Grass cutter for chopping grass into compost and for mulching

How to make a grass chopper with your own hands: designs and diagrams

In order for the soil at your dacha to remain fertile, you need to add organic matter to it yourself.
Mulching with grass, cut tops and any plant waste is one way to keep the beds in good condition. The grass can be spread on the ground immediately after mowing or pre-composted. To make the greens decompose faster, you need to chop them. It will be convenient to cut plants into small pieces using a special device - a homemade garden herb chopper. A small volume of raw materials can be crushed using a manual metal chop, placed on a long handle. The cut is a sharply sharpened triangular plate, the longest side of which is directed downwards.

Freshly cut grass, weeds, leaves, tops are laid out on the ground in a layer of 10-15 cm and chopped into pieces. The tool must be lowered sharply. After each blow, the plant mass is divided into smaller and smaller parts.

The operating principle of any electric grass cutter is simple. Freshly cut or dried plants are placed in a tank equipped with cutting elements. The knives are driven by an electric motor. After processing, the mass significantly decreases in volume and becomes suitable for use as a feed mixture, mulch or adding to a compost heap. Loading and unloading of raw materials from the machine occurs manually.

Factory grass cutters use electric motors of at least 3000 rpm. In homemade devices, you can use motors with a much lower shaft rotation speed. But it should be remembered that the higher the rotation speed, the less likely it is that the grass will not be chopped, but will wrap around the knives.

The owner of an old electric drill can assemble a unit in which greens will be crushed, like in a blender. A small portion of green grass is poured into the bottom of a metal bucket or cylindrical tank and a drill with a homemade knife attached is turned on. After one or two minutes, all that remains is to pour the finely chopped mass out of the tank.

a hole is drilled in the center of a knife made of a metal strip;
the knife is placed on a metal rod;
the end of the rod is fixed in the drill head;
screw a nut onto the free end of the rod so that the knife does not fly off;
the knife is lowered into the bucket and the drill is turned on at high speeds - at low speeds the grass will not be crushed, but will be wound up.

The plastic body of the Typhoon vacuum cleaner is suitable for making a grass cutter hopper. A device with a body made from a vacuum cleaner works on the same principle as the previous ones, but has higher performance and a presentable appearance. Raw materials are fed into the bunker from above. The finished cut exits through the side opening. To prevent the grass from flying in different directions, a protective cover is placed over the outlet hole.

The entire structure is placed permanently, secured to a frame made of a metal corner. The base of the electric shredder must be as stable as possible - this is a prerequisite for the safety of the engine. The unit body is attached to a metal stand with bolts. For additional protection of the electric motor, you can sheathe the frame with sheet metal, attaching it with self-tapping screws.

A pair of knives is made from two old hacksaws and secured to the bottom of the hopper on a sleeve turned on a lathe. Sleeve length 40 mm. To power the knives, you will need a 180 W electric motor removed from an old washing machine. The electric motor pulley is secured with studs under the hopper. The knives are secured with an M32 nut. The thread on the bushing is cut during its manufacture. The electric motor pulley is ground with a grinder, making areas on it for fixing the bushing.

1. Two rectangular plates are cut out of a hacksaw blade.
2. A square hole is punched in the center of each plate.
3. Knives are sharpened on a machine.

The diameter of the hole is selected so that the knife fits tightly onto the motor shaft. The width of the knife depends on the hardness and thickness of the blade.

This device is a “three in one” device. It allows you to grind any plant waste (except thick branches), crush grain, and cut root vegetables. Fresh grass passed through the machine can be used for mulching or placed in a compost heap. Chopped root vegetables, cabbage heads and grain are fed to farm animals.

To set the knives in motion, you will need a grinder with a power of 1.5 kW. The knives are made from a saw blade for concrete, from which the excess parts are cut off, leaving a cross-shaped structure. The opposite knives are slightly bent - one pair up, the other down.

A shallow welded casing is attached to the body of the angle grinder, in the side of which there is an outlet hole. A durable polypropylene bucket is placed on the casing (you can use a water-based paint container).

