Garden shredder: choosing a grass and twig shredder for your summer cottage

Any owner of a country house or summer cottage is faced with the need to dispose of plant waste. The best way to get rid of fallen leaves, dry grass and cut branches is with a garden shredder. Since this type of auxiliary equipment is still gaining popularity among owners of individual farms, it will be useful for interested people to get as much information as possible about it in order to make a truly smart purchase. You will learn how to choose the right garden shredder by reading this article.

What is a garden shredder used for?

Are you thinking about buying a wood and grass shredder, but don’t know if you need it or not? When using a garden shredder at the dacha, you get a waste-free production - it will always find a use for waste: branches, faded and dried flowers, grape trimmings, rotten apples, other vegetables and fruits.

All this is an excellent raw material for producing humus. The owner of the site can only collect it, grind it, and then put it in a specially prepared place so that the waste rots.

Using crushed leaves and grass as fertilizer.

For this purpose, summer residents need to use a special technique called a chopper. The shredder makes it easier to crush branches and other debris. To know how to choose a garden shredder - which one is better to buy and why, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of this equipment, its advantages and disadvantages.

What is a wood chipper?

A garden shredder means a special type of equipment that facilitates the process of crushing roots, branches, bark, tree and vine trimmings, as well as other plant debris. All of the above is, in fact, an excellent means for humus. The unit also has another name – garden shredder.

Externally, the device looks like a disk to which small knives are attached. Depending on the rotation speed, the degree of waste reduction also varies - from small pieces to sawdust.

The shredder works best with “soft debris,” which means leaves, grass, small branches and stems.

Raw materials processed in this way can be used not only for making compost. For example, the resulting mass of wood waste can be used to heat a house along with firewood. And if you chop fruit chips, it can be used for smoking meat.

Garden shredder device

A garden shredder is a fairly simple device, so simple that it is not surprising that it was invented not so long ago. Its appearance and principle of operation resembles an ordinary meat grinder, which grinds everything that gets into its “teeth”.

The garden “meat grinder” does not grind meat, lard, or potatoes – you can put bark and tree branches, pine cones, tops of root crops and much more into it, producing a crushed product.

Features of the garden shredder device.

There are several levels of crushing: from small pieces to sawdust. Once in the receiving funnel, waste and debris collected on the site are crushed by powerful knives driven by a motor, which comes in two types:

1. electrical;
2. gasoline.

Mobility

Most garden shredders are relatively lightweight (10-30 kg), so they can be transported in a car or on a hand truck.

In addition, some devices are equipped with wheels , so they are much easier to transport to a car or cart to the place of work than devices without wheels.

The most powerful devices that are suitable for chopping any wood are often installed on a non-self-propelled chassis or trailer of a passenger car.

in detail about trailed shredders here.

However, the most popular are semi-stationary devices that have to be carried manually, because they are cheaper than mobile ones.

Characteristics of the disc knife system

The disk knife system is a disk that has several steel knives in its design. The disk rotates at a speed given to it by the shaft. How quickly the process of grinding waste goes depends on its composition.

The easiest and fastest way to grind with a disc blade system is “soft debris”, consisting of leaves, grass, thin branches, green plant stems and other debris similar to the above. You cannot throw harder debris in the form of dry or thick woody branches into the shredder - the knives become dull very quickly.

How to make a chopper with your own hands: drawings, video

If you wish, you can make your own wood chipper. Of course, you will need to prepare the necessary components:

• the power of the electric motor that you want to put on the crusher should be about 2 kW, an angle grinder will do;
• milling cutter or ten circular saws with a diameter of 200 mm;
• the axis or circle of steel must correspond to the size of the place where the circular saws will be located;
• washers 5-7 mm thick that will separate the discs;
• engine belt;
• metal profile pipes;
• sheet metal;
• the working hopper is made of 5 mm steel sheet, and for the guide bell the sheet thickness is 2-3 mm;
• It is better to choose wheels with a wide rim; these can be removed from an old cart;
• the set of tools consists of a drill, grinder, welding machine, fasteners and some others.

