What is the name of the grinder. Chopper for vegetables and fruits: household electric, characteristics, principle of operation and differences from a blender. How does a garden shredder work?

Any owner of a garden plot or a private house must, to one degree or another, encounter the problem of plant waste disposal. This issue is especially aggravated with the beginning spring work and at the end of the season, in the fall. We have to come up with all sorts of ways to get rid of the accumulated cut branches, dry grass and leaves, dead shrubs and the remaining tops, etc.

To help solve this set of problems, and even get tangible benefits from it, a special type of garden equipment will help, namely - garden shredder. Not so long ago, few people heard about such a useful unit, but today it often becomes an indispensable assistant to the gardener. True, a technique of this type is still a novelty for most, and many do not even imagine what opportunities it has and which side to approach when choosing it. We will help our readers - an article about which garden shredder to choose, what to pay special attention to, what basic rules to follow during operation.

Find out how to do it with tutorials on creation in our new article.

What is a garden shredder for?

As a rule, such heaps of vegetation waste are extremely non-compact, take up a lot of space, are very difficult to load and transport, and spoil a cozy area with their appearance. What to do with them?

Large branches can still be sawn for firewood. To some extent, the presence of a compost pit solves part of the problem, but laying large fragments in it is extremely unprofitable, since the pit will quickly overflow, and dense branches will decompose for a very long time.

It is quite expensive to take out such mountains of garbage, since the rental of transport, and the loading of waste, and removal - all this costs a lot of money.

It would seem that the simplest way out is to burn. But even here, not everything is so clear:

Firstly, this is not a very simple event in terms of compliance with fire safety.
Secondly, in many regions, especially in urban areas, categorical bans on the burning of plant waste are introduced by law, and you can run into big trouble.
And thirdly, this is a completely senseless, unjustified event. Any plant feeds on "vital juices" from the earth, taking from it the substances necessary for growth and development. It turns out that the burning of plant waste is the purposeful destruction of the most valuable biological product, and ultimately the unmeasured depletion of the fertile soil on the site. Wouldn't it be better, instead of buying some fertilizers on the side, to use the available reserves?

All this "baggage" of problems is solved by purchasing one garden unit - a chopper (often there are foreign synonyms - a garden shredder or a chipper). This unit is able to quickly grind dimensional plant waste into a small mass, with the disposal of which there will be no special problems.

Such shredded waste will no longer clutter compost pits, and the process of their biological decay will be much faster.
Shredded wood becomes an excellent mulching material and a good fertilizer.
Even just removing shredded waste from your territory is much easier. They can be packed into bags and loaded into the trunk of your own car.
Wood chips can even be used as fuel - in particular, they are processed into pellets.

Thus, the advantages of such a unit are a great many, and it can increasingly be seen in the "arsenal" of zealous owners.

How does a garden shredder work?

Schematic diagram of a garden shredder

Despite the wide variety of models of garden shredders, differing in size and operational capabilities, they are all assembled approximately one by one. circuit diagram, somewhat reminiscent of a food processor device.

This is a durable case made of metal, polymer, or a combination of both. The housing can be mounted on a frame, which is very often equipped with a wheel drive - for the convenience of transporting the unit around the site.
The functioning of the grinder is ensured by the operation of the power drive - it can be an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.
The drive through a power transmission is connected with a cutting (chopping) mechanism of one type or another.
In the upper part of the grinder there is always a loading hopper, usually having a funnel-shaped extension for the convenience of supplying plant waste for grinding.
The ground mass can enter the receiving hopper, into a soft container (bag), or be thrown onto the ground. Some powerful models are equipped with spreaders with the ability to adjust the height and direction of distribution of shredded waste.

Power point

Garden shredders can be equipped with either an electric drive or an internal combustion engine. Each option has its own pros and cons.

The electric drive is more inherent in small household units of low and medium power, up to 2.6 kW. These shredders are quite capable of handling moderate amounts of waste from a typical garden plot.

They usually do not differ in large dimensions and weight, therefore they are easily moved to the place of work. Their Maintenance is reduced to a minimum, preparation in work, start-up and management does not require any special skills.

At the same time, their "attachment" to the electrical network may be an inconvenience. For example, on suburban area a large area will require a long cable, which is not always convenient, and sometimes simply impossible, due to the banal lack of a connection point. There are certain restrictions in work and according to the weather criterion - simply for reasons of electrical safety.

Units with a gasoline drive attract with their autonomy - they can be used in any "field" conditions.

As a rule, they are equipped with a two-stroke gasoline engine. Such shredders can already perform more voluminous work, process rather large plant waste, up to the trunks of small trees.

Prices and model range of ELITECH garden waste shredders

Garden waste shredders ELITECH

The operation of a gasoline engine will already require the owners of certain skills in handling it. So, for refueling, you need to prepare a fuel mixture, you will have to regularly monitor the condition of candles, gasoline and air filters, and carry out preventive work. However, too complex internal combustion engines are not installed on equipment of this class, and all this can be quickly learned.

Diesel engines are usually put on equipment for professional purposes. Such drives are able to work for a long time without pauses, keep low speeds well, and do not require a complex ignition system.

But in domestic conditions, such shredders are practically not used, simply because of their high cost, large sizes and difficulties with independent transportation around the site.

However, the type of drive is by no means always the determining factor in the question of the "professionalism" of the chopper. So, you can purchase a compact household model with a two-stroke gasoline engine, and at the same time, there are stationary or mobile pro-class units equipped with a powerful three-phase electric motor.