To obtain chopped plant mass, a polypropylene bucket is filled to the top with raw materials and closed with a lid. A bag is placed over the outlet hole into which silage or crushed grain will be poured. Then turn on the grinder. If you make a hole in the lid of the bucket, the process can be made continuous - serve portions of raw materials on top, which, after grinding, will be poured into a substitute bag. The whole process is similar to chopping meat in a meat grinder, only the knives rotate not in a vertical, but in a horizontal plane.

Scheme of operation of the device:

several sharp knives are fixed to the bottom of a metal container;
rotating, the knives crush any plant debris;
waste material exits through a side opening.

Methods for making the unit yourself

The main purpose of this article is to find ways to independently manufacture the equipment that will be needed on the farm. If you have the desire, patience and minimal skills, you can make a homemade herb grinder that will work just as well, and perhaps even better, than a store-bought one. Better, because only you yourself know the needs of your farm and can perfectly adapt the device to your own needs. It will be exactly what you need!

Option #1 – a drill to help you!

An excellent grass cutter can be very easily built from a regular drill. Exactly how this simple device works can be seen in the video below.

So, the grinding process resembles the work of a food processor: in a cylindrical body, the role of which is played by a simple bucket, there is a sharply sharpened knife. When it rotates in a circle at high speed, the grass is cut. To make this grass cutter, a two-mode Temp drill with a power of 850 watts is used. The knife is made of hacksaw blade. The whole secret is hidden in sharpening the knife. If done correctly, the grass will not wrap around the blade. The knife should remain clean and free of greens.

Sharpen the knife with a one-sided sharpening. It should be oriented with the sharpened plane facing down. If you have to chop fresh grass, the best shape of the knife would be a narrow diamond so that the cutting edge disappears at an angle to the edges. As a last resort, you can round the blade towards the tip. Then the grass, which is affected by centrifugal force, slides along the cutting edge of the knife straight to the edges. It cuts easily and never wraps around the knife.

Option #2 – for owners of the Typhoon vacuum cleaner

The working principle of this device is no different from the previous one. It just looks more civilized and its performance is higher. If in the previous case the grass was already in the container where the cutting tool was placed, now the raw material is supplied through the upper hole, and the finished substrate comes out through the lower one, located in the side of the apparatus. To prevent the finished silage from being scattered when spilled, you need to use a protective cover for the outlet.

Perhaps such a grass cutter does not look as presentable as a purchased one, but it is functional and practically free. Decide what is more important to you

The chopped grass is collected in a bucket, which must be carefully placed under the outlet. It is clear that when choosing the height of the racks for the unit, it should be taken into account that a bucket of normal parameters must pass freely in order to place it in the right place. So what does Typhoon have to do with it? The body from the old Soviet Typhoon vacuum cleaner is ideal for a basic garden grass shredder: it has an upper hole of the most suitable size. I repeat once again: this is an ideal option. But not the only one!

Option #3 – grass cutter from what was on hand

Armed with the knowledge gained from reading the description of the manufacturing process of the previous unit, you can build yourself something equally simple and useful without much difficulty or effort.

This grass cutter is literally made from something you found in the shed. All things have served their purpose long ago, but in this design they will certainly be useful to their owner for a long time

For basic grass cutting you will need:

Agidel pump or any similar electric motor capable of 3000 rpm and powered from a 220V network;
old aluminum pan;
used wood hacksaws, from which you can make wonderful knives;
to start the engine you need a button, the role of which will be perfectly played by the NVD from the washing machine;
plug and power cord.

We invite you to carefully examine the photographs, because they do not need any special comments. Everything is very clear. Start creating your herb grinder and you'll do great.

Pay attention to how the blades are placed in this herb chopper. It is possible that you will choose this particular model

The motor is installed under the pan, and the start button is located at the rear of the platform to make it easier to reach.

Such grass, chopped using a grass cutter, is perfect for feeding livestock and poultry, as well as for mulching purposes.

Option #4 – homemade straw cutter

Three previous units successfully turned grass into silage. But if we need a chopper not only for grass, but also for hay, it’s worth taking a closer look at another invention, which is presented in great detail in the video below.

