Bosch Garden Shredders
Tested and reviewed by Fred-in-The Shed
Updated 1st May 2019
GARDEN SHREDDERS TESTED OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS
On This Page
Types of Bosch Shredder Explained
Cheaper Rapid Model in More Detail
Heavy Duty AXT25D and AXT25TC Models
Differences in Output from Bosch Models
Tips for Better Shredding Performance
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Bosch AXT25TC versus Viking GE250 Over the last 17 years of Fredshed I have tested dozens of garden shredders. For everyday domestic use I prefer Bosch shredders and am confident about recommending them to my readers. The reason I prefer Bosch shredders is that they are reliable and supply all spare parts for at least 10 years and often more. They also come with a GENUINE 2 year warranty (extendable free to 3 years via Bosch UK website) You can call Bosch for advice and if needed have your shredder collected for repair or service. WHY BUY A GARDEN SHREDDER?
This skip costs £250 to hire and can only be used once. A shredder will last for years and provide tonnes of free mulch too.
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Which Bosch shredder is best for you ?
Bosch have sold shredders in the UK for around 30 years and produced many models. The range has been reduced to 3 models now that all work in different ways. The simple rapid type (AXT2200) is best for softer material and smaller jobs. The two quiet models (25D & 25TC) self feed and crush woody material better. The 25D just crushes and is based on the older models for woody branches only. The new 25TC model crushes and cuts both woody AND green material, it is also quiet. More Details Below
The 3 Bosch models currently in production 1. Cheapest - Basic Model - Bosch AXT 2200 Rapid (Impact) shredder
Bosch AXT Rapid 2200 Blade Shredder (40 mm Cutting Capacity)
The AXT rapid shredders were introduced in 2004 and since then
have been copied by numerous brands but using inferior parts.
Only the Bosch model uses a reversible, double edged laser cut blade, like a mower blade. Cheaper Chinese shredders may look the same on the outside but use a smaller weaker blade.
A simple razor blade type shredder blade as found on cheap, Bosch lookalike shredders These blades literally take a lot of stick and go blunt very quickly. Some manufacturers have increased motor power without upgrading the blades, so they fail even quicker! On top of this most large DIY stores will not sell blades, or know where to get them. This is one reason why I like Bosch shredders - blades and parts are easily available and for years after the product is discontinued.
How to replace a blade on a Bosch rapid shredder
Open the top and the Allen key required is sitting there in its little slot. Use a screwdriver to lock the blade disc and undo the blade with the Allen key. Avoid soil in your shredder to prolong blade life. Also wire, stones and knotty wood! The AXT2200 rapid is the most popular and cheapest Bosch shredder. For use in smaller gardens and mixed material. It works like a big food processor so I recommend having a spare blade as it will blunt at some stage.
Bosch Replacement Blade for AXT Rapid 2000/2200
Bosch Collection Bag/Cover for all Shredders Bosch AXT Rapid 2200 Blade Shredder (40 mm Cutting Capacity)
2 & 3. Heavier duty, silent self feeding models - AXT 25D and AXT 25TC
The AXT 25D & AXT25TC look the same and have many common
parts but the 25D uses the old school cog mechanism.
This limits the material you can shred to
branches only. Despite their size both can be easily moved on their 2 rear
wheels and the top can come off to be stored in the collecting box to save
space in your shed.
The AXT25TC is the newest model and uses a turbine to cut
AND crush.
This is unique to Bosch and has not been copied yet because it is
patented and also very hard to engineer.
This turbine cutting mechanism shreds hard and soft material.
It crushes AND cuts. This makes it suitable for a wider range of material from
hedge trimmings up to 40mm diameter branches. Therefore if you can afford it I recommend that you buy the more
versatile AXT25TC and not the old AXT25D. If you want a robust crushing shredder just for woody material and cant afford the Bosch models then the Chinese made Cobra
QS2500 cog crushing shredder is the best of the copies I know of.
Buy budget price crushing cog shredder similar to the Bosch AXT25D
AXT25D cog and plate mechanism- Ok for wood but not as
good as the new turbine on the AXT25TC Top Tips For Buying a Bosch Shredder Bosch shredders come with a 2
year warranty, extendable to 3, and excellent service backup. I anticipate turbines will last 4-5 years, no problems
reported so far. Reports of circuit board failure causing TC models to
stick in reverse - problem limited to one small batch 25D & 25TC models have built in collecting
bins that some users don't like (Place a bit of carpet under your shredder to stop the
bin shaking loose) Garden shredders are primarily designed for WOODY plant material Please don't mail me to ask about
shredding food waste, apples, nappies, cardboard or straw ALL domestic shredders have a small top opening
due to EU safety law Here is a choice of links to get the best deals.