A homemade branch chopper is also easy to use.
The bunker can be made from an old large saucepan. All saws must be installed with the same pitch on the axis. When rotating, the teeth should not touch each other, so a gap is made between them (plastic washers are suitable). The set of saws should be up to 10 cm wide.

ADVICE!
To rotate the pulley, you can take two bearings from a generator or a car.

The working body consists of saws and a rotating element. To do this, the bearings are mounted on a stud, and then the structure is welded to the frame. A metal block is placed on it to support the branches.

A welding machine and metal profile pipes will be useful for the frame, and sheet metal for the protective casing. The receiving tank is also made from it. All that remains is to assemble the remaining components by connecting the engine and the working element using a belt. The wheels are attached last.

For convenience, we suggest watching a video on how to make a branch chopper with your own hands:

Characteristics of the milling knife system

The milling knife system has great power. Its appearance is a solid cast gear, into which debris is automatically drawn. You just need to load the funnel with wood waste, and it will gradually be automatically drawn into the mechanism where the shredding takes place.

The great advantage of the device is that it does not require control over this process - while the chopper performs its function, you can do other work.

Milling knives are used to grind tree branches no more than 4.5 cm thick. Many models of these devices have reverse and different levels of crushing.

However, before purchasing a unit, we should weigh the pros and cons: do you need to use such a powerful waste shredding system if you most often need to process soft waste. Shredding grass and leaves is better done with rotary blades because this debris gets stuck in the router blades.

Criterias of choice

When buying a chopper, we first need to decide on its power. Next comes the maximum diameter of the branches, which is not very important if you are sending large branches for firewood.

At the same time, we recommend that you look at the case materials and the overall level of assembly - there should be no low-quality thin metal on a powerful model, and the higher the power, the stronger the chopper should be.

Next, we look at the price, but do not forget to check the warranty period - low-quality models may be sold cheaper than their analogues, but are accompanied by a short warranty period.

Lightweight and environmentally friendly electric shredder models

Probably no one will argue with the fact that it is easier and more convenient to work with electrical equipment than with manual equipment. However, not everything is so simple.

The electric motor has the following positive qualities:

1. The electric shredder is quite lightweight, which makes it possible for even women to work with them in their summer cottage.
2. The units operate quite quietly.
3. Servicing the shredders is easy and convenient.
4. They do not emit harmful combustion products into the atmosphere.

However, the electric shredder is not without its disadvantages:

1. Attachment to the outlet. For this reason, in order to work and move with the chopper around the dacha, you need a multi-meter extension cord.
2. Power is less than gasoline models.
3. Designed for chopping branches no more than 4 cm thick.
4. If power outages occur, work with them is impossible. And if there are voltage surges, the equipment may fail.

Rating of quality models in 2022

Garden shredder KRÜGER GGSK-2500

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: impact-resistant plastic;
• Motor type and power: electric, 2500 W;
• Price – 8990 rub.

Electric shredder Kruger GGSK-2500 with automatic engine start, durable housing and good performance of 120 kg/h. Weight – only 10 kg. There are also wheels on a metal frame under the body, so there will be no problems with transporting the device. The Kruger shredder is designed for shredding plants, branches and shoots with a diameter of up to 4.5 cm. Equipped with a spacious 40 liter waste bin.

Advantages:

• volumetric waste bin;
• there are wheels;
• pusher included;
• acceptable price.

Flaws:

• a little noisy.

CHAMPION SH-250

• Brand country: Russia;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 230 W;
• Price – 9,000 rubles.

Household shredder with automatic start and maximum diameter of processed material up to 4 cm. Weight – 15 kg. Knife rotation speed: 4000 rpm.

CHAMPION SH-250

Advantages:

• motor overload protection;
• blocking from accidental start;
• with handle and wheels for transportation;
• with hardened cutting elements;
• additional pair of vertical knives;
• vibration reduction system;
• stable stand;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• only for freshly cut branches;
• There is no container for collecting mulch.

Tazz K-42 6.5 hp

• Brand country: USA;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: metal;
• Engine type and power: petrol/6.5 hp;
• Price – 70,000 rubles.

