Long reach hedge trimmer

fwor

I have the great pleasure (not) of having to trim the hedges at two properties (mine and elderly parents), and I'd like to get a long reach trimmer (aka pole trimmer) so that I can do them from ground level.

Professional petrol tools by the likes of Stihl are out of the question, because they are all more than £600 in price. A gardener who I know recommended Tanaka as a make of top-end non-professional tools but even these are £600 if bought with all the tools!

If I go with petrol power, the model I'm considering at the moment is the Mitox 27MT multi-tool, which is just under £300 - here is an example:

http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/mitox-27mt-petrol-multi-tool.html

I would consider an electric alternative, but I don't want anything cordless - because it won't have the running time that I need, and I don't want one with the motor in the cutting head - because it will be much too top-heavy for prolonged use.

So... does anyone have any alternative recommendations - electric or petrol - or any comments on whether Mitox (who I've never heard of) is a decent quality make?

peter_the_piper

Mitox seem a good brand, not many come in for repair. Don't be seduced into buying a £150 chinese no name, it may run a year or two but getting spares is next to impossible. Ryobi is also a middle of the road make which does have spares available widely.

fishybusiness

Agree, buy branded, much better for spares and general longevity.

I wouldn´t buy Ryobi, terrible beasts, bought one a few years ago, great until the petrol leaks, or it won´t start, or you want spares.

Recently bought a pole trimmer used, from ebay - Kawasaki engine, amazing bit of kit. Must be 8 or so years old and still going strong.

Stihl, Echo also good brands, bit pricey new. have you thought about buying used?

We have a Tanaka standard length trimmer, bought used, amazing bit of kit, starts easily, light, just does the job.......

fwor

Thanks for the replies - I would prefer to buy Tanaka as it's slightly lighter than the Mitox. But I can't justify spending £600!

TBH I hadn't thought about secondhand - perhaps I should speak to one of the local companies that service garden equipment, as I know they sell used gear.

Nobody going to recommend an electric (not cordless) model?

peter_the_piper

Apart from the battery life the electric motor does not have much oomph far better to get petrol one albeit dearer.

fwor

Anyone have good/bad experiences with a Bosch electric multi-tool/hedgecutter type AWM 10?

Should have enough power as it's got a 1000W motor, but it's almost 2 kilos heavier than a petrol equivalent...

peter_the_piper

From your original post an electric one, heavier than the petrol equivalent
would not seem suitable, but its up to you. 2kg is an awful lot heavier after extended use.

fwor

Agreed - but the appeal of not having to deal with petrol power is substantial! Last time I used a petrol chainsaw (an Oleo Mac) on a regular basis I found it a real pain because - despite it being drained of fuel after each use - the carb would regularly clog up and make starting difficult...

I could probably live with 2 kilos more in weight if the 1kW motor on the Bosch is powerful enough.

Still tending towards the Mitox, though...

peter_the_piper

It probably depends on the hedge. If its just a plain privet/leylandii and has not been allowed to grow long and thick branches then the electric may do the trick. If its a mixed hedge then I'd plump for the mitox/tanaka.

savemoney

How about this next week

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-20-aug/product-detail/ps/p/electric-pole-hedge-trimmer-2/

fwor

savemoney wrote: »

How about this next week

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-20-aug/product-detail/ps/p/electric-pole-hedge-trimmer-2/

Well spotted - no chainsaw attachment option, but Aldi products are generally good quality for the money...