The Troy-Bilt CS4265 gas chipper-shredder is a reasonably priced machine that will recycle yard waste into useful mulch and compost. It uses more blades and knives than many other more expensive units. Its combination of price and performance make it a Consumer Guide Best Buy.

A 6.5-hp Briggs and Stratton Power Built OHV engine runs the Troy-Bilt CS4265 wood chipper-shredder. The CS4265 uses two hardened-chromium steel blades to chip branches and a 12-inch hardened-steel blade and 12 replaceable steel flail knives to shred leaves and twigs. It also has one cast-steel, four-blade shredding screen. The impeller moves at 3600 rpm. The stated chipper capacity is 2 inches.

The Troy-Bilt CS4265 comes pre-assembled. You simply have to pour in the oil that is packed in the carton. We found this chipper-shredder consistently easy to start. And it performed as advertised. By simply feeding leaves and twigs into the hopper and branches up to 2 inches into the chute, we reduced our volume of waste considerably. We then used the reduced waste to mulch around our plants and flowers or to add to our compost. We did use ear protection because the unit was rather loud.

This chipper-shredder package includes a 5-bushel collection bag and a tow hitch so you can easily move the unit around your property with a proper tow vehicle, such as a riding lawn mower. The Troy-Bilt CS4265 rides on two 10x2.5-inch real wheels. Troy-Bilt says the chipper will reduce waste at a 10:1 ratio. We achieved pretty much close to that in our tests.

If you want to recycle yard waste up to 2 inches in diameter and use it as mulch around your yard (or haul it to your local yard waste recycler), the Consumer Guide Best Buy Troy-Bilt CS4265 gas chipper-shredder will do the job at less cost than most comparable chipper-shredders.


Pros: Lower cost, starts easily
Cons: Limited to 2-inch diameter branches, noisy

Warranty
2 years, limited