JCB GSB VGC spells shredder! (JCB-GSB 1800 Garden Shredder)

Member Name: firemanspam

Product:	JCB-GSB 1800 Garden Shredder
Date:	01/03/09 (289 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free Mulch.

Disadvantages: Expensive if not used very often.

JCB, the initials for Mr Joseph Cyril Bamford, famous for founding the company that made the excavator range. Now this Company makes smaller bits of kit, including these shredders. The firm was established in 1945, just after the war. The Company are world famous for manufacturing heavy earth-moving equipment, and among their more recent successes, is this humble garden shredder.

This company has established itself all over the world, and are a state of the art, high profile firm, who keep up with the times. Their range of spares readily available at all times, is around 80%, this is pretty good, and is based on the old Scholl belief that most of their equipment, just can not break down.

This shredder, the GSB 1800, is very similar to the Black and Decker version, which is also called the GS (without the "B") 1800. Being electric powered, you will of course use a circuit breaker! The 240v electric motor is rated at 1800 watts, hence the model number, The colour, is of course the famous Caterpillar Yellow, whereas the Black & Decker one is green. The wheels are very useful, although it can be carried easily.

All these machines are noisy, including the ones that are called silent. This one is too, but it's no worse than any other make. As for the actual shedding side of things, it will take stems about the size of your thumb, although officially it accepts up to 32mm, anything like this size though, and it will jam, and not last very long at all.

I borrow one of these several times a year, and find this model is just right, it doesn't take up too much room, it makes short work of small branches & twigs, and it collects the "Shreds" in a sack (Is "Shreds" a word?). You can then use this as a mulch, or put it into a compost bin. The machine is light in weight, easy to use, and has double sided hardened steel blades, which take out to sharpen them.

One small snag I have found, is that the mains lead on this, is only about ten feet long, a little more length would be better. The machines can be found at all the DIY superstores, and cost around £120, but you will see them cheaper on the Intermaweb, just bear in mind any cost of Post & Packing.

Please think about wearing goggles when using, as a splinter in the eye isn't funny, plus I hope I don't need to tell you about shoving your hand down into the machine.
The shredder comes with a decent owners manual, giving all relevant instructions & information.

Contact details are :-
J C Bamford Excavators Ltd.
Registered Office - Rocester Staffordshire England
ST14 5JP
See their Website here :- http://www.jcb.co.uk/
JCB Information Centre - Tel. Freephone 0800 581 761

I can recommend these wonderful machines to all.

Summary: A handy piece of kit.