A power hedge trimmer is a brilliant gardening tool. A power hedge trimmer permit you to keep your hedges looking neat and tidy. It moreover can be used for more than a few other tasks, comparable to reducing tall grass and weeds, trimming bushes, and even pruning small bushes. A power hedge trimmer is a versatile tool that can make yard artwork much more easy.
Hedge trimmers are to be had more than a few shapes and sizes, and can also be electric (battery or corded) or gas-powered. Settling on the right kind hedge trimmer in your needs is normally a frightening procedure. With all of the different alternatives to be had in the marketplace, how can you be sure you’re selecting the proper one?
Answering merely a couple of questions will permit you to narrow down the chances. In the beginning, what type of plants will you be reducing–small hedges or shrubs or large hedges, large shrubs, and small bushes? The size of the material you can be reducing will permit you to get to the bottom of the reducing capacity and engine that you will need. Secondly, where are the hedges and shrubs located? In a small yard relating to the house on the subject of electrical stores or in a large yard or field transparent of the house. {An electrical} corded trimmer is well-suited for a small yard, a battery-powered trimmer is suited to a mid-size to huge yard. and a gas-powered trimmer is best possible for a very large yard with a number of hedges and shrubs to trim.
So, what do you need to clutch to select the best power hedge trimmer in your needs? Proper right here’s our complete knowledge that can assist you make your choice.
What hedge trimmers are used for
- Power hedge trimmers are used to trim hedges, shrubs, and bushes with branches about 1/4 inch to at least one/2 thick; some respected models can decrease branches up 1 inch thick.
- Hedge trimmers are not intended to cut thick tree limbs.
- When trimming a hedge, trim the very best of the hedge so that it is narrower than the bottom; this allows sunlight to reach the bottom branches and the whole flooring of the hedge.
Hedge trimmer basics to clutch
- Hedger trimmers are also known as power shears, power hedge trimmers, and garden trimmers.
- A hedge trimmer has {an electrical} or fuel motor and a handle.
- Power hedge trimmer motors can also be powered by means of {an electrical} cord, rechargeable battery, or fuel.
- Power hedge trimmers have one or two oscillating blades in most cases about 2 to a couple of feet long; each blade has many large, pointed teeth. The blade or blades are referred to as the reducing bar.
- Hedge trimmer blades sit on best of each other creating a gap between the offset teeth. For the reason that blade or blades switch back and forth, small branches fall into grooves along the bar and are decrease as the gap closes.
- The blades of a power hedge trimmer can decrease wood from one or every facet depending on the kind.
Kinds of hedge trimmers
Electric corded hedge trimmers
Electric corded hedge trimmers run on electric power. Use is specific by the use of the length of the cord. Corded hedge trimmers weigh about 6 to 10 pounds.
- Pros: maximum continuously the least dear, lightest weight trimmer, starts in an instant, runs indefinitely, least amount of vibration, no fuel, no wish to recharge batteries, quieter than a fuel kind, no fumes, a lot much less maintenance.
- Cons: slower reducing speed, requires outlet and extension cord, range limited by the use of the length of extension cord, doable electric marvel, many times suited to smaller hedges and yards–now not large hedges.
- Tip: apply the software manufacturer’s instructions for deciding on an acceptable outdoor-rated extension cord (maximum continuously a 14-gauge or heavier 12-gauge extension). Extension cords maximum continuously max out at 100 feet.
- Worth: cheap $70 to $130.
Battery-powered cordless hedge trimmers
Cordless battery-powered hedge trimmers are powered by the use of rechargeable batteries, many times lithium-ion batteries. The batteries require a charging station that is plugged into {{an electrical}} outlet. Lithium-ion batteries provide the power and runtime to trim a hedge or shrubs in a small to mid-size residential yard. You’re going to perhaps desire a second battery so if the machine runs out of power while trimming you are able to finish the duty.
Most battery trimmers use long-lasting lithium-ion batteries that can range from 20 to 80 volts. The battery life is determined by the weight of the trimmer, the age of the battery, and the amount and thickness of the material being decrease.
