Product Manual

Section 4: OPERATION
DANGER: Rotating cutting blades. Keep hands and feet out of
inlet and discharge opening while machine is running. This
machine can CRUSH, GRIND, CUT, and SEVER parts of your body
if they enter the inlet or discharge area of your shredder-chipper.
Whenever you operate your shredder-chipper, wearing gloves and safety glasses is required. If necessary to push
material into shredding chamber, use a wood stick, never hands or steel implements. At the end of this section we offer
additional cautions. Read and observe them.
As the engine ignition begins, the engine operates under no load until approximately 600 rpm, at which speed the
centrifugal clutch engages and begins driving the rotor. Proper rotor speed is in the 2300 rpm range with a plus or minus
tolerance of 200 rpm. At this speed you have four rows of hammers literally cutting or beating material until it is small
enough to pass through the 1” screen. The 1” screen retains the material within the grinding chamber long enough for the
free-swinging hammers to do their job. The number of cuts by the hammers varies with each organic material’s retention
time within the chamber and the size of the opening in the screen.
When viewed from the pulley side, the rotor runs counterclockwise. This action tends to pull materials into the shredding
chamber. Short stalks (bean plants), cobs, sod and similar materials should be fed into the hopper by a garden spade or
pitchfork. Long stalks like corn or trimmings can be best fed by hand slowly to avoid having the rotor pull in the complete
stalk, wrap it and stall. When feeding stalks or trimmings by hand, be certain to keep your hands away from the rotor and
hammers. Remember, a technique and understanding is required to successfully shred or grind the great variety of
materials which may be available to you for compost.
Branches are fed into the side chipper chute for chipping. One at a time if they are larger than 1”, several together if
smaller in diameter. Since the throat opening is 3” some side shoots or side branches may have to be trimmed from the
main stalk before chipping. Short stubs of branches may be pushed through the chipper section with the next branch.
Never assume you know where the blade is, and try to push short branches in by hand. You don’t know where it is. Be
safe, keep your hands away from the chipping blade.
How to Keep Safety First
1. When feeding material into this equipment be careful that pieces of metal, glass, rocks, cans or other
nonorganic or foreign objects are not included.
2. Do not allow an accumulation of processed material to build up under the discharge of the shredder-
chipper as this can prevent following shredded material to discharge and will result in clogging. Use a
long handled stick or spade to remove processed material build-up. DO NOT USE YOUR HAND OR
FOOT. Always shut the unit off before clearing build-up.
3. Never allow your hands or any part of your body or clothing inside the feed hopper or discharge area of
the shredder-chipper.
4. Keep all protective guards on the machine in place and in good working condition.
5. Always stand clear of the discharge area when the shredder is running.
6. Keep your face and body away from the feed hopper to avoid being struck by any material that may
bounce back. Do not overreach, keep proper balance and footing.
7. Do not transport the shredder while the engine is running.
8. Do not refuel the engine while it is hot, warm, or running.
9. Do not cover the machine while the muffler is still hot.
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