Garden Shredder Repair - McCulloch MB340

Replacing motor capacitor in a McCulloch MB340 1400W Shredder.
This is a run capacitor, and is powered continuously while the motor is running. Without it, the motor will not turn, as there is no rotating magnetic field.
Contact info, sending stuff in etc.: xo4.uk/?YTT
Support this channel at Patreon: / jwflame
Website: xo4.uk/?MB3
Twitter: / jwflame
Facebook: / jwflame
Instagram: / jwflame

[@trevorbest5715]

I used to work for a hot tub company. Prior to my arrival the boss was changing out very expensive brushless motors under warranty when this happened. He had a container stuff with the ones he removed. These motors are used in many other industries. I asked why he never tried repairing them. I started changing out the start/run capacitors in them with a very high success rate. The look on his face was priceless. These motors retail at £200 upwards ( some as much as £500 depending on manufacturer and power rating so you can imagine the cost of his lack of knowledge.

[@martinroper2947]

Thank you John, saved me having to buy a new shedder, great simple video and very helpful.

[@laurencec995]

Good instruction video. I have same model of shredder which developed the same problem - hummed but would not start on it’s own and needed a prod of the blade to get it running. I followed the video and fitted a new condenser and now the shredder starts and runs fine. Thanks.

[@TheSa1nt001]

Great video..!!! You have managed save me between £250 - £350 (cost of a new Mulcher) as I managed to repair my Bosch ATX 2200HP mulcher. The capacitor had blown costing £6.49. can't thank you enough!! :-)

[@kerrymunro7161]

Thanks so much. The repair shop to which I took my shredder for a diagnostic wouldn't even do that because it's old: 'Don't even know if we can get another motor, let alone how much it would cost, sorry. Get a new shredder.' I bought a new capacitor for £5.48 including postage and it was literally a 1-minute job to fit it.

[@youngalistairyou]

Great video so simply explained

[@dingle5115]

Really healpful thanks . I was given a shedder as it wasn't working, i think this is the problem. There'll probably want it back of i fix it ! 😁

[@vissevolker955]

Thanks, for me it's good to see the blade and housing design as some of these small chippers develop debris jamming problems over time as the aluminum housing and blades wear away and I'm checking one for sale on Craigslist.

[@copelandaa]

Excellent repair video, why chuck it out when you can repair it yourself!

[@AbdullahAli-hv5ym]

Hi my friend thank you for the video, what is the size wire to you if the wire needs replacing please.

[@peckelhaze6934]

I have had one for years and is still going strong. Should it stop I will now know what to check first. Thanks for this.

[@johncware66]

Great vid. Nice to see it go back together so easily. Inspiring me to try and fix mine instead of binning it. Thanks!

[@ratcat7668]

I have an Ozito shredder (stopped working) but it has a small circuit board and no capacitor. I'm assuming the PCB is a proprietary cap. Just wondering If I could unsolder the circuit board which basically just has positive neutral and earth and replace it with a capacitor. Thoughts?

[@zx8401ztv]

Well worth repairing, ive had the same problem with bench grinder start condensers, air compressor motors, and of cause tumble dryers. The worst offender has to be switchmode powersupplys in almost everything these days, i almost feel sorry fitting new capacitors in supplys as they have a short life, poor little sods ha ha :D

[@MayYouLiveLongAndProsper]

Good video ... Well done :) Could you do one for turning/replacing the blades ... I'll be **** if I can undo the screws

[@fevzihussein6967]

John I have an alko1100 and wondered how the blade is changed? Any ideas?

[@PeterBrownPianist]

Very lucid video John, thanks so much for posting. My garden shredder works well....for about ten seconds! and then cuts out. I try again and the same thing happens, even with no load at all on the motor. Could this be solved with a new capacitor?

[@jwflame]

Unlikely, capacitors either work or are failed. May be a thermal cutout somewhere, or possibly a defective switch.

[@Agutkowa]

I seem to be facing the same issue, although am not sure - the motor makes a humming sound and the drum will make a very slow half spin and then stop, the switch will not stay fixed, and the power cord is quite hot at the inlet. Also, the drum wil not move by hand, although I do it know if it should, really. Could this be the capacitor?

[@jwflame]

If it doesn't rotate by hand, there is a mechanical problem. Powering the motor when jammed will cause it to overheat.

[@Agutkowa]

Thank you for your kind reply. After some basic maintenance like checking connections and oiling I was able to start it and it is working. I do not know what the issue was.@@jwflame

[@negara54]

I have an MB280 1800w. It tried to work but was jammed. I unjammed it and it worked OK. The following day, same problem but maybe left it too long before I switched off. After unjamming it wouldn't work at all. Checked fuse and supply, but no luck. Any suggestions welcome.

[@jwflame]

Other than the wiring, if it's totally silent then the motor windings are a likely failure. That won't be repairable. Slim chance it has a thermal fuse in it, they can be replaced but only if the fuse can be located easily, some cheap motors have the thermal fuse in with the windings.

[@negara54]

Thanks for that- you're a star!