Merry Mac Highway-Towable Chipper/Shredder - 249cc, Model# 12PHT10M Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased one of these units with a little hesitation because of the cost. However, since I received it, and, put it to use, I cannot imagine how I could do without it.
Although relatively compact, and, gas-economical, this unit functions as well for tree cleanup as commercial units costing three to four times as much.
I have no problems chipping branches up to 3". The unit just eats them up in a few seconds.
The Shredder is adequate for anything up to about 3/4" in diameter. On larger branches, I feed the thick end to the chipper, chip it down to about an inch, then, feed the rest (including leaves) into the shredder hopper on top.
I will upload some digital sequences showing its operation.
This unit tows nicely from the freight dock, with fully pneumatic tires, and is easily portable around the place by ATV.
The mulch is VERY high quality. I mix it with some manure, and, compost, and it makes an excellent mulch for around trees, and, in the garden.
I have a small place in Colorado, and, about 11 acres in New England. This is adequate to steward the woods in both places.
Plan on using the following with this unit:
Some type of safety helmet. Jackson Safety Blockhead Yellow Helmet 8 PT Ratc #3014875
Goggles: DEWALT Concealer Smoke Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle #DPG82-21C
(High visibility) safety gloves: DEWALT Premium Cowhide Leather Work Glove with Reinforced Palm And Wing Thumb and 2-1/2-Inch Safety Cuff, Large #DPG41L (You need the high visibility to keep track of your fingers, hands and arms around this equipment. If you've ever seen a farmer get his arm caught in a bailer you know what I means).
Respirator: (In an ideal world, we just feed branches and it comes out as nice clean mulch. In the real world, you will be scooping up handfulls of dirt with the branches and leaves, mold, fungus impregnated bark, etc. Take my word for it. USE A RESPIRATOR) AO Safety Quicklatch PRO Dual Cartridge Respirator #95090
Chaps: I got mine from the Stihl Dealer. High visibility safety orange, and, tough nylon. USE CHAPS - you'll have some shins left when you are done. J Valentine 3 Piece Chaps, Top And Thong Set 4005
Steel toe work boots: I use Wolverines. Women's Wolverine® DuraShocks® 6" SR Steel Toe EH Work Boots Brown
This unit is sturdy as long as you don't abuse it. My local hardware store (only 35 miles away) used to rent these. They stopped renting them because users would abuse them. I asked them how they abused them. They said (a) they fed branches too large into the chipper and shredder, and, (b) they fed boards and fence posts with metal (nails mostly) in them. The metal tears up the insides of this machine. Don't abuse it, and, it will last for years.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Merry Mac Highway-Towable Chipper/Shredder - 249cc, Model# 12PHT10M

Hefty 249cc Briggs & Stratton Intek engine. As powerful as your needs. Handles tough clean up of fallen branches, prunings, and leaves with ease. Compact size lets you store it in area 2ft. square. Toughness, versatility, and speed are what this machine is about. You'll get dependable, professional-level operation, in a machine you can use year-round for clean-up, gardening, and landscaping. Tow behind ATVs or lawn tractors. U.S.A. Engine: Briggs & Stratton, Engine Type: OHV Intek, Walk or Pull: Pull, Chipper: Yes, Shredder: Yes, HP: 10, Max. RPM: 2,100, Max. Cutting Thickness (in.): 3 1/2, Material Type: Solid heavy gauge steel, Tire Size (in.): 4.80/40.0 x 8

Get 8% OFF

Click here for more information about Merry Mac Highway-Towable Chipper/Shredder - 249cc, Model# 12PHT10M

Patriot Products CSV-3065B 6.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Gas Powered Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This chipper works very well. It does what it was made for with ease. Performs great and I highly recommend this product.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Patriot Products CSV-3065B 6.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Gas Powered Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder

