Hedge trimmers

The hedge trimmer is a very useful tool to add a touch of elegance to your hedges and shrubs. It is used for the following purposes: maintenance trims, done to keep the existing shape and size of the shrub; obtain lush foliage; help light penetrate the shrub; improve flowering; remove dead or weak branches or those which are too long.
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Types
Selection criteria

Types

There are 3 types of hedge trimmers:electric, cordless and gas.

Electric

The electric hedge trimmer works by means of an extension cord. Several blade lengths are available: 13, 16, 18, 21, 22 or 24 inches. Why so many? It all depends on the height and the depth of the hedge you wish to trim. The longer the blade is, the deeper and higher the hedge can be that you wish to trim and the stronger the motor will have to be.

If you wish to trim an old hedge with branches of up to 2-inch in diameter, Black & Decker's Hedge-Hog has the blade specifically intended for that use. Electric hedge trimmers are the most popular due to their affordable price: the price starts at around $50. The weight of the tool varies according to the model however, the lightest one weighs about 4 lb.

Comfort
Hedge trimmers have either a single or dual action blade movement. How do you distinguish the two? Single action : the entire blade moves against the counter-blade, dual action : 2 cutting blades alternately move against the counter-blade. The user will feel more vibration when using a single action hedge trimmer whereas much less vibration will be felt with a dual action hedge trimmer, the latter being a significant advantage. The single action tool is very popular due to its affordable price.

Extension cord
It is preferable to not exceed 100 feet in extension cord length. Furthermore, it is best to abide by the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the gauge of the extension cord you will be using. Normally, the longer the extension cord is, the higher the wire's gauge must be. Please note that the extension cord is not included with the hedge trimmer.

Maintenance
The electric hedge trimmer requires very little maintenance except for cleaning and lubricating the blade. WD-40 is practical to clean and remove gum from the blade but not to lubricate it. The recommended lubricant is Prolab which is a penetrating lubricant. You can also use a dry silicone such as Jig-a-loo.

Cordless

The advantage of a cordless hedge trimmer is that you have unrestricted mobility as there isn't the trouble of an extension cord. Furthermore, it becomes a safety feature if for example you have to use a stepladder, you then avoid tripping on the extension cord. Basically, you can reach distant areas which would have been virtually impossible to do with an electric model and you save time as well.

A cordless hedge trimmer will be used to carry out delicate trimming, such as giving special shapes to shrubs. The price for such a tool begins at around $125 and the battery charger is included.

The battery's work time varies from 30 to 40 minutes depending on the model and the type of the work to be done. A tip to prolong the battery's life span is to charge it at least once every 3 months in order to keep its cells active and to avoid their oxidation. The battery charger is independent of the tool, you can therefore charge the battery in your home and store the hedge trimmer in the shed.

Gas

As with the cordless, the gas hedge trimmer gives you unrestricted mobility without the trouble of the extension cord in addition to a stronger motor and improved endurance. However, the gas hedge trimmer is heavier, louder, releases gas fumes and is more expensive.

There exist different gas hedge trimmer models, however the selection is limited. Various blade lengths and engine capacities are available depending on the height and depth of the hedge you wish to trim. Among others, you'll find the Homelite model with a 21-inch blade and a 16-cc motor. There is also the Weedeater model equipped with a 22-inch blade and a 20-cc motor.

Gas hedge trimmers are used for large-scale work and their price starts at around $200. These tools do not occupy a large market share as it is mostly professionals which use them.

Selection criteria

It is important to properly evaluate your needs when choosing a hedge trimmer and to do so, here is a list of selection criteria:
  • The scope of work to be done: quantity of bushes / hedges to trim
  • Size of the yard: a rechargeable battery or gas tool will be necessary if the yard is larger than what an extension cord can cover
  • Power: for work speed
  • Required length of the blade: for trim depth
  • Usage frequency: the trim is done annually or more often because it is my occupation
  • Price: according to the model
  • Weight: according to the model
    • Happy trimming!
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