Chopping mechanism of a garden shredder

The torque from the power drive is transmitted to the working tool - the cutting or grinding mechanism of the shredder. And he, in turn, can be arranged in different ways. So, there are three main types:

The knife mechanism is usually a disk with radially arranged knives made of tool steel. The fast rotation of the blade disc ensures that the plant waste is cut into small fragments.

The advantages of such a scheme are its simplicity, low price, ease of maintenance. Well-honed knives are able to process foliage, grass, stems of bushes and annual plants, usually up to 20 ÷ 25 mm thick. A mechanism of this type does an excellent job with freshly cut shoots and branches, but when processing hard, dried plant waste, the blades can become dull (even a large fruit stone, for example, from a plum or peach, can cause a problem). Some shredders use specially shaped knives with several angled blades. The upper knife cuts the branches fed into smaller pieces, while the lower one already provides the final chopping.

The knife-type mechanism requires a forced supply of material for processing - it will not “pull” the branches into itself. For this, special pushers are used.

In maintenance, such shredders are the simplest, that is, removing a knife for sharpening or replacing with a new one is usually a completely simple procedure. Most household appliances have just such a mechanism.

For processing hard, dried branches of trunks, it is better to use a chopper, which is equipped with a milling mechanism. On the working shaft there is a cutter - a gear made of high-strength alloy, with a certain configuration of teeth and their corresponding sharpening. Such a cutter does not need high revolutions, which means that a reduction gear is provided.

The teeth of a rotating cutter are able to "gnaw" the sober wood of dry branches and trunks, turning them into small chips. But such a mechanism does not always cope with freshly cut branches and shoots - the fibrous structure “chews”, but may not be fully crushed.

The cutter does not have to be in singular- there can be several of them on one shaft, with a certain angular “run-up” of the position of the teeth. And on powerful professional-class plants, there is often a two-rotor chopping mechanism, where two rows of milling cutters rotate in the opposite direction, ensuring crushing of even the hardest wood waste.

The convenience of the milling mechanism of grinding is also that it is enough for him to grab a long branch or trunk - in the future, the gear simply drags it inward, simultaneously crushing it into small fragments.

The advantages of both cutting mechanisms listed above are combined by a universal type chopper. In fact, this is also a milling cutter, but of a turbine type - instead of teeth, it is equipped with carbide blades-knives located at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

This structure of the cutting mechanism makes it possible to equally successfully grind both freshly cut and old, dried waste. True, garden shredders of this type are already much more expensive.

Some models of medium and high power are equipped with a screw, screw chopping mechanism.

A rotating screw with sharply honed spiral turns perfectly copes with any type of plant waste - it all depends on the power of the installation itself.

Criteria for choosing a garden shredder

Unit capacity and recycling capabilities

These two concepts, placed in the subtitle, have a direct relationship. The functionality of the grinder as a whole will primarily depend on the power of the power drive.

Prices for garden waste shredders Bosch

Bosch garden waste shredders

There is no clear gradation of the whole variety of such equipment, but there is a conditional division into three groups - models of the household class, medium, semi-professional level and, finally, professional-purpose equipment.

To make it easier to perceive the criteria for such a division, it is better to present them in the form of a table:

Chopper category	Power and drive type	Maximum diameter of crushed branches	"Weight category"	Applications and features
household	up to 1.5 kW, electric drive	up to 25 mm	up to 20 kg	Small suburban or house plots, mostly with young trees. Short cycle of continuous operation. As a rule - a knife mechanism.
Middle class semi-professional	up to 3 kW, electric drive or two-stroke internal combustion engine	up to 40 mm	up to 40-50 kg	Average households or summer cottages with orchard, shrubs, old trees that require regular pruning. Cope with any type of "green" and dried waste in the established size range. Capable of fairly long non-stop operation
Professional	from 5 to 9 kW, petrol or diesel drive, three-phase electric motor	60-80 mm	up to 100 kg and above	Waste disposal in forest parks, industrial enterprises, large farms, in utilities, etc. Are calculated on long cycles of work during working shifts.

Naturally, with the growth of the power and productivity of the garden shredder, its price also increases. Therefore, before purchasing equipment, it is necessary to carefully weigh the planned amount of work to be done, the features of the waste being processed, the frequency of use of the grinder and other parameters. It will be a shame if the purchased shredder either does not cope with the load assigned to it, or if its capacity, for which a lot of money has been paid, will simply remain unclaimed.

In addition, the more powerful and productive the grinder, the larger and heavier it is. From this point of view, an adequate assessment is also needed - how much it will be possible to move it around the site, especially - on the ground.

Additional chopper selection criteria

There are a number of important nuances that require attention when choosing a suitable model:

Convenience of the receiving bunker. It can be placed vertically or at a certain angle. In some models, it is possible to change the position of the receiving funnel. For a knife chopper, a pusher must be included in the kit: pushing branches or foliage with your hands is extremely dangerous.

On many models, the receiving hole can have a pronounced slit-like or cruciform shape, or be equipped with guide ribs - these “tricks make it much easier to feed branchy branches for processing.

Models of the middle and professional class, in addition, can have two receiving hoppers - each for a different type of waste. For example, the supplied soft waste goes to knife shredding, and hard branches go to crushing with a milling cutter.

It will be useful to learn how to make wood from husks, in our new article on our portal.

The collection of the processed mass can be carried out in a rigid hopper, usually included in the shredder kit. In this case, of course, it is more convenient when the hopper is made of durable translucent plastic - it is easier to control its filling level.

In other models, removable bags can be used as a receiving container, put on the outlet neck. By the way, on the forums you can find critical comments from users - bags sometimes break through sharp fragments of crushed wood flying out at high speed.

