Opinions on hedge trimmers
Discussion
I managed to cut through the cable of my ancient Black and Decker hedge trimmer. Bit of a pain, but I took it apart, refixed the wires and but it back together again. But the trimmer has a double trigger system (to make sure you have both hands on the unit before it will start) and now this doesn't work very well - you have to grip really tight and give it a shake to get it to work.
So I thought maybe it is time to replace it, but I'm in a quandary as to what type.
Another mains powered one?
Powerful and lightweight, but have to get extension leads out and then the cable is a pain to avoid
A battery powered one?
I've got several DeWalt batteries, so that would be the obvious choice, but would it be powerful enough to cope with 100m of laurel? Some of the branches can be quite chunky.
A petrol one?
Noisy, but powerful. Cheaper than a battery one (even without batteries). I've got a petrol chainsaw and strimmer, so have two stroke oil etc.
I've got a large garden (about half acre) with lots of hedges, heathers and various bushes that need trimming, so it get a fair amount of use throughout the year. The battery one seems the obvious choice, but I'm concerned it may not be "man enough" for the job, and as it is the most expensive option I'm a bit wary.
So I thought maybe it is time to replace it, but I'm in a quandary as to what type.
Another mains powered one?
Powerful and lightweight, but have to get extension leads out and then the cable is a pain to avoid
A battery powered one?
I've got several DeWalt batteries, so that would be the obvious choice, but would it be powerful enough to cope with 100m of laurel? Some of the branches can be quite chunky.
A petrol one?
Noisy, but powerful. Cheaper than a battery one (even without batteries). I've got a petrol chainsaw and strimmer, so have two stroke oil etc.
I've got a large garden (about half acre) with lots of hedges, heathers and various bushes that need trimming, so it get a fair amount of use throughout the year. The battery one seems the obvious choice, but I'm concerned it may not be "man enough" for the job, and as it is the most expensive option I'm a bit wary.
I've got the Dewalt battery ones, both pole and regular varieties.
They happily chomp through laurel and lleandii. If I'm taking the height out hard after a few years of neglect there might be the odd stem that I grab the loppers for.
I've also got petrol versions of both but haven't got them out for years as the Dewalt ones are only fractionally less capable, far lighter and way less mucking about than trying to start a petrol engine that's been sat for months.
They happily chomp through laurel and lleandii. If I'm taking the height out hard after a few years of neglect there might be the odd stem that I grab the loppers for.
I've also got petrol versions of both but haven't got them out for years as the Dewalt ones are only fractionally less capable, far lighter and way less mucking about than trying to start a petrol engine that's been sat for months.
I have a Makita pole hedge trimmer it runs off the 12v battery, it has a 10mm cut capacity which is the same as the 18v version. I had both 12v and 18v tools already so went with the 12v as they will be lighter.
Got to say that it's so handy to pop out a trim a bit of hedge when you see it's getting a bit untidy, and not need to get petrol mixed or get cables out.
Really would think the battery trimmer you are looking at and a couple of batt's would be juts fine for you.
Got to say that it's so handy to pop out a trim a bit of hedge when you see it's getting a bit untidy, and not need to get petrol mixed or get cables out.
Really would think the battery trimmer you are looking at and a couple of batt's would be juts fine for you.
I recently broke my corded Titan long reach hedge trimmer. It was very effective, but cords are a pain especially when you need two extensions to get to the back hedge.
I replaced it with a Stihl battery job. Used it for the first time last weekend. I wish I’d got one sooner. Did about 50m of privet in 20 mins.
I suspect the DeWalt version would be similarly proficient.
I replaced it with a Stihl battery job. Used it for the first time last weekend. I wish I’d got one sooner. Did about 50m of privet in 20 mins.
I suspect the DeWalt version would be similarly proficient.
IF you want to do it in one hit, then perhaps petrol is the right answer.
I have an 18/21V Chinese trimmer which is excellent for doing a chunk when I've got half an hour.
Unfortunately most are Makita compatible not other cults?
It was about £25, the PH way is to spend £600 on an aspirational brand.
A big laurel hedge, you will eventually want to cut thick branches, so either a powerful trimmer or get in there with loppers.
Around here, for 100m of hedge, people resort to 'cousins with tractors'.
I actually end up using manual shears quite a lot, but having 100m of hedge to do with no toys would be depressing!
I have an 18/21V Chinese trimmer which is excellent for doing a chunk when I've got half an hour.
