Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
 |
 The patented design features double heavy-duty cutting lines for reliable performance. View larger. |
 The Leaf-Eater quickly and easily reduces wet or dry yard waste into nutrient-rich mulch that you can use. View larger. |
 An easy-to-read, sliding control lever lets you pick the right setting for each task. View larger. |
Just Shred and Spread For a Beautiful Yard
Transform your yard into a showplace, without all the sweat and strain. With the help of its extra-large, 21-inch-diameter funnel, the Leaf-Eater effortlessly reduces wet or dry yard waste–including rain-soaked leaves and grass clippings–into nutrient-rich mulch or compost that you can reuse right in your flowerbeds or vegetable garden. With this efficient tool, creating a great yard is as simple as shredding and spreading!
Two-Step Process Shreds and Mulches
This system utilizes a two-step process that shreds and then mulches for fast cleanup and maximum waste reduction. Simply feed double handfuls of material into the hopper and watch the Leaf-Eater do all the work.
Patented Design and Powerful Motor Shred Debris Fast
Thanks to its patented design, double heavy-duty cutting lines, and powerful universal motor with circuit breaker and reset button for overload protection, the Leaf-Eater shreds wet or dry leaves, thatch, grass clippings, pine needles, and even paper as fast as you can load them.
Use the elastic bungee cord to hold your leaf bag in place, or place the Leaf-Eater atop your trash container (with a leaf bag inside) for mess-free disposal. Additionally, the Leaf-Eater’s adjustable pressure knobs allow positioning of the hopper to any angle for easier loading; the hopper also rotates 180 degrees for compact storage.
Range of Shredding Adjustments for Flexibility
The Leaf-Eater offers the convenience of a range of shredding adjustments from coarse to fine–up to 30:1 particle size-reduction. A sliding control lever that’s easy to read allows you to choose the right setting for the job.
Lightweight Design and Built-In Carrying Handles for Easy Portability
Lightweight at just 17 pounds, the Leaf-Eater features a rugged, high-density polyethylene funnel and housing, as well as steel leg construction for long life and easy maintenance. And for true portability, built-in carrying handles allow this unit to go where you go.
Quick and Easy Assembly Right Out of the Box
Out of the box, the Leaf-Eater is a snap to put together in minutes; you’ll only need a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver. Maintenance is equally effortless thanks to the removable motor intake filter–just remove and clean periodically. The Leaf-Eater also features a convenient built-in storage compartment to hold replacement cutting lines, gloves, and safety glasses.
Dimensions and Warranty Information
The LE-900 Leaf-Eater measures 19.5 x 19.5 x 23.0 inches (WxHxD) and comes with legs, 36 heavy-duty cutting lines, and a full, one-year warranty.
About Flowtron
Family-owned since its start in 1920, Armatron International began operations as a manufacturer of automobile radios. After more than 50 years in that field, Armatron became recognized through its Flowtron division as a worldwide leader in outdoor products. Today, Flowtron designs, develops, manufactures, and sells a select line of lawn and garden products that are distributed to major retailers in the US and Canada, as well as to foreign markets all over the world. The company is proud that all of its products are made in the US: in Malden, Massachusetts, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
What’s in the Box
Two funnel halves, one housing assembly, two legs, one hardware package, 36 cutting lines, and owner’s manual.
Product Description
Flowtron Leaf Shredder Plus Shreds As fast As You Can Load It Stop bagging and start recycling your waste! The Flowtron Leaf Mulcher keeps your curb free of the leaf mountains and eliminates laborious bagging. Our unit and saves on disposal fees and trash bags while the unique hopper and funnel shape prevents material throwback. For easier dumping, unit can be mounted on a standard garbage can, or a bag can be attached to the bottom with a bungee cord. The Flowtron Leaf Mulcher Features: Lightweight and portable; weighs only 17 lbs 5.9 amp thermally protected universal motor with overload protection Increases compost breakdown On/off switch with special electric motor, Air intake and removable air filter 36 heavy-duty double cutting lines included – easy to change and designed for long wear Extra-large 21 inch diameter funnel designed for easy loading. Full one bushel capacity. Instantly adjustable particle size from 8 to 1 down to 30 to 1 reduction. On/off switch with special motor air intake and removable air filter. Circuit breaker with reset button for overload protection. Lightweight and rugged hi-density polyethylene funnel and housing for maintenance free care One Year Warranty The Flowtron Plus Includes All of the Above Plus: Heavy-duty unit shreds not just leaves but also pine needles, grass clippings, thatch and even paper Special tilt adjustment allows unit to rotate 180 degrees for compact storage Adjustable pressure knobs allows hopper to tilt to any angle for easier loading Convenient built-in storage compartment Powerful 8 amp thermally protected universal motor with overload protection Convenient build-in carrying handles Reduces 11 Bags of Leaves Down To Only One Bag Ships Quickly! An Armatron International Product Family-owned since its start in 1920, Armatron International began operations as an automobile radio manufacturer. After over 80 years of innovation, it is known today through its Flowtron division as a worldwide leader in outdoor product
Saturday, November 26th 2011 at 10:48 am |
4.0 out of 5 stars Leaf Shredder, November 25, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
The emphasis is on the word “LEAF”. The user should take care to avoid feeding twigs and small branches – often gathered up with the leaves – into the hopper. The easiest way to do that is to drop the leaves in manually and slowly – not one-by-one, of course, but in bunches of as many leaves as you can comfortably grab with both hands. This will enable you to feel and remove any twigs. While this might seem time-consuming, it results in longer life for the plastic shredder cord, no jams, and better shredding. At the end of the day, careful feeding probably saves time. Since we use a lot of shredded leaves as mulch, as an ingredient in mixing up transplanting soil, and as the carbon addition to our compost, we have found it a highly useful tool.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very happy for leaf shredding. Must know how to use it., November 22, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
I feel compelled to write a review on this product as I was somewhat nervous buying it given the many negative reviews. Hopefully I address some of the negative issues in other reviews.
