Hedge Trimmer Recommendations

[TheChief]

Hi Fellow URGlers

Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!

I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
shrubs being treated as a hedge.

Our old mains Black and Decker corded trimmer is small and old and
we are considering treating ourselves to a new machine.

What I think we need is:
A longer blade
Adjustable length
Angleable head
Probably a bit thicker branch capacity


The concerns:
Machine weight - neither myself or the Mrs are body building types.
Machine "balance" in use.
Cost - not so concerned but want vfm

I am thinking that the weight concern means we should be looking
at corded models still.

Constructive comments and recommendations appreciated.

Phil

[Jeff Layman]

Post by TheChief
Hi Fellow URGlers
Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!
I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
shrubs being treated as a hedge.
Our old mains Black and Decker corded trimmer is small and old and
we are considering treating ourselves to a new machine.
A longer blade
Adjustable length
Angleable head
Probably a bit thicker branch capacity
Machine weight - neither myself or the Mrs are body building types.
Machine "balance" in use.
Cost - not so concerned but want vfm
I am thinking that the weight concern means we should be looking
at corded models still.
Constructive comments and recommendations appreciated.
Phil

To do a hedge similar in size to yours I bought a Titan (Screwfix
own-brand) corded pole trimmer about 3 years ago. It works, but it is
heavy. Any pole trimmer will be heavy and no matter what they say will
be unbalanced as all the weight is at one end.

If you can, go round garden centres, sheds, specialist mower/trimmer
suppliers, etc and just try lifting those on display to give you an idea
of what you will experience when you use one.

[Martin Brown]

Post by Jeff Layman

Post by TheChief
Hi Fellow URGlers
Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!
I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
  eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
  shrubs being treated as a hedge.
Our old mains Black and Decker corded trimmer is small and old and
  we are considering treating ourselves to a new machine.
A longer blade
Adjustable length
Angleable head
Probably a bit thicker branch capacity
Machine weight - neither myself or the Mrs are body building types.
Machine "balance" in use.
Cost - not so concerned but want vfm
I am thinking that the weight concern means we should be looking
  at corded models still.
Constructive comments and recommendations appreciated.
Phil

To do a hedge similar in size to yours I bought a Titan (Screwfix
own-brand) corded pole trimmer about 3 years ago. It works, but it is
heavy. Any pole trimmer will be heavy and no matter what they say will
be unbalanced as all the weight is at one end.

I have about 3x as much as you to cut and in the end settled on a Bosch
which has proved to be pretty much indestructible after wrecking a few
lesser brands in the past. The newer version of mine is this one:

https://www.bosch-garden.com/gb/en/garden-tools/garden-tools/ahs-60-26-3165140643603-199966.jsp

Don't even think about a rechargeable - after the first season the
battery will barely hold any charge and it may not last that long if
there are any thicker branches for the motor to stall and burn out on.

Post by Jeff Layman
If you can, go round garden centres, sheds, specialist mower/trimmer
suppliers, etc and just try lifting those on display to give you an idea
of what you will experience when you use one.

Choosing one that feels well balanced in your hands is probably the most
important thing. I view the trailing flex as a nuisance but far
preferable to the dead weight of the batteries needed to power it and
finding that the thing forever needs recharging with just a fraction of
the job completed. Battery powered kit has improved a bit with the
latest generation but not by enough to be worthwhile in a handheld power
tool that is intended to do a serious amount of work.

I also have a pair of bolt cutter pruners for stems that are >1" across.

[Chris Hogg]

On Fri, 3 Aug 2018 07:40:57 +0100 (GMT+01:00), TheChief

Post by TheChief
Hi Fellow URGlers
Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!
I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
shrubs being treated as a hedge.
Our old mains Black and Decker corded trimmer is small and old and
we are considering treating ourselves to a new machine.
A longer blade
Adjustable length
Angleable head
Probably a bit thicker branch capacity
Machine weight - neither myself or the Mrs are body building types.
Machine "balance" in use.
Cost - not so concerned but want vfm
I am thinking that the weight concern means we should be looking
at corded models still.
Constructive comments and recommendations appreciated.
Phil

I'm not impressed by hedge trimmers with telescopic or extended reach.
They're heavy and unwieldy, and the pictures of some dolly-bird
happily trimming the top of a tall hedge are just fantasy, posed for
the picture IMO. Things like this: https://tinyurl.com/ycamcllh They
may be OK for trimming the top few inches of soft growth on a narrow
hedge that's trimmed every few weeks, but otherwise - forget it!