Operating principle and device of the grass cutter

If we compare grass shredders with other agricultural equipment, they are quite popular among gardeners. A wide range of products allows both professionals and amateurs to purchase equipment according to their needs and financial capabilities. The range includes compact household appliances and professional equipment designed for processing raw materials in large quantities. A simple grass cutter includes:

Working shaft with cutting knives.
Container for raw materials.
Protective shell.
Electric or gasoline motor, cable and pulley with belt.
Steel frame.

The device works on a simple principle: the raw material is placed in a container with knives, where it is ground into a crushed mass. The operation of the device is similar to a working food processor. The volume of raw materials becomes smaller, which makes it possible to add it to the feed mixture or use it for mulch. For small volumes, raw materials are loaded into the container manually.

Herb grinder from washing machine

Adhering to design features , you can make a grass cutter from a washing machine with your own hands. For assembly you will need:

180 Watt tank and motor. There is such a motor in a washing machine. In order for the device to be able to process not only grass, but also large branches, a powerful engine is needed. The greater its power, the better.
Disc knife.
Electrical cable with plug.
Start button.
Container for raw materials.
Steel corner.
Connecting elements: bolts, bushings and washers.

A gasoline engine has more power than a washing machine engine. By installing it in the device, you will get a “three in one” device that, together with grass and straw, can process branches over 5 mm thick.

Assembling the apparatus

First, we assemble the upper container for processing raw materials. For this:

We take and cut the body of the washing machine to height. This will create additional convenience when operating the equipment.
In the lower part of the body, at the same level with the legs or slightly higher, we make a hole (20x7 cm) of a rectangular shape.
To prevent the grass from scattering in different directions, the hole is covered with a casing. The casing is made of a metal plate and secured with bolts.
Then prepare the stand. Here you will need a welding machine and a metal corner. Depending on the size of the container in which the raw materials will be located, the height of the stand is calculated. A tall support is made for a bucket; a low stand is suitable for a basin.
Two holes with a diameter of 7 mm are made on the motor shaft. They order from a turner or make on a lathe a bushing about 50 mm long, which is put on the motor shaft. The finished part is secured with studs on the underside of the tank.
The cut and sharpened knives are put on the shaft so that they do not touch the walls of the container. The knives are securely fixed with plumbing nuts (32 mm).
A welding machine is used to weld the container with the motor to the stand.
The tester determines the starting and operating windings of the motor . Less resistance indicates that this is a working winding. Having correctly identified the contacts, the motor is connected to the electrical cable.
The connection is made as follows: on the one hand, the starting winding is connected to the starting button wiring, and on the other hand, it is connected to the working winding and cable. The second side of the working winding is connected to the start button and cable.

After connection, the stand for the device is additionally sheathed with steel sheet. This homemade DIY herb grinder from the washing machine is ready to go.

Other manufacturing options

For a small amount of work, a hand tool - a chopper - is suitable. The main part of the instrument is similar to a triangle. Alloy steel is used for its manufacture. How convenient and accurate the work will be depends on the sharpness of the blade. Therefore, before starting work, the lower edge is sharpened. Cutting grass will become much easier if the tool is equipped with a long handle that will prevent you from constantly bending over. A thin layer of grass and branches is laid on a soft surface and chopped. To prevent the sharpening from becoming dull, you should not cut on hard surfaces.

Drill grass cutter

The design of a simple dual-mode electric drill is intended for a small amount of work. But despite this, the drill will make a good grass chopper. The structure consists of a stool, a container for raw materials, knives, a shaft and a bearing with a housing. Assembly:

A 12 mm hole is made in the stool.
Under the hole, from the inside of the stool, a housing with a bearing .
A similar hole is made in the center of the bucket. The bucket is placed on a stool and secured with self-tapping screws.
A knife is prepared from high-speed steel R18. A diamond-shaped knife copes better with fresh grass. Its cutting edge is sharpened at an angle to the edges. If the blade is rounded, the grass will not wrap around the knife. It will slide along the cutting part of the knife right on the edge.
A shaft is installed in the bearing and a knife is secured to it.
A drill is connected to the bottom side of the stool. It is connected to the shaft shank using a clamping chuck. The device is ready, let's check its operation.

