What Is The Difference Between Tree Chippers, Shredders And Vacuums?

Did you know that it is possible to purchase a range of equipment for all sorts of uses around your property? Tree chippers, shredders and vacuums, for example, all serve distinctly different purposes and yet all are highly useful for keeping your garden in check and disposing of organic matter. But what is the difference between each of these pieces of equipment?

• Tree Chippers process dense, woody organic material (such as medium sized branches) through sharp blades.
• Shredders process loose or airy organic matter (such as dry leaves) in a crushing fashion through flailing blades.
• Vacuums assist in the feeding of debris into the equipment (chippers and shredders) via a stream of air. Please note that not all machines will feature an external vacuum.

If you would like to determine whether your machine has a vacuum attached or not, you should refer to the owner’s manual or possibly even contact the manufacturer. As well as the differences between these various pieces of equipment, it is also important to understand what sorts of organic debris can be safely disposed of using the machine.

• Pines Cones have various stages of development. When immature, they are very dense and hard, whilst more mature ones are much drier and more brittle. Mature cones can be processed through both chippers and shredders, whereas immature cones should be left to age.
• Green Vegetation should generally be avoided for all types of equipment, as it can overload the machine. If you have a lot of green organic debris to dispose of, you should mix it in with lots of dried vegetation and allow the motor to run full rpm before adding more material in.
• DO NOT attempt to feed any of the following materials into your chipper or shredder: cattails, reeds, bamboo, vines, kitchen by-products, plastic, manufactured paper products (such as newspapers), metal, glass, rocks, fish by-products and any other inorganic materials.

Whilst there are a number of differences between the physical appearance and function of tree chippers, shredders and vacuums, it is important to note that there aren’t actually all that many differences for their purpose. All are designed to help you dispose of organic debris that is lying around your garden and making it look unattractive.