In this review of some of the Top Petrol Garden Shredder Chippers, we are going to look at:
- Petrol vs Electric Garden Shredders
- Reasons for buying a petrol garden shredder
- Top Petrol Shredders for a range of gardens
Petrol Garden Shredders in This Review
For this review we have chosen the 4 garden shredders in the table below. All are currently (March 2021) available from Amazon. Of course, there are many other suppliers you can consider.
Please note: The Garden Shredder Review is a member of the Amazon Associate Programme. We may earn when you buy through the links on this site.
Reasons to Buy a Petrol Garden Shredder
We find that there are 3 main reasons why people want to move up to a petrol garden shredder:
- Increased throughput/speed of shredding
- Large volumes of shredding
- Location you are going to do your shredding
We give more detailed information in our article “Buying a Petrol Garden Shredder“
Increased Throughput/Speed of Shredding
Increasing the throughput/speed of your garden shredding is not just for those with larger volumes of shredding to do. We adore the Bosch AXT 25TC – it has been our garden shredder of the year for the last several years. With a quoted throughput of 230kg/hour, it can, in theory, shift an awful lot of garden waste. There fact is, you are unlikely to get anything like that level of throughput in reality as you have to pass all of your waste through a slot that is smaller than the average post flap.
Petrol shredders really can cope with much larger volumes of all sorts of brush, bushes and branches. If you have the storage space – they tend to be much bigger than electric models – and don’t mind the noise (could be up to 110dB), a petrol shredder could be just what you need, no matter the size of your garden.
Large Volumes of Shredding
If you have large volumes of shredding, probably from lots of trees and hedges, moving on up to a petrol shredder is going to make a lot of sense.
For the same reasons mentioned above, if you have large quantities of material you need to shred, electric just isn’t going to do the job quickly enough.
Petrol is the way to go.
Shred Where Your Cuttings Are
No matter what sort of shredder you use, it makes sense to shred where your cuttings are. For electric shredders, this often means long extension cables so you can get the shredder where it is needed.
When you move away from ready access to a domestic electricity supply, you have little choice. You will need a petrol shredder.
Things to Consider When Buying a Petrol Shredder
Petrol shredders are, in many ways, more complex than the electric variants. Petrol engines have far more moving parts. Regular servicing is going to be essential. You are going to need fuel and oil. They will need more space to store.
Here’s just a few of things you should consider when making your petrol shredder buying decision:
| Feature | Values | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 4-15 HP | Typical domestic garden shredders will be in the range 4 to 15 HP. 4HP is approximately 3000W. That’s about the same power output as the most powerful electric shredder we have reviewed – the Ryobi RSH3045U. |
| Size | 780x480x910 940x840x1300 | Sample sizes. These are quite big machines and don’t break down for storage |
| Weight | 38 to well over 100kg | Weight is very important if you are going to try to move one of these by hand for any distance |
| Throughput | Higher is better | The throughput of a petrol shredder is rarely quoted. I guess there are so many variables that it doesn’t always make sense. It’s worth asking the question. |
| Maximum Cutting Diameter | 50 – 100mm | There is no doubt that you can chip or shred much bigger cuttings with a petrol shredder. The higher power, high speed of the motor, and overall design mean it is unlikely that this sort of shredder is going to get blocked easily |
| Fuel efficiency | Fuel efficiency, much like throughput, is not often quoted. Once again, too many variables to provide a meaningful estimate As a rule of thumb, the more cc the engine, the higher the fuel consumption | |
| Fuel tank capacity | If you are using one of the bigger machines hard, you will be using quite a lot of fuel. Larger fuel tanks will let you keep working for longer | |
| Towing attachment | As you get to the larger home petrol shredders, you are likely going to want to tow it to where it is needed. Some models have a tow attachment fitted. On others it is an optional extra | |
| Noise levels | 100dB+ | Petrol shredders are noted for being noisy. The nature of a petrol engine means that it can only deliver power efficiently are relative high rpm. When shredding larger, tough branches, the noise level is going to be sustained at well over danger levels. |
| Starter Mechanism | Recoil Electric | Pull cord, recoil starters are often provided as standard. Electric starters may be an optional extra. |
| PPE included | You can easily buy PPE separately. It is just a nice touch when PPE is provided. You definitely should be wearing ear defenders, googles and gloves when using these machines | |
| Feed chutes | width x breadth x length | larger cross section makes it easier to feed spindly twigs and general brush. Longer chutes allow you to place more waste in the chute so you walk away and let gravity and the shredder do its job. |
| Waste Chutes | Waste chutes might not seem much of a deal. However, none of these shredders provide collection bins or bags. You are expected to shred onto the ground. Being able to direct the waste chute makes it easier to get the shreddings where you need them to go. |
Top Petrol Garden Shredder Reviews
We will conduct in-depth reviews of each of the shredders at a later time. For now, we wanted to give you an overview of the petrol shredder chippers available for gardeners now.