Methods for making a thresher

There are many benefits to using a homemade herb grinder. This is not only profitable, but also very convenient, since all the details are at hand. There are several ways to make a herb chopper with your own hands:

The first way is to use a regular drill, and the thresher itself will work on the principle of a blender. You will need a drill itself (with a power of 620 W), an iron bucket (medium size), a shaft with a knife, as well as a rod 30 cm - 40 cm long and 10 mm - 12 mm in diameter. The rod will act as the basis of the structure; it must have a 40 mm thread on which the blade, fixed with two nuts, will “sit”. The knife itself can be part of a scythe or any other suitable blade.
The second method is a do-it-yourself grass crusher, which can be made using an old Typhoon vacuum cleaner. Such a unit will be very practical, as it is very productive. It will pre-provide for the supply of the resulting raw materials through a special hole. All you need from the vacuum cleaner itself is its body and any electric motor with a power of 180 W. The remaining parts are the same as in the first method: a knife and a 40 mm rod as a fastener. Next, you should cut a hole for the platform at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner housing, and attach the motor to the bottom. The knives are secured with nuts.
The third way is to use an old washing machine. The operating principle of such a shredder will be identical to that constructed from an old vacuum cleaner. In this case, the main advantage will be a larger volume. You will need a bushing of at least 50 mm, and the body of the washing machine itself can be cut to your liking.

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How to make a grass shredder for poultry or livestock - you need to select any container, which can be not only a washing machine or a vacuum cleaner, but even an ordinary large saucepan, and attach blades on a sleeve to its bottom.

Operating rules

When working with any electrical device, safety precautions must be observed. The grass cutter is no exception! To prevent the device from deteriorating, you need to know the basic operating rules:

The mechanism will jam if damp branches or grass are placed in the device.
You cannot store raw materials in large quantities. Everything should be in moderation.
The device must always be supervised .
The mechanism has piercing and cutting elements, so children should not be allowed near the device.
To prevent the device from getting wet in the rain, it is installed under a canopy.
Do not allow foreign objects such as glass or metal to get inside the device.
If something is stuck inside, the device is disconnected from the network and only then the stuck part is removed.
Electrical wires must be insulated.

The first launch of the device is done very carefully, since it is the most dangerous.

How to make your own herb grinder

Every summer resident wants to have a beautiful green lawn with perfect beds and luxurious flower beds on his plot. To get the desired result, you need not only desire, time and effort, but also special equipment. To maintain the soil in normal condition, many people prefer mulching with grass, since this method does not require special investments and is quite effective. Immediately after mowing, the grass is laid on the lawn, and during the decomposition process it releases the substances necessary for fertilization. To speed up the decomposition process, it is recommended to chop the grass and thick stems. This procedure requires a herb grinder.

What is a herb grinder

Owners of their own cottages or gardens need to prepare garden compost. Previously, grass was chopped by hand, but now there are electric and gasoline grinders for this purpose. Such a device can significantly save time for the summer resident, allowing him to place more material in the compost barrel.

If your financial situation allows you to purchase such a device, this is good, since its prices are quite high. If the summer resident does not have extra money, do not be upset, as you can make a machine for grinding grass with your own hands. Its design is very simple. It includes:

engine;
shaft;
discs or knives;
bolts and nuts;
receiving container;
protective casing.

The operating principle of this device is very similar to a food processor. The engine transmits speed to a shaft with sharp knives that grind suitable raw materials, after which it is passed through a hole into the box.

Grinders that run on gasoline are considered the most powerful. They can cut not only grass, but also quite large branches. A significant advantage over electric shredders is their mobility and independence from the electrical network, which allows the use of gasoline units anywhere in the garden.

Less powerful are the so-called electric grass cutters. They work exclusively from the network, so they do not have good mobility. The advantages of such grinders are their light weight and small dimensions, which add ease of use. To chop grass and branches of small diameter, a device with a motor of up to 1.5 kilowatts is suitable.

Important! A motor with such power is not suitable for long-term loads. For continuous loads, you should choose a motor up to 4 kilowatts.

Homemade shredder

The creation of such a product is carried out in stages in several steps:

First, the type of unit is determined and a drawing is generated.
Next comes the selection of all the parts, as well as the preparation of tools.
After this, installation takes place according to the drawing of the entire unit, followed by testing.

