OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Chippers, Mulchers, Shredders & Stump Grinders Petrol Chippers, Mulchers & Shredders Masport 196cc Petrol Chipper Shredder deformed bottom screen.

Hi all.
Thanks for letting me join the forum.
We purchased a shredder a couple of weeks back and have used it for about 15 hours. On Friday it clogged up for the second time, no big deal, I removed the pin to lower the screen, cleared the block easily but I went back to push the screen up it won't line up the hole for the pin. I removed the feeder and looked at it from the top to be sure there was nothing blocking it from going back into place but everything was clear. I had another guy look as well and we think the screen has bent when I pulled it down. (it was tight with bound up material but came down just using my fingers). Has anyone heard of this happening before? Am I right to bend IT back into shape? We are halfway through a job we got this specifically for and need to try to get back up and running ASAP to finish it off.
I have contacted masport tech support and am waiting on a reply but keen to hear from others if they have had this issue.
Cheers. Tony.

Hi Tony,

The screen is the first component to deform when:

Wet or stringy material packs behind it

There’s uneven pressure on one side

The screen is pulled downward while still under load

The retaining system is slightly misaligned


Before bending anything

Before forcing the screen back into position, run through this quick checklist to ensure the problem isn’t elsewhere:

1. Check the cradle / carrier / screen frame for packed material

Sometimes debris hides in the frame lip—not visible from the top.

2. Confirm the screen drops fully into its normal seating position

If it’s sitting 1–2 mm off, the pin hole won’t align.

3. Check both sides of the screen for symmetry

If one side is lower or twisted, that strongly indicates bending.

4. Check the pin itself

If the pin is slightly bent or burred, it can also cause misalignment even if the screen is fine.

carefully, and only enough to refit it.
Screens on most commercial shredders are mild- or abrasion-resistant steel but still somewhat flexible. Operators frequently "tweak" them back into shape.

Avoid bending if:

The screen is cracked or warped severely.

Do a slow-speed test after reinstalling to make sure the rotor doesn’t brush the screen.

Cheers
Max.