- Pros: get began in an instant–no choke or pull-cord, excellent mobility, a lot much less vibration than fuel models, the motor does now not produce emissions; brushless motors and high-voltage batteries give long-lasting power, battery could also be used with power equipment from the identical manufacturer.
- Cons: worth can also be concerning the identical as fuel trimmers, run time is decided by the use of the voltage score of the battery (about 30 to 60 minutes of semi-continuous reducing on a single worth), battery re-charge time of about 30 to 120 minutes can slow your artwork.
- Worth: $200 to $250; spare batteries can range from $40 to $125.
Gasoline-powered hedge trimmers
Gas hedge trimmers are your best choice for running in large yards, orchards, or fields where a prolonged runtime is sought after. Gas-powered trimmers are also powerful enough for reducing thicker branches. Gas trimmers are available with each 2-cycle or 4-cycle engines (4-stroke machines are heavy {{and professional}} grade). Two-cycle engines require a gas-oil mixture to run. 4-cycle engines run on commonplace fuel (the oil is separate) and are one of the most powerful.
Gas-powered hedge trimmers have a fuel tank capacity that ranges from 10 to 16 oz.. Most fuel tanks in most cases require a mixture of fuel and oil at a ratio of 40:1 or 50:1; you are able to mix fuel and oil yourself or gain a pre-mixed fuel. Gas machines maximum continuously run from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the weight of the machine, the size of the engine, and the material being decrease.
Gas trimmers weigh about 10 to 20 pounds depending on the duration of the engine and the length of the reducing bar.
- Pros: best possible for heavier artwork, artwork any place. faster reducing, quite a lot of sizes, and reducing capacities to choose between.
- Cons: maximum continuously costlier, needs fuel/oil mixtures, stepped starting procedure, heavier and noisier (use earplugs or ear-muff style headsets) than battery or electric models and creates fumes, calls for added maintenance.
- Worth: Cheap worth is $125 to $400; respected models can worth up to $600. You’re going to moreover need specific fuel mixes.
Pole trimmers
- Hedge trimmers on poles or with telescoping handles are used for reducing tall hedges or for reducing very low, intensive hedges and flooring covers that can be laborious to reach.
- A pole trimmer will be extra safe than the usage of a trimmer while standing on a ladder.
- Pole hedge trimmers maximum continuously have reducing bars that can be point of view adjusted, the reducing bars swivel.
- The engine of a pole trimmer acts as a counterweight to the reducing bar.
- At all times consider steadiness and regulate of coping with when the usage of a pole trimmer.
Hedge trimmer choices to consider when buying
- Hedge trimmers can vary in weight from merely 5 pounds (a hand-held kind) to 20 pounds (a professional kind). Consider the amount of weight you’ll have to carry in conjunction with your fingers extended to the doorway or sides for 15 minutes to 2 hours.
- Choose a hedge trimmer that has the best length of reducing bar for the duty you can do.
- Consider the steadiness of the trimmer on your arms; consider the relaxation of the grip and controls.
- Some trimmers come with telescoping poles which can mean you can extend the reducing head reasonably than stretch to reach or the need for a ladder; then again, telescoping poles can building up steadiness issues.
- Hedge trimmer reducing bars can range in length from 13 to 40 inches–18 to 26 inches is usual for space use. The longer the bar the additional it is going to decrease in a single go, alternatively for the reason that bar gets longer the trimmer gets heavier and more difficult to handle.
- Reducing capacity is measured by the use of the width of the gap between the teeth; the wider the gap, the larger the branches the trimmer can handle. Typical decrease capacity ranges from 3/8 to a couple of/4 inch.
- Hedge trimmer speed is measured in strokes consistent with minute (SPM); the higher the SPM the faster the trimmer cuts. Higher SPM calls for added power from the motor.
- Electric hedge trimmers are lighter than battery-powered and gasoline-powered trimmers.
- A corded trimmer is specific by the use of the length of the cord.
- A battery-powered trimmer can run for between 30 and 60 minutes on an entire worth; this time period may not be sufficient for higher hedges or tasks. Battery trimmers may not be suited to a chain of long hedges that run around the garden.
