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need a decent hedge trimmer???
Evenin' all - not grass related but I've a couple of rather substantial (driveway-lining) privet hedges to trim in the swanky suburb of Mosman, Sydney, for the first time.
I have an eBay bought Chinese-made petrol hedge trimmer that hacks, rather than cuts, so have been looking at something more serious that'll get the job done and impress fussy customers.
So, do I need to spend $500-$600 on a Shindaiwa, Makita or similarly decent petrol hedge trimmer, or is there a more affordable option - electric, for example?
Any advice would be really appreciated,
Cheers, Nosepeg...
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I bought a Homelite from Bunnings as I don't do many, Paid $180 and it is nice and lightweight and has plenty of grunt. Does great for me
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
If you are doing a reasonable size or number of hedges, petrol is the only way to go, electric is to limiting and generally does not have the same power. For some of mine the power cord would need to be 30 to 40 metres long, and would be a pain.
I use a Honda HHH25D, does a nice cut, has a long cutting blade, and does a good job all round on either fine hedges or the heavier cypress hedges as well. It is a little expensive ($800 if I remember right), but this is outweighed by the quicker time to cut big hedges. The other problem, it is heavy, and after a couple of hours of hedge trimming, your arms definitely know about it. One job is 8 hours, and the 2 of us take it in turns, due to the weight.
Overall I can recommend this machine.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I am using a echo one, was about $400, it cute very well, and strong enough for the thicker branches too.
My next one will be a Stihl though without the guard bit over the blades.
Buy the best you cna afford, it is worth it and they start 1st time everytime, and do a better job.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I have used a Homelite hedger- garbage compared to the others. It has a smaller gap between the blades which means you cant cut anything biggish and you have to go over things heaps of times because it pushes the stems/leaves over. I bought a Dolmar(Makita) hedger when i started my business. It was pretty good for the price ($400-$500?) and was very reliable.
I then bought a Huskvarna combi for the pole hedger which was a lemon. I had so much trouble with the engine, it was a terrible machine. I bought an Echo hedger which is very reliable and cuts beautifully, BUT it vibrates much more than the other machines I have used and gives you that tingling sensation in your hands. Apart from that its excellent.
I bought a Shingu pole hedger to replace the Huski and its been a great machine, especially for the price ($820) Its the easiest machine I have ever had to start and cuts very well. Only has a small tank though and wont run with less than a third of a tank when on its side.
If you can afford it, go for something like the Shingu pole hedger. I actually use it as much as I can instead of the smaller machines because it is much easier on my back. I only use the small machines on things less than knee height. If you only want a smaller machine on a low budget, go for something like the Dolmar/Makita.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I recomed Tanaka I can hedge all day with that very light and its good for topiary because of the weight and the ajustable handle and only $520 worth every cent.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
we use shindawa c4 machines for hedgeing and a articulated hedger with a c4 power unit.this combination allows one to cut low to tall and all shapes and sizes.no compliants on the cut quality,only beware of the c4 engines,they are service intensive and do not preform in cold damp air.with the hedger look at the exhaust outlet and try get one with a defelector that sends the exhaust fumes away from the plants you are trimming,your hands and the petrol tank.our c4 hedger exhaust deflector sends hot air straight down onto the plant,the latest model deflects the exhausts sideways.tender plants like diomas can get burn marks from exhausts.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Hi Nosepeg?
I use Sthil currently and previously a Tanaka both are exceptional machines and get a flogging, all types of hedge work and the finish is impressive...its not the operator!
As you have been advised on this thread already dig deep in your shallow pockets you wont regret it!
