Shredder/Chiipper

[Jeff & Kathy Brown]

I am looking at getting a shredder/chipper. Does anyone have any suggestions about what to look for? How important is the reduction radio and the HP? Thanks. Kathy Brown

[Phisherman]

[escape]

Home Depot rents them and we are renting one. I believe for 24 hours it is about 80 dollars and can easily shred anything up to 3" diameter.

Need a good, cheap, knowledge expanding present for yourself or a friend?

[Warren]

That may be a good option for some folks, but a decent chipper/shredder that will handle 3" branches can be had for less than $800. Once you use it the 10th time, it's paid for itself. If I were to rent, I'd probably rent twice a year, so after five years, buying is better.

Another question is do I want to store the chipper, or store the debris I want to chip until I rent the chipper.

And yet another consideration is how do I get the rental home and back? If I have to rent a truck or trailer each time, too, my break even point comes much sooner than 5 years.

Most of the folks in my neighborhood bypass the whole decision, and get the debris hauled off each week in the yard waste collection container. I opted for a 5 hp chipper/shredder which I ran at least once a week last fall, and this spring. It's actually ran more than my rototiller or leaf vac, but not as often as my lawn mower.

I don't regret buying any of them, although I can understand why what works for me wouldn't work for everyone.

[Janet Baraclough]

The message from "Warren" contains these words:

Only if the chipper doesn't require any repairs, spare parts, sharpening or servicing during that five years. Which would be pretty unusual :-(

Janet

[Warren]

Okay. Let's off-set that over the cost of renting a truck or trailer to get the rental to and from the store. Living close enough to the store that I don't need a truck or trailer would be pretty unusual, too.

[Janet Baraclough]

The message from "Warren" contains these words:

So, how close do you live to the nearest service workshop, and who pays to get the shredder to and from there for sharpening, fixing etc?

Janet

[Warren]

Most maintenance, including oil changes, and blade replacement, can be self-done. Blades can then be carried to a shop to be sharpened.

There are also mobile services that will come out and service lawn and garden equipment. The on-site service doesn't cost more because the service doesn't need to pay the overhead costs of a retail store front. Also, many lawn and garden equipment repair shops have free pick-up and delivery, especially for customers who own more than just a single lawn mower. There's a half dozen equipment repair shops that want my business enough to come to me at no additional charge.

Oh, and when I bought it, it was delivered free. The rental stores don't do that for retail customers. At least not in this area.