Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3.9 x 40 mm really P-4?
Yes, and only just. DIN 66399 caps P-4 particles at 160 mm²; 3.9 × 40 mm is 156 mm². Be careful with the inch conversions floating around for this model — Kobra's own US datasheet prints 1/8 × 1-1/2 in. while the US product page prints 3/16 × 1-1/2 in., and the second of those works out at roughly 181 mm², which would be P-3. The metric figure on Kobra's European datasheet is the one that governs the rating.
What does the automatic oiler do, and what does it cost to run?
It injects lubricant onto the cutting knives during operation. On a cross-cut head, oil is what keeps particle quality consistent and stops the motor drawing extra current as residue builds up; skipping it is the most common cause of a cross-cut shredder losing sheet capacity over a couple of years. Kobra oil is sold in bottles as a consumable — budget for it in the same way you budget for bags.
How does it compare with the CC2 on the same chassis?
Same cabinet, same 13-inch throat, same 40-gallon bin, same 1.5 HP motor, same 58 dB(A). The CC4 cuts 3.9 × 40 mm at P-4 and takes up to 31 sheets; the CC2 cuts 1.9 × 15 mm at P-5 and takes up to 19. You are buying roughly 40% less throughput for one DIN class. If your policy does not name P-5, the CC4 is the more practical machine.
Is it NSA approved?
No. NSA/CSS Specification 02-01 requires a maximum 1 × 5 mm particle and a listing on the NSA/CSS Evaluated Products List. At 3.9 × 40 mm the CC4 is far outside that, and it does not appear on the EPL. The NSA-listed machine on this chassis is the KOBRA 310 TS HS-6 AO.
Can it shred CDs and credit cards?
Yes, through a second, dedicated cutting unit with its own opening and its own bin, so disc fragments never enter the paper waste and never touch the paper knives. The optical media unit on this model is rated O-3 T-4 E-3, which suits retired backup discs, expired cards and general commercial media. It is not rated for classified optical media.
How often will the bin need emptying?
Less often than on the strip-cut versions. Cross-cut particles settle far more densely than 5.8 mm strips, so the same 40-gallon bag holds considerably more paper by weight. A department of 30–40 people doing routine shredding typically changes the bag every week or two; the machine stops automatically when the bag is full, so you will not overfill it by accident.
Can it handle continuous-form or wide printouts?
Only up to 13 inches wide. That covers US letter, legal and tabloid fed 11-inch edge first, but not wide EDP printouts. If wide stock is a regular part of the workload, the KOBRA 390 C4 AUTO OILER offers the same P-4 cut through a 16-inch throat with a 53-gallon bin.