We have ordered the review in terms of power output.
Zipper ZI-HAEK4100 4.1kw Petrol Chipper
The Zipper may be the only petrol machine to have a power rating in kilo watts. There are 745.7 kilowatt (kW) to one horsepower. Quick bit of arithemetic and we see the Zipper ZI-HAEK4100 would also be rated at 5.5HP.
- Zipper ZI-HAEK4100 Shredder
- Grinder
Features
| Feature | Values | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 5.5 HP | Towards the lower end of the range reviewed here. As you will see, the Zipper still provides a good shredding experience |
| Size | 555x850x870 | Fairly big for a low end petrol shredder |
| Weight | 90kg | Pretty heavy for a machine at the lower end of the spectrum. could be a sign of good, robust construction but will impair maneuverability |
| Throughput | Not stated | |
| Maximum Cutting Diameter | 100mm | 100mm is 4 inches for those who prefer imperial measures. That is an outstanding claim on a fairly small petrol shredder |
| Fuel efficiency/engine size | 196cc Four stroke | Fuel efficiency not given |
| Fuel tank capacity | Not stated | |
| Towing attachment | No | |
| Noise levels | 115dB | This is a truly noisy machine. Hearing protection will be essential |
| Starter Mechanism | Pull cord and electric | Good to see both a pull cord (recoil) and electric starter option. |
| PPE included | No | |
| Feed chute/hopper size | 152×127 | Good sized feed chute. Gives come credence to the manufacturers claim, “reliably crushes all raw materials you can find in the garden such as shrubs, all sorts of branches or other plants” |
| Waste Chutes | Adjustable |
Zipper Mobile Wood Chipper – We Like
Comes with an IP20 rated cover to store it outdoors. To be fair, we would prefer to use the cover inside an outhouse or barn
Cuts an impressive array of garden waste – not just woody branches and cuttings.
Maximum cutting size – the ability to cut branches up to 100mm diameter is impressive
Rated Price – . No reviews in English yet and I don’t read German. French reviews were good.
Zipper Mobile Wood Chipper – We Don’t Like
Price – £1,568.99 is fairly steep for a 5.5HP machine. As it has not been available in the UK for long – all the Amazon reviews are in German or French, it remains to be seen whether the Zipper provides good value for money.
Noise – with a rated noise level of 115dB, this is a truly noisy machine. We would think that they would offer PPE as standard.
No towing attachment.
Forest Master FM6DD 6HP Compact Petrol Wood Chipper
Forest Master provide this same machine with a pull start and with an electric starter. The electric starter is about a £60 option. In reality, the increase in price simply gets you the battery that you wire into your shredder yourself.
In general, we think the electric starter option will suit most people.
- Robust 6HP Engine: Equipped with a 6-horsepower, 208cc 4-Stroke LCT Maxx Series engine, this wood chipper delivers powerful performance directly to the drive shaft, eliminating the need for belts and enhancing efficiency.
- Dual Reversible Blades: The FM6DD comes with dual reversible blades, which significantly prolong their service life and provide economic benefits by allowing for extended use.
- Compact and Portable: The chipper's design includes a foldable hopper and chute, making it highly space-efficient and ideal for use in areas with limited storage, such as small gardens.
- Simple Maintenance: This model offers easy access to the drum via the input and output chutes, facilitating straightforward and quick maintenance tasks.