Assembly went fast and easy. About 30 minutes. The top hopper was slightly oval unassembled, but once assembled into the main unit was round, rigid, and sturdy enough for the job. One of the screw holes for the legs was a bit small but the bolt could be screwed into it.
I like the light plastic construction as it makes the device easy to carry and making it sturdier would not add anything in normal use. I used it with a plastic bag underneath which reduced any dust to a surprisingly low amount given what it was doing. I live in the wet Pacific North West so had to shred moist leaves. Did one bag at a time on the coarse setting. Enough moist pulp built up around the exit holes that I would clean it off after each bag, as the reduced hole size would cause it to shred too fine near the end of the bag. Easy to clean off with a wooden stick, like a paint stirrer. I would put 2 generous handfuls of leaves in and listen to the reduction in motor speed, making sure it did not drop too low which would overheat the motor (you can tell the other reviewers that did this), and wait for the speed to pick back up again before adding new leaves. So, I could shred a bag of leaves in less time than it took me to collect them, to put this trouble into perspective. Any dust produced was way less than using a strimmer for grass edging would produce. At the end of 8 bags of leaves, the nylon cutters still looked like new, and the device came with 36 spare cutters, so buying extras does not seem necessary for my 1/3 acre lot, for several years use. The device did not seem particularly noisy, not loud enough to annoy neighbors, but I wore ear protection anyway.
Given the $136 price I’m very happy as I could have spent way more for something to make my leaves better for a compost ingredient, and not had something so functional.
I assembled it, collected 8 large bags of leaves, shredded them, put them into a pile for compost material, and cleaned the device in less than 3 hours, which I am very happy with.
1.0 out of 5 stars Beware, November 14, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
This is a great item while it works – and if you can assemble the rickety thing. I don’t think they could have made it much more cheaply than they did unless they made it smaller. The second time I was using it, the motor stopped dead less than five minutes into mulching without any warning whatsoever. The company has a recording instead of live, phone customer service, so you get no help and no satisfaction. I now have an enormous pile of leaves in my yard, and not enough bags, time, or daylight to bag the old fashioned way. I am not happy with this leaf mulcher.
When it did work, the mulch was great, dust went everywhere of course, but the huge pile of leaves was reduced very quickly. The string line that spins to mulch was very worn, and looked like it might need to be replaced after just one use. I was not impressed with this, and wondered if a better material might help it to last.
My advice: buyer beware. Maybe you will be one of the 50% of people who get a decent model that lasts a couple of years, but there is still the all-too-high probability that you will have headache and non-working unit instead.
1.0 out of 5 stars Leaf Shredder, November 14, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
I purchased mine 2 years ago, and the motor has already stopped working. I am very disappointed in how short of a time this was used and already of no use but for trash! Too expensive not to get more time out of. Don’t bother wasting your money, find another one!
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy in Louisiana, October 28, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
I am really happy with my new leaf shredder. I have been kind of putting off using it because I thought it was going to be a hassel but it turned out to be quite easy to use. I had it set on medium mulch and I only mulched 2 bags but I was pleased with the size of the mulched leaves. I had read that this mulcher was hard to use because it would tip over or come apart but I had no problems at all. I didn’t overload it however and I never even had to change the strings, another thing I thought I was going to have a problem with. I love the wide opening on top, easy access for the leaves. I also had thin sticks within my leaves and they even when through the mulcher with no problem. All in all I’m happy and am looking forward to the Fall. I would recommend this product to all.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars worn out after 1 1/2 years, October 23, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
This piece of equipment lasted one 1 and 1/2 seasons of leaf mulching! It always smelled hot when running. No amount of pressing the reset button will bring it back to life now. It runs for a few seconds and quits. I really need it this time of year. I sent an email to Flowtron about getting it repaired a week ago and haven’t heard from them.