A garden device with manual start, a rotation speed of the chopping mechanism of 3600 rpm and a branch diameter of 7.5 cm. Weight – 60 kg. The volume of the 4-stroke engine is 205 cm3. The volume of the fuel tank is 3 liters. Crankcase volume – 0.59 l.

Tazz K-42 6.5 hp

Advantages:

• with container;
• with wide (28 cm) transport wheels;
• large bunker for loading raw materials;
• complete with mulch bag;
• with two feeding holes for thick and small branches;
• with the possibility of converting into a garden vacuum cleaner;
• 6 knives.

Flaws:

• high price.

MTD Rover-464-Q

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: metal;
• Engine type and power: petrol/7.5 hp;
• Price – 90,000 rubles.

Professional-grade petrol shredder with manual start, designed for processing branches with a diameter of up to 7.5 mm. Knife rotation speed 1180 rpm. The engine is 4-stroke, volume is 250 cm3. The fuel tank size is 3.8 liters. Weight – 75 kg.

MTD Rover-464-Q

Advantages:

• versatility;
• 3 ways to load raw materials;
• built-in handles on the loading hopper;
• grinding capacity 90 liters;
• safety glasses included;
• 12 threshing and 2 rotating knives;
• automatic branch tightening system.

Flaws:

• high noise level;
• engine overheating;
• price.

BOSCH AXT-Rapid-2000

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: milling-turbine;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 18,000 rubles.

Middle class model with automatic engine start, productivity up to 80 kg/hour. Designed for branches with a diameter of up to 3.5 cm. The chopping mechanism rotates at a speed of 3650 rpm. Weight – 12 kg.

BOSCH AXT-Rapid-2000

Advantages:

• with pusher included;
• with wheels;
• there is a 50 l grass catcher;
• copes with both fresh and dry raw materials;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• no protection against motor overheating;
• switches off at low voltage;
• there is no blocking against accidental activation.

AL-KO LH-2800

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.8 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 20,000 rubles.

Medium power device with automatic engine start and productivity up to 80 kg/hour. The permissible branch diameter is 4.2 cm. Shaft rotation speed is up to 46 rpm. Weight – 29 kg.

AL-KO LH-2800

Advantages:

• with reverse;
• with a wide wheelbase;
• container 48 liters;
• with 16 A fuse;
• with overload and short circuit protection.

Flaws:

• there is no pusher.

BOSCH AXT-25-D

• Brand country: Germany;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 27,000 rubles.

The unit has a throughput capacity of 175 kg/hour, the shaft rotation speed is 41 rpm. Branch diameter – 4 cm. Weight – 32 kg.

BOSCH AXT-25-D

Advantages:

• 53 liter container;
• with reverse;
• with pusher;
• with transport wheels;
• automatic tightening of raw materials;
• removable funnel;
• convenient design height;
• protection against unintended activation.

Flaws:

• noticeable noise level.

RYOBI R-SH-2545-B

• Brand Country: Japan;
• Working system: knife;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 14,000 rubles.

A popular semi-professional model with automatic engine start. The permissible thickness of branches is up to 4.5 cm. Weight is 14 kg.

RYOBI R-SH-2545-B

Advantages:

• mulch collector 40 liters;
• there is a pusher;
• with wheels;
• with reverse function;
• with brush type motor;
• processes dry and fresh branches;
• there is overload protection;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• sensitive to voltage changes.

STIGA BIO-SILENT-2500

• Brand country: Sweden;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 15,000 rubles.

Medium-power shredder with automatic engine start, material diameter up to 4 cm, milling shaft rotation speed of 2850 rpm. Weight – 28 kg.

STIGA BIO-SILENT-2500

Advantages:

• pusher included;
• with a 60 l container;
• with grinding degree regulator;
• with reverse;
• there are transport wheels;
• acceptable price.

Flaws:

• there is no protection against accidental start.

BISON ZIE-44-28-00

• Brand country: Russia;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric/2.8 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 15,000 rubles.

A device with an electric drive of a medium-power class, designed for branches with a diameter of up to 4.4 cm. The grinding mechanism makes 60 revolutions per minute. The weight of the structure is 20 kg. Automatic engine start. The throughput of the device is 150 kg/hour.

