Farm1 wrote:
I want to buy a garden mulcher. I have in mind a big powerful brute
of a thing that I can use without calling for male muscle power to
start it by pulling the start cord or needing help from Him in the
His Shed to help move around the garden.

That means it must operate by electricity (and I do have hugely long
power cords and external power points) and it must have wheels and be
tiltable and moveable a bit like a wheelbarrow.

I want to shred general garden crud for composting or putting in the
chook run for them to turn and poop on and I also need to shred
branches up to perhaps 3 inches across. Of course I have no idea
whatsoever of what size motor I need or any of the techie type stuff
I should know or think about before buying.

Him in His Shed will not be helpful in providing any answers as it's
not one of the things HE would want to buy. I won't be using his
money so need some neutral male (or techie female) input.

Any comments on the following ones I'm looking at?:
http://tinyurl.com/nx8laqw
http://tinyurl.com/lh9qzef
http://tinyurl.com/lth73ay

And if none of these appeal, what should I be asking/thinking about
please?

I doubt very much that an electric motor mulcher will do what you want, they
just don't have the grunt, the biggest are about 3hp from memory. I have
tried them and they jam on anything much thicker than your finger.

The first and third you list are 200cc, 7hp petrol engine with electric
start, the second is 480cc 20hp electric start. Electric start means you
don't have to pull the cord like a small mower just hit the button like a
ride-on. On the face of it the more power the better. They weigh in at 70
to 110kg so you won't be lifting them and dragging them about by hand would
be a pretty heavy wheelbarrow. It looks like they have a hitch that might
go on a ride-on mower or maybe a tractor which would be very handy
especially on a hill. The TANSTAAFL law applies, if you want strength and
power it isn't going to be light. In any case some weight will be good to
stop it jumping about if you stuff a big branch in it.

My inclination is to go for the big one (the second) as it has plenty of
power and a good set of accessories and spares come in the box but first try
to find somebody local who has one and see what they think. If the vendor
is proud of his product he may supply a list of purchasers. Also talk to
your local chainsaw/mower bloke about the brand, whether he can get parts
and maintain it etc.

D