A Guide to STIHL Chippers and Shredders
At STIHL, we offer a variety of Shredders and Garden Chippers to suit every kiwi gardener's needs. These tools are a great addition to any gardener's arsenal. Chipped and shredded garden waste decomposes rapidly, providing you with a natural fertilizer from your own garden. It can be added to a compost bin or spread directly on beds or around trees and shrubs to aid in weed control.
BENEFITS OF USING A GARDEN SHREDDER/CHIPPER
Garden shredders can simplify the daunting task of tidying up garden waste. With the help of these machines, you can turn twigs, branches, and green material into smaller pieces that are easy to dispose. But did you know that you can also use these smaller pieces as mulch? Mulch can be a great source of nutrients for your garden beds, and it offers additional benefits such as moisture retention, temperature control, and weed suppression. Using wood chippings and green materials from your garden shredder is an economical way to deal with garden waste and turn it into something beneficial for your plants.
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WOOD CHIPPER OR GARDEN SHREDDER, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Wood Chippers are used to turn wood into small pieces called chippings. The machine cuts branches by using a method similar to chopping with an axe or using a hammer and chisel. However, they are not efficient at handling large amounts of leaves and green plant material as there is nothing substantial for the blade to cut. Excessive amounts of leafy plant material can cause clogging in the machine.
Garden Shredders, in contrast, are efficient with leafy plant material, and can be thought of as a large blender. They cut and tear apart soft foliage rather than chopping it, but they are not as good at handling thicker and woodier materials.
STIHL Multi-cut is a cutting tool that combines the features of a chipper and shredder - its design allows the machine to perform both chipping and shredding functions. Different models of Multi-cut have varying strengths in either chipping or shredding, providing options to cater to different needs.
STIHL MULTI CUT SHREDDER CHIPPERS
ELECTRIC OR PETROL?
Shredders and wood chippers are typically stationary and are only moved between tasks. They are usually placed where the chippings or shredding will be collected or where the material is cut from hedges or trees, depending on the size of the garden.
Electric models must be used near a power outlet, it is recommended to use an extension cord no longer than 25m for safety and performance, if using a thicker commercial cord, it can be used up to 50m.
On the other hand, petrol-powered machines can be used anywhere in the garden and offer more power as they are not restricted by an electrical outlet.
DOES SIZE MATTER?
Different models of shredders are often differentiated by their maximum branch thickness capacity, which is an important specification to consider when purchasing. Additionally, it's important to consider the type of wood you'll be shredding. When processing branches that are not completely straight, such as those from apple trees or oak, a machine capable of cutting a thicker diameter is particularly useful. These trees often produce lots of thin, densely packed branches with angles, and a higher maximum branch diameter ensures that you don't have to spend time pre-cutting branches to feed them into the shredder.
By considering these factors, you can determine your specific requirements for a shredder.
STIHL GARDEN SHREDDERS AND CHIPPERS
STIHL GHE 135 ELECTRIC GARDEN CHIPPER
The GHE 135 L Garden Chipper is an excellent choice for shredding woody cuttings up to 35mm thick. Its compact design makes it easy to move around the garden and the low-speed roller cutting system ensures exceptionally quiet operation.
The clover aperture allows for comfortable and controlled feeding, and the shredded material is reduced by an average of 75%. The chipper also comes with a 60L catcher, which makes it easy to collect the shredded material and transfer it directly to your compost.
The GHE 135 L Garden Chipper is an efficient and convenient option for gardeners who want to process woody cuttings and turn them into compost in a hassle-free manner.
STIHL GHE 150 ELECTRIC GARDEN CHIPPER
The GHE 150 Garden Chipper is an ideal tool for quickly cleaning up small to medium-sized gardens and generating material for compost. With its compact design and wheels, it can easily be transported around the garden.
The cloverleaf aperture of the GHE 150 is specifically designed for processing hard woody material up to 35mm. The Multi-cut 150 cutting tool system consists of two angled chipping blades and a double wing blade, resulting in more efficient and faster work. The chipping blades are also reversible, ensuring that the machine can maintain its cutting power over time.
With a 90% wood chip ratio, the GHE 150 is perfect for gardeners who need to do light chipping work on a regular basis. The Multi-cut 150 system ensures that the machine can handle both wood and green matter efficiently, making it a versatile and reliable tool for any gardening task.
STIHL GHE 355 ELECTRIC GARDEN CHIPPER
The GHE 355 Chipper / Shreddder is a highly versatile chipper/shredder designed to process large volumes of garden waste efficiently. Its bi-directional Multi-Cut 355 cutting tool can handle both hard woody material and soft foliage, with the ability to switch between chipper and shredder modes using a rotary switch. The chipper mode features 4 clockwise spinning chipping blades that can handle branches up to 35mm in diameter, while the shredder mode utilises two anti-clockwise spinning double-wing blades to shred green garden waste. The GHE 355 has a wide feeding chute and larger wheels, providing improved stability and easy transport. The GHE 355 is ideal for gardeners who need to process larger volumes of garden waste on a regular basis.
STIHL VACUUM BLOWERS
STIHL SH 56 C-E PETROL VACUUM BLOWER
If you're looking for a shredder that is lightweight, easy to maneuver and has a vacuum/blower feature, look no further than the STIHL SH 56 C-E Petrol Vacuum Shredder. This fuel-efficient machine features a specially designed blade on the fan wheel that efficiently shreds garden debris, which accumulates in a convenient, easy-open bag for hassle-free emptying. And with the STIHL ErgoStart system, starting the SH 56 C-E is easy.
The SH 56 C-E also comes with the necessary parts to easily convert it into a handheld blower, giving you two tools in one. This makes it the ultimate versatile garden tool that can handle everything from shredding leaves to clearing away debris. So, if you're ready to take your garden maintenance to the next level, consider the STIHL SH 56 C-E Petrol Vacuum Shredder.
STIHL SH 86 C-E PETROL VACUUM BLOWER
The SH 86 C-E Professional Vacuum Blower is the perfect tool for gardening enthusiasts. This powerful machine is equipped with a low emissions engine that is designed to minimise its impact on the environment, while still delivering top-notch performance.
One of the standout features of the SH 86 C-E is its versatility. This tool can easily convert from a blower to a shredder, making it ideal for a wide range of gardening tasks. With a special shredder blade on the fan wheel, the SH 86 C-E can efficiently reduce garden waste into a bag that can be easily emptied into the compost bin.
The STIHL ErgoStart system is another great feature that makes the SH 86 C-E a pleasure to use. This system ensures a smooth start every time, reducing the risk of frustrating delays. Additionally, soft grip handles and a four-spring anti-vibration system provide comfort and help reduce operator fatigue, even during long gardening sessions.
