Our Review of the Earthwise GS70015 Chipper Shredder

When it comes to keeping a yard neat and tidy, the task often feels Herculean. However, my quest for an efficient garden waste management tool led me to the Earthwise GS70015 Electric Chipper Shredder.

Before I delve into my experience with the Earthwise GS70015, it's essential to set the context for my needs. I own a medium-sized yard with several fruit trees and thick shrubbery, which generates substantial yard waste. As an environmentally conscious homeowner, my goal has been to turn this waste into useful compost for my vegetable garden and flower beds. Hence, I embarked on a search for a powerful yet user-friendly chipper shredder.

Usability

The Earthwise GS70015 was more than just a functional tool – it was a joy to use. From the moment I first interacted with it, I was impressed by the simplicity and intuitiveness of its design. It was clear to me that usability was a central focus when the manufacturers designed this machine.

For starters, loading the hopper and chute was a breeze. Unlike other machines I’ve tried in the past, I didn’t have to fumble or wrestle with awkwardly sized branches or bundles of leaves. The wide and accommodating design of the hopper and chute ensured that feeding in garden waste was a hassle-free experience. The chute was designed at an angle that made it easy to drop in branches without needing to force them down.

A thoughtful inclusion that significantly enhanced the usability was the tamper tool. This tamper tool ensured that I could safely push materials down into the shredder without endangering my hands. This small but crucial design feature gave me peace of mind and ensured that I could operate the machine safely, even when dealing with more stubborn pieces of waste.

Another factor that made the Earthwise GS70015 so user-friendly was its weight. At around 31 pounds, it was light enough for me to move around the yard effortlessly. The well-designed handle coupled with the rear wheels, made the task of transporting the chipper shredder even easier. The wheels were robust and rolled smoothly across different terrains, whether I was moving it across manicured lawns or uneven gravel.

This mobility was a game-changer for me, allowing me to transport the machine wherever I needed it in my yard. No more lugging around heavy equipment or making multiple trips to gather up waste. With the Earthwise GS70015, I could clean up different parts of the garden in a single sweep without breaking a sweat or straining my back. This was a marked and much-appreciated improvement from my past experiences with bulkier, less mobile garden maintenance equipment.

Durability

Durability is an essential feature for any piece of garden equipment, and the Earthwise GS70015 certainly passed this test with flying colors. After using it extensively over the course of several months, it became evident that this machine was built to last. The durability of the Earthwise GS70015 is a testament to the quality of its construction and the thoughtfulness that went into its design.

Firstly, the overall construction of the machine is solid. The housing, made from high-quality materials, feels robust and is designed to withstand the rigors of regular garden use. It has withstood the various elements of weather, from scorching summer afternoons to chilly fall mornings, without showing signs of wear and tear or a decrease in performance.

The cutting blades, one of the most crucial components, also showed a commendable level of durability. Despite the rigorous use they have been put through, the blades retained their sharpness and effectiveness. Even after chewing through countless branches and twigs of various hardness and sizes, they showed minimal signs of wear. This assured me that the Earthwise GS70015 was designed not just for immediate efficiency, but also for long-term performance.

Another testament to its durability was the included safety features, notably the reset switch, which was designed to protect the motor from overloading. On one occasion, I inadvertently fed a branch that was too thick into the machine. Instead of struggling and potentially damaging the motor, the machine automatically shut down, protecting its vital components from undue stress. Once I removed the offending branch, the machine quickly reset and was ready to go again. This incident demonstrated the machine's ability to self-protect, a key aspect of durability and longevity in such equipment.

To add, the Earthwise GS70015's motor proved to be resilient. Despite hours of operation and heavy loads, it has maintained a consistent performance level, displaying no signs of fatigue or overheating.

Even the smaller components of the Earthwise GS70015, such as the wheels and the hopper, have held up well to repeated use. The wheels roll smoothly despite repeated navigation over varying terrains, and the hopper shows no signs of strain or cracks from holding heavy loads.

Maintenance and Value for Money

Like any high-performance garden tool, the Earthwise GS70015 requires routine maintenance and cleaning to keep it running at its peak. I was pleased to find that these tasks were straightforward and did not require any specialized tools or knowledge. The comprehensive user manual that came with the machine detailed clear, step-by-step instructions for regular maintenance, including blade sharpening, oiling, and cleaning, making it easy even for a novice user like myself.

Cleaning the machine after use was simple enough, though I did notice that the leaf chute could become clogged if fed with too many leaves at once. Clearing this clog wasn't particularly difficult but did interrupt the workflow, which was slightly inconvenient. This is a minor flaw, but it's one worth noting, especially for those who deal with large amounts of leaf waste. I found that feeding the leaves slowly and mixing them with branches helped to prevent this issue, so it's manageable with a little bit of extra care.

Now, onto the value for money aspect - an area where the Earthwise GS70015 truly shines. The price point is competitive within the market, making it an accessible choice for most homeowners. However, what really sets the Earthwise GS70015 apart is the combination of affordability with high performance and convenience. It's this blend of factors that transforms a reasonable investment into excellent value for money.

With the Earthwise GS70015, I've been able to significantly reduce my garden waste volume, turning it into valuable mulch for my plants. This not only eliminated the need for and cost of garden waste removal services, but also saved me from purchasing mulch for my garden, which over time, has resulted in substantial savings.

Moreover, its efficient performance has saved me hours of labor and effort compared to manual methods or less effective machines. In this sense, the value is not just in the cost of the machine itself, but in the time and energy it saves – aspects that are harder to quantify but are incredibly valuable nonetheless.

Another part of the value equation is the machine's durability. The longevity of the Earthwise GS70015 – its ability to work hard month after month without a drop in performance – means that the initial investment is spread over many years of use. This, combined with the low maintenance costs, makes it a truly cost-effective choice in the long run.

Conclusion

In summary, the Earthwise GS70015 has transformed my garden maintenance routine. While there are minor downsides such as the noise level and occasional clogging, the overall performance, ease of use, and durability far outweigh these issues. It's a robust, efficient machine that offers a practical solution to managing garden waste.

Its compact design means it takes up little space in my garden shed, yet its impact on my gardening practice has been huge. I've saved hours of laborious yard work, and instead, I'm making great use of the resulting mulch, enriching my soil and benefiting my plants.

Furthermore, from an environmental perspective, the Earthwise GS70015 has allowed me to close the loop in my gardening practice. I can now convert garden waste into a beneficial product instead of disposing of it.

From a practical standpoint, the Earthwise GS70015 is more than just a chipper shredder. It's a tool that promotes more sustainable and efficient gardening practices. It's a worthwhile investment for homeowners with small to medium-sized gardens, who value both their time and the environment. Despite its few quirks, it's a machine I have come to rely on and appreciate.

To anyone contemplating an efficient and effective solution for garden waste management, I can say with confidence that the Earthwise GS70015 Electric Chipper Shredder is a solid contender that delivers impressive results.

Also check out our reviews for the Best Electric Wood Chipper and Shredders.