Need a hedge trimmer - what to look for?

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Like the title says, I'm in need of a hedge trimmer. I've never owned one before, but a few of my massively overgrown shrubs just can't be ignored any more.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a big difference between similarly spec'd gas and battery powered trimmers? I'd prefer battery powered, but I don't know if there's a big difference between the two. Obviously the battery powered will have a limited use time, but after the initial trim I don't see this being an issue. Corded isn't an option as some of the shrubs are 150ft away from the house.

I think initially the trimmer is going to get worked hard (there are 3 shrubs in particular which have run wild for 10+ years), then once everything is under control, maybe 2 or 3 light uses a year. I'll be using a saw and pruning plyers for the larger branches.

Does anyone have experience with gas or battery powered trimmers?? Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
If the shrubs are big enough, I use a chainsaw. An Electric one at that.


I thought about a chainsaw for the initial trim to get everything under control, but I think once I was done that it wouldn't get touched ever again.

I've also read they need quite a bit of maintenance (sharpening) and don't work well on trimming the small growth stuff.
 
We have both a Kobalt 40v hedge trimmer and a Husqvarna gas powered hedge trimmer (the cheapest one you can buy).

Both are outstanding

The kobalt can hold it's own on anything you would use a trimmer to cut. Almost up to 1" thick. The battery lasts about 1 hour of constant run time, it's lightweight, and the battery charges in 30 minutes.

The only complaint about the husqvarna gas trimmer is the weight. But all gas hedge trimmers are hefty.

The only gas powered power equipment I buy anymore is Husqvarna and Stihl. Sometimes kubota, tanaka, and cub cadet.
 
I always go with gas for OPE, just a personal preference. I have friends with electric hedge trimmers who still borrow my gas Stihl when the going gets tough.
 
Normally I prefer gas for OPE...

I had an 18V Homelite (like Ryobi) cordless hedge trimmer that was OK. So I decided to try a used Stihl gas hedge trimmer.

I decided that I really prefer the battery powered trimmer. You're holding it out in front of you and swinging it around, and the weight really adds up. Not to mention having hot 2-stroke exhaust blasting back at ya. You might have to wait for a recharge once in a while, but trimming the hedge is a job you only do a few times a year.

Then I moved to a new house with no hedge...
 
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A longer bar than what you might first think. 24" or more helps get an even cut.

Also, you say use 2 - 3 times a year. It's much easier to keep it under control if you use it more often - like monthly. Cutting shorter smaller growth is easier than heavy growth.
 
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I'm about ready to retire my old Red Max CHT-230 and go with a hedge trimmer head on a Stihl HL100. Just the difference in handling and balance really has me debating the value of the traditional layout of hedge trimmers. Then again, I have 175' of hedgerow that need to be cut at my house and another bunch of hedges and hedgerow at my grandparent's house. It's a killer using my Red Max.

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/hedge-trimmers/professional-hedge-trimmers/hl100135/

This is the one I'm looking at but I want to verify with the Stihl dealer whether or not I can put a Stihl string trimmer head on it as it would make this cheaper than buying their string trimmer and then buying the hedge trimmer head.
 
Below is a photo of what I'm dealing with. (From last November)

There's the bush on the far left of the photo, there's another one you can't really see behind the snow covered hammock lol.

Also the one on the right in the foreground. This is the worst one as the base of the shrub is completely overrun with dead and alive branches. It literally looks like a rubber band ball made of of dead undergrowth. I thought there might even be something living in there, but haven't seen anything yet.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/76yzvw8vb6rb7dd/AAAZ7Ax2-WTpY4Br3zYt3OTza
 
I prefer gas OPE stuff, but if your looking at battery powered, might want to check out offerings by EGO power equipment. They use a 56V system. Seems like its made decent.

I wish I had your problem, it would give me an excuse to go spend a bunch of money on a gas hedgetrimmer...
 
Originally Posted By: Ope_Freak
I prefer gas OPE stuff, but if your looking at battery powered, might want to check out offerings by EGO power equipment. They use a 56V system. Seems like its made decent.

I wish I had your problem, it would give me an excuse to go spend a bunch of money on a gas hedgetrimmer...


It's funny you mentioned the Ego. It's exactly what I ended up with. So far it's been great. The battery outlasts my arms so battery life isn't an issue lol.

Does anyone have tips for cleaning or lubing the blades? I used some of my motorcycle chain lube and it seems to be doing okay.
 
It doesn't have a grease fitting between the electric motor and the blades? It's usually near the front hand grip. Quality trimmers should have a fitting and you just use a white lithium or other water resistant grease there.

On my manual hedge shears, I use a spray lithium grease before and after I use them to keep the blades from collecting sap, rusting and grinding on themselves. I would imagine that would be fine for a trimmer lacking a fitting.
 
Originally Posted By: PhilsSmallEngine
It doesn't have a grease fitting between the electric motor and the blades? It's usually near the front hand grip.



It doesn't have a grease fitting. The manual just says to use a lightweight machine oil before and after each use.
 
I just purchased a Poulan Pro gas hedge trimmer PP2822 today because I had the the need today and it got better reviews than my other in stock option Ryobi. It started immediately and cut my 20+ year old uncut hedges like they were butter. I was impressed with it. I'm not kidding myself it is for occasional use, even says so in the owners manual. I'll care for it and it should last many years for the use it's going to get. It's Husqvarna's poor cousin, maybe it's got some of it's quality. It's warrantied for 2 years for parts and labor. The price was $199 at Lowe's.

Whimsey
 
Had 30 yds of badly maintained, nasty, hawthorn, like 15-20 ft high and up to 2" thick at 8 ft.
Found out that the gas trimmers had less capacity than the corded ones for this heavy job. Bought a 700W corded Bosch 65-34mm that eats 1,3" twigs for breakfast. The neighours called it a "monster".
Had to work hard and still did some work with a hand saw and the chainsaw.
However, now when the hedge is the size is should be and green and smooth, I think the Bosch is a bit overkill for yearly trimming of the green parts of that hedge. Would switch to a smaller (good quality) battery trimmer or a husqvarna gas trimmer now to avoid the cord and make it less cumbersome.

The point being: Punishing a heavily grown hedge is not the same job as maintaining it. Rent a small corded electric chainsaw and a heavy corded hedge trimmer for the one-off shaping. Then buy a high quality battery trimmer with good battery and very sharp sword.

This is the 34mm beast. Looks light right?
bosch
 
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