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Rusty Lee and David E. Baker
University of Minnesota Extension Service
Leaves and other vegetation make up a large portion of landfill
trash. In recent years, however, legislation has been passed
banning leaves, grass clippings and other forms of yard waste
from landfills. As of Jan. 1, 1992, Missouri landfills no
longer are allowed to accept yard waste. Many municipalities
also have enacted restrictions on dumping yard wastes in landfills
in an effort to increase their useful life. Adding to disposal
difficulties is the ban on burning imposed in some areas.
Composting
is one viable alternative for leaves and grass clippings,
but it does not work well for brush and small limbs. This
problem can be solved by using a chipper-shredder (see Figure
1), which provides an alternative and offers beneficial side
effects as well. For further information on composting, see
MU publication G06956, Making and Using Compost.
Chipper-shredders
reduce brush and small limbs to a size that is easier to handle
and which is suitable for composting or for soil covers, which
reduce moisture loss and weed growth and add beauty to a landscaped
lawn. Shredding leaves and grass clippings also will reduce
the time it takes for composted materials to decay.
Chipper-shredders
are available in sizes ranging from light-use, electrically
powered models to PTO-powered models. Portable units with
gasoline engines may be adjusted from shredding leaves to
chipping limbs of up to 3 inches in diameter. The speed of
processing varies from one brand to the next. The gas-powered
versions work better for chipping limbs but have little advantage
over electric ones when shredding leaves. All units work best
when the materials are dry.
Converting
unwanted yard wastes into valuable resources is rewarding and
can be done safely when a few precautions are followed.
A chute
on the side of the unit cuts straight or closely trimmed limbs
into flakes 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide by 1/16 inch thick. Leaves
to be shredded are stuffed through a top-feed hopper. Leaves
can be reduced to one-fourth or one-ninth of their original
volume in the process.
When
limbs are fed into the chute, pay particular attention to
the pulling force the chipper exerts on the limb. Heavy work
gloves help prevent cuts if a limb is pulled from your grasp.
Gloves also help reduce the effects of limb vibration as limbs
are fed into the chute.
During
leaf shredding, always use the tamper on the unit. This device
pushes leaves into the shredding chamber and stops short of
shredding itself. Never reach into the hopper of a chipper-shredder
that is running.
Eye
protection, such as safety goggles, should be worn whenever
the chipper-shredder is in operation to protect your eyes
from flying chips and "blow-back" from the hopper. Those who
use chipper-shredders also should watch for rocks or other
objects that could damage the machinery or cause injury. An
object propelled at 6 miles an hour is traveling fast enough
to dislodge an eye. Always keep bystanders away during operation.
Hearing
protection usually is required as well. Noise levels vary
depending upon the model and whether it is electric- or gas-powered.
Care
and respect must be given to gasoline before, during and after
refueling a gasoline engine. Gasoline should be stored in
an approved fuel storage can and kept in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from open flames. Stop the engine and allow it to
cool before refueling. Refuel well away from burning brush
piles and preferably downhill from any flames. Do not smoke
during refueling. Return the fuel can to storage immediately
after refueling.
When
using an electrically powered appliance outdoors, power should
come from an outlet equipped with a ground fault interrupter
(GFI). The GFI is designed to immediately stop the electrical
current when it senses a short in the system, such as the
operator receiving a shock. Make sure all extension cords
are the three-prong grounded type that maintains an extra
ground in the event of appliance wiring failure.
An additional
selection criteria for cords is sizing for the current demand
of the appliance. Remember also that the longer a cord is,
the larger the diameter needed to handle the current load.
Selecting a cord that is too small will cause premature failure
of the appliance and the cord.
As with
the operation of any machinery, all guards and shields must
be maintained and replaced if damaged. Always wear close-fitting
clothing when operating a chipper-shredder. Baggy or loose-fitting
clothing can become entangled in the moving parts and cause
serious personal injury.
Chipper-shredders
should have a certification symbol of safety compliance from
the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI). When selecting a chipper-shredder,
check to see that it comes with this certification. Always
read the owner's manual. It should be read and understood
from cover to cover before attempting use. If you still have
questions after reading it, contact the dealer from whom you
purchased your unit.
For
further information, see also MU publications AS248, Noise
- The Invisible Hazard, and AS246, Chain Saw Safety.
When
operating chipper-shredders, take the following precautions:
- Wear
eye protection
- Wear
work gloves
- Wear
hearing protection
- Do
not wear baggy or loose clothing
- Keep
bystanders away
- Avoid
lengthy electrical cords
- Never
refuel a hot or running engine
- Make
sure the chipper-shredder is firmly set on level ground
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
document is
G1933
,
a series of the University Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia.
If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with
Disabilities Act and need this publication in an alternative
format, write ADA Officer, Extension and Agricultural Information,
1-98 Agriculture Building, Columbia, MO 65211, or call (314)
882-8237. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your
special needs. Publication date: July 1993.
Rusty
Lee and David E. Baker. Department of Agricultural Engineering,
University Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia, MO
65211.
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