BISON ZIE-44-28-00

Advantages:

• universal;
• with a 60 liter container;
• with reverse;
• there is a pusher;
• with transport wheels;
• with grinding degree regulator;
• with a safety lock against accidental activation;
• protection against motor overheating;
• transformable frame;
• with extension cord socket lock;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• short power cord.

Makita UD-2500

• Brand country: Sweden;
• Working system: milling;
• Material: plastic;
• Engine type and power: electric / 2.5 kW;
• Voltage: 220 W;
• Price – 15,000 rubles.

A mid-category device with an electric drive that accepts diameters up to 4 cm and a milling shaft rotation speed of 2850 rpm. Productivity is up to 65 kg/hour. Weight – 28 kg.

Makita UD-2500

Advantages:

• with reverse function;
• there is a pusher;
• there are transport wheels;
• the collection is designed for 60 l;
• suitable for dry and fresh branches;
• grinding mechanism made of hardened steel;
• with a regulator of the size of the resulting fraction;
• overload-resistant motor;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• There is no power lock.

Gasoline models of garden shredders

Gasoline engines have the following positive characteristics:

1. Powerful motor power, thanks to which the shredder can work with branches up to 7 cm thick.
2. There are no wires, which allows the shredder to work in those places where the site owner wants.

The negative characteristics of gasoline models are:

1. The work is accompanied by a lot of noise, which may not please the neighbors.
2. They are heavy (heavier than electrical systems), which makes them difficult to move and prevents women from working with shredders.
3. Difficult to maintain.
4. While operating, gasoline shredders emit a considerable amount of harmful combustion products into the atmosphere, polluting the air with them.
5. The cost of such models is high; in addition, during operation, constant costs are required for the purchase of gasoline and engine oil.

The best manufacturers

When choosing a shredder for a buyer, it is important not only to look at the device itself, but also to look at the brand that produces it, and all because of the reputation that has been built up over many years.

Patriot, Bosch, WORX are considered market leaders. The former is considered a leader in the production of gasoline shredders, while Bosch is the best among manufacturers of electric models.

But you must understand that the best shredder manufacturers will not sell their products cheap.

If the financial side of the issue plays a very important role for you, pay attention to domestic manufacturers of garden shredders, because it is also important to choose the right device.

Amateur grade shredders

Amateur class shredders are low-power units (power no more than 1.6 kW) that operate on electrical energy. They have a disc blade system. The main principle of choice is to determine before purchasing the material from which the knives are made.

The best option is to choose a chopper with knives made of hardened steel. The weight of such units is less than 20 kg, and the thickness of the branches they chop should not exceed 3 cm.

Experts recommend using amateur systems in young gardens and in areas where a large area is occupied by garden crops. These units perfectly grind grass, weeds, vegetable tops, and thin branches.

How to choose a good shredder: important criteria

When choosing a shredder, you should carefully study many parameters and determine which of them are desirable and which must be present.

Read also: Why do children need tongue twisters?

Motor type

Shredders are available with 2 types of motor:

• electric, the advantages of which include lightness, compactness, low noise level and increased mobility, which allows the device to be used at any level of physical fitness, including fragile women or retired summer residents; Among the disadvantages are the limitation of the processing area by the length of the cord and mandatory access to electricity;
• gasoline. It is characterized by greater productivity, independence from electricity, and easy access to any area for processing. The disadvantages of such a device include its excessive bulkiness, heavy weight and high noise level, as well as the need for additional costs for the purchase and storage of gasoline.

Cutting system

Shredder cutting system
To grind the material, the following are used:

• a forest chopping system that quickly copes with cutting soft grass and breaks almost instantly when any branch gets into the chopping mechanism. Shredders with a line system have the lowest price;
• The knife system consists of radial knives mounted on a disk, the number of which varies from 2 to 8, and premium models also have additional oblique knives for pre-crushing. This device easily copes with thin branches and dry grass;
• the milling system works due to a gear with sharpened teeth, which can capture and advance rods to the chopper mechanism; such a system can cope even with 7-centimeter branches, however, it requires a metal case, which significantly increases the weight of the device;
• The turbine system is the most universal; it can cope with all types of waste. This system operates at low speeds and with high impact force. The disadvantages of the system include the need to simultaneously feed rods and soft mass in order to avoid it wrapping around the chopper drum;
• The auger mechanism is an ideal device for processing branches up to 5 cm thick, which cannot cope with soft leaves and tops, since its operating principle is based on a rotating screw that constantly grinds the wood.

