How Much To Hire A Garden Shredder?
Garden shredders are very useful tools for the mid-size gardener and above. If possible we would recommend you buy your own, as some shredders cost as much to buy as they will to hire them. But if you don’t have the storage space or are not sure if a shredder is for you, then hiring one makes sense.
Regional Price Variations
The cost of hiring a garden shredder varies from area to area. There are national tool hire centres that tend to have standardized prices, but localised centres and small shops tend to be less expensive than the national companies. For instance a national tool hire company offers a petrol-powered shredder for £109.19 per day or £181.99 per week. Whereas a local company offers a petrol-powered shredder for £59.26 per day.
| Price Per Day | Price Per Week |
|---|---|
| £61.67 Per Day (Local Business) | £102.22 Per Week (Local Business) |
| £109.19 Per Day (National Company) | £181.99 Per Week (National Company) |
As you can see there is a significant variation in price. In some cases ,they do offer a reduction for weekly hire. If you find a hire company that looks like it might suit you it’s worth asking if they have any offers going, or if they can recommend a way to save you money.
What Are The Advantages Of Hiring A Garden Shredder
If you have never used a garden shredder before and don’t know the first thing about them, then hiring one to get the feel of it makes perfect sense. Let’s take a look at the advantages of hiring a garden shredder.
- No Need To Worry About Storage Space
Once you buy a garden shredder, you have to find somewhere to store it long-term. With a hired model, once you’re done with it, they’ll take it away. - Cheaper Than Buying
Sometimes only slightly, but if you don’t need a shredder for more than one day per year, there seems little point tying up your hard earned cash for a tool that’s just going to get in the way 364 days of the year. - No Maintenance Costs
The shredder should arrive from the hire centre, full of fuel, fully cleaned, with sharpened blades, and ready to go. No need to check the fuel hasn’t gone bad, dip the oil, or any other tasks that might be necessary with your own model. - Probably More Powerful Than If You Bought One
The average garden in the UK probably doesn’t justify a high-powered petrol shredder, but that’s usually exactly what you get from a hire company. This will give you a higher throughput and help to get the job finished quickly. - Home Delivery
The hire company usually delivers the shredder to your home and collects it again when you are finished with it. - Petrol-Powered For Use In Any Weather
It might not be 100% safe to use an electric-powered shredder if it’s raining. Most hire companies cater for industrial clients so tend to have petrol-powered shredders, rain won’t affect them at all.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Hiring A Garden Shredder?
There are always a few reasons why hiring is a bad idea, these are the main ones.
- Not Always Available At Short Notice
If you own your own shredder, you can decide to use it , get it out of storage, and start. Not so with a hired machine, You might want to get stuck in that morning, only to find that the hire company has none available. - Limited Choice
Many hire companies only have 2 or 3 shredders, so you’ll not be spoilt for choice. - Probably Not Been Cared For
If you’ve ever driven a hire car, you’ll know how an engine can feel when it’s been neglected. Garden shredders are exactly the same. You could be put off for life when it was just that particular machine at fault. - Often Have Blunt Blades
The blades are the business end of a shredder, if it was your own, you’d be more inclined to not put anything through it that would likely blunt or damage the blades, sadly with a hired shredder, you have no idea of what punishment it has had. There’s the possibility of wood sap having dried onto the blades rendering them almost useless.
Some Useful Tips Before You Start Shredding
- Protect Yourself
Shredders are noisy and dangerous. Always wear ear protectors, goggles, gloves, and keep your arms and legs protected. - Place A Large Container Below The shredder
Some models have a collection bin, but if yours doesn’t place a large container or garden bag beneath it to save having to rake all the chippings up later. - Never Stick Your Hands In The Hopper
Use the paddle that’s supplied to prod any wood through, or use a large stick. Under no circumstances should you ever put your hands into the machine. - Check Regularly For Any Blockages
At regular intervals, look underneath to be sure the wood is flowing, and the blades are not getting blocked. - Alternate Greenwood With Harder Woods
To Help Prevent Any clogging up, or blockages,alternate between greenwoods and hard woods. - If It Does Cut Out Switch To Reverse
If the shredder does stop running, try switching to reverse gear and starting again, this is usually all it takes to free any blockage in the blades. - Read The Handbook
We are notorious for running before we can walk, in almost every situation, this is one of those situations where we need to take care. Read the manual (if the hire company didn’t bring one insist they get it to you. Or check that particular model online). Be sure to familiarise yourself with the machine before you start. - Check That The Hire Company Has Insurance
You don’t want any nasty surprises at a later date where they try to blame you for a newly developed fault in their machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can hire a garden shredder, shop around some hire companies have better deals than others.
It is worth buying a garden shredder if you have lots of shrubs and bushes that need regular pruning. The money you save on mulch and compost will offset the purchase price.
You can shred conifers, but remember to clean the blades when you finish. As the sap from conifers is very sticky.
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