Snapper SG 5000 - Page 9

SHREDDING TIPS (TECHNIQUE):
You will need to run your shredder-chipper-grinder several times to learn how different types of material
shred and how fast K will handle each.
(1) Generally you can use your basic shredder-chipper-grInder with the 1" screen for most materials, either
green or dry. For wet soggy materials you may be better without any screen.
(2) When grinding green or damp material such as cornstalks, potato vines, tomato vines, green or fresh pulled
plants, use the optional bar screen or use no screen at all. Direct the shredder to discharge into a compost
pile or against a wall, large board or other obstruction. Feed cornstalks by hand, slowly, several at a time
until the last 18" remain in your hand - then let go. This will give you a coarsely shredded product several
inches long. With a garden spade or pitchfork refeed ttiis material into the shredder until it reaches the
consistency you want. A cornstalk that has been processed this way, just one time, wili organically break
down within a day or two in your compost heap. For green materials such as tomato or potato vines, you
may first have to snap off extending side shoots. Place vine in the hopper and prod further with a rugged
stick (never your hands).
(3) For grinding dry leaves, use the 1" perforated screen and dump leaves into the top feed hopper by the
basket, bag, or pitchfork. If bridging occurs, use a stick or stir leaves into the shredding chamber. Freshly
fallen leaves should be processed through a bar screen or no screen. Soggy partly decomposed leaves
process very well. Again, remove the screen. Dump in pitchfork loads and prod through with a stick.
(4) For green hedge prunings, small diameter wood prunings (with leaves), rose or flower trimmings, process
with the bar screen installed. Feed bunches at a time through the top feed hopper. Experience will tell
you how much your machine can handle at one time.
(5) To process branches, dry or green, use the side chipping chute. The screen may be left installed, but it
serves no practical purpose when chipping. It is best to clip off side twigs or limbs from the main branch.
Feed one at a time if they are 1" or more in diameter. Green branches process more quickly and easier
than dry branches and, of course, soft wood easier than hard wood. Push the branch in at an angle to the
chute. Never allow your hands to enter the chute. As the branch being chipped gets shorter, finish
chipping the stub by shoving in with the next branch to be chipped.
Only your operator experience will tell you which screen to use, how fast to feed and how to process
difficult materials. There is such a magnitude of possible materials that we cannot discuss each individually. Some
naturally are easier to work with than others, but most all common organic products available to a gardener can
be processed by using your shredder-chipper-grinder and common sense.
TROUBLE SHOOTING - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
(1) My machine stalls as soon as I put anything in it.
This could be a problem of a slow engine or loose belt. When you say it stalls, do you mean the engine
or the rotor or both? If the rotor stops but the engine keeps running, you may have a loose belt, slipping
clutch or some of each. If the engine stalls, it can be a carburetor problem or it is running too slow. These
engines should run at top speed (factory set by Briggs & Stratton). The rotor pulley should be driving at
2100 rpm with a plus or minus tolerance of 200 rpm.
(2) My machine vibrates too much.
First, you should never run your shredder-chipper-grinder on a concrete or blacktop surface. Always have
it resting on sod or soft earth. Vibrations can come from poor engine ignition or unbalanced rotor. Visually
check the rotor to be certain all hammers are still intact and wearing evenly. Remove the drive belt and
start the engine. If vibration is unchanged, then you have an engine problem. Discuss this with an
authorized Briggs & Stratton dealer or repair shop.
(3) My shredder-chipper-grinder worked fine iast year but now I cant chop anything.
This is probably due to excessive wear on the hammers. If you have processed sand, soil or phosphate
rock, your hammer tips will round off and wear away. Paragraph 4 on page 6 discusses replacement or
reversing the hammers.
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