Abstract: The housing of a waste cutter is divided in a central, vertical plane so that each housing section (23, 24) is tiltable about a respective hinge (26, 27) each preferably having a vertically extending hinging axis (26B, 27B) positioned at a rear bearing shield (10) in which a rear end of a cutting rotor (1) is rotatably mounted. The front end of the cutting rotor (1) is rotatably mounted in a front bearing shield (14). A clamping and locking device (33) pulls the housing sections (23, 24) into a closed position and holds the sections in the closed position. By opening the housing sections the entire interior is easily accessible for maintenance and cleaning work.