cost thousands. However, a faster speed is very attractive, plus having a greater size range in the compost heaps should help aerate the material as it decomposes.
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Post by merseycat on Jul 19, 2008 13:15:41 GMT
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Post by Fi on Jul 21, 2008 0:25:21 GMT
Sorry MC, I'm a bit dim tonight (nothing new there then), but is your's a shredder or a chipper?
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Post by Murphy Slaw on Jul 21, 2008 23:00:21 GMT
The smaller shredders tend to be for DIY or home use. Chippers are the pro equipment. (along with the jargon, mystique and high price)
Chippers produce larger end products simply because the stuff you are putting in is bigger and the sums and machinery involved change. Chippers mostly use flails instead of blades
Both are rated on the size of branches you can get in.
Take the advertised inlet size as wishful thinking and reckon on the actual being about 2/3 of that.
If you want to chip 2 inch branches you'll need a 3 inch chipper. At that size it'll have to be a petrol job. However the bigger the motor the better. Some 2 inch machines boast a 5 HP engine and others a 10 HP. Obviously the more power the better.
You're looking at a grand for a new one of decent power
There's a 10 hp on this
www.mowdirect.co.uk/acatalog/MIGHTY_MAC_PETROL_CHIPPER-SHREDDERS.html
Blades need sharpening whenever the machine starts to bung up regularly. ( Suzy's problem) Flails will need the occasional squaring off.
I do mine on a standard small grindstone finished on a wetstone. Local hardware bloke will do them for a fiver. |
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Post by Fi on Jul 23, 2008 0:49:41 GMT
Thanks Murph - much appreciated.
xx
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Post by merseycat on Jul 23, 2008 14:52:12 GMT
Sorry MC, I'm a bit dim tonight (nothing new there then), but is your's a shredder or a chipper? Mine is classified as a shredder. There are loads of various types on EBAY - it's worth having a look. |
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?? instead*