There may not be any collection at all - the outlet neck is located at a certain height. Allowing you to substitute, for example, a basket. It is often practiced to throw crushed waste directly onto the ground of the site. In this case, models that provide the ability to adjust the direction and height of the ejection will be of particular convenience.

Some models of shredders have a built-in mechanism for automatically feeding waste to the cutting device. It is enough just to lower the branches into the receiving funnel, and then the mechanism will do everything by itself. Unconditional convenience.
Modern garden shredders often have the ability to adjust the speed of rotation of the cutting mechanisms - you can adjust to the specific type of material being processed. Moreover, "advanced" models also have a number of embedded processing programs (for example, raw wood, grass, dry branches, stone fruits, etc.).
It's great if there is a reverse function. This often helps to prevent the chopper from jamming if, for example, a too thick strong branch has been fed. By attaching the cutting mechanism to the reverse, it will be easier to get it.
For safe operation, electrical models must have the function of protection against accidental start, as well as protection against self-start after an emergency power failure. It is obligatory to provide for blocking the power supply of the engine when the upper casing of the shredder is open.
It is important to assess the level of noise and vibration emitted by the grinder - many modern models have special noise reduction systems. This certainly applies to more for petrol powered vehicles.
It is very good if a spare cutting equipment is included in the kit, or the store can offer to purchase it separately. This removes a number of problems with the inevitable, one way or another, blunting the knives. By the way, you can pay attention to the fact that some manufacturers complete their products with double-sided knives. As the sharpness of the blades is lost, they can simply be turned upside down - the total duration of work before going to the master sharpener or buying a new tool is doubled.

We will not dwell here on the features of choosing models with gasoline engines. The intricacies of choosing garden equipment with internal combustion engines - two-stroke and four-stroke schemes, launch systems, lubrication, the procedure for preparing the fuel mixture, etc., are given enough attention in another article on this site.

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Read about how to do it right in a special publication of our portal.

Brief overview of garden shredder models

The variety of models of garden shredders is very high, and this sometimes even makes it difficult to correctly determine the optimal model. Equipment of this class cannot be called too cheap, so money should be given only for high-quality products.

The fact is that a great variety of different equipment of completely unknown manufacturers has appeared on the market, disguised as sonorous European or Russian names. The vast majority of such samples are semi-underground Chinese production in the negative sense of the word (a lot of really high-quality equipment from China is on sale). The peculiarity of shredders is that the efficiency of their work depends not only on the drive, but also on the quality of the cutting equipment. But in this matter, the manufacturer’s dishonesty is very often manifested - knives or cutters are made of outwardly beautiful and shiny steel, at first they are sharp, but literally after a few approaches they become dull, and simply cannot be sharpened with high quality.

And if we add to this the fact that the cutting equipment is not interchangeable, then it is not far from the situation when a recently purchased device will stand idle simply because of its “unsuitability”.

So, if a garden shredder is purchased, then the choice of honeycombs should be made in favor of proven models of well-known companies. These include Viking, AL-KO, Black & Decker, Gardena, Bosch. Very good reviews garden equipment of the Russian-Chinese production "Elitech" and "Zubr" deserved it. Traditionally, units of Craftsman, Makita, MTD, Oleo-Mac companies are in high demand.

The table below shows several models that, according to surveys and sales analyzes, top the list of popular garden shredders:

Model name, illustration	Brief description of the model	Approximate price level, rubles
Bosch AXT 25TC	One of the most popular models among all garden shredders in general. 2.5 kW electric motor. The universal cutting mechanism "Turbine-Cut" allows you to process any plant material. Productivity - up to 230 kg / h. The thickness of the trunks is up to 45 mm. Equipped with a collection of recycled waste, with a capacity of 53 liters. Convenient wheel travel and handle for transportation around the site. The weight of the chopper is 30.5 kg.	32900
VIKING GE 250S	One of the main authorities in the field of garden equipment production is VIKING. The presented model is characterized by a powerful electric motor - 2.5 kW. The thickness of processed branches is up to 35 mm. Knife system "Multi-Cut 150" with a two-level Z-shaped arrangement of blades. Reliable emergency blocking system. Convenient wheel travel, stable working position. Assembled height - 1440 mm. Weight - 25 kg	18000
OLEO-MAC SH210E	Garden shredder with powerful electric motor - 2.1 kW. Low noise level during operation. The frame and body are metal, providing high strength. Convenient wide wheels for moving around the site. Wide loading funnel of the reception bunker. Two pairs of knives - straight and side. The thickness of processed branches is up to 40 mm. The collection bunker is not provided. Weight - 35 kg.	37000
"AL-KO EASY CRUSH МH 2800"	Affordable price and excellent performance are the reasons why this shredder is at the top of the ranking. Electric drive with a power of 2.8 kW. Built-in bin for collecting recycled waste with a capacity of 50 liters. The maximum branch diameter is 42 mm. The cutting unit is a knife one, additionally equipped with a roller material retraction mechanism. The weight of the chopper is 25 kg.	15600
WOLF-GARTEN SDL 2500	Reliable, compact and inexpensive unit that can cope with large volumes of waste processing. Electric drive - 2.5 kW. Cutting system - several knives combined into rollers (milling cutter) for high-quality wood crushing. It does not require high revolutions of the cutting mechanism for operation, so the chopper has a low noise level. The maximum branch diameter is 40 mm. The mass of the apparatus is 24.5 kg.	13000 ÷ 14000
VIKING GB 370	Petrol garden shredder equipped with a 3.3 kW four-stroke engine. Able to process branches up to 45 mm thick. Cutting system - "Multi-Cut 370", with straight and reversible knives and a cutting turbo disc. Convenient neck for material supply (can be in two versions - vertical and inclined). Mechanism for automatic feeding of material for cutting. Height - 1400 mm. Weight - 43 kg.	72000
MTD ROVER 464Q	Petrol garden shredder of increased functionality. Powerful motor - 5.5 kW. Combined chopping system - rotating cutting blades plus 12 threshing cutters. Processing of trunks up to 75 mm in diameter is provided. Material auto-pulling system. Two loading mouths - for thick branches and for thin and small plant debris. Possibility of lowering the loading tray to the ground level for direct feeding of garbage with a rake. Reliable frame with comfortable wheel travel. Weight - 75 kg.	from 70000