I agree with what you and others have said about mains electric
trimmers: inconvenient with the trailing flex but much to be preferred
over heavy battery or petrol, whether 2- or 4-stroke. Visit a
well-equipped horticultural suppliers, take your wife with you, and
between you choose a trimmer that feels OK for both of you.

[David]

Post by TheChief
Hi Fellow URGlers
Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!
I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
shrubs being treated as a hedge.
Our old mains Black and Decker corded trimmer is small and old and
we are considering treating ourselves to a new machine.
A longer blade Adjustable length Angleable head Probably a bit thicker
branch capacity
Machine weight - neither myself or the Mrs are body building types.
Machine "balance" in use.
Cost - not so concerned but want vfm
I am thinking that the weight concern means we should be looking
at corded models still.
Constructive comments and recommendations appreciated.
Phil

I have the Lidl long reach one with hedge trimmer and small chain saw.

I haven't used this one yet, but used a friend's one a few years back and
it was pretty good for the high up stuff although that was chain saw tree
pruning.

I will know more in the next few weeks.


Cheers



Dave |R

[Ermin]

Post by David

Post by TheChief
Hi Fellow URGlers
Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!
I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
shrubs being treated as a hedge.

I have the Lidl long reach one with hedge trimmer and small chain saw.

I have a similar thing. I use the hedge trimmer part of it for a similar
height hedge (but a much longer run) but now get someone in once a year
to trim the top growth off. They are very good for faces but not
particular good for tops as they can be difficult to balance properly.

When younger I'd happily use a platform to do the top of the hedges but
am no longer so comfortable doing so hence its safer for me to get
someone else to do the top.

Cutting the face is much easier with a long reach as there is far less
bending and stretching to do.

I'd advise seeing if you can have a trial session with your shortlisted
ones (long reach or otherwise) and see how you get on before finalising
purchase. It may even be worth a hire cost to start with. One thing -
don't bother with a battery one.

[Vir Campestris]

Post by Ermin

Post by David

Post by TheChief
Hi Fellow URGlers
Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!
I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
shrubs being treated as a hedge.

I have the Lidl long reach one with hedge trimmer and small chain saw.

I have a similar thing. I use the hedge trimmer part of it for a similar
height hedge (but a much longer run) but now get someone in once a year
to trim the top growth off. They are very good for faces but not
particular good for tops as they can be difficult to balance properly.
When younger I'd happily use a platform to do the top of the hedges but
am no longer so comfortable doing so hence its safer for me to get
someone else to do the top.
Cutting the face is much easier with a long reach as there is far less
bending and stretching to do.
I'd advise seeing if you can have a trial session with your shortlisted
ones (long reach or otherwise) and see how you get on before finalising
purchase. It may even be worth a hire cost to start with. One thing -
don't bother with a battery one.

(cross-posted)

I gather battery tools have improved vastly over the last few years.

Any comments from DIY land?

And

[Tim Watts]

Post by Vir Campestris
(cross-posted)
I gather battery tools have improved vastly over the last few years.
Any comments from DIY land?
And

I have the 36V Bosch and it's very good.

[Another John]

Post by TheChief
A longer blade
Adjustable length
Angleable head
Probably a bit thicker branch capacity
Machine weight - neither myself or the Mrs are body building types.
Machine "balance" in use.
Cost - not so concerned but want vfm

I do *a lot* of hedges (I do two neighbours' as well as my own
collection).

I use the Bosch AHS 55-26 (the 55 is the length in cm. The 26 *may* be
the branch diameter in mm!)

This is so good for my purposes that when my first one stopped dead two
years ago (no apparent reason) [1] I bought another, which must have
cut miles of tough hedges by now.

It's not light (but I am not a heavyweight), but it has very good
balance.

I always buy Bosch these days using, I'm ashamed to admit, Amazon -
where the details and comparisons and reviews are always so well laid
out.

You need to have a feel of one though -- the "sheds" like B&Q are a good
place to go, because they usual have them all lined up, out of their
boxes -- and they also have keen prices.

Good luck
John

[1] Despite my allegiance, I have to say Bosch UK were useless at
helping me when I reported the mysterious dead stop. I thought maybe it
was a common fault like a microswitch that I could replace. I took it
apart (to a certain extent!) twice, but found nothing. It's still in my
garage, waiting for a round tuit. Far too valuable to junk it. (BTW I
haven't found anyone who fixes electric tools -- petrol, yes, electric,
No.)

Despite all that, I still say that if you want value for money, Bosch
tools are the best (for amateurs like us.)