Unfortunately most are Makita compatible not other cults?
It was about £25, the PH way is to spend £600 on an aspirational brand.
A big laurel hedge, you will eventually want to cut thick branches, so either a powerful trimmer or get in there with loppers.
Around here, for 100m of hedge, people resort to 'cousins with tractors'.
I actually end up using manual shears quite a lot, but having 100m of hedge to do with no toys would be depressing!
I've got a half acre plot with 8ft laurels on three sides so sounds very similar to yours.
I run 18v Makita systems. More than copes with a couple of batteries on the go. I also have a petrol trimmer that I never use anymore. It's heavy and a pain to stop/ start especially if ladders are involved although more powerful. But the battery ones are so easy to use one tends to use more often so once the hedge is under control a quick trim is done more often.
Clearing up after is the time consumer, the trimming takes no time at all.
I'd also recommend one of the telescopic ones if the hedge is anything over 6 foot. I still use a ladder for mine to do the top to get it level but with so much more reach you don't have to move the ladder so often.
It's the future.
As you've already got the batteries then obviously Dewalt is the way to go. My bare tool telescopic Makita was less than £100
I run 18v Makita systems. More than copes with a couple of batteries on the go. I also have a petrol trimmer that I never use anymore. It's heavy and a pain to stop/ start especially if ladders are involved although more powerful. But the battery ones are so easy to use one tends to use more often so once the hedge is under control a quick trim is done more often.
Clearing up after is the time consumer, the trimming takes no time at all.
I'd also recommend one of the telescopic ones if the hedge is anything over 6 foot. I still use a ladder for mine to do the top to get it level but with so much more reach you don't have to move the ladder so often.
It's the future.
As you've already got the batteries then obviously Dewalt is the way to go. My bare tool telescopic Makita was less than £100
Edited by Harry H on Monday 21st September 11:54
If you want to trial a battery one out for not much money, you can get an adapter to go from Dewalt (also Makita) batteries to Parkside tools for about £15 on Amazon. You can then get the Parkside £34 extending hedge cutter. I tried it out over the weekend and it only half used a 4ah battery doing a load of brush/brambles/hawthorn and it only got stuck on the bits the size of my thumb but even then, with a wobble it would get through them.
Sford said:
If you want to trial a battery one out for not much money, you can get an adapter to go from Dewalt (also Makita) batteries to Parkside tools for about £15 on Amazon. You can then get the Parkside £34 extending hedge cutter. I tried it out over the weekend and it only half used a 4ah battery doing a load of brush/brambles/hawthorn and it only got stuck on the bits the size of my thumb but even then, with a wobble it would get through them.
I have a 12V Parkside, it is 'limp' compared to the 18V Chineseum, but served its time on light duty stuff.I can see why the pro gear is >18V.
The upside of light duty 12V things can be that using them is more easily delegated to your better half.
Ive got a Bosch 600w 24" corded unit my late father in law gave me as a house warming present and its absolutely brilliant to be honest.
Light but also powerful, used once or twice a year for a couple of hours a time, at which point the inconvenience of getting the extension lead out is very manageable for our mid sized garden and im still eeking out a 15yo NiCd drill driver.
However if you have a full Li-ion setup the cordless ones might well be just as good and free you from the cord.
Light but also powerful, used once or twice a year for a couple of hours a time, at which point the inconvenience of getting the extension lead out is very manageable for our mid sized garden and im still eeking out a 15yo NiCd drill driver.
However if you have a full Li-ion setup the cordless ones might well be just as good and free you from the cord.
OutInTheShed said:
IF you want to do it in one hit, then perhaps petrol is the right answer.
I have an 18/21V Chinese trimmer which is excellent for doing a chunk when I've got half an hour.
Unfortunately most are Makita compatible not other cults?
It was about £25, the PH way is to spend £600 on an aspirational brand.
Can you share a link? I'm in the market for a new one.I have an 18/21V Chinese trimmer which is excellent for doing a chunk when I've got half an hour.
Unfortunately most are Makita compatible not other cults?
It was about £25, the PH way is to spend £600 on an aspirational brand.
Similar garden and requirements to the OP.
I have a mains Macallister B&Q brand job that I use for most tasks its excellent
I have a Titan Petrol one that I use when I cant get power to where I need it, it's very good BUT it is rather heavy
I have a Bosch long pole one for things up high very good and certainly man enough for most stuff.
