lord_seagrave Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 Chaps, The gardening work is starting to come in, but it involves a lot of overgrown borders and hedges, and my arms are aching from all the secateur-ing/lopping of branches to get them broken down. Do any of you have any recommendations for a shredder that will make short work of the stuff I am clearing (none of which is thicker than about 1”)? What are my options, and how much hassle are they to maintain? LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 We have one that was purchased about five years ago, cost was £795 but as we have rather a lot of hedging and trees I thought it would be ideal. In truth we have hardly used it as we tend to burn most, but on the times I have it’s been very good - if bloody noisy. Would I purchase again? Nope, would rent one every time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 Bought a Screwfix Titan - does the job except on Privet. under a ton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 Your next job may include the disposal by shredding of 2'' stems or even larger. Build in some capacity in your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 we got an ex display Bosch shredder a good lot of years ago fantastic bit of kit paid £25 best bargain ever because it had no box!! Wife loves it, she can make anything disappear, and it has had some proper stick no pun intended, never done a thing other than turn it on and off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firdom Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 If the council do green waste bins that is the best way ours is i think nearly £50.00 a year had a shredder to much hassle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 1 hour ago, Yellow Bear said: Bought a Screwfix Titan - does the job except on Privet. under a ton. D’oh! Screwfix! I’ll have a rummage through the catalogue this evening. 1 hour ago, JDog said: Your next job may include the disposal by shredding of 2'' stems or even larger. Build in some capacity in your choice. Yup - that is a good point. My dad made this point about my recent drill purchase. I’ll have a good look at the spec. Keep the recommendations coming, chaps - it’s hugely appreciated. LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 5 minutes ago, firdom said: If the council do green waste bins that is the best way ours is i think nearly £50.00 a year had a shredder to much hassle You get a lot more stuff in the bin when you've shredded it, we used to completely fill two bins cutting conifer hedges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 chain saw or hedgecutters is the easiest way ,then straight into the green bin too much hassle moving it from job to job ,the other tools are always in the van Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I bought a cheapie shredder from Homebase 10 years ago to dispose of our annual tree trimmings. A couple of hours work disposes of the lot. I used to put it in the collected green-stuff bin, but nowadays I spread it on our local path, which otherwise turns into a quagmire - the path-walkers are very appreciative. My shredder will only handle up to 1" branches, so, if I were buying again, I would buy one with a wider mouth, It's certainly very satisfying shredding a hedge-full of trimmings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 41 minutes ago, tiny tim said: chain saw or hedgecutters is the easiest way ,then straight into the green bin too much hassle moving it from job to job ,the other tools are always in the van That’s another thing - portability. Looking at 2nd hand pickups/dropsides, but for now, it’s got to get lugged around in a hatchback! LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 We have a Viking chipper that does up to 35mm. We chip small branches to line the paths in the wood. A shredder is better for soft stuff a chipper better for hard stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 1 hour ago, lord_seagrave said: That’s another thing - portability. Looking at 2nd hand pickups/dropsides, but for now, it’s got to get lugged around in a hatchback! LS I take it ur starting a wee gardening business? If so it might be handy just sticking a tow bar on ur present motor. Really handy thing a trailer esp if ur doing that sort of work. A few boys near me do that as a wee sideline/homers and just work out of there normal car and trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I just dump clippings on a habitat pile now, saves energy and time. Lucky to have the space, mind, which I appreciate not everyone will have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 1 hour ago, scotslad said: Really handy thing a trailer esp if ur doing that sort of work. a little 6x4 is ideal. get 2 dumpy builders bags and you can stack em with a ratchet strap over the top. after using a hedge cutter youd be surprised how much you can fit in one of those bags and how little one weighs after youve jumped up and down on it a few times another tip, go find a timber yard or mill and ask how much to dump cuttings there. some big ones have a mulching machine. on my own hobbles it's a fiver a bag (make sure the customer pays)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Looked into this a while ago. The best seemed to be a Bosch AXT 25TC (turbine cutter so it pulls the stuff through rather than you having to shove it in, quiet, 45mm diameter max etc.) but it costs a fair whack - £400 odd. I just stopped cutting my hedges! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 on the vehicle front, gardeners I see round us use transit vans and ramps, less lifting stuff in and out and fairly secure because you can't see what's in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 24 minutes ago, Mice! said: on the vehicle front, gardeners I see round us use transit vans and ramps, less lifting stuff in and out and fairly secure because you can't see what's in there. And don’t forget the “no tools left in this van” sticker, that should stop them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 I put anything over 1" ish in the green waste bin, anything else gets thrown on the lawn and mowed into shreds with my ride on - most petrol mowers will do the same job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 18 hours ago, lord_seagrave said: That’s another thing - portability. Looking at 2nd hand pickups/dropsides, but for now, it’s got to get lugged around in a hatchback! LS don't get a drop side unless it has a crew cab as you will have to watch your gear like a hawk ,around here tool theft is rife used to have a dropside and had stuff pinched off the back at traffic lights etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Vehicle wise I would go down the trailer avenue if this is long term get one with cage sides, as you progress you may need to transport lawnmowers etc also stops people helping themselves. As regards shredder unless you go full tilt and go engine, think about electricity supply not always available, also takes you say 2 hours to cut hedge will client pay you another hour + to shred it. Think allotment and burn it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 This has been really helpful, Lads. Thanks so much for the ideas and advice (not just about shredders, but vehicle options too). The Megane is on the way out for a number of reasons and Lady Seagrave has got a company car, so I have free reign over some toys LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 If your buying a van consider the height at the tip ,the barrier near me is set at 2.0 metes after many vehicles over the years I now have a Toyota hi ace big enough to fit all my gear in ,drives like a car and fits under the barrier at the tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted February 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 Quick update, bought one of these yesterday morning. https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb683shr-2500w-200kg-hr-silent-garden-shredder-230v/6887p#product_additional_details_container It isn’t fast, but it is very workmanlike, and deals very easily (whilst making a very satisfying munching sound) with everything I threw at it. Some stuff was the maximum (40mm) the flange can accommodate, and it just chomped away without skipping a beat. For the size and the money, I’m pleased. The only faff is that, having driven it to the site packaged up in its neat box, I then assembled it to find that is a LOT harder to get in the car once put together! I shall try to fabricate some locking lugs that will allow the machine to be removed from the container when not working to make it easier to carry. Self-tappers at the moment, and they are a pain to get to once they’re in. LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 it does look bulky, but is it quiet? I know mine isn't that's for sure.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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