Prices for popular garden waste shredders

Increasingly, experienced housewives are choosing an easy-to-use multifunctional chopper blender for work in the kitchen, preferring it to bulky food processors and heavy meat grinders. The simple and compact device helps to cut, grind or whip foods for cooking and decorating dishes as quickly and precisely as no skilled chef can do.

How is it different from other models

The main difference between a chopper and a simple blender is the fundamental approach to cutting and the difference in the final product.

An ordinary kitchen blender is needed to create a food mass of a uniform consistency.

Although some of its nozzles also work like knives and are able to chop vegetables, fruits and herbs, but they are more likely to turn them into mush, and this is not always suitable for preparing delicious food. Therefore, it is most often used for pureeing cooked foods and mixing liquids.

But in one miniature chopper, all the main and most necessary kitchen functions are best combined.

With its help, any ingredients crumble into perfectly even identical pieces in a matter of seconds., the size of which can be varied at will. He easily cuts and twists meat veins and is able to make tender minced meat from anything.

The chopper blender is suitable for thoroughly grinding even frozen or very hard foods - carrots, cereals, spices, nuts, beans and coffee, as well as for kneading both liquid and hard dough, for whipping emulsions of any density and for grinding even boiled or raw , though mixed ingredients. Whereas an ordinary blender is far from always capable of such tasks.

Design and function

The basic principle of operation of the chopper blender is the uniform cutting of raw or already prepared foods or frozen semi-finished products.

It is carried out with sharp knives or nozzles., which are embedded or inserted into the container and driven manually or rotated by an electric motor. Unlike the traumatic work with a kitchen knife, the process of cutting in a chopper is completely harmless, moreover, it is much faster, easier and more aesthetically pleasing.

The design of the chopper blender is simple - it is a miniature durable container for loading ingredients. c with a rod attached to its bottom, where various nozzles are put on in the form of sharp blades, shredders or graters and a lid with a manual or electric drive that starts the work of knives.

Kitchen chopper blenders are light, compact, multifunctional, aesthetic and very convenient for daily use.

Some manual grinders are similar to a coffee grinder, where the knives are turned by hand using a special handle. In others, a lid with a knife attachment is used to cut the ingredients, which is lowered like a press by mechanical pressure from above. However, the scope of their application is quite limited by weak functionality and a poor set of products suitable for grinding, which will be able to manual labor. They are inexpensive, and made of quality materials last a long time.

Electric shredders are much more expensive, but much more functional and practical, besides much faster and more productive than mechanical ones.

Knives in them are started by means of the motor which works from a power supply network. The speed and quality of cutting ingredients depends on its power.

The container for loading and crumbling products of the blender-chopper can be made of metal or impact-resistant glass or plastic. Its bottom is usually equipped with rubber or silicone feet or suction cups to keep the unit firmly in place during use.

Another nice innovative bonus of a complete set of many models is the possibility of wireless power supply to the engine. But especially appreciated is the presence of several bowls of different capacities for crumbling large, medium or small portions of food that are suitable for use in the microwave, and for storage in the refrigerator, and for cleaning in the dishwasher. As well as a large selection of additional interchangeable nozzles and knives, designed not only to skillfully chop various ingredients, but also to beat them, and mix, and grind into mashed potatoes or smoothies, and knead the dough of any consistency.

The functions of a chopper blender, as well as the size and shape of the products cut in it, directly depend on the configuration of the knives and interchangeable nozzles, as well as on the size of the container for loading ingredients and the engine power of this kitchen unit. By the way, he alone is quite capable of replacing not only ordinary and specialized knives, but even a whole food processor.

Instead of a knife in the hands of a cook, a chopper blender cuts any food on its own, and masterfully, effortlessly and completely perfectly, which is not subject to any chef.

In just a few seconds, he will cut onions, garlic and greens, masterfully chop cabbage, potatoes, carrots and beets, and in the blink of an eye crush walnuts or hazelnuts - even small, even large.

This small kitchen unit is quite capable of the function of a meat grinder: it is able to grind and turn even frozen fish and meat into homogeneous minced meat - even chicken fillet, liver or breast, even the tender flesh of catfish, salmon, turkey or chicken, or even veiny pork or beef tenderloin.

The blender-chopper can also work as a juicer - scrolling and passing through the holes of various nozzles tomatoes, berries and fruits.

It is also suitable for chopping raw and boiled vegetables (including fresh beets and carrots), and for chopping bread crusts and nuts, and for grinding spices and coffee, and for crushing ice.

It also thoroughly purifies boiled and steamed ingredients., easily grinds into flour and even into dust cereals, flax seeds, buckwheat, sesame seeds, peas and other beans, grains and cereals, and knead the dough of any consistency well, and the greens and herbs chopped with it will retain all their juice and aroma and give it only to the cooked dish.

By the way, if you mix beautifully chopped lemon, apples, dates, exotic dried fruits with a small amount of heavy cream in the bowl for loading the ingredients of a chopper blender, then add tender cottage cheese, liquid honey or sugar and beat it all well, you get a delicious dessert.