It is important to clearly provide for the dimensions of all components and assemblies in such a design. Otherwise, the future device will be impossible to assemble or various parts will need to be additionally adjusted.

Tools

To carry out assembly and installation work you will need:

Hacksaw, as well as a circular knife.
Extension cord, at least 5 meters long.
Metal corners, as well as other fasteners.
Locksmith kit.
Drill, as well as grinder.

If you have experience working with a welding machine, it is worth preparing it too.

Details

To assemble such a unit yourself, you need to prepare:

Power plant.
Knives or discs.
Bolts and nuts as fasteners.
Shaft.
Container.
A frame that plays a protective role.

From the washing machine

To create such a unit, you first need to prepare drawings. A do-it-yourself grass cutter from a washing machine is also partially assembled from parts from a vacuum cleaner. But you only need to take the body from it if it is metal. Additionally, to construct a homemade unit you will need:

Power plant from the washing machine.
Knives taken from a lawnmower.
A container where the chopped grass will be collected.
Steel corners used for mounting the frame.
Fastening elements: bolts and screws.

In order for a homemade chopping device to be completely safe for use, it is important to properly approach the creation of a durable body, high-quality fastening of knives, and also impart stability to the entire structure. The step-by-step installation process of the unit is as follows:

First you should prepare the main working container, which should be metal. In this case, it is a housing from a vacuum cleaner, where a hole is made in the bottom for attaching the power unit. Additionally, it is worth making a window through which the processed grass will come out.
The motor from the washing machine must be firmly mounted on the shaft, where the knives will be attached in the future. Some craftsmen make it themselves using steel sheets.
A container is attached to the top through which the grass will be supplied.
A frame formed from metal corners. It is worthwhile to carefully approach the creation of a stable and strong structure.

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To ensure that all stages are completed correctly, and that various small details are not missed, you must always have working drawings in front of you. The power of the finished device will allow you to grind large volumes of grass. In addition, it can also be used for processing hay.

From the Bulgarian

Another option involves creating a grass cutter from a grinder with your own hands. For this purpose, you will need to first prepare:

Bulgarian.
A metal container into which the material will be supplied.
Knives taken from a lawnmower.
Steel angles required for platform installation.

The process of creating such a unit is as follows:

First, the frame is welded, for which corners are used. It is important at this stage to lay down the weight of all the main elements. How well the frame is made largely determines the safety of using the shredder.
Next, the grinder is mounted to the frame so that the shaft is located on top.
Now a container is installed on top of the shaft, where the crushing itself will be carried out.
In order to hold the grass in the tank, metal frames are mounted in it.
Next, the knives are connected to the shaft.
To make it more convenient to remove the chopped mass in the future, a metal sleeve is created in the design, through which the grass will move into the collection container.

From a vacuum cleaner

In order to create such a shredder, it is recommended to take vacuum cleaners produced during the USSR period. This is due to the presence of a convenient hole in them through which the grass will be loaded. This unit is also distinguished by the presence of a second hole. Through it, the crushed mass will exit the working container into the storage tank. To construct such a unit you need:

Power plant with a power of more than 180 W.
The body of a Soviet vacuum cleaner.
Metal legs.
A container in which the crushed raw materials will accumulate.
Bolts and nuts for fasteners.

Grinding process

It is necessary to cut in advance and also sharpen the cutting elements well. It is important to make a connector in them for the sleeve, which also needs to be prepared. This element will be used for mounting knives, as well as connecting the power plant to the body of the unit. Now the motor is bolted to the base. It is recommended to install a special protective cover around it, which will prevent the grass from being scattered during the grinding process.

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Next, the platform is welded, which should look like a pyramid, having a narrow base, as well as a wider upper part. This will ensure the stability of the unit during operation. After this, it remains to make holes where the bolts used to mount the engine will be inserted.

All of the above elements are present in almost every household. Difficulties arise only with bushings.

From a drill

A very simple unit for chopping small amounts of grass. To assemble the unit you will need:

Drill with a power of 1 kW.
Metal knives.
Fastening elements (bolts and nuts).
Working capacity.

