Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this NSA approved?
We cannot confirm that, and we will not claim it. NSA/CSS 02-01 requires both a maximum particle of 1 mm x 5 mm and the specific model being listed on the NSA Evaluated Products List. This machine's 0.8 x 5 mm particle satisfies the size criterion. Whether this exact model number appears on the current EPL is something you must verify against the list itself before relying on it for classified destruction. A P-7 rating alone is not NSA approval.
Why does it have a shorter warranty than the cross-cut models?
MBM warrants its hardened steel Destroyit cutting shafts for life, with one printed exception: super micro-cut shafts carry a one-year warranty. Cutting to 0.8 mm places far more stress on the shafts and leaves far less tolerance for contaminants. Budget for that. If your policy allows P-5, the DSH0502L gives you the lifetime cover and double the sheet capacity.
Can it shred staples, paper clips, CDs or credit cards?
No to clips and optical media - MBM's operating manual for this series states they must not be fed to super micro-cut models, and the spec sheet clears only P-2 and P-4 machines for CDs and DVDs. Treat it as paper-only. The manual does not extend the prohibition to staples, but our advice is to remove heavy fasteners anyway: these are the least tolerant shafts in the range and the shortest-warranted.
How does it compare to the 4003 super micro-cut?
Same 0.8 x 5 mm particle and same P-7 rating, different chassis. The 4003 version (DSH0397O) manages 8-9 sheets on a 1.75 hp motor and ships at 179 lb; this 4005 version manages 10-12 sheets on 2.12 hp and ships at 390 lb. Both use a 16-inch throat and a 44-gallon bin. Choose the 4005 if the machine will run for sustained periods, the 4003 for occasional secure destruction.
How often will the bin need emptying?
Rarely, in practice. Super micro-cut waste is dense and settles tightly, so a 44-gallon bin absorbs a large number of sheets before the full-bin sensor stops the machine. Most secure rooms find this a monthly rather than weekly task. On this machine the binding constraint is always feed rate, not bin volume - you will spend far more time feeding than emptying.
How long can it run before it needs to cool down?
MBM does not publish a duty cycle figure for this model, so we will not quote one. What the machine does have is thermal overload protection on the motor: if it overheats it stops and restarts once cool. In real use, feeding 10-12 sheets at a time paces the machine naturally and thermal cut-outs are uncommon. If you need a documented continuous-duty rating, ask MBM for it in writing before purchase.
Does it need oiling?
Yes, and consistently. MBM's manual instructs you to oil the cutting unit every time the container is emptied or whenever cutting performance drops. Use dedicated shredder oil applied across the full width of the shafts, then run the machine briefly in reverse. Dry super micro-cut shafts lose performance faster than any other cutting head and are the commonest cause of premature failure on this class of machine.