[TheChief]

Post by TheChief
Hi Fellow URGlers
Yes I know this stuff can be googled but am after real world opinion!
I have a mixed row of hedging comprising cotoneaster, escallonia,
eleagnus, photinia and ceanothus.
The height is around 2.5m and length about 20m, more of a run of
shrubs being treated as a hedge.
Our old mains Black and Decker corded trimmer is small and old and
we are considering treating ourselves to a new machine.
A longer blade
Adjustable length
Angleable head
Probably a bit thicker branch capacity
Machine weight - neither myself or the Mrs are body building types.
Machine "balance" in use.
Cost - not so concerned but want vfm
I am thinking that the weight concern means we should be looking
at corded models still.
Constructive comments and recommendations appreciated.
Phil
--
----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

Thanks to all for the detailed replies and time taken.
Probably start by looking at the Bosch corded model and comparing
to our current black and decker jobbie for weight.
Being of a certain age and driving a desk for a living, both the
weight of anything and also the requirement to keep two go
buttons pressed will have to be a focus.

Phil

[Rodney Pont]

Post by TheChief
Thanks to all for the detailed replies and time taken.
Probably start by looking at the Bosch corded model and comparing
to our current black and decker jobbie for weight.
Being of a certain age and driving a desk for a living, both the
weight of anything and also the requirement to keep two go
buttons pressed will have to be a focus.

The Bosch 18v lithium ones are about a kg lighter than the corded ones
so give them a look at too.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

On Sun, 05 Aug 2018 23:13:01 +0100 (BST), "Rodney Pont"

Post by Rodney Pont
The Bosch 18v lithium ones are about a kg lighter than the corded ones
so give them a look at too.

Don't forget that there have been enormous advances in batteries in
the past few years. I have a very nice corded electric drill that
stays in the case because my lithium powered one (with spare
quick-charging battery) has as much power and no cord.


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

[Rodney Pont]

Post by R. Daneel Olivaw
On Sun, 05 Aug 2018 23:13:01 +0100 (BST), "Rodney Pont"

Post by Rodney Pont
The Bosch 18v lithium ones are about a kg lighter than the corded ones
so give them a look at too.

Don't forget that there have been enormous advances in batteries in
the past few years. I have a very nice corded electric drill that
stays in the case because my lithium powered one (with spare
quick-charging battery) has as much power and no cord.

There's also the advances in the motors with the use of rare earth
magnets making them much lighter and more powerful. Some of the Bosch
cordless hedge trimmers also have a saw blade at the front of the blade
that will saw through branches up to about an inch in diameter.

[Another John]

Post by R. Daneel Olivaw
Don't forget that there have been enormous advances in batteries in
the past few years. I have a very nice corded electric drill that
stays in the case because my lithium powered one (with spare
quick-charging battery) has as much power and no cord.

What make and model is it, please?

John

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

Post by Another John
What make and model is it, please?

DeWalt DC970 -with 2 18V Li-ion batteries.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

[Vir Campestris]

Post by TheChief
Being of a certain age and driving a desk for a living, both the
weight of anything and also the requirement to keep two go
buttons pressed will have to be a focus.

My (old, battery, not very powerful) hedge trimmer has a trigger and two
switches in the other handle, which you have to keep squeezed.

Hard.

My grip is pretty strong, but I find this is the limit on how long I can
use it. I have to stop every so often.

Andy

[Martin Brown]

Post by Vir Campestris

Being of a  certain age  and driving a desk for a living, both the
  weight of anything and also the requirement to keep two go
  buttons pressed will have to be a focus.

My (old, battery, not very powerful) hedge trimmer has a trigger and two
switches in the other handle, which you have to keep squeezed.

Any decent design should require you to hold the thing with two hands
before the safety interlock will come off. It avoids people waving
chainsaws and hedge trimmers at arms length and falling off ladders
lopping parts of themselves off in the process.

Post by Vir Campestris
Hard.
My grip is pretty strong, but I find this is the limit on how long I can
use it. I have to stop every so often.

All the battery ones I have ever encountered lacked power and would run
for 15 minutes of heavy cutting at most and then required at least 2
hours of recharging (not ones with removable battery packs).

I could level the same claim against Dyson rechargeable vacuum cleaners
too but their cordless nature makes them handy for doing quick clean up
jobs and the relatively short runtime is compensated by convenience.

The same is not true of hedge trimmers where you end up waiting and
waiting for the thing to recharge with only a fraction of the job done.