First of all, the knives are sharpened, which should be in the shape of a diamond. In this case, the sharp side should be directed downward to prevent grass from wrapping around it. After this, the drill is attached to the container in such a way as to close the inlet hole as much as possible. Then to start working you just need to connect it to the network.

Security measures

It is recommended to adhere to basic safety rules to avoid injury. So, it is required:

Keep children away from the switched on unit.
Use a mask and safety glasses to prevent damage to your face from elements flying out of the crusher.
Do not damage the cable or other elements of the electrical circuit.

Self-made creation of such a device will save the farmer significant money. In addition, you can watch a video on how to make a herb chopper with your own hands to visualize the whole process.

DIY herb grinder

Since this device has a very simple design, it will not be difficult to make it yourself, from scrap materials. There are many ways to make a shredder from household items.

Drill herb chopper

This device is suitable for cutting small amounts of grass. To make it you will need a 1 kilowatt drill, any container for waste material (bucket, bowl, etc.), knives, as well as nuts and bolts.

Poultry grass grinder

Any farmer who owns a farm needs to prepare feed for livestock by cutting the grass into small fractions. Most of these shredders have high power and are designed for large volumes of grass. The question arises: how can you chop grass for a small livestock? For this purpose, you can find and purchase a special chopper designed for small volumes, but its price will be very high. It’s easier and cheaper to make a grass cutter using the methods described in the previous sections or using other available materials.

Types of Shredders

Such units for processing grass are divided according to only 2 main criteria:

Type, as well as power of the power plant.
The blade system used.

It is worth examining each point in detail.

Chopped grass is used as animal feed

engine's type

You can assemble a grass chopper for chickens or other livestock using an electric or gasoline power plant.

Electric

Homemade grass shredders equipped with an electric motor are characterized by light weight, quiet operation, and a complete absence of emissions. However, the main disadvantage of such units is the lack of mobility, since they operate only from the network. On average, the power of such devices varies between 2-5 kW. Because of this, such models are among the cheaper options.

Benzinov

The most common factory shredders are equipped with a gasoline engine. This allows such a device to be moved to any point, despite the heavier and more massive structure.

In addition to its mass is added the capacity of the fuel tank that powers the gasoline engine. However, such power plants are more powerful than electric ones. As a result, the minimum cost of such units starts from $750, although they are much more productive. But they are often chosen by large agricultural companies where there is a large amount of work.

An additional criterion is the power of power plants. The main indicator of this type is the confirmed engine power. On average it is 4-7 hp. In addition, more advanced models have a reverse function.

Using reverse motion allows you to free the working container if it is blocked by too much grass or branches.

Types of cutting parts

When you need to assemble a grass crusher with your own hands, the cutting part is considered an important element in its design. The following types are used:

Equipped with 2 or more knives at the same time. The simplest models are those that have 2 cutting blades located in a horizontal plane. Units of this type are used to chop grass or small branches with a diameter not exceeding 2.5 cm. Models are more complex, have 4 or 6 knives located in both planes and are capable of chopping larger branches.
Having a worm crusher. In such units, the cutting element has the shape of a screw, similar to that used in a meat grinder. However, it is installed vertically and the number of screws in it is slightly smaller. Such models work very quickly and allow you to chop grass, as well as branches whose diameter does not exceed 4 cm.
A cylindrical unit equipped with many knives. Such models are also called “multi-blade cutters”. Today it is used only by Bosch. This shredder is a universal unit that can process almost any type of grass, as well as small branches. The disadvantage may be that vines get wrapped around it when the knives become dull.
Cutting shaft. Its efficiency for chopping grass is extremely low, so it is mainly used for processing branches whose size is less than 8 cm.

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The choice of a suitable cutting unit option is determined by the tasks for which the device is purchased or assembled. It is important to understand all the positive and negative aspects that each type of knife has.

