The best thermal shredders for plants in the UK 2023

Electric shredders are fine... if you only shred small branches under 45 mm in diameter. For larger diameters without the risk of jamming or overloading, invest in a thermal chipper. We even recommend the Zipper ZI-HAEK4100, a proven model with a cutting diameter of 100 mm and a power output of 4100 W.

Zipper ZI HAEK4100 1
9/10

Best value for money

Zipper ZI HAEK4100

The best thermal shredder in 2021

Equipped with a very large hopper and a large 196 cc petrol engine, this thermal shredder develops a power of 4,100 W. Enough to have a cutting diameter of 100 mm.

See price

No more jams and overloads with the Zipper ZI HAEK4100. This thermal shredder reduces plants, hedges and branches up to 100 mm in diameter to tiny pieces. It has to be said that it has what it takes with a 4-stroke engine of 196 cc for 4,100 W of power. Note that the blade speed can reach 2,400 rpm.

This thermal shredder puts other models in the same price range to shame. It also has a large hopper for shredding and an outlet chute with an adjustable diameter depending on the shredded material you want to obtain. Finally, it has 2 rubber wheels that are sufficiently resistant and suitable for all types of terrain.

T-Mech 2
8/10

Best value for money

T-Mech

The best entry-level thermal shredder

Equipped with a 196 cc engine for 6.5 HP and a blade that can turn between 2,400 and 3,600 rpm, this shredder has a cutting capacity of 76 mm. Good stuff for cheap.

See price

This T-Mech thermal chipper or shredder will help you get rid of the tree leaves and branches that are cluttering up your yard. Its 196 cc 4-stroke engine develops 6.5 HP, enough power to shred large branches up to 76 mm in diameter. Despite the low price, the speed of the blade oscillates easily between 2,400 and 3,600 rpm.

Note the position of the hopper, which means that you have to find the right angle of inclination to expel the shredded vegetation. A chair or stool is required for those under 1.75 m tall. In addition, the fineness of the shredded material should be noted, enough to make compost and fertilize the garden. Finally, note that this machine comes with goggles, gloves and ear protection.

Hillvert HT-Hector 420T 3
7/10

Best value for money

Hillvert HT-Hector 420T

The best high-end thermal shredder

The Hillvert HT-Hector 420T is expensive. But it is extremely efficient. Its 15 hp or 11 kW of power give it enough cutting power and blade speed to shred branches up to 12 cm in diameter.

See price

The Hillvert HT-Hector 420T can be used by anyone: a professional, a landscaper, a gardener, a hobby gardener... Easy to use, it offers manipulations that remain quite basic. Indeed, it is enough to put branches or other residues in the collector, to pour gasoline in the tank and to start the device.

Then you wait patiently while it turns your organic waste into compost. Shredding at home with this shredder will make your life easier because you don't have to carry your waste long distances to get rid of it. Note that the motor develops 15 hp and can shred branches up to 12 cm in diameter.

Hillvert HT-Hector 212T 4
8/10

Alternative

Hillvert HT-Hector 212T

Mid-range alternative

The Hillvert HT-Hector 212T is not as powerful as the 420T, but it is still interesting. It offers an excellent alternative if you use your thermal shredder occasionally.

See price

If you want to get rid of cuttings, twigs and leaves when tending your garden, you are looking at the right product: the Hillvert HT-Hector 212T. There is no doubt that this is a solution with a simply interesting price/performance ratio.

This thermal shredder has a power of 7 hp, i.e. 5 1 45 W. It shreds all types of vegetation, dry or wet, provided that the diameter of the material does not exceed 80 mm. The 3.5 L fuel tank ensures uninterrupted operation for over 2 hours.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best thermal plant shredder

Any specific needs?

The best thermal shredder in 2021

The best entry-level thermal shredder

The best high-end thermal shredder

Mid-range alternative

Your guide : Samuel

Rate this buying guide :
4.9/510 votes

By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!

Comparison table of the best thermal shredders for plants

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Zipper ZI HAEK4100 5
9/10
T-Mech 6
8/10
Hillvert HT-Hector 420T 7
7/10
Hillvert HT-Hector 212T 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Zipper ZI HAEK4100
T-Mech
Hillvert HT-Hector 420T
Hillvert HT-Hector 212T
Equipped with a very large hopper and a large 196 cc petrol engine, this thermal shredder develops a power of 4,100 W. Enough to have a cutting diameter of 100 mm.
Equipped with a 196 cc engine for 6.5 HP and a blade that can turn between 2,400 and 3,600 rpm, this shredder has a cutting capacity of 76 mm. Good stuff for cheap.
The Hillvert HT-Hector 420T is expensive. But it is extremely efficient. Its 15 hp or 11 kW of power give it enough cutting power and blade speed to shred branches up to 12 cm in diameter.
The Hillvert HT-Hector 212T is not as powerful as the 420T, but it is still interesting. It offers an excellent alternative if you use your thermal shredder occasionally.
Power
4,100 W
3,707 W
11,040 W
5,145 W
Weight
90 kg
85 kg
175 kg
85 kg
Cutting diameter
10 cm
7.6 cm
12 cm
8 cm
Motor
4 time / 196 cc
4 stroke / 196 cc
4 stroke / 420 cc
4 time
Fine grind

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - thermal plant shredder

Primary Item (H2)Sub Item 1 (H3)

Why can you trust us?