Features of choice: pros and cons

If when buying a chopper blender, the main criterion is its low cost, then you should choose any manual model - with rare exceptions, almost all of them are cheap, compact and quite convenient to use. And if they are also made of durable materials, then they will last for quite a long time.

But when functionality, reliability and practicality become decisive, it is better to choose a powerful electric chopper blender from a well-known manufacturer. It's great when the package of such a kitchen unit includes not only interchangeable knives, nozzles and graters, but also additional bowls of different sizes for loading and grinding.

Other useful accessories- containers of various capacities and lids for them, a glass with a scale for measuring the volume of products and a measuring spoon, a holder for knives and a cube cutter, a case for nozzles and graters, replaceable sealing rings and a wireless electric drive, a transmission for a nozzle with whisks. Although the presence of all these devices will significantly affect the increase in the cost of a chopper blender, nevertheless, their presence in the kitchen will pay off many times over.

Parameters of the chopper blender, which you should pay special attention to when choosing:

drive motor power- the larger it is, the wider the list of ingredients available for grinding and the higher the speed and productivity of work;
quality of materials- it is better when the container for loading and grinding is made of tempered glass or impact-resistant plastic, and rotating, connecting and cutting parts and nozzles are made of titanium or stainless steel;
bowl capacity for processing ingredients- ideal if the chopper is equipped with bowls different forms and sizes, including a miniature durable container with a grinder;
nozzles- the more diverse and durable they are, the more reliable and functional the unit;
quality assurance- it is recommended to purchase the chopper for which the manufacturer is responsible for at least a year after purchase;
manufacturer- preference should be given to well-known and proven, whose long-deserved authority will serve as an additional warranty card;
price- the maximum functionality of the blender-chopper is expensive, but not everyone needs it, therefore it is not worth overpaying for extra additions.

Kitchen appliances are a real salvation for the modern housewife. It simplifies the cooking process and saves time. One of the necessary kitchen appliances is a vegetable chopper. What kind of device it is and what are its advantages are described in the article.

What is a vegetable chopper

Vegetable Chopper - special device for cutting and crushing different products. It is a closed plastic container with cutting nozzles that have sharp blades. With the chopper you can process vegetables, fruits, hard cheese, sausage, nuts, meat and many other products.

Basically, choppers come with a transparent plastic container, which makes it possible to constantly control the degree of grinding of chopped products. In some models, it is possible to set the processing mode.

The kitchen grinder is ideal for everyday use. With it, it is much easier to prepare salads or cut vegetables for soup. By installing the necessary nozzle, you can make minced meat in just a few seconds. A kitchen chopper is the best alternative to bulky food processors. It does not take up much space and is easy to operate.

To date, several types of kitchen grinders are produced with different technical parameters.

Mini choppers

These are kitchen units for cutting products, the bowl volume of which is from 0.2 to 1.5 liters. Thanks to their compact size, they fit in any kitchen.

Most modern models are multifunctional and capable of performing several different tasks. So, a mini chopper can be used instead of a mixer for whipping cream or kneading dough. Also, this device allows you to chop beets, carrots, tomatoes, onions and other vegetables, which are often used for everyday meals, to the desired size in a few seconds. In addition, the mini chopper is ideal for chopping onions and garlic.

Many housewives use this appliance to prepare sauces and puree dishes. It is easy to beat vegetables and meat in it, as well as mix different ingredients.

The compact vegetable chopper is an indispensable tool for young mothers. It makes cooking easy baby food. The device qualitatively grinds products to a state of gentle puree. It is also well suited for preparing diet food.

Mechanical shredders

Devices of this type work only under the influence of human power. The design of such choppers has a handle, the rotation of which helps to press the products against the sharp parts of the nozzle.

Mechanical shredders are convenient because they can be used even in field conditions. They cut vegetables and herbs easily and quickly.

One of the most popular hand choppers is the Dekok brand. It has an additional detail - a colander container for drying herbal products. Washed vegetables or herbs are placed in it and then placed in the chopper bowl. If you turn the handle quickly, after a minute, excess moisture will collect in the bowl.

Dekok models are equipped with W-shaped blades that automatically flip when the lever is pressed. Products are crushed along the entire diameter of the bowl, which ensures their uniform processing. The more you press the lever, the finer the food will be chopped.

Electric shredders

The grinder allows you to quickly and efficiently cut cheese, sausage, ice cream. The device perfectly handles a large number of any products. A high-quality device can work for several hours in a row.

Electric shredders are easy to disassemble and clean. Modern models are compact and do not require much storage space. Well-known manufacturers equip electric shredders with a set of different nozzles. The average power consumption at maximum load is 400 W.

Electric Chopper Features:

Network dependency. The device can only be used indoors.
Finely cuts food. An electric vegetable chopper is more suitable for making mashed potatoes, sauces, minced meat. If the family prefers dishes with coarsely chopped ingredients, this machine is most likely not suitable.
Doesn't adhere well to smooth surfaces. During operation, the device may move on the table.
Many manufacturers give small warranty service lines. If a high-quality grinder will serve for years, then the device of a little-known brand will break down quickly enough.

How much does a vegetable chopper cost

The price of this kitchen appliance varies from 400 to 20,000 rubles. The cost of the model depends on its type, number of nozzles and brand. So, mechanical shredders are the cheapest. For example, a multifunctional manual chopper for the Linea PRESTO kitchen costs 1,700 rubles. It has attachments for slicing, large and small cubes. Other manufacturers offer mechanical shredders for 900-1200 rubles.

Costs a little more electric chopper vegetables. The price of such a device starts from 1200 rubles. For example, for a Bosch brand chopper, you need to pay 1,800 rubles. If the kit includes a set of different graters, the price of such an apparatus is about 3000 rubles.