If you're in the market for serious lawn equipment for homeowners and professionals alike, you've come to the right place. At Patriot Products, we specialize in delivering the best machines at highly competitive prices. Our extensive line of lawn and garden tools is designed to make tackling even the biggest of jobs a breeze. Patriot Products in an American company that specializes in providing top-of-the-line lawn maintenance equipment. The CSV-3065B has a powerful 6.5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine that allows you to chip a 3 inch diameter branch into tiny coin-sized chips. The shredder will make short work of leaves and other vegetative material. The Vanguard engine is engineered to robustly power this chipper dependably day after day. The engine features low oil alert, a premium lo-tone muffler, and a one-pull start carburetor. This commercial engine with its long stroke and high RPM level allow it to out work many of our competitors' much larger chippers. This hungry machine is ideal for reducing your yard waste as much as 20:1. Our unique side discharge design allows you to process the material directly into the standard collection bag or blow it our away from your machine. You can work all day in the same position without having to shut down and move the material away from your chipper. The processed material will be ideal for mulching around your plantings. This unit comes with a 3-year warranty for homeowners and 90 days for commercial users.

Click here for more information about Patriot Products CSV-3065B 6.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Gas Powered Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder

Troy-Bilt 24A-204B766 CSV 206 24-Inch 206cc Gas-Powered 3-in-1 Self Propelled Chipper/Shredder/Vacuum Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have now been using the 6.5 HP Troy Built C/S/V for three months. To make this simple, I'll get straight to the pro's and cons...
Pro's...
1) The factory did an excellent job of packaging and crating the unit for shipment
2) The unit feels substantial and this was reinforced for me as I went through the very simple set-up process (takes about an hour to unbox and set-up)
3) Directions for set-up were flawless
4) Once started, the unit does an excellent job of picking up dry leaves and twigs through the vaccuum nozzle -- it cleared my 1/3 acre yard in about 2 hours (including the time it took me to get the refuse to the street for pick-up)
5) When the suction power of the nozzle is overhwelmed by leaves, it is very easy to unclog the nozzle -- I just use a twig
6) I found that the unit hungrily accepted branches up to 2.5 inches in diameter (I measured) -- the unit does start to bog down on branches larger than this
7) Does a fantastic job of mulching yard waste -- I can't say it does this to a 10:1 ratio like the company claims (how do they measure this?), but I am very please with how few lawn bags I am using this season
Cons...
1) This unit is EXTREMELY difficult to start. For context, I am 6' 2" and before that third helping of Christmas dinner, I weighed in around 235 lbs. My wife, 5' 3" and around 120 (if she reads this I'm a dead man!), was never able to start the unit. I would guess that the pull weight on the starter cord exceeds 60 lbs. Exascerbating the issue is the rather awkward position in which the pull starter is located.
2) Branches can get jammed in the feeder shoot, and the plunger is never quit long enough to drive a lot of branches to the grinding teeth. Freeing these items from the feeder tube can be a frustrating process.
3) Awkward position of zipper on the catch bag makes it difficult to transfer mulched waste into garbage bags
Net/net: If you have a lot of trees and want to save time and think you're man enough to start it ; ) -- BUY IT!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Troy-Bilt 24A-204B766 CSV 206 24-Inch 206cc Gas-Powered 3-in-1 Self Propelled Chipper/Shredder/Vacuum

The Troy-Bilt 6.5-horsepower self-propelled chipper shredder vacuum features a powerful 6.5-horsepower engine for better performance and improved power. The unit has a 3-in-1 capability with a vacuum nozzle, chipper chute, and shredder to give you three clean-up tools for ultimate versatility. The 24-inch vacuum width is extra-wide for bigger clearance and makes quick work of large areas. The adjustable vacuum intake height will raise and lower the vacuum nozzle from 1/4-to-4-3/4-inches to accommodate varying ground conditions. Other features include a 3-inch chipping capacity, and a heavy-duty hardened-steel impeller and cast-iron shredding screen that reduces debris in a 10:1 reduction ratio. The self-propelled transmission has 1-forward speed for easier use, and provides plenty of maneuverability for large yards. The 3-bushel, felt-lined collection bag reduces dust when in use, and the 6-inch lockable front caster wheels and 10-by-4-inch fully pneumatic rear wheels provide ease in maneuverability. The chipper comes with a limited 2-year warranty on materials and workmanship.What's in the Box Chipper/shredder/vacuum, and safety goggles.

