Gardening at this time of the year always presents a problem – what do you do with all the prunings from the shrubs and rose bushes and the like.
For they can take some time to rot down on the compost heap and even if you burn them there will always be bits of twigs left over.
The answer is a shredder – one of those machines you always meant to buy for yourself but never did.
And they make excellent presents for keen gardeners at this time of year – if only to borrow them back once given!!
Once used the resulting debris is ready to rot down or can be left around the roots of shrubs as a winter mulch.
So here are three machines from American manufacturer Ardisam – and really sturdy ones which can cope happily with thicker twigs as well as green rubbish.
First is the Earthquake CS6V Petrol Chipper-Shredder, currently on special offer.
Branches up to 5 cm in diameter can be dealt with and quickly become wood chip thanks to two chipping knives. A series of triangular hammers deals effectively with the lighter green waste.
These hammers are reversible so sharpening is a longer term consideration.
The material is dragged into the machine’s mechanism thanks in part to a 6 hp Viper engine and it comes with a 70 litre collection bag.
And large wheels and a low centre of gravity mean it is very stable and can be towed.
Currently it costs £579, and that’s £120 off the maker’s recommended retail price.
We deliver it free within two to three working days and there is a two year manufacturer’s warranty.
The Earthquake CS6B Petrol Chipper-Shredder is a similar machine which reduces waste to one twentieth its original volume and can also handle branches up to 5 cm in diameter.
This one however has a 6 hp Briggs & Stratton engine to provide the power. It costs £679, £100 off Ardisam’s recommended retail price, has a two year maker’s warranty and is delivered free within two to three working days.
And the third is a far more powerful machine made to deal with large scale domestic challenges.
The Earthquake CS10 Petrol Chipper-Shredder has a 10 hp Briggs & Stratton engine and is very solidly built – it is often the choice of professional gardeners who have to handle a lot of green waste.
It reduces waste by 20:1 so you are left with a useful mulch to put around tender plants and will drag in the branches as you introduce them, savi ng loads of time.
It has a direct-drive rotor assembly keeping vibration to a minimum and prolonging the life of the machine.
It too has a 70 litre collection bag and site on large wheels making movingby hand or towing easy.
It can also be sued with an optional vac kit.
It costs £849, £50 off the maker’s recommended retail price. Delivery is free within two to three working days and there is a two year warranty from Ardisam.
These are just three of a wide range of chipper-shredders we have on our site and remember you can always give us a ring on 020 3026 8712 if you want more information.