Motor not the best to start when warm. As for shredding will not feed correctly, sticks with leaves twiggs with leaves, none feed correctly we have cleaned, we have made a push rod but it should self feed as other makes I have used do We purchased the unit from Stanford Mowers on Main Nth rd nth of Adelaide and on demo it looked to be the answer and we liked the robust design ( Purchased by Lockleys Bowling Club S Aust. )