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
HI Nosepeg
I have a still HS80 not bad,But the start of last year picked up a SHINGU its got a 23cc Kawasaki motor on it works bloody great
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I just recently bought a Shindaiwa DH230. Am very happy with it. My old one is a Jonserd (made by Husky I think). The Shindaiwa is head and shoulders above my old one.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
tanaka, shindawa,kawasaki....stick with the Jap made stuff and you can't go wrong.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
i have the tanaka 2100s[ 26"/1.1hp/5kg] the shindaiwa is listed as [ 24"/1.1hp/5.5kg] i believe there both great machines the shindaiwa has chrome blades which keep there edge longer but are harder to sharpen the tanaka are hardened steel and 2" longer
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I have the smallest tanaka, good n lite does an ok job, great for bigger jobs when you have a lot to do, but I also have a shindaiwa and that has served me well for 6+ years. Better cut, blades etc but I also look after it where the tanaka will get put through the crap jobs.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I have a small echo, I dont get many hedging jobs but the ones I have done the echo has performed admirably. Not too heavy, decent sized blades and a nice price.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
i use a shindawa c4 machine with chrome vanadium blades.i do quite a lot of formal topiary work and hedging,shaping ,from the fine leafed diosma shrubs to large confier type hedges.the speed of blade,quailty of cut, and torque produced by the c4,has made the shindawa c4 a good for value buy for my needs ,and more importantly,the clients.
i did have a issue with the exhaust deflector sending bursts of hot exhaust fumes onto and burning fine leafed diomas shrubs.shindawa have a new designed deflector for the c4 that helps elevate this problem.i put a order in for one about two months ago,but have not got the part(shindawa au have to get the part from japan).i had a friend who has a component enginering company make me a copy of the modification,this is working well so far.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I am interested to hear if anyone uses the Honda 4 stroke and if so how the quality was.
I have the 4 stroke whipper it's heavy but does a great job.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I brought a pope hedge trimmer from bunnings, $200. I have had it for just over a year now and it's still trucking along. I have not used a decent one and at the moment I dont have any reason to fork out for a goodie. I use it 3-4 times a week. It has a 600mm blade and cuts pretty good. I didn't think I would have it this long. It cuts through a decent size branch too. It's taken down a 30mm approx branch a couple of times. I believe you get what you pay for but there are some cheaper units out there that are very good value.
Cheers Rick
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Blew up 2 gear boxes on Baum AG pole trimmers. "ebay cheapies" lashed out on a Stihl combi head which I run on my Stihl Fs 110 4 mix brushcutter power head. Working great and very smooth so far.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
$200, used over a year 2-3 times a week... nice numbers
Good work Rick, makes me regret spending the $550 and using it 1-2 a fortnight :laughing:
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Another interesting point i see here in this thread buy a cheaper hedgetrimmer and it seems to work harder and has more work to do .lol
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I also have the pope hedger from bunnings had it 6yrs goes good gets knocked around good for thick stuff like natives..also hasnt been stolen from the back of the ute like a honda or shindy may have..
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Islandhead
$200, used over a year 2-3 times a week... nice numbers
Good work Rick, makes me regret spending the $550 and using it 1-2 a fortnight :laughing:
damn,ditto
;)
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Honda is great- just a bit on the heavy side.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Just as I say how good th Honda is - the gearbox packs it in! In fairness it's had a hard life!! :i dunno:
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Yes well after the first 2 weeks mine needed a whole new carby but the last 6 weeks it's been going well, I hope it continues :i dunno:
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I now use all Husky equipment and never had any trouble.. Try the Husky 326LS ..This thing will hedge a gum tree..The Husky has good balance with attachments that are adjustable for left / right hand ..The extention pole hedge trimmer is a must addition..
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
My Echo is 8 years old and except for routine maintenance nothing has gone wrong.( not really routine as I keep blades sharp( Lanolin sprayed and regular greasing etc etc)
Extemely reliable.
But for fast work a pole hedger is the way to go :) :) :)
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wattle GC
I now use all Husky equipment and never had any trouble.. Try the Husky 326LS ..This thing will hedge a gum tree..The Husky has good balance with attachments that are adjustable for left / right hand ..The extension pole hedge trimmer is a must addition..
I use the Husky 324?? (its cold here in Canberra and couldn't be bothered to get the model number from the ute) and couldn't be happier. Its a 4 stroke combi model which had done me 2 years so far with no troubles at all. The only thing is its too tempting to do branched that are thicker than what should be done with this unit. I ended up buying a pole pruner that is only rated as domestic (jams up allot) but it saves the $500 (Odd ) hedge trimmer attachment from complete destruction.