Housing material

Most garden shredders are housed in a durable plastic housing that is lighter and durable enough for gentle use. Powerful, mostly professional models have a metal body that is resistant to damage.

Almost all shredders are installed on a wheel base for more convenient movement of the device around the site. The basic rule is that the wider the wheels, the more stable the device will behave, including when moving on loose soil and between rows.

Power

Based on engine power, existing garden shredders can be divided into three large groups:

• amateur - devices with a low-power electric drive (up to 1.5 kW), usually with a knife crushing system; They are lightweight (up to 20 kg) and can handle branches no more than 3 cm thick;
• semi-professional - more powerful devices (2.5-3 kW), can have both a gasoline and an electric motor, can easily handle material up to 5 cm and have a much more noticeable weight (up to 50 kg);
• professional - large-sized machines, suitable for processing areas on an industrial scale, grind branches with a diameter of 7-9 cm, are distinguished by large funnel sizes, a powerful grinding system and practically unbearable weight (from 100 kg and above).

Characteristics of medium power shredders

Medium-power shredders are an intermediate option, therefore they have average performance, which is why they differ from amateur and professional models. These units work equally well on both gasoline and electricity. They have a maximum power of 2.5 kW.

It is preferable to use such units in private houses and summer cottages with a small, middle-aged garden. The milling knives equipped with the shredders can easily and quickly grind thicker branches (maximum thickness 3.5 cm).

The main advantage of such units is a system that independently draws in waste. In addition, the shredder is equipped with a mulch funnel and wheels, which allows you to easily move the unit around the site.

What should you pay attention to when purchasing?

When purchasing, you should consider the presence or absence of the following parameters.

Volume of the receiving tank - the optimal container size for collecting mulch is considered to be a capacity of 40-50 liters. According to buyers, the most convenient are models to which you can also attach your own container for collecting mulch.

Regulator of the degree of grinding - allows you to change the rotation speed of the grinding mechanism and configure the equipment for a specific material. Thus, large wood chips are not suitable for mulching the soil, but they are effective as fuel and covering paths. And fine grinding is convenient for infusing alcohol.

Noise level – for operation of models whose noise level exceeds 80 dB, protective headphones are required. This parameter must be indicated in the product description.

Reverse function - allows you to run the chopping mechanism in the opposite direction and remove a stuck branch from the unit.

A pusher is a special device, usually plastic, for safely pushing waste into the funnel, since it is unsafe to do this by hand. It is also advisable to wear safety glasses for safe operation of the device.

Automatic feeding – eliminates the need to constantly push the branches towards the cutting mechanism.

Automatic switch - protects the unit from accidental activation when previously switched off electricity is supplied, and also does not allow the unit to start when the receiving tank is removed, which will protect against dangerous injuries.

Body height adjustment – ​​some designs of assembled garden shredders are quite high and this function allows you to install the device so that it is convenient to load raw materials into the feed funnel.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of electric models:

• They are easy to operate and do not require special maintenance, and therefore are convenient for technically inexperienced summer residents and gardeners;
• The electric motor-powered device makes it easy to maneuver around the site, even for women;
• They make little noise during operation;
• The equipment does not emit harmful combustion products and is therefore environmentally friendly;
• Affordable price.

Flaws:

• Low productivity;
• Depends on the outlet and requires multi-meter network extension cords;
• Designed for branches no more than 4 cm thick;
• They are prone to breakdown during power surges.

Advantages of gasoline-powered shredders:

• Universal, can process both wood and foliage with grass;
• Copes with branches 7 cm thick;
• Not tied to a stationary electrical outlet;
• High performance.

Flaws:

• The work is accompanied by a high level of noise, which may disturb neighbors;
• They are heavy, which affects the ability to move the device;
• Need additional and regular maintenance;
• They pollute the air with fuel combustion products;
• High cost, accompanied by gasoline costs.

