Shredder\Chipper options

bazbrady

So i have 3\4 acre site surrounded by a mix of hedgerow and large trees so does need maintenance and pruning most years,im trying to weigh up the options of renting out a proper petrol diesel chipper shredder from hire store ,think its about 400 for weekend,or should i invest and buy a petrol one,i have an electric one already and just find they are grand but not up to the bigger branches and slow to feed.Any recommendations makes models see a few new petrol ones on donedeal for 1000-1500.Can i justify the cost or should i just prune back hard and rent a big unit every few years?.

johnb25

bazbrady wrote: »

So i have 3\4 acre site surrounded by a mix of hedgerow and large trees so does need maintenance and pruning most years,im trying to weigh up the options of renting out a proper petrol diesel chipper shredder from hire store ,think its about 400 for weekend,or should i invest and buy a petrol one,i have an electric one already and just find they are grand but not up to the bigger branches and slow to feed.Any recommendations makes models see a few new petrol ones on donedeal for 1000-1500.Can i justify the cost or should i just prune back hard and rent a big unit every few years?.

In a similar position, except I don't have any shredder. What shredder do you have; up to what size does it handle? Is the bigger stuff any use for firewood? Would something like this handle more than your current machine?
https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/viking-petrol-chipper-shredder/24718481

Lumen

I've the same sort of site.

The problem with powerful shredders:

- Storage/risk of theft
- Maintenance
- Maintenance
- Maintenance

If they're not getting jammed they blade needs regular sharpening. The one I hired was a huge self-propelled thing and it still got jammed. Maybe it's a skill thing, but they just seem like a massive hassle to run/own.

My current plan is to buy a big single axle trailer with mesh sides and take the waste to my nearest recycling facility. It's annoying that I won't be able to keep the chippings on site though.

Of course then I have to stop the trailer getting nicked, but at least I don't have to maintain the shredder.

You're in Meath, right? It only costs €12 for a single axle trailer full.

spose

Was having the same debate for a while. Figured if I relied on renting then I would only do it when I had a ton of stuff to feed in to it so I’d only do it once in a while and be organised enough to have everything cut and piled up ready for it. I want to be able to do a few bits when I have time and then get rid of it there and then. Looking at the good branded smaller petrol shredders you’re looking at 6-8 grand so that wasn’t going to happen. There’s a good few Chinese ones on line and on done deal. Most seem to be variations of the same thing. Ended up buying one of these

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/22868875

I know I’m taking a bit of a chance on the reliability and spare parts if needed so hopefully it works out.
Has done about 12 hours or so now and seems ok. I’ve put a ton of griselinia through it, mainly 2 inch branches and smaller but some bigger. It is slow on the bigger stuff but I keep that for firewood anyway.