Click here for more information about Troy-Bilt 24A-204B766 CSV 206 24-Inch 206cc Gas-Powered 3-in-1 Self Propelled Chipper/Shredder/Vacuum

Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, it is not a gasoline engine so it is not going to have the same power due to the limits of amperage typical households can supply. However, even with these power limits I was very impressed with the power this electric chipper has. I was able to chip wood up to 2 inches in diameter with no problem except that the chipper pulls the wood into the machine faster than the machine can handle. So when chipping thick branches it is important to grasp them firmly and pull back when the chipper starts to pull them in too quickly. Be prepared, it pulls hard! If you are patient and feed at the correct rate you should not have any problems with clogs.
If the unit does clog the engine pulls too much power and your breaker will trip, which did happen to me a few times before I learned what the machine could handle. This chipper needs its own 20 amp dedicated circuit or it will trip the breaker when it starts. I live in an older house with older wiring that is mostly 15 amp, which could not handle the current. Luckily, the circuit my refrige is on is a 20 amp circuit that is close enough to a door so the extension cord can reach, but now I have to unplug the refrige when I want to run the chipper. (i'll fix this inconvenience by running a new 20 amp circuit to an exterior plug) So you should plan to put in a dedicated 20 amp circuit if you don't have one before you purchase this.
This chipper is very solidly built. If it does clog the plastic leaf bin is sturdy enough so that the entire unit can be upended to clear the chips, but it is heavy so be careful flipping it. The chipper cone isn't too hard to take off either in case wood gets stuck there. Since it is electric you just flip a switch to turn on and off, which is much more convenient than a gas engine. It is also much quieter than a gasoline engine, but you still should wear hearing protection when using it (no complaints from the neighbors so far).
The wood chips it produces are very fine, but the shredder doesn't work that well on green stuff. In fact, the shredder part is the easiest to clog. I tried a palm frond in the shredder opening and it clogged the machine. So now I just have to pull the fronds apart and put them through the chipper. It seems the shredder isn't much good for anything but dry twigs and leaves. But that is no biggie as it is not hard to feed most stuff into the chipper.
I bought this unit when I read the poor reviews for the cheaper electric chippers (free shipping if you order direct from their site). You get what you pay for. Patriot sells a quality machine that you can buy replacement parts for and that can be serviced. The other cheapo chippers don't even sell replacement blades! What do you do when your blade wears out? Don't buy a foreign-made piece of crap that you'll just end up throwing out. No regrets with my purchase.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder

Our most popular model! This Electric Chipper Shredder is the only one of its kind on the market today. Our unit will chip branches up to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. It is also ideal for shredding leaves. There are no hassles with gas or oil. It turns on with the flip of a switch. It can be used inside your garage, basement or hothouse. This environmentally friendly workhorse has no ugly fumes. It plugs into your standard 110 volt outlet. You will need a good heavy-duty extension cord of less than 100 ft as this unit draws 14 amps of electricity. The electric chipper shredder weighs less than 100 pounds and comes with large wheels for easy transport around your home and yard. See for yourself why this valuable yard and garden tool received the National Home Gardening Club Member Tested Seal-of-Approval. We are also excited to report that in the summer of 2009 our electric chipper was rated a "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest magazine. This honor is given to less than 3% of the products tested and our chipper has received this honor for a SECOND time. This unit comes complete with a 2-year warranty, a collection bag, and safety goggles.