- Gas-powered trimmers have a fuel tank capacity that ranges from 10 to 16 oz.. Fuel tanks in most cases require a mixture of fuel and oil at a ratio of 40:1 or 50:1; you are able to mix fuel and oil or gain a pre-mixed fuel.
- Gas machines maximum continuously run from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the weight of the machine, the size of the engine, and the material being decrease.
- A trimmer with an adjustable handle is more healthy for steadiness when reducing in different positions.
- Blades comprised of chrome steel are many times upper than blades comprised of solid steel.
- Choose a hedge trimmer with safety features comparable to a protective sheath for the reducing bar, blade brakes to prevent reducing in an emergency, and interlocks that can prevent youngsters from starting the machine.
- If you are left-handed, a trimmer with a double-sided blade will be easier to use. Single-sided blades and made for right-handed other people.
Hedge trimmer engine power
- Hedge trimmer engine power is measured in different ways depending on the type of machine.
- The power {of electrical} corded trimmers is measured in amperage (amps). The higher the amps, the additional powerful the engine. Most electric hedge trimmers range from 2.5 to 4.5 amps.
- The power of battery-powered, cordless trimmers is measured in volts (power stored inside the battery). The typical battery for a hedge trimmer is in a position 20 volts, alternatively some may have up to 80 volts. The higher the volts, the additional powerful the machine.
- Gas hedge trimmers use cubic centimeters (ccs) to give an explanation for engine power. Ccs measure the amount of air and fuel displaced by the use of the engine far and wide operation. The higher the number of ccs, the additional powerful the machine. Gas trimmer engines range from 21 to 25 ccs.
Hedge trimmer blade duration
- Hedge trimmer blades can also be single- or double-sided. Double-sided trimmers can decrease on every facet of the blade.
- Single-sided blades are designed for trimming instantly sections of hedge. A single-sided blade with teeth on one side of the reducing bar will be lighter than a double-sided blade.
- Double-sided trimmers are designed for shaping hedges and trimming up to about chest best. Most double-sided trimmers come with adjustable handles.
- Double-sided and dual-action are not the identical; a dual-action trimmer approach every blades switch to cut. Single-action trimmers have one fixed blade and person who reciprocates.
- Dual-action trimmers generate a lot much less vibration than single-action models.
- Hedge trimmer blade lengths many times vary from 13 inches to 40 inches. Trimmers with blades as small as 5 inches are for reducing grass or component artwork.
- Blades 18 inches and smaller are suited to small hedges, weeds, and shrubs.
- Blades 19 to 30 inches are fitted to raised bushes and shrubs, full-size hedges, and small tree branches.
- Blades 30 inches and larger are respected sizes; they are able to be used on large hedges, bushes, and shrubs along with established bushes.
Hedge trimmer safety features
Most hedge trimmers include safety features. Listed below are safety features you will have to seek for:
- Blade brake: a blade brake stops the blade as temporarily for the reason that motive is introduced.
- Coverage switch: a safety switch prevents the trimmer from starting till the switch is pressed down previous to the motive is pressed.
- Vibration damping device: a vibration damping device decreases the vibration that reaches the operator; it is going to include a padded handle.
- Padded handle: a padded handle can lend a hand cut back muscle force ended in by the use of vibration and the weight of the trimmer.
- Front handle protect: a front protect prevents the operator’s hand from slipping forward into the blade.
- Blade sheath: a sheath protects the blade when the trimmer is not being used. It protects any person dressed in the trimmer from accidentally touching the blade.
Hedge trimmer steadily asked questions
Q: How do I know what duration hedge trimmer to get?
A. You should definitely carry and handle the trimmer prior to buying. Choose a trimmer that’s not too heavy that feels balanced on your arms. A fuel trimmer can weigh as much as 10 pounds which can make it difficult to use at chest best or higher.
Q: What duration branches can I decrease with a hedge trimmer?
A: Most trimmer blades decrease up to 3/4 inches, and a couple of will decrease higher branches. Check out the reducing capacity listed for the trimmer. And take into accout, the larger the reducing capacity the additional power the machine will need.
Q: I want a quiet and environmentally delightful hedge trimmer, what trimmers will have to I consider?