I have a Titan 18v cordless one and thats also pretty good, Mrs geeks likes it as its nice and light and its great for all the simple stuff she wants to use it for, I am not allowed to use it as she has claimed it as hers however prior to this I have used it on box hedge and conifers and it did a bang up job too.
Moral of the story is; man maths your way into all of the styles then you have just the tool for the job whenever you need it
I have a mains Macallister B&Q brand job that I use for most tasks its excellent
I have a Titan Petrol one that I use when I cant get power to where I need it, it's very good BUT it is rather heavy
I have a Bosch long pole one for things up high very good and certainly man enough for most stuff.
I have a Titan 18v cordless one and thats also pretty good, Mrs geeks likes it as its nice and light and its great for all the simple stuff she wants to use it for, I am not allowed to use it as she has claimed it as hers however prior to this I have used it on box hedge and conifers and it did a bang up job too.
Moral of the story is; man maths your way into all of the styles then you have just the tool for the job whenever you need it
Vonhaus mains pole trimmer, I find it heavy and awkward, a student that helps with chores is okay with it though. Cheapo cordless Aldi jobbie has given up the ghost after 9 yrs (maybe aided and abetted with abuse from student) replaced with an Amazon Chinese special, which comes with 2 x batteries (which is useful)
I bought a Stihl battery hedge cutter last year, best thing ever, light in weight and quiet , starts every time, cuts through Hornbeam without problems. I cut Laurel with it as well, regularly on the thinner stuff.
Depends how much you want to spend , 3 different batteries , and it's where the expense is really.
Charger £89
AK10 Battery £57
AK20 Battery £77
AK30 Battery £125.
Since bought strimmer because it's the same battery, that seems to use the battery more than the hedge cutter.
Depends how much you want to spend , 3 different batteries , and it's where the expense is really.
Charger £89
AK10 Battery £57
AK20 Battery £77
AK30 Battery £125.
Since bought strimmer because it's the same battery, that seems to use the battery more than the hedge cutter.
CaptainSensib1e said:
OutInTheShed said:
IF you want to do it in one hit, then perhaps petrol is the right answer.
I have an 18/21V Chinese trimmer which is excellent for doing a chunk when I've got half an hour.
Unfortunately most are Makita compatible not other cults?
It was about £25, the PH way is to spend £600 on an aspirational brand.
Can you share a link? I'm in the market for a new one.I have an 18/21V Chinese trimmer which is excellent for doing a chunk when I've got half an hour.
Unfortunately most are Makita compatible not other cults?
It was about £25, the PH way is to spend £600 on an aspirational brand.
Many similar listings, I paid under £30 IIRC. Maybe 8 months ago?
Chinese 21V batteries are often 'compatible' with Makita 18V, I took a punt on this and my other fake makita batteries fit.
Ebay listings seem not to mention Makita now, possibly for legal reasons?
I also have a £25 grass trimmer which is good, in a mildly dangerous way!
The metal blade would have your toes off I think!
OutInTheShed said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/366629632243?
Many similar listings, I paid under £30 IIRC. Maybe 8 months ago?
Chinese 21V batteries are often 'compatible' with Makita 18V, I took a punt on this and my other fake makita batteries fit.
Ebay listings seem not to mention Makita now, possibly for legal reasons?
I also have a £25 grass trimmer which is good, in a mildly dangerous way!
The metal blade would have your toes off I think!
Looks like they are north of £40 now but still decent value. Thanks for sharing.Many similar listings, I paid under £30 IIRC. Maybe 8 months ago?
Chinese 21V batteries are often 'compatible' with Makita 18V, I took a punt on this and my other fake makita batteries fit.
Ebay listings seem not to mention Makita now, possibly for legal reasons?
I also have a £25 grass trimmer which is good, in a mildly dangerous way!
The metal blade would have your toes off I think!
I'd also recommend the DeWalt cordless hedge trimmer. I had my 30ish metres of beech and hawthorn hedges trimmed easily and it had plenty power to go through everything it needed to.
Corded makes no sense anymore unless you want something cheap, and anything that runs on 2 stroke will inevitably struggle to start at some point or leave you needing to mix up fuel before you can get started, or require priming / servicing. I guess petrol is fine if you use it a lot, but not ideal for occasional use.
Corded makes no sense anymore unless you want something cheap, and anything that runs on 2 stroke will inevitably struggle to start at some point or leave you needing to mix up fuel before you can get started, or require priming / servicing. I guess petrol is fine if you use it a lot, but not ideal for occasional use.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff