Recommend a Hedge Trimmer

paperclap

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a new hedge trimmer.

We've a 120ft garden, with over 6ft hedges on both sides.

As you can imagine, a corded trimmer is out of the question. So, that leaves cordless or petrol.

I've read that cordless technology has come a long way in recent years. But, I've also read that they have far less "grunt" compared to their petrol counterparts and often have a short battery life (around 45 minutes), with the later minute becoming increasingly less powerful.

I also have a petrol lawnmower, so naturally swaying toward a petrol hedge trimmer.

What are your experiences? What would you recommend?

Thank you in advance.

tacpot12

You could go with a corded trimmer if you had one of these: Masterplug Pro XT 4 Socket 13A Metal Open Cable Reel 40m 240V (toolstation.com)

You could buy an extra couple off batteries for a cordless trimmer and it would still only cost the same as a petrol model, and be safer, but it would be more faff as you would be swapping batteries every 45 minutes or so.  

However, if you have to cut 240ft of hedges, you might be better off with something that can cut all day long; I would look at professional quality item from a good manufacturer like Stihl.

neilmcl

Why is a corded trimmer out of the question. You never heard of extension cables?

In fact, for that level of work I'd say a cordless hedge trimmer just wouldn't do the job, so you'd be better off with a corded electric cutter with a long blade, such as a 70cm one from Bosch. The alternative would be petrol.

getmore4less

That's a lot to do in one go.

Are you fit enough 

Do you have platforms or do you want one  that can cut the top standing on the ground.

Davesnave

We can't see your level of fitness and stature. Petrol hedge trimmers are good, but heavy. Something like a 70cm Bosch with a wide gap between the teeth will knock the socks off their battery models and allow more to be done in a session than a petrol machine if you aren't Mr Universe. No mucking about with 2 stroke either.

I use a 50m cable frequently. There may be some minor drop off of power but not enough to notice.

Edit: Just noticed NeilMcl has mentioned the Bosch too! I have a smaller battery one for Mrs Dave and it's lovely and light as a trimmer, but I'd not take on our big hedges with it.

neilmcl

Davesnave said:

We can't see your level of fitness and stature. Petrol hedge trimmers are good, but heavy. Something like a 70cm Bosch with a wide gap between the teeth will knock the socks off their battery models and allow more to be done in a session than a petrol machine if you aren't Mr Universe. No mucking about with 2 stroke either.

I use a 50m cable frequently. There may be some minor drop off of power but not enough to notice.

Edit: Just noticed NeilMcl has mentioned the Bosch too! I have a smaller battery one for Mrs Dave and it's lovely and light as a trimmer, but I'd not take on our big hedges with it.

Yes, I have 8 foot hedges on either side of my rear garden which are also quite wide and I use a combination of my trusty Bosch AHS 70-34, which will rip through the toughest of stems no problem, and a cheap LIDL pole trimmer for getting to the hard to reach areas nearer the neighbours side of the hedge. I also use a platform ladder. It's a big old job, usually takes a full morning to do and that's without tidying all the cuttings away, there's no way a cordless would do the job and a petrol would be too heavy.

It's not the favourite job but luckily it's only a twice a year one.

paperclap

I'm in my late 20s, and would consider myself fit and healthy. I'd like to think I can capably handle a ~5kg piece of kit.

With regards to platforms, I'd do just that — hop on a platform and shuffle it along as I go.

It was that drop off of power is what put me off using an extension cable in the first place. Perhaps I'll reconsider an extension cord / corded hedge trimmer setup. Though, feels almost a bit silly to lay out ~£50 for an extension cable that I would exclusively use for this hedge trimmer.

What is longevity like between corded and petrol?

daivid

There is far less maintenance for corded than petrol, and all petrol motors seem to die eventually. I don't know about hedge trimmers but quality corded powertools seem to go on forever if used sympathetically, which I think cutting the hedge once or twice a year would be. For example my Dad has a makita disk cutter he bought nearly new over 40 years ago, it is probably only used for a week or two per year on average but is still going strong. I can't see a petrol version starting up year after year like that.

TELLIT01

In terms of 'grunt' I would say it's cordless, electric corded and then petrol.  Petrol being the most powerful.  I can understand the concerns about corded but if used properly there is no problem.  We have a 150 foot garden and I used corded in there.  Electric are generally considerably lighter and cheaper than petrol and have the added advantage of not requiring servicing other than occasionally oiling the blade.

paperclap

TELLIT01 said:

In terms of 'grunt' I would say it's cordless, electric corded and then petrol.  Petrol being the most powerful.  I can understand the concerns about corded but if used properly there is no problem.  We have a 150 foot garden and I used corded in there.  Electric are generally considerably lighter and cheaper than petrol and have the added advantage of not requiring servicing other than occasionally oiling the blade.

You're definitely converting me over to corded. Presumably you use a large extension cable. Do you notice a drop off in power? Which corded trimmer do you own?

neilmcl

laurencewhymark said:

TELLIT01 said:

In terms of 'grunt' I would say it's cordless, electric corded and then petrol.  Petrol being the most powerful.  I can understand the concerns about corded but if used properly there is no problem.  We have a 150 foot garden and I used corded in there.  Electric are generally considerably lighter and cheaper than petrol and have the added advantage of not requiring servicing other than occasionally oiling the blade.

You're definitely converting me over to corded. Presumably you use a large extension cable. Do you notice a drop off in power? Which corded trimmer do you own?

Can I answer this too. I use a 35m extension reel and don't notice any power reduction. As mentioned earlier I use the Bosch AHS 70-34 and a LIDL pole trimmer to get to really hard places to reach.

One thing I also do if the tool doesn't already come with it is to cut the power cable near the machine and fit a 2 pin connector like this.