Why you can trust us
Our mission
How to support us
We do NOT accept any sponsored posts or advertising.

We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.

Our mission is to simplify your purchasing decisions.

We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.

We are a small team of geeks and enthusiasts.

To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!

How to choose your thermal plant shredder

The choice of thermal shredder should be determined by the type of use and the diameter of the plants to be shredded, particularly the diameter of their branches. Here are all the essential criteria.

#1 - Engine

Machines equipped with a single-cylinder, 4-stroke (unleaded) gasoline engine with a capacity of 250 cm³ to 500 cm³ and a power output of 6 HP to 18 HP are already capable of continuously shredding large quantities of plants and branches up to 100 mm in diameter. Modern gasoline engines do not emit too many pollutants or noise, especially when they are running. Diesel-powered shredders are intended for professional use. They can handle all kinds of vegetation and branches up to 300 mm in diameter.

#2 - Types of land

Orchards and parks require the use of a trailer-mounted thermal mulcher. The weir of this device allows direct storage of the waste in the carrier's box. If the area to be worked on is very large, you will need a shredder that weighs less and can be towed behind your car, truck, micro tractor or quad. For large areas, we also recommend a model that works with a turbine cutting system or is powerful with at least 3300 W. Such a unit is also ideal for hardwoods such as certain branches of fruit trees.

#3 - Noise level

The noise level of a thermal unit can reach 105 dB. Choose a model that emits less noise. Indeed, a low-noise shredder will not disturb your neighbors. However, for health reasons, you should always wear protective earphones. You have the option of purchasing noise-cancelling ear pads separately on a small budget.

Good to know:

Some manufacturers have equipped their shredders with a manual tow bar. Therefore, their units can be towed on a lawn mower, micro tractor or ATV off highways and main roads.

#4 - Options

You

can choose a thermal shredder based on the options: wheels (for ease of transportation), folding function (to limit the space requirement)... The most important thing in our opinion is to have a pusher available. This element will allow you to push the small branches without feeling vibrations. Also, in case of jamming, a rotor system will allow to clear the vegetation in less than no time, because you just have to change its rotation direction.

#5 - Versatility

Some multipurpose shredders multiply or combine cutting systems, some for delicate plants and others for twigs and thicker branches. Rotary or turbine systems often have a drip tray or bag located under the unit. Therefore, there is no need to install a receptacle. Some collectors have the advantage of being at least partially transparent, so that it is easy to see their capacity level.

What are the characteristics of a thermal shredder?

For a long time, the thermal shredder was only intended for professional gardeners. In fact, a thermal shredder has 5 times the power of an electric shredder. It is more expensive to buy and runs on fuel.

It is used for a large garden, usually over 500 m². The thermal shredder is intended for frequent use. We therefore recommend it for shredding thicker branches.

It has a power of up to 66,000 W. The most powerful of them are even equipped with a 9 HP motor. With a thermal mulching unit, you can mulch dense vegetation in record time.

This is because the presence of an electric wire does not interfere with your movements. You can work continuously on a large number of surfaces for long hours. Note, however, that the thermal version is much noisier than the electric version.

The different types of thermal shredders for plants

We distinguish between the following three types of mills: thermal knife mill, flail mill and fixed blade mill.

Knife mills

The combustion engine controls the rotation of the disc on which the cutting blades are located. As they descend under their own weight onto the disc, the plants are shredded by knife passages, then the shredded waste falls by gravity through a dam.

The knife shredding system is the simplest and most energy efficient. It is suitable for soft vegetation (small branches, grasses, leaves), but can be overloaded in volume and limited by small branch diameters. Typically, a knife is mounted on small gasoline-powered thermal chippers.

Flail mowers

The

motorized drum may have 12 to 24 flails, usually these are equipped with "Y" shaped cutting edges. The drum pulls the plants from the chute, shreds them with the flails, and then conveys the waste through the chute (giraffe) to a collection bin.

This shredding system is very efficient, but requires more power than knife shredding. Flail shredders are then sufficiently powerful, some of which run on gasoline, and others are diesel models.

Fixed knife mills

The

latter type of thermal shredder unites the feed drum with the knives, but here the blades are fixed and the branches rotate around the knives. The drum feeds this mass into the discharge chute and throws the chips through the giraffe.

The fixed knife system is very powerful and is only installed on high-powered diesel chippers.

The noise

Note that a thermal shredder is much louder than an electric shredder. Make sure you have earplugs so that your ears don't suffer!