I would NOT recommend this machine!
Don’t waste your money.
5.0 out of 5 stars Our second one. works great!, October 15, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
We had an old one before, sold under Sears’ Craftsman brand, but ultimately the very same unit. It bit the dust, so we got a new one, the very same model. I’d get the same one over and over again.
This shredder works well, if you know how to use it and are patient.
It doesn’t like to be overfilled, but if you feed it just the right amount of leaves, it rips through them in no time. Makes a very fine dust – if you want to scatter it around the yard or compost it. There are two strings, which last about 10 min of nonstop operation, replacement takes about 2 minutes and the unit comes with two dozen replacement strings. The less twigs and stones you have in your leaves, the longer the strings will last you.
It is noisy and very dusty!
If the unit has a just a little bit of leaves in it while running, it will create a little tornado inside and debris will fly out at high speed, goggles are a must. Don’t put your hands inside to push the leaves in. The unit is shallow and your fingers will reach the strings sooner than you’d think. Hurts like hell, but won’t cut them off, so that is a good thing. If you clog it, shut it off, empty out and start over, don’t push the leaves in!
It has a bungee cord around the bottom, so you can clip a large trash bag to it. Or better yet, it is built to sit on top of a round rubbermaid bin, which is even better. The stand wraps around the bin and makes it nice and stable. There is a little storage compartment on the side where your an keep spare strings and a flat head screwdriver.
This unit is a lifesaver. Rather than paying for paper bags and stickers to have the village pick up your leaves, shred them and use the dust as a soil enhancer around your yard or compost it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Product, October 13, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
I’m not sure what the others are talking about when they complain about problems! We bought ours at a garage sale last year mid-summer and have had no problems at all. Yes, it’s dusty; yes, it’s loud. What do they expect considering what they want it to do? But we have 1/2 acre of oak trees and using it is a breeze compare to an over-the-shoulder leaf shredder that kills my back and has to be emptied every 5 minutes. Last week I used it to shred pine needles that had about finger sized sticks in it – now THAT was a racket, but the Flowtron did it with no other complaints. I especially like that I can shred right on top of my compost pile! When we bought it I asked the lady why she was getting rid of it, she said she loved it but due to her age now had a lawn service do her leaves. Definitely her loss, our gain — would definitely buy another when this one wears out, it’s been great.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An Aquired Taste, October 7, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
I had read about 30 reviews on this product right here at Amazon. I actually printed out some of the caveats that had been written. Being a thick-headed member of the male gender, I said they have not assembled enough stuff the night before Christmas or spent enough long post-Ikea purchase time. I’m better! I have conquered early VCR manuals!
Anyway, it arrived today and I took it out of the box and laid out all the parts as another review had suggested. I was only missing 4 screws and 4 hex nuts. Not bad. The assembly of the funnel was an insult to intelligence. I had to read it 6 times before I felt confident to insert screws and tighten. In the next iteration the directions told me how to insert screws into the main housing and attach it to the funnel. They neglected to tell me that the screws were already inserted and just needed tightening. Are they messing with me? Oh, I wrapped the funnel with 6 turns of duct tape, per someone else’s review in here….much more sturdy.
The coup de grace was the assembly of the stand. First, the holes had to be re-drilled to fit the insert bolts. Secondarily, the clamp used to hold the two legs together in no way looked liked what was in the directions….and was missing appropriate nuts and bolts.
I did this assembly sober at 4 in the afternoon. Tomorrow is Saturday; I think I will put together enough courage to plug it in. More later!
The leaves fell very late this year so I finally was able to use the shredder over Thanksgiving weekend. My expectations were set very low when I plugged it in. They stayed low for about the first 10 minutes until I got the hang of it. Here is my bottom line: this gizmo is perfect for the loving, devoted and patient gardener. It is not designed for the person out to rid the yard of lots of leaves quickly. Feeding leaves to the Flowtron is like feeding a toddler: little bites of uniform food fed with patience. If this is done, one gets great finely minced leaves that are perfect for the garden. Just put on the iPod with some good tunes and grind away.
Use suggestions:
- wear safety glasses
- grind on a windy day so the dust and debris are not in your face and eyes
- use a bamboo rake to drop leaves in a steady flow into the Flowtron
- before the leaves are dropped, pull out any twig larger than 1/4 inch
- use the rake handle to gently edge leaves into the lower part of the spinning string
- at the end of every fill of the basket under the Flowtron, turn it off and clear the string area of bent twigs
- try to only mulch dry leaves, they don’t cake to the inside of the funnel
3.0 out of 5 stars pretty satisfied, September 19, 2011
This review is from: Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder (Lawn & Patio)
this product does fairly good but it does not live up to what it says it will do i can chop up leaves faster using my grass trimmer put the laves inside a 30 gallon trash can cut a hole in top of the lid make sure the hole is big enough for the trimmer head to fit through top of the lid and start mulching