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Al-Ko garden shredder - Why doesn't it work when turned on?

I have had an Al-Ko garden shredder for some 20 years, which wasn't used often but cannot now be used at all because it stopped working.

It used to stall whenever it became clogged with woody fibres but turning it off and clearing it out usually sorted the problem. The last time I used it, however, clearing out the clog didn't enable the machine to run again. I left it to cool down, tried again and it still didn't work. I've opened it up as far as possible but there is no obvious residual obstruction.

There are no supplier-recommended service mechanics anywhere within many miles of my home and I've been unable to find any general mechanic to tackle the problem, which may be quite elementary.

Does anyone have relevant expertise?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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I have the same problem with my AL-KO 4000 shredder. When I connect mains, there is a humming, and when I turn it on, the motor tries to start, but the overload switch turns it off. I tried to turn the gogwheel with a stick, and it started - going backwards. I think the problem might be the grease in the gearbox being old and stale. It might also be the overload switch mechanism being worn out. Mine is 16 years old and has shredded a huge amount of branches, so I guess it is time to get a new one. Viking brand this time.

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I have a jcb garden shredder does any one no if there's a reset button as its stioes working thanks

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Check the safety cut-out is operating. When you close the lid, it must go all the way down to close a switch in the electric circuit. Make sure you screw the black knob quite tight to make this switch close.

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Hi,

As you do not state the model number, I am assuming that this is an electric shredder, is this correct?

If it is then if you have or know someone who has a DMM (Digital MultiMeter -Ohmmeter function) you can test (or get the someone who has one to do the testing) the continuity of the wiring to see if you can isolate where the problem is.

Adequate DMMs are available from most hardware stores for around $10

Ensure that the shredder is totally disconnected from the power supply.

Using the Ohmmeter, connect the meter's two test leads across the power plug's two pins.

When you operate the start button on the shredder the meter should display a reading.

If there is no reading on the meter, ensure that you have set up the meter properly to read Ohms.

If you still get no reading after checking that the meter is setup OK then there is an open circuit in the wiring.

You could try gently flexing the cable where it comes out of the plug to see if you get an intermittent reading when flexing the cable. If you do then a wire is fractured where it leaves the plug and you will have to cut the cable back past the break and re-terminate it onto a new plug (if it is a sealed plug). Also do it at the shredder end where the cable enters the shredder if it didn't show anything at the plug end

If it still shows no reading after doing this then you will need to do point to point testing to find where the problem is.

Start with opening the shredder so that you can access the wiring at the start switch. Connect one test lead of the meter to a pin on the cord plug and then try to find the wire on the start switch by probing with the other meter lead until you get a reading on the meter. If you cannot get a reading at all change the lead on the plug to the other pin and see if you get a reading now.

You should be able to find continuity for both wires between the two pins on the plug and the shredder.

If you only find it for one then a wire is broken between the plug and the shredder. It may be in the plug itself, in the cable between the plug and the shredder or where it connects into the shredder.

If you find that there is continuity of both the wires between the plug and the shredder, you then need to prove continuity through the switch, (there may also be a safety switch involved in the circuit path) and after the switch, from the switch to the motor and then through the motor itself.

Do all these tests with the power totally removed from the shredder. Do not test on "live" equipment unless you know what you are doing. It can be lethal

Hopefully this is of some help.

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2 Comments:

I do apologise for apparently not having thanked you for this advice before! Must have put that off until I'd acquired the necessary multi-meter and learned how to use it - which didn't quite happen....

Yes, it's an electrical shredder, so your advice is exactly what I needed.

Thanks again.

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My shredder seems to short out when I turn it on. A spark comes from the switch box

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It,s capacitor. Change it.

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Mine ECO 16000 had same problem I replaced capacitor

$13 and also noticed that one of the pins where the extension cord plugs into had became loose and was pushed back making connection hit and miss. I replaced the plug with a a new lead as the plug is impossible to Buy.

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I had same issue…turned out to be broken tab not holding the switch in place so when turned it doesn’t turn on but moves whole switch down….i drilled a wee hole and put a screw into mount and side of switch…works fine again for now screw just far enough to hold it in place without going trough switch so safe.

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DianaW will be eternally grateful.
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