How to choose a shredder?

For a home or small summer cottage where older woody plants grow, the best shredders are devices of the medium-power category with milling knives that can easily cope with branches up to 3-5 cm. The best option would be a model with automatic start, a funnel for wood chips and a wheelbase for movement around the site.

For a dacha with a young garden or a plot with a predominant garden area, there is no point in purchasing a powerful, expensive model, and therefore amateur-class devices are recommended as the most optimal. Their productivity is sufficient for grinding grass, weeds and thin fruit branches.

To process garden waste with predominantly grassy areas in areas where there are power outages, you should consider purchasing a model with disc blades, a self-start lock and an additional stabilizer for it.

For gardening and farming with large areas, where large-scale pruning of bushes and trees takes place every year, it is best to purchase professional-grade universal chippers with a powerful motor, a milling crushing mechanism and high productivity. Such installations are distinguished by their ability to grind large branches (up to 7 cm) and compress mulch.

For professionals who regularly process large volumes of vegetable waste, the purchase of a gasoline shredder is justified; in this case, the costs of gasoline and engine oil will pay off.

There are models in which a special inlet allows the feeding of spreading branches. You can also find devices with two separate funnels - one for solid raw materials, the other for fresh grass and leaves. Such shredders will be appropriate in mixed-type areas where there are branches of medium thickness, perennial plants, thorny bushes, ornamental trees and waste from hedge trimming.

Errors in selection

Before purchasing low- and medium-power garden equipment with a blade crushing system, you should clarify what material the knives are made of. It is best to choose a model with knives made of hardened steel; they are stronger and more durable. In addition, it is important to consider that cutting mechanisms of this type require regular sharpening of knives.

If you violate the operating rules and try to process materials for which the equipment is not intended, for example, food waste, fruits or branches larger than indicated in the product instructions, there is a risk that the knives will become dull very quickly, the grinding system will become clogged, or the unit will become completely will fail. Therefore, when choosing which shredder is best to buy, you should clearly decide in advance what type of waste will be processed. Or opt for a universal chopper.

You should also pay attention to the shape and structure of the funnel. Some models do not have it, but only have a hole for branches, which can be inconvenient and unsafe. In other garden units, the funnel is removable, which makes the structure more compact and convenient for storage. According to reviews from experienced gardeners, the most convenient form of supply tank is a slightly inclined cone-shaped bell. And the presence of a protective visor will prevent chips and small particles from getting into your face.

Main technical characteristics

Characteristics of professional grade shredders

Professional grade shredders are large and heavy systems capable of delivering a maximum power of 4 kW. Models are available with gasoline or electric (three-phase) engines.

Features of using professional garden shredders.

A positive point can be considered the ability of the units to work continuously for a long time, grinding branches, the thickness of which can reach up to 7 cm. In addition, the crushed material is pressed, the result of which is the production of excellent mulch.

The funnels with which the shredders are equipped are large and convenient, and there is a powerful milling-type cutting mechanism. The units automatically draw in waste (no pushing required).

Since they are characterized by high productivity, the units are very popular on farms and are used in gardens with a large area.

Design and principle of operation

The chopper consists of:

• funnels;
• bunker;
• cutting mechanism;
• engine;
• deflector;
• legs;
• wheels.

Even the simplest shredders have protective hopper that prevents hands or clothing from getting into it. If the container is open, the device simply does not turn on. The funnel is part of the bunker and is intended for loading raw materials. The crushed raw materials exit through a hole located at the bottom of the hopper.

The main part of the chopper is a cutter or two knives. A device with a cutter should be purchased if you need to grind large debris from wood. The chipper with knives is good at processing grass and thin branches. In order for the cutting part to work, a motor is required. It can be gasoline or electric.

The principle of operation of a chopper is similar to a meat grinder . After entering the bunker, waste is crushed into wood chips. Performance directly depends on power. For example, a device with a power of 2.6 kW will not chop branches that are thicker than 5 cm.

The operating principle does not change depending on the cost of the device. Just to chop large branches you should buy a chipper with high power. For small areas, it is better to buy electric units - in a small area there is not enough “work” for a large and powerful gasoline shredder.