Click here for more information about Patriot Products CSV-2515 14 Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder

Flowtron LE-800 Leaf-Eater Electric Leaf Shredder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The unit was easy to assemble. It is a bit on the noisy side, as other reviewers have mentioned. Also, it is sometimes hard to get stable on a slightly slanted yard. If you are serious about doing leaf shredding, then you'll want to set the machine on top of a tarp and move it around the tarp as the piles of shredded leaves mound up under the machine.
The biggest downfall is how fragile it is: This is a leaf shredder only. It cannot handle even the smallest twig or branch without jamming or breaking the shredding devices inside. This was a big problem for me since its very difficult to 'screen' out every little branch before loading rake-fulls of leaves into the hopper. I got tired of having to constantly shut it down, unclog it due to some unshredded twig, restarting it, and then re-loading all the unshredded leaves, trying to screen out any twigs on the way.
Because of this I have since stopped using it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Flowtron LE-800 Leaf-Eater Electric Leaf Shredder

The Flowtron LE-800 Leaf-Eater Mulcher/Shredder quickly recycles yard and garden waste into nutrient-rich mulch that's ready to be disposed of or reprocessed into compost. Powered by regular household current and featuring special positions for fine, medium, and coarse mulch, this handy tool reduces eight bags of leaves to just one bag, saving money on expensive trash bags and trash pickup.
Just Shred and Spread For a Beautiful YardTransform your yard into a showplace, without all the sweat and strain. With the help of its extra-large, 21-inch-diameter funnel, the Leaf-Eater effortlessly reduces wet or dry yard waste--including leaves and grass clippings--into nutrient-rich mulch or compost that you can reuse right in your flowerbeds or vegetable garden. With this efficient tool, creating a great yard is as simple as shredding and spreading!
Two-Step Process Shreds and MulchesThis system utilizes a two-step process that shreds and then mulches for fast cleanup and maximum waste reduction. Just feed double handfuls of material into the hopper and watch the Leaf-Eater do all the work.
Patented Design and Powerful Motor Shred Leaves FastThanks to its patented design, double heavy-duty cutting lines, and powerful universal motor with circuit breaker and reset button for overload protection, the Leaf-Shredder shreds wet or dry leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, and even paper as fast as you can load them.
Range of Shredding Adjustments for FlexibilityThis flexible shredder offers the convenience of a range of shredding adjustments from coarse to fine--up to 30:1 particle size-reduction. It also includes a sliding control lever that\'s easy to read, so you can choose the right setting for the job.
Lightweight Design for Easy PortabilityLightweight at just 16 pounds, the Leaf-Eater features a rugged, high-density polyethylene funnel and housing, as well as steel legs for long life and easy maintenance. Its lightweight design also means you can mount it atop a trash container that has a leaf bag inside for quick and convenient disposal.
Quick and Easy Assembly Right Out of the BoxOut of the box, the Leaf-Eater is a snap to put together in minutes; you'll only need a 3/8-inch nut driver and Phillips-head screwdriver. Maintenance is equally effortless thanks to the removable motor intake filter--just remove and clean periodically.
Dimensions and Warranty InformationThe LE-800 Leaf-Eater comes with 36 heavy-duty cutting lines, legs, and a limited one-year warranty.
About FlowtronFamily-owned since its start in 1920, Armatron International began operations as a manufacturer of automobile radios. After more than 50 years in that field, Armatron became recognized through its Flowtron division as a worldwide leader in outdoor products. Today, Flowtron designs, develops, manufactures, and sells a select line of lawn and garden products that are distributed to major retailers in the US and Canada, as well as to foreign markets all over the world. The company is proud that all of its products are made in the US: in Malden, Massachusetts, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
What's in the BoxOne funnel, one upper hopper, one lower housing assembly, three legs, 36 cutting lines, one hardware package, and owner\'s manual.

Click here for more information about Flowtron LE-800 Leaf-Eater Electric Leaf Shredder

