![]() If your hedge trimmer blades are blunt, they will smash branches rather than cut them. When trimming mature hedges, use loppers or a pruning saw to take out thick growth first, then use your trimmer. Don’t try to cut branches that are too thick.Pros counter this by making the sides slope inward slightly. If you cut the sides of your hedge exactly vertical, then a strange optical effect makes them look wider at the top. You can use stakes (or bamboo poles) and string to make a guide to keep things straight and level. Make sure animals and children are kept well away. Clear the area of trip hazards before you start.Although evergreen shrubs don’t lose their leaves, they still go through a similar rest period as deciduous plants. The best time to do heavy trimming and shaping is usually in late autumn and winter when the hedge is dormant. These provide ample capacity and durability for most homeownersĮxpensive: Professionals who want tools with articulation or the larger blade sizes will need to invest between $400 and $500. Mid-range: There’s greater choice in this part of the market, with several high-performance tools between $220 and $330. You’ll find a few cordless models in this price range, but one that delivers equivalent power will probably be twice as much. Nevertheless, there are excellent values at around $150. Inexpensive: The dominance of battery-powered hedge trimmers at this end of the market means the choice is limited. Today, manufacturers use a variety of methods to make this easier. Starter: In the past, pull-cord machines have been criticized as difficult to start.Handles: Triggers and grips should be nice and chunky so they’re easy to operate with gloved hands.If you pause for any reason, you can leave the engine running and the tool will be safe. Throttle lock: Also called a dual trigger, this stops the blades from engaging by accident.They reduce operator fatigue when you’re working for hours at a time. Anti-vibration engine mounts: These are often identifiable by bolts with springs around them.On the other configuration, the handle can usually be repositioned to give greater versatility and comfort. Head: As we’ve already mentioned, pole-type gas hedge trimmers have an articulated head that can be set at different angles.You’ll either jam the tool or damage the tool and/or the hedge. It’s not a good idea to try tackling anything larger anyway. Maximum branch size: This isn’t a major issue because there isn’t much difference between tools.Double-sided is more efficient and is usually what you find on gas hedge trimmers. Single- or double-sided: Blades can be either.It is generally in the range of 20 to 24 inches, which is enough for a great many hedges, but up to 40-inch versions are available. Shorter shafts are available, but for us that seems to negate the benefits of a shaft in the first place. The drawback with this kind of hedge trimmer is that while you’re more likely to be able to stand on the ground, which is safer, the tool isn’t as easy to control because it can be difficult to see exactly where the blades are cutting. The pole gives you greater reach, and the head is usually articulated so you can set the blades at the required angle. It also makes for a more manageable tool for general trimming duties on low hedges and plants.Įnd blades: The other format looks more like a pole saw or string trimmer, with blades on the end. This gives you a machine that’s well balanced and easy to manage, which is particularly important if you have tall hedges that you have to stand on a ladder or scaffold to cut. The most popular is a unit similar in appearance to a chainsaw, but with the blade running horizontally rather than vertically. Horizontal blades: There are two basic configurations for gas hedge trimmers. There are now 15 states that ban tools that don’t meet the CARB standard. The only real difference between the budget and premium brands is component quality and thus durability.Įmissions: Some manufacturers have put considerable effort into reducing emissions, and the best two-cycle motors are now California Air Resources Board ( CARB) and/or Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) compliant. ![]() That would suggest they all produce similar output, which is true, and the weight only varies by a pound or two. Four-cycle motors tend to be more durable and slightly quieter, and they run a little cleaner, but they have one major drawback: weight.įor that reason, gas hedge trimmers invariably have a two-cycle motor, and most of the models we looked at were somewhere between 21 and 25 cubic centimeters (cc). ![]() Key considerations MotorĬycles: With many types of gas-powered garden equipment, you have a choice of four-cycle or two-cycle motors. Always use a measuring jug or other calibrated container. Two-cycle machines rely on an accurate mix of fuel and oil for proper performance. ![]()
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