The Troy-Bilt CSV206 is actually a 3-in-1 chipper-shredder-vacuum that vacuums up lawn debris and shreds it and also chips branches fed into its chute. It can eliminate the need to rake a lawn and also reduce the volume of the resulting waste material.

The self-propelled CSV206 wood chipper and lawn vacuum calls on a 6.5-hp Briggs & Stratton Intek engine for its power. The unit uses two hardened-steel blades for chipping branches and 10 stationary blades and nine hardened-steel flair knives for shredding twigs and leaves. It also has a four-blade cast-steel shredding screen. The impeller rotates at 3600 rpm. Two 10-inch pneumatic rear tires are assisted by 6-inch lockable casters in the front to make the unit easier to maneuver. The vacuum cleans a 24-inch path.

We liked that the CSV206 moves under its own power. The self-propelled unit has one forward speed that makes it much easier to push. It works best on fairly level ground. We had to move slowly where there was a lot of debris on the lawn, but the machine sucked it up and mulched it all. We found that if we feed branches slowly into the chute, the CSV206 really could chip up a branch of nearly 3 inches diameter. You should use ear protection when you use this machine. Be careful around the exhaust and when feeding material into the chute. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for clearing any jammed material, and follow all other safety cautions in the operator's manual.

This chipper-shredder masquerading as a lawn vacuum comes with a tamper for guiding organic material into the chute and a 3-bushel collection bag.

If you're tired of raking your large lawn of lots of leaves, twigs and cones, look at the Troy-Bilt CSV206 chipper-shredder-vacuum. It will vacuum it all up and shred it, and you can also use it to chip up branches up to 3 inches in diameter.


Pros: Self-propelled, good vacuuming, chipping, and shredding power
Cons: Noisy, heavy, takes up storage space

Warranty
2 years, limited