McCulloch MCS2001 14 amp Electric Chipper/Shredder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Summary:
Works well for my purposes, which include a lot of twigs, leaves, brush, and ½" to ¾" sticks. The mulch produced is much finer than I expected, and is really smaller than your typical double-shredded commercial mulch. Assembly took 1½ hours, and was pretty straightforward, but no thanks to the instructions supplied with the unit. For the price, this is a very good unit.
Shipment:
Unit came 2 days after I ordered. Surprised at the speed for free shipping, but I noticed Amazon used 2nd day UPS air. I don't know if this was expedited shipping because of the nearness of Xmas, but I was very pleased with the timeliness.
Assembly:
Instructions that came with the unit were very sparse and provided very limited illustrations and narrative to help the consumer. A clear and detailed picture or diagram would help a lot.
However, after staring at the photo on the box, and looking at the various parts that came in the box, assembly was simple enough for my son and I (you really need 2 people). Thinking back on it, here is the sequence that should be followed (little of this is in the instruction manual):
1. First start with the leg, axle, and wheel assembly. Look at the axle, and you will see two hex bolts with no apparent purpose screwed into the axle: one at each end. These are adjustment blanks that should be moved in order to properly align the leg, axle, and wheel assembly to accept the body of the shredder. You will notice an empty threaded hole immediately adjacent to these hex bolts, each a bit closer to the ends of the axle. Unscrew the hex bolts using the provided hex-key and move them to the adjacent holes that are closer to the end of the axle.
2. Place one wheel on the axle and secure with the supplied large flat washer followed by a cotter pin. Bend the end of the cotter pin around the axle end to secure the wheel. Do not put the other wheel on the axle yet, and don't put on the McCulloch wheel covers on either wheel yet.
3. Thread the end of the axle through the opening on one leg (it doesn't matter which one - they are symmetrical), and then use the supplied long hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer to loosely secure (hand tighten) the part of the axle closest to the attached wheel against one leg. The lock washer should be placed on the bolt first (closest to the bolt head) followed by the flat washer, then thread the bolt through the outer curved part of the leg into the threaded hole in the axle which is closest to the wheel that you put on in step 2.
4. Take the other leg and attach it to the other end of the axle using the remaining long hex bolt, lock washer, and flat washer -- hand tighten.
5. Take the remaining wheel and secure it on the remaining axle end with the supplied large flat washer followed by a cotter pin. Do not put either wheel cover on until the end (just in case you did something wrong or you aren't quite satisfied with the alignment).
6. Insert the solid aluminum barrels (each with two smooth-bore holes) into the end of the leg, axle, and wheel assembly that will mate with the shredder body. Line up the barrel holes with the leg holes. This provides strength at the connection point to the body. Put the leg, axle, and wheel assembly aside for the moment.
7. Now let's work on the body. Using two persons to lift, stand the shredder body up on the flat pieces of cardboard supplied in the box. Unscrew the three black plastic-knobbed hand bolts that retain the yellow metal hood onto the black shredder assembly. Remove the yellow metal hood and put it aside. You have now exposed the heads of the four hex bolts used to secure the shredder body to the leg, axle, and wheel assembly.
8. Using the stronger person to lift, place the black shredder assembly over the leg/axle/wheel assembly, and line up the two holes on either leg (four holes total), with the four hex bolts on the black shredder assembly. Have your partner guide the bolts through the holes. From the underside, secure the bolts using the supplied flat washers, followed by lock washers, followed by nuts -- hand tighten. Don't put the hood back on yet.
9. Eyeball the entire assembly to see that is aligned vertically and horizontally. Since you only hand-tightened the axle-leg and leg-body hex bolts, it is now pretty easy to adjust the alignment by simply moving the body relative to the legs, or moving the legs relative to the axle. Don't worry, the set-up is pretty sturdy, it would be difficult to harm anything by pushing or pulling to gain proper alignment.
10. Once you are satisfied with the alignment, tighten the two leg-axle hex bolts and four leg-body bolts using the supplied hex wrench. Use rotation tightening like you would when working on your car. Half tighten bolts on opposite ends, then ¾ tighten, and then full tighten.
11. Snap on the McCulloch wheel covers on the wheels.
12. Place the yellow metal hood back on top, and tighten the black plastic-knobbed hand bolts.
13. Place the black plastic leaf and twig receiving chute on top of the yellow metal hood, and line up the five small bolt holes. The ribbed side of the receiving chute should be facing toward the wheels. Insert and tighten the five bolts to secure the chute.
14. Turn off the switch before you plug in the shredder.
Operation:
1. For brush and sticks under ¾" this unit rocks! I am quite pleased how quickly this shredder takes the little stuff and spits out very finely shredded mulch.
2. For brush and sticks 1" to 1½" - be careful! It is very easy to jam this unit by feeding big twigs too quickly. After jamming the unit, you need to turn it off, unplug it, remove the yellow metal hood by undoing the three black plastic-knobbed hand bolts, and then clearing the debris from the cutting blades or the large stick feeding tube on the yellow hood. I have found that the best approach is to feed twigs of this size using a feed a little, pause a little, feed a little, pause a little approach. You can actually do this pretty quickly once you get used to what the machine can handle as far as pace.
3. Leaves mixed with sticks seem to shred finer than leaves by themselves through the top chute.
4. Twigs by themselves, regardless of size, are consumed most quickly through the side feeder tube versus the top chute.