Whatever hedge trimmer you go with make sure you grease it regularly and keep it sharp (ie go with a professional sharpener or learn to sharpen properly ) Also (May sound weird because its usually the cheaper electric ones) use a fast moving hedge trimmer for smaller branched plants like diosma and some smaller leaved potosporums (Please excuse my spelling).
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I also have a Pope i got from bunnings i dont use it that often but when i do it doesnt miss a beat and i reckon it does as good a job as some of the more expensive ones, if your not going to be doing it alot why spend a bucket full of johnny cash,, if i'd had any problems the pope i have, i wouldve told you to go for the big brand but yeah if you just need a little simple machine popes do the job
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I have a Tanaka hedgie its been going for 8+ years. I use it nearly every day i work and its been given a hiding over the years, no major dramas, broken a bar or 2 and replaced the fuel tank. For weight and power its been a great machine. Owes me nothing.
Agree a pole pruner makes life so much easier, i run the shindy multi tool, absolutely awsome machine.
Have found the 4 stroke machines heavier with no great advantage over what i have. Bought the honda 4 stroke blower a while back not a bad machine heavy as i've said and no more power than my tanaka blower that is also 8+ years old.
I'll be sticking to 2 stroke machines for now.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Quote:
Originally Posted by holdenhead
I brought a pope hedge trimmer from bunnings, $200. I have had it for just over a year now and it's still trucking along. I have not used a decent one and at the moment I dont have any reason to fork out for a goodie. I use it 3-4 times a week. It has a 600mm blade and cuts pretty good. I didn't think I would have it this long. It cuts through a decent size branch too. It's taken down a 30mm approx branch a couple of times. I believe you get what you pay for but there are some cheaper units out there that are very good value.
Cheers Rick
sounds like we the same one works realy well starts easy goes great for the price -
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lockie
.......Have found the 4 stroke machines heavier with no great advantage over what i have.......
The only advantage I think the 4 stroke units have is noise (and of course mixing fuel). But having said that my 2 stroke Shibuara blower is bloody quite so I am yet to be convinced on any advantage of a 4 stoke. But at the same time I think we should all get used to the inevitable demise of 2 stroke engines.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
I went and bought myself a Pope Hedger and Pope Blower/Vac today. Just starting out so price is important, decided to go cheaper on these things not know how much use they'll get and get a decent mower as main mower when tax return comes. :)
I got the "Renegade 26cc" hedge trimmer it says it's 107DB which will probably a bit loud. Cuts up to 19mm cutting diameter so should be fine.
Used the blower this afternoon while son was sleeping and it didn't wake him while cleaning the carport, driveways and pathway.
Thanks for the tip about the Pope's others have, will let you know how mine go. Doing my first two hedges on 1st of August and looking forward to it.
Andy B
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
The main point of hedgers, is to have sharp blades and close tolerances between the blades. I use a feeler gauge to setup my blades. 10 thou in the old scale is what I set my Tanaka and Echo hedgers to. Every Winter I take them apart and get the blades professionally sharpened. I do touch ups with my Felco diamond stone.
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Hi davids do you get them sharpened by a mower mechanic or a professional sharpening guy???..also how much thanks. :)
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Quote:
Originally Posted by simo
Hi davids do you get them sharpened by a mower mechanic or a professional sharpening guy???..also how much thanks. :)
I suggest a professional sharpener guy who has hedger experiance.I am a mechanic by trade and dont go there becuase the tollerance required when setting the blades is extremly important otherwise it will end in tears.
Its just one of those things i take seriously and experts in this field know more about the sharpening side ,types of steel and how to hone the blades to perfection.Costs me about $40 but well worth it as I would never be able to acheive the same cutting quality and he is able to make the "sharpness"last longer..
I also use a quality lanolin spray on the blades before and after use..Dont use WD40 as this tends to kill the tips and can cause disease in the hedge..
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Stihl HS45 - Very light and a fantastic job on those fine hedges. All the local council workers use them. Excellent balance.
Richard
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Re: need a decent hedge trimmer???
Hi Simo, I did not see your post until today,
I get a professional knife and saw sharpener to do it. I pull the unit apart and take the blades into him. It costs me $25.00 for the two blades. If I want him to pull it apart and sharpen it's $100.00.