Who, if not a gardener, knows what a problem is the elimination of waste on the site in the autumn and spring. To get rid of branches, tops and grass, there is special equipment - a shredder.

Shredder - grass chopper processes all waste into a fine mass, which is much easier to dispose of than mountains of tops. Chopped grass or wood can be used in the garden, vegetable garden, sheds. If there is no need for this, it is taken to landfills. This is much easier than carrying mountains of tangled grass mixed with branches and foliage.

Equipment device

The shredder is set up quite simply. To understand how this equipment works, it is enough to imagine a meat grinder. That is, the garden shredder works on the same principle. Grass, leaves and tops are loaded into it, and a crushed product is poured out of it, which can either be thrown away or later used to fertilize the garden.

Each individual chopper model has its own design features and the size of the cutting element. The size of the final product will depend on it. All shredders are equipped with knives - elements that grind waste. They can be of several types, on which the speed and quality of the device depends. It is worth honoring that they tend to become dull, so they require periodic sharpening or replacement.

Main scheme

Different models from different brands may differ in configuration, dimensions, power and availability of additional options. But they are all made approximately according to the same scheme and work according to the same principle. As a comparison with a meat grinder or combine has already been written, the shredder has the following form:

The main body can be made of durable plastic or metal. It is mounted on a special frame. Most models are equipped with a wheel to make the device easier to carry, as it weighs a lot (on average 20 kg).
Mandatory components are a power drive (motor), which ensures the operation of the entire apparatus.
Milling or disk cutter.
At the top there is a hole for loading garbage. As a rule, it has the shape of a funnel.
At the bottom or side there is a hole through which the already crushed waste exits. They can simply lie down on the ground, or substitute a bag if the garbage needs to be transported somewhere in the future.

Features of the knife mechanism

The knife mechanism plays an important role. It is from him that the quality of recycled garden waste will depend. It is important to ensure that the knives are always sharp, as branches can come across in the grass, which also need to be processed.

Knives are divided into several criteria - by type, by material. According to the type of system, they are milling and disk, and according to the material, they are steel, hardened. The mechanism is selected based on the needs. Of course, it is better to choose a durable mechanism with the expectation of a long service life.

Advantages and disadvantages of an electric chopper

Both a gas shredder and an electric shredder have their advantages and disadvantages.

Consider the positive features of this latter:

powerful engine
high efficiency
does not emit harmful toxic substances into the atmosphere
silent mode
easy to manage, easy to operate

Along with the advantages, this device has several disadvantages:

inability to work without electricity
frequent breakdowns due to voltage drops

How to choose a grass shredder

In order to know how to choose a garden shredder so that it serves for many years, it is recommended that you first familiarize yourself with the main criteria and parameters of the equipment. It is on them that you need to pay attention when buying such equipment for garden work.

Knives

The knife system is perhaps one of the most important selection criteria, in addition to power. It will depend on the cutters what kind of waste this machine can process.

There are several types of them:

The milling knife system is considered the most powerful. It is based on a gear that pulls grass and branches. As a rule, a certain level of work can be set on the device, depending on the rigidity and size of the debris.
The disc system is considered simpler, as a rule, the cutting element is made of hardened steel, due to which it is durable and reliable. But when processing hard branches, it quickly becomes dull and needs to be replaced.

What type of knives to choose is up to the consumer. It depends on the purpose for which the equipment will be used.

motor type

There are two types of shredder motors - gasoline and electric. There are a huge number of both types on the market. Gasoline does not require cords and electricity, but is noisy and emits bad smell. Electric - less powerful, but easy to use.

You can endlessly list the pros and cons of these motors. To work in a country house or a small farm, an electric device for processing garden waste will be enough.

Power

Garden shredders come in different capacities and it is worth choosing it depending on the expected amount of work. All shredders, regardless of manufacturer, are divided into three main categories:

Amateur equipment, characterized by low cost and low efficiency. Such shredders are most often used at home, for cleaning suburban area or the area around a private house. They also differ in relatively compact dimensions and low weight, in comparison with professional shredders. Grass, waste from plants, vines are best used. Such equipment does not pull branches from trees.
Medium power models chop small and medium branches, can work longer, have a more powerful engine. These are used for cleaning gardens, city courtyards, large areas in the country or on the territory of a private building.
Professional shredders are distinguished by high efficiency, power, which allows processing not only tops, but also branches of sufficiently large sizes. Such models are often used on farms where there is always a large amount of work to collect garden debris.

Thus, we can conclude that the first category is enough for giving. These are conventional shredders that allow you to quickly and easily shred garden debris for cleaning or processing into fertilizer.

Overview of the main manufacturers and models

When choosing a garden shredder, it is recommended to pay attention to the models of well-known leading manufacturers. It makes no sense to buy a cheap unknown model, since it is guaranteed that the shredder will break in the near future - this is such a unit that can serve for many years.

Moreover, having their own plot, they will have to use it all the time, since all the time you need to clean the grass, dry branches, harvest, from which the tops in the garden are harvested all summer and autumn. Consider the main brands of this technique:

"Bosch" is considered the most famous global brand for the production of various equipment regarding garden equipment, this company has established itself as a reliable manufacturer of shredders for branches and grass. Model AHT-25-TS is considered the leader among shredders. The efficiency is about 230 kilograms per hour. The mechanism of this machine can grind any type of garden waste, regardless of their density. The mass of the equipment is 30 kilograms. For transportation there is a special wheel and a handle for the gardener. The cost of such a device is on average 30-35 thousand rubles.
Viking is also considered to be a leading manufacturer of shredders and other gardening equipment. Viking garden shredder is characterized by high efficiency, quality materials, sharp hardened steel blades, low weight and virtually silent operation.

