How to Clean Up Garden Shredders
When you decide that it's time to get a garden shredder, you want to find the very best one. You need one with features and capabilities that will take care of the work you plan to do. There are three main categories to consider when comparing garden shredders - those that generate a noise and those that don't. Noise is a major concern if you live in an area where noises from construction or demolition are common. If this is your case, a noisy shredder will not be able to give you the power and precision you need in order to shred all of the junk you have in your garden or yard.
Noise-powered garden shredders are typically less expensive than their non-noisy counterparts. In fact, some can be purchased for less than one hundred dollars. One thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to use a noisy garden shredder in a location where others might hear the sound. Most people have no problem with the sound from these machines, but if you do live in a neighborhood with many industrial customers, you'll want to consider the safety of other homeowners.
Non-noise-powered shredders don't create any noise and generate a much lower amount of dust. Many people choose to use these machines to get rid of small items that clutter their yard. A powerful Hyundai portable garden shredder will shred larger items such as old doors, mattresses and carpet. You might need more than one machine if you want to shred large pieces of furniture or antiques.
Your budget will influence the kind of garden shredder you buy. Prices range from just a few hundred dollars for a small hand-held model to several thousand dollars for a powerful, stationary garden shredder. The price also depends on how much you want to shred. Do you only want to cut small items? If so, go with a compact hand-held unit. Do you have a large garden and need a heavy-duty shredder?
Shop around and read reviews to see what shredders do best. Most manufacturers will list what they shred, how long the shredding lasts and the energy it consumes. Use these figures to make your decision.
How much trash is at your home? If you're trying to tidy up a large mess, then a large tabletop unit may be too noisy and consume too much electricity. Try a handheld unit or a floor model with wheels. You can move the machine closer to the ground so it consumes less power.
Choose a location in your yard that is convenient for you. This will make it easier for you to come home after work and start the cleaning up. It will also help if the area is flat and grassy so there is no need to flatten the area. Be sure to clear obstacles before starting the process so you don't have to stop and wait for the machine to finish.
Before the shredder is turned on, turn off the circuit breaker for the house. Then, disconnect any extension cords from the garden hose, grass trimmers, garden tools and yard edgers. Set the shredder to self-clean mode. Run the blades forward to shred up mulch and leaves. When the blade is not moving, disconnect the extension cords and turn the circuit breaker off.
Start by removing all garbage and grass debris from the garden or yard. A hand fork or a garden rake should do the job. Scrape anything that could break off the main plant structure. If not, use a bladed object such as a ball pore cutter or other long metal object to dig up anything that cannot be moved.
After the blades are cleaned up, set the shredder to an upright position. Use the rotary switch on the shredder to start the blade rotation. Start rotating the blades outwards towards the lawn until they are completely covered with the mulch. Stop once all the blades have covered the area that you want to shred. Turn the blades back toward the house and repeat the process.
Once the blades are spinning, cover the garden or yard with a plastic trash bag to prevent the blade from turning while it is running. The blades will last longer if they are covered and kept clean. Now it is time to start cleaning up your garden. Your neighbors will probably appreciate it too.