Thermal shredder or electric shredder?

Thermal plant shredder

A thermal shredder is a very powerful device. It is perfect for shredding plants in orchards and parks. A thermal shredder can be used to turn your green waste into quality compost. However, this device is particularly demanding from a maintenance point of view. The engine requires special care, such as changing the oil, cleaning the filters or the spark plugs.

Electric plant shredder

The electric shredder is an inexpensive device. It is functional, but it is especially suitable for occasional use. It shreds branches over a limited area. However, depending on the power, this type of shredder can, like the electric shredder, shred hard and thick wood. It produces coarse shredded material. Unfortunately, it is not as efficient as a thermal chipper.

Verdict

The thermal shredder works in a very professional way. It is suitable for large gardens. If energy is not important to you, the electric option is probably more appropriate. However, a thermal shredder is ideal for shredding a wide variety of vegetation in a short time. Also, the advantage of a thermal shredder is that it has a greater autonomy compared to an electric shredder.

Why buy a thermal shredder?

Solid and reliable

It is known for its sturdiness and reliability and is able to reduce stems, leaves and branches from your garden maintenance. In general, it lasts a long time, especially if you follow the instructions for use. It is also useful for cleaning the vegetable garden and flower beds as well as for tree care.

Easy to use

Regardless of the type, using a shredder is the same and as simple as possible. You just need to master the ignition as well as the details about the different storage and retrieval concepts depending on the type of device you have. It is also easy to move it in your exteriors thanks to its reasonable weight according to the models.

Multimodel

You can get the model as well as the size of the thermal shredder that suits you, whatever the use, in a garden or in a large field. The power and autonomy vary according to the size and range you are looking for. There are many models of shredders on the market and each one has different characteristics.

Ecological tool

It is very useful for deep cleaning of trees, vegetable garden and flower beds. It also facilitates the recycling of green waste to make compost and enrich the soil. In short, in the face of a ban on burning waste, this tool is the ideal solution for maintaining your garden and preserving the environment.

Promotes energy savings

All of them have a great autonomy, no matter which type you have chosen. You can use it for hours at a time without needing to recharge it. Thermal shredders run on gasoline and are not energy hungry. Once you fill the tank, you can work without fear of running out of gas.

Tips

Spark plug maintenance

Maintain by cleaning and/or changing the spark plug regularly and remember to check the electrode gap.

Cleaning the filters

You

can also clean the air and fuel filters if your grinder is equipped with such an accessory.

Follow the proportions indicated by the manufacturer (oil + petrol)

Fill

the mixture for your 2-stroke engine (oil + gasoline) in the proportions specified by the manufacturer

.

Change your oil

Fill the

oil and gasoline mixture for a 4-cycle engine and drain the tank of used oil periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations

.

Divide the investment

The

garden shredder has seasonal appeal. So, why not buy one communally with your neighbor? This will not only allow you to share the investment, but also to choose a more efficient and durable model.

FAQ

What is the best thermal shredder?

The best thermal shredder depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.

Who can use a garden shredder?

A garden shredder is an appliance that shreds plant waste. It is suitable for all types of users, whatever the size of their garden.

When to use a thermal shredder?

A shredder is useful for regular garden maintenance. It is also a great help if you want to recycle your organic waste.

Is a thermal shredder safe?

Even though a thermal grinder meets safety standards, gloves, goggles and ear protection should be worn when operating this equipment.

How to use a thermal shredder?

Fill the fuel tank. Your clippings will be placed in the feed chute. Start the mower and collect the clippings in the grass catcher.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , systemed.fr
  2. , gerbeaud.com
  3. , thespruce.com
  4. , chippersdirect.com
  5. , epicgardening.com
  6. , epicgardening.com
  7. , bestofmachinery.com
  8. , appliancereviewer.co.uk
  9. , the-organic-gardener.com
  10. , oogarden.com
  11. , amazon.co.uk
  12. , leroymerlin.fr
  13. , agrieuro.fr
  14. , boutique.cms-constructeur.fr
  15. , castorama.fr
  16. , maisonae.fr
  17. , loxam.fr
  18. , toupour.com
  19. , futura-sciences.com
  20. , euro-expos.com
  21. , broyeurs-vegetaux.com
  22. , agrieuro.fr
  23. , boutique.cms-constructeur.fr
  24. , manomano.fr
  25. , leroymerlin.fr
  26. , broyeur-vegetaux.info
  27. , leboncoin.fr
  28. , stihl.fr
  29. , broyeur-vegetal.com
  30. , euro-expos.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Zipper ZI HAEK4100 9
Zipper ZI HAEK4100
T-Mech 10
T-Mech
Hillvert HT-Hector 420T 11
Hillvert HT-Hector 420T
Hillvert HT-Hector 212T 12
Hillvert HT-Hector 212T

Lecteurs

Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.

Copyright © 2022 - Made with by buyingbetter.co.uk

Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!