Recommend me a Hedge Trimmer Please.

[New Leaf]

I planted a privet hedge round out front garden last year, and i also have quite a lot of big shrubs that need regular trimming, so i was thinking of getting a hedge trimmer to save hours with the shears.

Can you help me decide which type to get or recommend a specific model?

I like the idea of not having an electric cable. I was so pleased when i got a petrol lawn mower - and don't think i could go back to being restricted by a power lead. So that leaves battery or petrol powered.

I kinda like the idea of a petrol one, so i can wave it around pretending its a chainsaw and that I'm an evil murdering gangster. :twisted: However, i don't want the neighbours thinking I'm a c0ck for attacking my tiny little sapling hedge plants with a hugely over powered chainsaw type thing.

I also like the idea of a lithium battery one. But I'm worried it may not be powerful enough to chop through some of the bigger shrubs and my side of the neighbours beech hedge.

So what do you reckon? Has anyone used a lithium battery powered hedge trimmer and was it up to the job.

Thanks in advance for all your helpful comments.

[Gene genie]

i did wonder if you were contemplating suicide, now that i've read your post i'm relieved to say your not.;)

[Davido]

Petrol.

[SV-net]

I got a Homebase Black and Decker about forty quid it has a five year guarantee and gets lots and I mean lots of use. Had it 2 years now and its still cutting well.

[New Leaf]

I got a Homebase Black and Decker about forty quid it has a five year guarantee and gets lots and I mean lots of use. Had it 2 years now and its still cutting well.

is it petrol, corded or battery?

[yorkie_chris]

Petrol all the way, the battery ones are totally useless.

[Electro]

I`ll agree with Chris, battery power!!!!! Better off with scissors. If u have alot of cutting petrol is the best but as SV said £40 for a corded with 5 yr guarantee is spot on.

[shonadoll]

We have a beech hedge and they are very tough to cut with a battery/electric one-we tried 2 of them! Petrol all the way.

[thedonal]

A goat?

[Mr Speirs]

Go to B&Q, find a box that says Hedge Trimmer on it. Im sure it will Trim Hedges :)

[Luckypants]

I have a Shindaiwa, that was recommended by my local tool hire / sales place. I use it on a mixed hedge of hawthorn, blackthorn, ash and holly and it has never let me down in 7 years of ownership.

I have a DH230

http://www.shindaiwa.com/nam/en/_images/products/hedgetrims/enlarge/dh230.jpg


But would recommend a 22DH for a lighter domestic application.
http://www.shindaiwa.com/nam/en/_images/products/hedgetrims/enlarge/22dh.jpg

[timwilky]

careful

years ago, my dad had a large beech hedge atop the banking (http://www.twsoft.co.uk/sv/hedge.png) that surrounded his home. He employed a local 16yr old to trim it for pocket money. The lad was swinging out with the trimmer when things went tits up and the lad had to stop his fall down the bank.

yes off with 4 fingers, my dad packs him off to hospital with fingers all wrapped up in ice and sandwich bags but they cannot be reattached.

So my personal recommendation is dig up privet hedge, build a nice brick wall and no stupid maintenance, no sweeping up leaves. and no risk of silly accidents

[embee]

Stihl are about as good as it gets, a touch pricey but top quality. I also have a McCulloch but that is mickey mouse in comparison.

With hedge trimmers small is beautiful, believe me (unless you have arms like the Hulk), something like this (http://www.worldofpower.co.uk/Garden-and-Outdoor/Hedge-Cutters/Petrol-Hedge-Cutters/sc1251/p5424.aspx), (there is 5% off with the discount code shown at the moment), but you may find cheaper.

Edit - in fact thinking about it you could have the McCulloch for a very reasonable sum if you felt like meeting halfway. When I said mickey mouse I really meant value for money (oops). Seriously though, it works fine and would do occasional use with no problems, it's just not up to "trade" use like the Stihl. I've used this one for probably 10yrs on and off, then got the Stihl. I wouldn't recommend buying a new McCulloch, too many reports of problems with later versions.
IIRC mine is the MH555 which is like the MH452 but with a longer cutter bar. PM if interested.
Like this (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/library/product/large/03/030310220.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mh542-2-stroke-petrol-hedgetrimmer&usg=__4XgGA_gtkAnrMemexUSkeLA523o=&h=500&w=500&sz=18&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=VeChtbinmKTVVM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3DmcCulloch%2Bhedge%2Btrimmer%26ndsp%3D 20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26cr%3DcountryUK%257Ccountry GB%26sa%3DN)

[embee]

Edited post above, bumping

[New Leaf]

Lol - u're funny - calling it mickey mouse and then trying to sell it.