Click Here to see more reviews about: McCulloch MCS2001 14 amp Electric Chipper/Shredder

Take care of yard waste and do your part to protect the environment with the eco-friendly McCulloch MCS2001 14-Amp Electric Chipper/Shredder. Featuring an ETop hopper design and a three-way feed, this handy tool makes quick work of twigs, branches, and other debris. It can even save time and money by allowing you to make your own mulch.
14 Amp Induction Motor and Three-Cycle Shredding System for Fast ResultsComplete with a 14 Amp induction motor that offers a peak power of 2.5 HP, the MCS2001 makes quick work of small branches and tree limbs with a diameter measuring up to 1.5 inches, as well as leaves and brush. Its three-cycle shredding and mulching system ensures consistent, quality results, even after repeated use.
Straightforward, User-Friendly OperationThe MCS2001 is incredibly easy to use. Simply turn the machine on with a quick flip of the switch, and in just a few seconds the MCS2001 reduces yard waste to a pile of finely shredded wood that you can dispose of or re-purpose as mulch.
Safe, Eco-Friendly Design Protects Fingers and the EnvironmentDesigned with safety in mind, the MCS2001 boasts a patented top hopper design and tamper that keeps fingers away from the V-type blade at all times. And because it's powered by electricity, it offers quieter, cleaner operation and avoids the mess and pollution of gas.
Seven-Inch Wheels for PortabilityEfficient, easy to assemble, and user-friendly, the MCS2001 includes seven-inch wheels for portability and maneuverability, and a rounded discharge chute that's a snap to clean. For added convenience, the chipper is compact enough to store in a home shop or garage, and it is backed by a two-year warranty (90 days for commercial use).
McCulloch: An Industry Leader in Technology, Innovation, and ValueAn industry leader in the development of technology, quality, function, ergonomics, and design of outdoor maintenance tools for over 60 years, McCulloch has established an unrivaled, worldwide reputation for reliability and value. Founded in 1946, McCulloch rapidly moved to the forefront of two-stroke petrol engine design, growing into one of the world's leading manufacturers of chainsaws, trimmers, brushcutters, and hedge cutters.
What's in the BoxChipper, tamper, manual, and warranty card.

Click here for more information about McCulloch MCS2001 14 amp Electric Chipper/Shredder

Wood Chipper Leaf Shredder Collection Bag Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)this product arrived quickly and as advertised, it is a great deal for the price based on my searches.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wood Chipper Leaf Shredder Collection Bag

This bag is great for anyone who is chipping wood or shredding leaves and vegetation. Simply connect the bag to the discharge of your wood chipper or leaf shredder. Processed material is conveniently collected in the bag so that it can neatly and easily be moved to where it is needed.