Operation of the grass chopper

Safety precautions when working with a chopper and during its manufacture

Since the design of the garden shredder includes piercing and cutting elements driven by a powerful engine, in order to avoid injuries you should follow the safety rules when working with it:

Before starting work, it is necessary to protect your face, eyes and head from wood chips, which can fly in different directions during the grinding process. This point is especially relevant when processing large branches. To do this, it is recommended to wear special safety glasses, a hat and a mask. You also need to select protective gloves that are sized so that they do not fall off your hands while loading raw materials.
The garden shredder must be installed on a flat surface to avoid it being thrown over during the working process. It is strictly forbidden to operate electric grass cutters in rainy or windy weather.
You can push and straighten the branches located in the funnel of the device only with a special pusher, but not with your hands.
Breaking branches should be of the recommended thickness, which will help avoid equipment breakdown.
Before loading the grass into the grinder, it is recommended to first sort it out, removing foreign objects from it (stones, metal, glass, plastic, etc.).
It is recommended to use only fresh branches for crushing. To avoid short circuits, do not use units with a damaged wire or socket, or allow moisture to come into contact with the cable. When refueling a petrol shredder, do not use an open fire near it, or smoke.
Before cleaning the device, you must wait until all units have completely stopped and disconnect the chopper from the power supply.

A garden shredder is an indispensable and useful thing for gardeners and farmers, which can be easily purchased at markets or made with your own hands. The main thing is to follow safety precautions and properly maintain the unit.

Sources:

https://naogorode.net/izmelchitel-travy-svoimi-rukami/ https://sotka.guru/dachnye-prisposobleniya/izmelchiteli/samodelnyy-izmelchitel-travy-iz-stiralnoy-mashiny.html https://7ogorod.ru /prochee/izmelcitel-travy.html

Main components of a garden shredder

To assemble a grass and branch shredder (shredder) yourself at home, you need to first understand the structure of the mechanism, parts ( see here ), as well as the principle of its operation. This will help you assemble the equipment correctly and, if necessary, make changes to its design.

A homemade unit, designed for grinding mown grass and sawn branches up to several centimeters thick, has the following main structural components:

• engine;

• knives installed on the working shaft;

• frame (usually metal);

• protective casing;

• a box designed to receive cut vegetation;

• starting system.

The equipment itself can be made stationary or mobile. To create the latter option, you will additionally need wheels, as well as a handle. To make the frame, use metal corners or ready-made frames from workbenches. Boxes for processed vegetation are made from plastic buckets, tin, and bags. The protective casing around the knives should be thick and durable enough so as not to quickly wear out from the impact of grinding vegetation.

When processing plant debris, crushed pieces may fly out of the opening through which it is fed. Therefore, the neck is covered with a lid or simply with a cloth, for example, a bag.

The operation of the chopper is that rotation from the motor shaft is transmitted directly to the knives or through a chain/belt drive. The vegetation chopped by the blades enters the box. In this case, the final product is immediately ready for use.

According to the principle of operation, some homemade shredders are comparable to a meat grinder (they draw in and then grind organic matter), while others are comparable to a coffee grinder.

Varieties of engines for assembling homemade products

Electric and gasoline engines removed from unused equipment are used as a drive for homemade products. Each of these two options has its own advantages and disadvantages. Models with an internal combustion engine are more convenient in that their operation does not require a nearby power supply. But in general, they are more expensive and have a more complex design than their counterparts equipped with an electric motor. Therefore, it is easier to make electrical equipment, and also more compact.

The maximum thickness of cut branches that a branch chipper can grind depends on the power of the electric motor installed on it and the characteristics of the knives.

• Models with a motor up to 1.5 kW are capable of grinding sticks up to 20 mm in diameter. They are designed for low intensity work.

• If an electric motor of 3 to 4 kW is installed, then such units can chop branches up to 40 mm thick.

• More powerful electric motors (over 4 kW) are used to make a shredder for wood with a diameter of 7-15 cm.

The drive of the last category is equipped with equipment if it is necessary to constantly perform large volumes of work associated with the processing of waste of various thicknesses.

To create a homemade shredder, you can use electric motors from an angle grinder, washing machine, or trimmer. They must be adapted to work from a stationary network with a voltage of 220 V. In order to grind material as thick as possible at home, it is recommended to equip the shredder with an electric motor of 1500 rpm with a power of about 3.5 kW. This parameter for internal combustion engines corresponds to 5-6 horsepower.

Motor from an old washing machine