Abstract: A shredding machine of the general type employed for comminuting difficult to shred material incorporates a torque cushioning device for the purpose of minimizing breakage of the comminuting teeth or knives of the apparatus when the teeth encounter metal or other objects which impose a torque overload on the rotating teeth. The drive motor is coupled to the shafts carrying the comminuting teeth by means of a drive transmission assembly such as a speed reducer box. The transmission assembly is shaft mounted upon the input shaft to the comminuter so that the casing of the transmission assembly can rotate relative to the fixed frame of the machine about the axis of its supporting shaft. An arm fixedly mounted upon the casing is biased by springs mounted upon the machine frame.