DR PRO XL520 - Page 16

16 DR
®
PRO XL520 CHIPPER SHREDDER
Using the Shredder Hopper
The Shredder Hopper is located on the top of the DR PRO XL520 CHIPPER-SHREDDER and is the opening into which all
materials to be shredded should be fed. You can shred most organic materials. A flexible Blowback Shield is attached to the
Hopper. You must push material past this flap using a wooden stick in order to enter the main Shredding Chamber where
revolving steel Hammers do the shredding.
Due to the wide variety of materials that you can shred, and their very different physical characteristics, only feed limited quantities
of any material into the Shredder Hopper at first. Increase the amount and length of material if you find that the material is
processing without any difficulty. Your judgment and operator experience is very important. Be sure not to overload the machine
by feeding too much material into the Hopper at one time. If you hear the speed of the Engine decreasing, stop feeding material
into the machine at once. Do not resume feeding the machine until the Engine has returned to full speed.
• The maximum diameter of material that you can shred is 1-1/2" (including knots). Feed any larger material through the
Chipper Hopper. Material larger than 1-1/2" can cause serious damage to any of the internal parts of the Shredding
Chamber. Inspect the DR PRO XL520 CHIPPER-SHREDDER after every use for bent Hammers, missing Spacers, clogging,
or damage to the Screen or any other obvious problems. If damage occurs, the Rotor Assembly can become unbalanced
causing excessive vibration. If used in this condition, damage can occur. Do not use the machine if vibration is present.
Vibration is generally a warning sign of trouble.
• You can feed several small branches into the Shredder Hopper at once providing their combined diameter is less than 1-
1/2". Cut branches so they are shorter than three feet to make them more manageable.
• Allow green or wet materials to dry, or process in small batches with dry materials to avoid clogging or winding around the
Rotor Assembly
• Wet materials will clog the machine easily.
• If clogging with wet material continues to occur, stop the Engine and remove the Screen to process material without it.
Although processing in this way will reduce the amount of reduction, it will reduce clogging.
MATERIALS BEST SUITED FOR SHREDDING
Leaves
Flowers
Corn Stalks
Roots
Soil
Palm frond tops
Grass clippings
Garden debris
Potato vines
Straw and Hay
Hedge clippings
Tomato vines
Manure
Kitchen Waste
Small branches
Paper
The Blowback Shield is an important feature; it prevents kickback of materials! Do not use your machine unless the Blowback
Shield is securely fastened in place.
The Hammers within the Shredding Chamber can tug suddenly at material fed into the Shredder Hopper. Do not hold on tightly
to branches and vines, and do not feed material straight down into the Hopper with your arm pointing downward toward the
opening. Instead, keep your arms parallel to the ground and several inches above the top edge of the Hopper.