Features
| Feature | Values | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 6 HP | Towards the lower end of the range reviewed here. |
| Size | 780 x 480 x 910 | Big for a low end petrol shredder |
| Weight | 38kg | That is not a misprint, this petrol shredder really does weigh just 38kg. The downside is that the machine only cuts up to 50mm diameter |
| Throughput | Not stated | |
| Cutter | Blades | Reversible, drum mounted blades |
| Maximum Cutting Diameter | 50mm | Overlaps with the very best of the electric shredder capacity |
| Fuel efficiency/engine size | 208cc Four stroke | Fuel efficiency not given. One user claims to get 2hours solid use from a tank of petrol |
| Fuel tank capacity | Not stated | |
| Towing attachment | No | |
| Noise levels | 90dB | This is quieter than almost all electric garden shredders. Quite an accomplishment for a petrol shredder. |
| Starter Mechanism | Pull cord and electric | Good to see both a pull cord (recoil) and electric starter option. Electric starter is standard fit – you pay extra to get the battery. |
| PPE included | No | |
| Feed chute/hopper size | 152×127 | Chute can fold for better storage |
| Waste Chutes | Adjustable | Can be angled to blow waste where you want it to go |
Forest Master FM6DD 6HP Compact Petrol Wood Chipper – We Like
There is much to like about Forest Master’s entry level petrol shredder. While quite large, it is very light for a petrol shredder. Lightweight, coupled with large wheels, mean moving this machine around your garden is a breeze.
It shreds wood waste right up to the claimed 50mm diameter.
It is quick and easy to assemble. Starts easily – whether on pull cord or on the electric starter.
For giving you freedom from the electricity supply, this could be just the shredder you need.
Forest Master FM6DD 6HP Compact Petrol Wood Chipper – We don’t Like
In some ways, there is not much about this machine we don’t like. The problem for us is that it is not much of a step up from an electric garden shredder.
In fact, you can buy the Forest Master with a 2800W electric motor as an option.
- Compact & Efficient: The FM4DDE is a compact wood chipper that efficiently chips wood up to 50mm in diameter.
- 4HP Electric Motor: Powered by a 4HP 2800 watt electric motor running on domestic mains supply, ensuring powerful performance.
- Direct Drive System: The chipper operates on a direct drive system, eliminating the need for belt adjustments, ensuring better performance.
- Twin Reversible Blades: The FM4DDE comes with twin reversible blades, effectively doubling their life span and reducing the need for resharpening.
Practically all the specs of the electric version are the same as for petrol. It can cut up to 50mm branches. Users say it does this pretty well.
Like many electric shredders, this petrol (or electric) shredder doesn’t cope too well with soft, spindly, green waste. And, like with many electric shredders, some users complain about the awkward, narrow feed mechanism.
Titan Pro 15 Hp Electric Start Petrol Shredder Chipper TP15ESchip
The T-Mech wood chipper is assured to make light work of excess twigs, leaves and branches. Ideal for professional gardeners and landscapers but also great for amateur gardeners that need to clear that garden waste!
T-Mech
- Key-start, with an integral 12 sealed cell battery
- Large top hopper for leaves, brush and branches up to 10mm
- Side chute for thicker branches up to 75mm
- Powerful 15HP engine
| Feature | Values | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 15 HP | 15HP begins to move into the commercial gardener/landscaping market. |
| Size | 940x 840x 1300 | Stands nearly 5 feet high. You will need quite a lot of space to store this machine |
| Weight | 103kg | Very big, very heavy |
| Throughput | 26m3/h | You’ll need to picture a heap of branches and brush that is a 3mx3mx3m to get any idea how much this is. Quoting volume isn’t really helpful as branches and brush may have the same volume but the shredding effort is completely different |
| Cutter | Hammermill Single blade for side loading larger branches | Reversible, drum mounted blades |
| Maximum Cutting Diameter | 102mm | Overlaps with the very best of the electric shredder capacity |
| Fuel efficiency/engine size | 420cc Four stroke | Fuel efficiency not given. One user claims to get 2hours solid use from a tank of petrol |
| Fuel tank capacity | 6.5l | |
| Towing attachment | Yes | You really will want to move this machine by towing it behind your garden tractor or ATV |
| Noise levels | 110dB | Pretty noisy – you are going to want to wear hearing protection. Still considerably quieter than the Zipper earlier in this review |
| Starter Mechanism | Electric | comes with an integral 12 cell battery |
| PPE included | No | |
| Feed chute/hopper size | Feed chute is very large and well able to cope with brush and softer clippings. | |
| Waste Chutes | Adjustable | Can be angled to blow waste where you want it to go |
Titan Pro 15 Hp Electric Start Petrol Shredder Chipper – We Like
No nonsense design. Machine is well constructed and will cope with large amounts of brush and general wastes. It is easily able to deal with branches, via the side chute, right up to the claimed 75mm.
This machined will need more assembly that the machines earlier in this review. Fortunately, instructions are clear and assembly should tax most users.