A: {An electrical} corded trimmer or a battery-powered trimmer will be quieter than a gas-powered trimmer. The corded and battery trimmers produce no exhaust or emissions. Hedge trimmers are quieter than leafblowers and lawnmowers.
Q: Will I have to sharpen the blade on my hedge trimmer?
A: All hedge trimmers need their blades sharpened and cleaned one day. For many who most straightforward use the trimmer a few events a 12 months, it is imaginable you can now not wish to sharpen it for a variety of years. If your trimmer gets heavy use, it will have to be sharpened and cleaned annually. You’ll be able to sharpen the blade yourself with a document and a couple of cleansing cleaning soap and water.
Hedge trimmer coverage
- Inspect the trimmer for harm previous to the usage of it.
- Placed on gloves, goggles, and ear protectors when working a trimmer. Gas-powered trimmers can also be relatively noisy.
- Placed on a tight-fitting shirt and trousers so that garments does now not get drawn into the blades.
- Ensure that bystanders stand transparent of the sector where you could be running.
- When the usage of {an electrical} corded hedge trimmer consider of where the power cord is at all times; be careful not to decrease the cord.
Hedge trimmer maintenance
Electric and battery-powered trimmer maintenance
- Unplug the machine or remove the battery previous to maintenance.
- Clean the battery and its vents. Set the battery in its charger. Store batteries at whole capacity. Periodically worth batteries far and wide the off-season.
- Use a clean material to wipe down the trimmer after each use.
- Inspect the trimmer for free, damaged, or missing parts. Tighten all free parts and alter missing parts.
- Check out the blades for debris or harm.
Gas-powered trimmer maintenance
Along side the whole care listed above:
- Change the fuel filter at least once a 12 months.
- Clean the outdoor of the carburetor.
- Learn concerning the fuel line, fuel filter, cables, and connections.
- Check out the spark plug and alter it if sought after.
- If storing a gas-powered hedge trimmer, drain the fuel device or run it dry previous to storing. For many who pass away fuel inside the machine, add a fuel stabilizer.
Hedge trimmers we adore
About our tick list: We spend with regards to every day inside the garden. We moreover spend a lot of time with other gardeners. Lots of the apparatus on our favorites tick list are apparatus we use or apparatus we see being used by our gardening friends. We moreover chat with product sales friends at the garden center, box store, and {{hardware}} about apparatus they are selling and recommend. Our tick list is constructed from apparatus everyone knows first-hand are suitable for the duty and quite priced.
Electric corded hedge trimmers
Greenworks 4 Amp 22″ Corded Electric Hedge Trimmer. About $38.
Battery-powered hedge trimmers
EGO Power+ HT2411 24-Inch Brushless 56-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer 2.5Ah Battery and Charger Included. About $199.
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer, 22-Inch, Instrument Most efficient (LHT2220B). About $59.
WORX WG261 20V Power Share 22″ Cordless Hedge Trimmer (Battery & Charger Included). About $103.
Makita XHU02Z 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Cordless 22″ Hedge Trimmer, Instrument Most efficient. About $135.
Gasoline-powered hedge trimmers
Poulan Skilled PR2322 22-Inch 23cc 2 Cycle Gas Powered Dual Sided Hedge Trimmer. About $200.
Husqvarna 122HD60 21.7cc Gas 23.7-in Dual Movement Hedge Trimmer 9665324-02. About $369.
SENIX HT4QL-L 26.5 cc 4 Cycle Gas Powered Hedge Trimmer.
Pole hedge trimmers
Earthwise LPHT12022 Volt 20-Inch Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer, 20 inch, 2.0AH Battery & Fast. About $108.
DEWALT 41AD27HT539 DXGHT22 Pole SawCharger Included. About $249.
Sun Joe SJH904E Multi-Point of view Telescoping Convertible Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer | 19-Inch 4.5 -Amp. About $66.
Small Trimmer
RYOBI ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Grass Shear and Shrubber Trimmer – 1.3 Ah Battery and Charger Included. About $109.
Cordless Grass Shears 2-in-1 Hand held Hedge Trimmer,7.2V Electric Grass Trimmer Turnable Deal with, Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger Included. About $40.