Bosch Hedge Trimmers

mimi1234

Hi,

Just a quick question. Purchased a Bosch hedge trimmer on Monday. Just went to use it now. The wire is really positioned badly from the back and comes out at an angle. (The previous Black and Decker was much better, it had a proper safety catch at the back). I accidentally cut the wire within the 1st minute and it is no longer working. My bad obviously.

It's under guarantee for 2 years and I phoned B and Q just now, but they are having none of it. The manual clearly shows some kind of safety catch near the lead, but there was nothing in the box so not sure whether I have some kind of rights or not.

Obviosuly, I messed up by cutting the wire, but is that £50 down the drain or am I entitled to some kind of repair/replacement/exchange?

Please shed some light on this gardening dilemma.

Hintza

In my view your problem. Just need to get it rewired, so not £50 down the drain.

George_Michael

mimi1234 wrote: »

The manual clearly shows some kind of safety catch near the lead, but there was nothing in the box so not sure whether I have some kind of rights or not.

If you were to try pusing for a refund, B&Q could well state that as you noticed that there may have been something missing, you shouldn't have used the trimmer but should have returned it to the store.

As Hintza stated, either take it to a local garden equipment repair place, or if you know someone who will be able take the cutter apart and attach the cut wire (provided that they are qualified or have the knowledge and electrical experience to do the job safely), it shouldn't cost more than a few pounds to get it sorted.

neilmcl

mimi1234 wrote: »

My bad obviously.

I think that sums it up really. Nothing more to say.

George_Michael

Having done something similar myself, one option is to fit a weatherproof connector to the cable.
This picture is of a two pin one, but there are also 3 pin versions available.



They will cost you about £4.50 for the pair.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLRC2OR.html

mimi1234

George_Michael wrote: »

Having done something similar myself, one option is to fit a weatherproof connector to the cable.
This picture is of a two pin one, but there are also 3 pin versions available.



They will cost you about £4.50 for the pair.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLRC2OR.html

Thanks so much for that. What exactly does one do if you don't mind me asking? Cheers in advance.

George_Michael

It's just a plug and a socket. You put one part on the cable that is still attached to the trimmer and the other part on the long cable that you plug into the mains, then they simply push together.

One very important thing to make sure of is that the socket (that's the bit shown on the left of the picture) is connected to the cable that goes into the mains and the plug (the part with the pins sticking out) is fitted to the short bit of cable that is attached to the hedge cutter.
This is so that when the cable is pluged into the mains, there is no "sticky out" bit that is live and could electrocute anyone.


If you have any doubt or worries about doing it, leave it, and get a professional to carry out a repair instead.
At the best of times, mains electricity can be extremely dangerous, and it's far worse once you introduce things like damp grass or hedges into the equation.