The following models are popular:

"GE-250-S" is equipped with a powerful engine and sharp knives that process branches, vines. The height of the chopper of this model is almost 1.2 meters and the weight is about 25 kilograms. It will become an indispensable assistant on any garden plot.
"GB-370" is equipped with automatic feeding of grass and branches. The weight of the model is 43 kg. The container for the material is installed in several positions.
"G-140-L", which is distinguished by the presence of a special container for folding recycled waste.
"OLEO-MAC SH210E" is a powerful device with a metal case. High efficiency and quiet operation are its advantages. Among the shortcomings, one can note the lack of a container for collecting recycled material.
"Zubr" is less expensive than its previous counterparts, but this does not affect the quality of the unit. Its working capacity is up to 120 kg of garbage per hour, which fully satisfies garden or farm needs. It works no louder than a vacuum cleaner. Such a shredder is not suitable for breaking in large branches, the maximum diameter that it can shred is 7 cm.

In addition to those described, there are many more models and manufacturers that are famous for high-quality garden equipment.

To choose best option, a compromise between price and quality, it is recommended that you read the advice of professionals on choosing shredding equipment for the garden:

Before you buy a shredder, you need to clearly define for what purposes it will be used, how often, and what type of garbage will need to be processed. Thus, it will become clear which models, with what power and functions, you should pay attention to. For harvesting only grass or tops, a simple amateur model will suffice. If there is a vineyard and large branches, then you need a professional full-fledged unit.
The next step is to define the brand. You can pre-select several options based on reviews, and make the final choice after consulting a specialist in the store;
for ease of use, it is recommended to choose models with an inclined mechanism, so it will be easier to load the material into the funnel.
It is better to pay attention to models where there are several high-speed and powerful modes. This will allow you to sort garbage and process grass at low speed, and branches at high speed;
it is better to choose knives from hardened steel - it is strong, reliable and withstands heavy loads without deformation and breakage.

Also, when choosing, you need to pay attention to the noise. Some models are so quiet that you can hardly hear them outside. In principle, almost all electric shredders are quiet compared to "benzo" models. It is also recommended to choose models with wheels, so it is much more convenient to carry the device around the site.

At the dacha and garden plots, periodically you have to do cleaning - remove foliage, tops, stems, cut shrubs and trees. Everything that is softer and smaller goes to the compost heap, but it stays there for a long time - several years. Larger branches-stems have to be disposed of by more radical methods - taken out or burned somewhere. In general, this is a regular headache. And a garden shredder can help solve it. It grinds branches and plant waste into a fine fraction that rots faster or can be used as mulch.

Purpose and opportunities

The purpose of a garden shredder is to crush branches and plant waste into small pieces. The size of the "pieces" for each of the brands is different. Moreover, it can also change different models one manufacturer. Conventionally, mono garden shredders are divided into three categories:

When choosing, you need to focus on what kind of waste you have more. If your yard is dominated by a vegetable garden and shrubs, your choice is a grass chopper. Their knives are designed so that they do not clog when processing dry or "fresh" herbal ingredients. If the site is set aside for a garden, you need a branch chopper. When choosing, pay attention to the maximum diameter of the processed waste. Well, if there is both a vegetable garden and a garden, you need a “wagon” that can handle both hard branches and grass.

A garden shredder is a housing in which the motor and shredding system are hidden. A funnel for supplying processed raw materials is attached to the upper part of the body. It can be wider and narrower - depending on the purpose. A wide funnel is more convenient for supplying grassy residues and foliage, and a narrower one for branches.

Shredded waste is poured from the bottom - from a special hole. There are units with a plastic tank, there are with soft bag. Plastic is convenient to use, but it increases the size and weight of the unit. The soft container for recycled is a bag. It takes up almost no space and does not add mass, but it is not so convenient to use it. There is a third option - no container at all. In this case, you can choose to your liking or use both types - whichever is more convenient.

Criterias of choice

The choice of any technique is a responsible and difficult task. Many criteria must be taken into account. In the case of choosing garden shredders, it is necessary to consider not only technical parameters, but also such “subjective” indicators as ease of transportation. The device will have to be moved around the site - to the place of waste accumulation, rolled up / rolled out of the storage shed, so the location of the handles for transportation and the size of the wheels are of considerable importance.

Technical specifications

The initial selection stage is the selection of technical parameters. The choice of model depends on the purpose of the unit and the tasks that it must solve. If branches will predominate, you need one type of aggregate, if grass and foliage - a completely different one.

Engine type and power

The garden wood and grass shredder can be powered by an electric or gasoline engine. Devices with an electric motor weigh less, are quieter, and have no exhaust. But their mobility is limited by the length of the cord and the presence of connection points. There is still the possibility to use an extension cord/carrier. The power of electric garden shredders is 2-5 kW. Usually these are household models with not the highest price tag.

A gas-powered garden shredder can move anywhere, but it is heavier and more massive due to the larger engine. To its mass, it is necessary to add another mass of fuel to be poured, and this will turn out the weight of the unit ready for operation. But the engines are more powerful. These models are much more expensive, starting at $750, but they are more productive and can be used by businesses.

Gasoline garden shredder - equipment is more serious and expensive

In addition to the type of engine, you need to pay attention to its power. It is necessary to see that the declared capabilities (the maximum diameter of the processed branches) are confirmed by the engine power. The average is 4-6 hp.