This shredder has 2 mechanisms for dealing with shredding. Most shredding, that fed through the main chutes, is reduced to a fairly fine dust by the hammer mill. Larger branches, fed in via the side chute, are chopped by a single blade (3600rpm).
This 2 action design means there is only one blade that may become blunt. Forest master provide clear, concise instructions on how this blade may be sharpened.
It is good to see that a towing attachment is included. With a machine weighing over 100kg, you really don’t want to be moving in too far manually.
Titan Pro 15 Hp Electric Start Petrol Shredder Chipper – We Don’t Like
While we haven’t experienced it personally, it is slightly alarming to hear of Titan Pro Machines bursting into flames.
It seems the problem is caused by the waste chute becoming blocked and causing the shredder to overheat. The trick is to make sure you clear the chute regularly.
You really are beginning to cross over to professional gardner’s tools with this shredder. Unfortunately, while the throughput is likely to satisfy most domestic gardeners, it may well not sway the professional.
T-Mech 15HP Petrol Wood Chipper
- Powerful 15HP Engine: The T-Mech wood chipper features a robust 15HP 420cc engine with a remarkable 2400–3600rpm blade speed, ensuring efficient chipping of twigs, leaves, and branches.
- Large Cutting Capacity: With an impressive cutting capacity of 102mm, this wood chipper effortlessly handles substantial garden waste, making it ideal for professional gardeners and landscapers.
- Portability and Convenience: Equipped with wheels, this chipper is fully portable, allowing easy movement around your garden.
- Free PPE and Tool Kit: Includes free personal protection equipment (PPE) with ear muffs for safety. Additionally, the package comes with a complimentary assembly and maintenance tool kit, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
| Feature | Values | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 15 HP | For the T-mech, the 15HP shredder is a move into the commercial gardener/landscaping market. |
| Size | 880x640x1340 | Stands taller than the Titan Pro but has a considerably smaller footprint |
| Weight | 104kg | It is a big, heavy machine |
| Throughput | ||
| Cutter | Hammermill Single blade for side loading larger branches | Reversible, drum mounted blades |
| Maximum Cutting Diameter | 75mm | Overlaps with the very best of the electric shredder capacity |
| Fuel efficiency/engine size | 420cc Four stroke | Fuel efficiency not given. One user claims to get 2hours solid use from a tank of petrol |
| Fuel tank capacity | 6.5l | Not stated |
| Towing attachment | Yes | Three is a handle at the top of the feed chute. You are meant to tilt the shredder towards you and pull to move. With very small wheels, this shredder is not suitable for towing |
| Noise levels | Not stated | We’d expect it to be pretty noisy. PPE supplied. |
| Starter Mechanism | Pull-recoil | |
| PPE included | yes | T-Mech provide a PPE and state very clearly, “Do not operate this machine without using full PPE” |
| Feed chute/hopper size | Feed chute is very large and well able to cope with brush and softer clippings. | |
| Waste Chutes | Adjustable | Can be angled to blow waste where you want it to go |
T-Mech 15HP Petrol Wood Chipper – We Like
Large feed chute
102mm cutting diameter
Supplied PPE
T-Mech 15HP Petrol Wood Chipper – We Like
Very large and heavy with only manual handling options. It is obviously designed to be moved around on a truck or trailer. Most home gardeners won’t have this choice.
Anecdotally, the throughput of the machine is not as high as we would expect from a machine of this size.
It seems this T-mech is supplied in a form suitable for a home garden but is aimed at the professional market. It ends up satisfying neither.
Summary
This round-up petrol garden shredder review was intended to give you some insight into the range of petrol garden shredders available to the home gardener.
We feel that the T-Mech is aimed at the professional gardener but is built in a style to appear to the home market. Sadly it seems to fall between the 2.
The Zipper ZI-HAEK4100 4.1kw Petrol Chipper is an extraordinary machine. It cuts a wide range of garden waste including softer, green cuttings and stems that tend to jam other petrol shredders.
With a maximum cutting diameter upto 100mm, the range of the Zipper is impressive – particularly for a 6HP machine.
About the only thing we didn’t like was the noise. At 115dB, you definitely need to wear hearing protection.
Forest Master FM6DD 6HP Compact Petrol Wood Chipper is another interesting machine. If we were simply looking to free ourselves of the need to connect to the mains electricity supply, and we weren’t looking to shred huge volumes, the Forest Master would be a simple step up.
Weighing in at just 38kg, this is not that much heavier than our top electric shredder – the Bosch AXT25TC
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API