Bosch AXT Rapid 2200 Blade Shredder
Bosch AXT 25 TC Quiet Shredder
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What comes out of your Bosch Shredder?
Finer Chippings from Bosch AXT 2200 Rapid If you want smaller chippings or you want to shred
softer green material the RAPID shredders are for you. My top tip is to shred material shortly after pruning and try not to stuff too much
in at once. Impact shredders will give stringy "shreddings" if you put too many
twigs down together, or the blades get blunt. If you want fine, even shreddings, then single long stems are the best provider of this. If you have a small garden or want a lightweight shredder the rapid version is best.
Chippings from Bosch AXT 25D Cog crushing model These are the "chunkings" from a Buddleia that went
through my test model AXT25D shredder. The old spiral cutting AXT1600HP
and AXT2000HP produced similar large size chunkings. You will notice that the
pieces are quite large and some soft green leaves got through relatively unscathed. If you shred woody material these large "chunkings" make excellent
weed suppressing mulch that will take ages to rot down. If you want
small chippings to compost quickly then best get another type of shredder.
My personal opinion is that it is more environmentally
friendly to let soft material rot naturally in a well made compost
heap - if you have the space. Just shred the woody stuff and keep
anything over 40mm thick for firewood. If you are really determined to
shred soft material then one way is to mix it in with previously
shredded material which will also make the output finer and
better for composting rather than mulching.
Chippings from Bosch AXT 25TC turbine cut models
These are the mixed size shreddings of various plants that
went through my test model AXT25 TC shredder. I have placed a 50p piece in the middle so you
have an idea of scale. The size of material produced will vary with
what you put in but the main difference is that green material will
be more cut up and smaller than if it had been through one of the D
models.
Beckham and Ronaldo get shredding lessons from Fred at the Chelsea Flower Show |
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Shredding Leaves in a Garden Shredder (JUST DON'T DO IT) Unless they are on branches- not if loose on the ground!
Many people ask which shredder is best for shredding fallen leaves and the
answer is a big one with a large hopper.
However, shovelling in piles of leaves is one of the best ways to kill any
shredder as so often stones and other debris sneak in and damage the blades
or worse.
Also the type of shredders that can cope with leaves are usually petrol
driven, heavy and expensive. To have a wide opening and meet safety
regulations means the distance from top to blade must be longer than the
longest arm, hence these machine are massive and the top is often out of shovel
reach anyway.
I personally think that shredding leaves is a waste of time and a better way
of managing them is to let them rot down in a dedicated heap, container , or in bio-degradable
Jute leaf sacks. Fallen leaves are one of natures best
composts and provide the fertility for the forest floor and trees.
One way to break down leaves is to put them in a plastic dustbin and strim
them with a heavy duty grass trimmer. or run your mower over them, especially if you have a Bosch
mower with one of the special leaf breaking blades - see link below.
Bosch F016800367 Sharpened Blade for Rotak 40 Lawnmower
Leaves will take a couple of years to rot properly, but then can be spread out
to form a fantastic, fertile, weed suppressing carpet.
Well rotted leaf mulch smells nice and is clean to handle and the
Jute leaf sacks
look natural and rot down too.
How to Speed up Composting of shredded material
If you want to speed up the rate your shredded material composts then I
recommend a handful of a compost accelerator like Vitax every now and again.
Add some water at the same time as compost will not break down if it is too
dry. Cover the heap or container to keep the heat and moisture in.
Arguably peeing on your compost heap will achieve the same effect but I
think it is a bit smelly and not as convenient, especially for the ladies. |
Would you like my personal tip for the best shredder for your garden ? e-mail me at fred@fredshed.com I always reply! (UK only please)
If you found my advice helpful and would like to support my work, please return to this page and use my links when purchasing your tools. Also any other products bought from Amazon at the same time will produce a small commission that helps cover my hosting costs.
Or - if you prefer you can make a small donation using the PayPal button below thanks, Fred
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