According to reviews, a useful feature is the ability to reverse. The reverse stroke allows you to correct an unsuccessfully become branch that blocks the shaft. This speeds up and facilitates the work, but the cost of such units is slightly higher.

Garden shredder: type of cutting part

The productivity and dimensions of processed branches depend on the type of cutting part. It is of three types:

With two or more knives. Most simple models equipped with two knives that stand in a horizontal plane. Such models grind mainly grass and small branches - up to 2.0-2.5 cm in diameter. More complex ones are equipped with four or six knives and they can stand in a vertical and horizontal plane. These already cope with more serious tasks.
Models with knives - the simplest and most inexpensive
With worm type crusher. In these models, the cutting part is similar to the screw that is in the meat grinder. Only it is placed mainly vertically and has fewer turns. A garden shredder with a cutting part of this type works faster, copes well with dry and freshly cut branches of a larger diameter (about 4 cm). It is also good when working with grassy residues, but the grass can stick to the screw or wrap around it, so the knives have to be cleaned periodically. Garden shredders of this type are universal. Examples of popular models are the Bosch AXT Rapid 2200.
Cylindrical cutting unit with a large number of knives. It is also called "multi-knife cutter". This is a unique Bocsh development and has not yet been found in others. Universal garden shredders are equipped with it, so if you need such a model, you will have to choose between this cutter and a worm cutter. Knives of this type cope with fresh or dry branches, plant debris. Only creepers can be wound, and even then only if the knives are dull. These knives are on BOSCH AXT 25 TC.
cutting shaft. A more powerful crushing unit allows you to grind even thick branches and branches. They are equipped with garden shredders for branches. Maximum size processed branches -5-8 cm. This is about household models, because semi-industrial and industrial can handle thicker ones. The problem is that they have the appropriate dimensions and cost.

The choice of the type of cutting unit is determined by the tasks for which you need the unit. Pay special attention to this, so as not to regret the purchase later.

Ease of use

There are many parameters that also need to be taken into account when choosing a soda grinder. They only seem insignificant, but they affect how comfortable it will be for you to work. And this is important. Here's what we pay attention to:

All these “minor” details affect the work, and this is important, since it usually takes hours to process. Being in an uncomfortable position or transporting the unit bent over, it will not be work but torment.

Models and reviews

Choice by technical parameters is nothing compared to the choice of the manufacturer. There are two benchmarks in this business: brand awareness and owner reviews.

Notable Manufacturers

The brand is good, but the equipment famous brands costs a lot. If that doesn't scare you, it's easier. Choose from brands. Garbage shredders are produced by such well-known companies:

Bosch
Viking
AL-KO
wolf garden

You can take any unit from these manufacturers, just carefully read for what purpose it is intended - more for branches or grass. For example (according to the owners):

The Bosch AXT 25 D garden shredder copes well with dry branches, and it takes a long time to fiddle with freshly cut ones.
Bosch AXT 25 TC handles large branches well at factory settings. In order for it to deal with small branches and vines normally, it is necessary to tighten the adjustment to the stop (there is one in this model).
Bosch AXT Rapid 2000 has excellent reviews - it cuts branches, but is not very friendly with grass. The spruce branches, bushes, even young trees went well.
Bosch ATX 18-35. Power 1800 W. It has an auger like in a meat grinder, and there is another knife in its field. It cuts coarsely, but it copes well even with branches of 45 mm in diameter.

But if you choose for your tasks, they all have excellent reviews. Same as Vikinga (150, 250, 350). Vikings are generally recognized as omnivores, as they thresh everything (cones, spruce branches (stale), corn, sunflowers, old flower stems, raspberry and blackberry trimmings, stale leaves and grass). But they are high, especially the 250 and 350 models.

Models of unknown brands

Of the less famous and cheaper ones, they performed well:

IKRA MOGATEC EGN 2500. It cuts everything and very quickly, the fraction is small. But, until the knives become dull. You can’t buy new ones in ordinary ones, only in service centers.
MacAllister 2800W. He even processed the remains of boards, large chips - 2-3 cm. Cuts dried branches faster, fresh ones - more slowly, some of them remain crumpled short sausages. The size of the branches is up to 4 cm. During operation, the noise level is high - 99 dB.
Stiga Bio Quiet 2100. It works quietly, grinds into pieces of 2 centimeters long, if the branch hits horizontally, longer pieces pop out. The kit comes with a bag, but there’s not even anything to hang it on, they framed the box. So that when working on the lower grate, the processed did not accumulate, it had to be cut with a pruner. In general, the design is “licked” from Bosch 25 D. Conclusion based on the results of the work, who needs to grind the tops - look for another device. This one is for branches.
Garden shredder Skill. With willow branches up to 3.5 cm in size, he coped with a bang. With dry currant branches, things went worse - they are very branched. When working with dry branches, performance drops.
Petrol wood chipper Earthquake 9060300. It has two receiving hoppers - for branches and a large one - for foliage. He worked 35 hours in a season. Disadvantages - big and heavy, rolling is still normal, but loading into a car is problematic, it rumbles a lot, so you need glasses and headphones. Three types of knives - two discs. The first with straight lines, the second with triangular and L-shaped ones.
PATRIOT. While worked 3 days (almost full light). Normally cuts branches and young trees. The branches are tightened by themselves, but the effort is not too great.
Sterwins 2500. About 200 buckets of mulch were made during the season. We processed raspberries, cherries, irga, plums, apple trees, dogwood, willow, vesicle, birch. During continuous operation, the thermal protection is triggered every 15-0 minutes. After cooling, you can work again.

There are probably other garden shredders that don't cost too much and work just fine, but read as many reviews as you can before buying them. Take into account only those that are given with their own photos and details that cannot be caught from the description.