I might be interested, but i guess it would have to be cheap, if you're saving its over 10 years old. What sort of condition is it in, does it start up okay, and erm how much do ya want for it?

Half way from ely to warwick seems to be Kettering on the a14 is that easy for you to get to?

[Balky001]

New Leaf, not sure what make/model you want but make sure you don't get too large a trimmer, heavy to use for long periods and it's more difficult to get a decent shape

[Sally]

ECHO hedge trimmers 100%..

Dad sells garden machinery for a living, lawn mowers, tractors, chainsaws and hedge trimmers..
And everything else in between..

All depends on how much work you're doing, what kind of money you want to spend, and how often it is used..
And of course, how thick/dense the material that you wish to cut..

For quality, go for ECHO..

http://www.echo-usa.com/prods_list.asp?Category=HEDGECLIPPER

[embee]

Hi New Leaf
well yes, sort of shot myself in the foot there!! :laughat:#-o Just being honest.

Seriously though it is in good order, runs fine, cutter is good.

I'll send a PM rather than clog up the forum.

[Sally]

Stihl are about as good as it gets, a touch pricey but top quality. I also have a McCulloch but that is mickey mouse in comparison.

From servicing McCulloch chainsaws, they older ones were reasonable quality, but the new ones are utter P1sh. Which will be the same for their hedge trimmers.
Defiently avoid..

[Caddy2000]

Stihl are about as good as it gets, a touch pricey but top quality. I also have a McCulloch but that is mickey mouse in comparison.

With hedge trimmers small is beautiful, believe me (unless you have arms like the Hulk), something like this (http://www.worldofpower.co.uk/Garden-and-Outdoor/Hedge-Cutters/Petrol-Hedge-Cutters/sc1251/p5424.aspx), (there is 5% off with the discount code shown at the moment), but you may find cheaper.

Edit - in fact thinking about it you could have the McCulloch for a very reasonable sum if you felt like meeting halfway. When I said mickey mouse I really meant value for money (oops). Seriously though, it works fine and would do occasional use with no problems, it's just not up to "trade" use like the Stihl. I've used this one for probably 10yrs on and off, then got the Stihl. I wouldn't recommend buying a new McCulloch, too many reports of problems with later versions.
IIRC mine is the MH555 which is like the MH452 but with a longer cutter bar. PM if interested.
Like this (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/library/product/large/03/030310220.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mh542-2-stroke-petrol-hedgetrimmer&usg=__4XgGA_gtkAnrMemexUSkeLA523o=&h=500&w=500&sz=18&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=VeChtbinmKTVVM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3DmcCulloch%2Bhedge%2Btrimmer%26ndsp%3D 20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26cr%3DcountryUK%257Ccountry GB%26sa%3DN)

Sthil HS45 would be perfect, I have one at work that we use for shaping up Yew hedging. It's a very light toll that is easily used in at all angles and has enough power to cope with most things. Replacing the blades on them is an easy process as well.

Try Stanton Hope for cost (they have a web site).

ECHO hedge trimmers 100%..

Dad sells garden machinery for a living, lawn mowers, tractors, chainsaws and hedge trimmers..
And everything else in between..

All depends on how much work you're doing, what kind of money you want to spend, and how often it is used..
And of course, how thick/dense the material that you wish to cut..

For quality, go for ECHO..

http://www.echo-usa.com/prods_list.asp?Category=HEDGECLIPPER


Personally from a professional point of view I wouldn't touch ECHO with a barge pole. If I want a hedge trimmer or a brush cutter I'll use Sthil, when I'm climbing I'll use a Sthil 020T or MS200T, when I'm clearing woodland, coppicing or just felling a 6ft diameter 100 foot ash I'll use a Husqy 357 XP.
Just a personal preference like....

[Sally]

Some guys prefer Sthil to Echo, others Echo to Sthil..
Not sure for their reasons..

McCulloch i feel (dont know too much) should be avoided..
Correct me if i am wrong, but they went bust a while back..

[Caddy2000]

ECHO 'used' to be re-badged Husqy stuff the Husqy were no longer selling because they had moved on technologically speaking.
Not sure if they still are, but I've never heard good things about them.

[Sally]

Mmm dad puts them out to all his contractors, the council and for heavy use..

Council will only use echo strimmers/brushcutters, nothing else seems to last as long and stand up to the beating them guys give them..
Still made in Japan, nothing to do with husqy as far as i am aware.. :S

[New Leaf]

thanks for all the advice boys and girls. think i'm gonna take up embee's kind offer and buy his mickey mouse McCulloch :-)