Click here for more information about Wood Chipper Leaf Shredder Collection Bag

Yard Machines 24A-452G700 205cc Briggs & Stratton 800 Series Gas-Powered Chipper Shredder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have owned a 1998 version of this shredder for 8 years, and finally gave it away. I plan to upgrade to a 8HP Bearcat or similar (more robust) shredder.
I have 1/2 acre with Douglas Fir trees which tend to drop branches in windstorms, like the one that hit Dec. 14. I have also had ivy and blackberry bushes to clear, so I knew that one blue yardwaste bin 2x a month would never cut it. I bought my shredder at the local Home Depot, mostly because I did not know what else was out there, and it seemed like a good product (at the time).
I found out over the years that it is really just a very light duty machine, and that actually using it will wear it out pretty easily. I only used mine 2-4 times per year, whenever I had a pile built up, but anything which could wear out did.
The axle for the two wheels runs through the base plate, which is just bent sheet metal with no bushings for the axle. As a result, vibrations elongated one of the axle holes such that it dropped right out of the plate.
The small feed chute is for branches up to 2" diameter. It works fine as long as you are pushing the branch down. Once the branch gets down to about 18" long, the blades just won't grab the stick and bite it, and itstead it sort of bounces up the chute. Eventually, it may get consumed in micro-bites, but you are probably better just pulling the remnant out and putting it in the firewood pile.
The big feed chute for leaves and small branches is a blow-molded piece of plastic. They wisely made both chutes just longer than a man's arm's length, to prevent idiots from sticking their fingers into the blade area. But the molded-in stresses on the big chute resulted in stress cracks at all four corners. I had one chute replaced for these cracks while it was still under warrantee, and the new chute quickly developed the same sort of cracks.
The discharge chute is stamped and spot-welded sheet metal, and it too developed stress cracks from the vibrations, and the welds eventually gave way. There are hand-knobs for unscrewing the bolts which hold that discharge chute in place, and I became well acquainted with them. The screen that stops the big chunks for rechopping is a set of four bars, through which the flails reach like 3 fingers in order to grab anything that was too big to fly through. Unfortunately, the metal used in the screen was so soft and ductile that it quickly went from convex to concave, so that debris piled up just out of the reach of the flails. That means I had to shut down, open the discharge chute (which does not stay open on its own, but instead falls down on your hands), then find a big bolt or pin to hammer out the two pins which hold in the screen. Once I pulled the accumulate debris away and got that screen out, I would flip it around 180 degrees so that the newly convex side faced the flails, and reassemble. I have gone through 3 screens in 8 years because metal does not like to be bent back and forth like that very many times (think about bending a wire coat hanger), and it eventually breaks. They need a beefier screen to stand up to the force of wood chips hitting it.
The shredder blades are not easily sharpened, and my attempts resulted in a horribly imbalanced machine. One must also entirely remove the big shredder chute to access those blades, involving taking nuts off of 6 lugs, which don't line back up again very well with the housing when I tried to reassemble. That housing also developed stress cracks in the plastic at the point where it joins the metal shredder wheel housing.
Vibrations also caused the gas tank mounting slots to break off, such that the plastic gas tank was barely held in place by the time I gave mine away. The engine still ran nicely, although I did have to replace the carburetor after the old one got clogged with some gunk and the rebuild kit failed to work. One other interesting vibrational behavior was that the machine liked to "walk", such that I had to dig a hole in the dirt for it to sit in just so that it would not wander away from where I was using it.
The unit came with a mesh bag for catching the chips, but it was so small that I never used it. The chips come flying out so fast that they will travel 30-40 feet unless you have some sort of back stop.
On the whole, this shredder does do what the advertising says it does, but it just does not do very much of it without a lot of attention, TLC, and swearing. Luckily, it makes so much noise that the swearing is not heard by others if done while it is running. If you just want to shred maple leaves once or twice a year, this may be okay, provided that you have some degree of mechanical aptitude. But for me, I am happy to leave that flimsy contraption behind as a regrettable chapter in my life.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yard Machines 24A-452G700 205cc Briggs & Stratton 800 Series Gas-Powered Chipper Shredder

The Yard Machines 5.5-horsepower chipper shredder comes equipped with a 5.5-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine, and features a 2-inch chipper capacity with a 10:1 reduction ratio. The unit also comes with a 3-way poly drop-down and rake-in hopper with a steel blade for added strength and durability. The chipper comes with a 2.5-bushel bag capacity for added convenience and is backed by a 2-year warranty.

Click here for more information about Yard Machines 24A-452G700 205cc Briggs & Stratton 800 Series Gas-Powered Chipper Shredder