Hedge Trimmers?

[CommercialCuts]

Looking to buy some new hedge trimmers. Give me some advice on the best ones to buy or what you guys like.

[bob]

I hate my Echo 1500 hedge trimmers. I'll get Stihl or Shindaiwa next time!

[lakegastonla]

Go with the stihl pro model. The handle twists for use in different positions, and it has LOTS of power. Feels like a really quality piece of equipment. I got too er' em.

[skyphoto]

Ditto that on the stihl with twist handle!
Nice tool!

[landscaper3]

Echo HC1500 and the Echo HC1600 we like them both.

[Earthscapes]

I run the new Kawasaki's 30" single side. Some guys like the double sided better

[eslawns]

I also would look at the Stihl FS85 string trimmer and a 0-90 deg. articulating hedge trimmer in place of the trimmer head. It's a little heavy, but boy is it good for big bushes.

[skyphoto]

Hey eslawn,

How much did you pay for the articulated head trimmer attachment?

I paid 189.00 plus tax...Was just wondering if I got robbed..
Thanks

[dan deutekom]

I love the stihl that I use. Don,t remember the model number cause i havn,t looked at it since last season but it is the one sided blade and is about 32" long. I also have used an echoe and I hate it Just dosn,t feel right in my hands and I keep burning myself on the exhaust

[lawnboy82]

i dont do much hedge trimming, but when i do here is what i use: an echo ht? 1500. not bad for small stuff. i used a friend's stihl trimmer that was on a shaft and had i think like a 30 or 45 degree angle to it. you can use that thing for most any shrub, just not the real small ones, or in tight areas. i am gonna get however for my HT75 a hedge trimmer attachment. that is gonna run me like 200 dollars, however once i have that then i can do hedges up to maybe 15' tall or so without a ladder. (i am 5'10 / pole pruner is fully extended i think 11 1/2') so that wont be bad. something for small something for big. i wouldnt suggest goin and gettin the pole saw with the hedge clipper unless you do a lot of big shrubs cause that thing gets heavy fast. especially if you have it up all the way. plus also it is like 800 dollars for that right there as opposed to the 500? for the fixed angle trimmer. as for the echo articulated one, tried that too.. not as much power as the stihl ones. maybe it is just that one is fixed and the other moves i dont know...

[tomoaktree]

I have been loking for an articulating HT. I currently use a husky and like it (lots of power). I am considering getting a redmax combo 26cc HT / linetrimmer.Solid driveshaft.
$ 350.00...linetrimmer
$ 250.00 ..HT attachment

This way I'll have a backup linetrimmer.
Tom

[kutnkru]

I agree that a 30" single sided bar is the best for the larger sized bars. I also like to get the deflector attachment for the larger bars, so that when you are going across vast surfaces that you are doing the majority of the clean-up from the hedge/shrub as well.

Tanaka also has a unit that you can rotate the trigger handle which makes the unit more manueverable.

Good Luck this season!
Kris

[jimsmowin]

we use echo's 1500 and 1600. check warranty on twist handle model. echo's is or was only 90 days commerical.

[thefarmer4]

We have a Shindaiwa DH230 w/30" Double Blade. (lots of power) I like it but it does get heavy after a while and I I wear a brace on my left wrist now when I use it.

Maybe the singe blades are the way to go, Guess it depends on your preference.

[Freetime]

We use two Redmax double sided (small) and have been satisfied with the performance. Our other trimmer is a long shaft stihl with an articulating head and does not get used very much as most job can be done with small trimmers and 8’ ladder, bulkiness of stihl compared to Redmax was a consideration to us and conforming to new E.P.A. regs which stihl was having trouble with for a time. What ever you buy stick to what the dealer can service (get parts for) so you won’t be trimming them their hedges wit cho teefers.

Mo,mo,mo yo self quickly to de bank!

[Fantasy Lawns]

we have an echo 1500 (nice lite hedger been fine last 2 years ...ONLY issue is god these echo's can be a pain to start for the first time)

the long reach stihl which is a kick a$s hedger ....the long reach really is a back saver

[bam]

Our older ht are echo 1500, 1600's, 24" double sided cut, we also have double sided 30" cut, and one long straight shaft pair with a 24" cut. All work fine.

We are now running redmax ht, with a 24" or 30" double sided cut. We have one pair that is on a long shaft, which also angles at the top.

One pair that we were shown by a distributor, that we do not currently own is a half shaft, flex angle, 24" cut. It was slightly heavier than a reg. pair of shears however, offered alot more flexibility, and was somewhat safer than the regular shears.

On several occasions, after hours of use during summer pruning, the shears have slipped out of my hands, and cut my leg. I let the demo pair slip, and because of the longer shaft, the "blade" never reached my leg.

If I were buying more equipment, I would go with Redmax, I think they have spent some time with R&D and they are producing some quality equipment.

[Sammy]

I like my Stihl hedge trimmer

[Southern Lawns]

Stihl..........Have an Echo also with no trouble, but Stihl would be my first choice.

[Paradise Yard Service]

I like my new Shin. I like the way they put the throttle cable inside the handle. Won't get hung up and looks clean. As for the cut, can't go wrong. Quieter than old Shin and lots of power.

Also have the Echo 40' and love it. I burned the bearings in the case though and it was painful to fork out the money to fix. Keep um greased which ever you choose.

Aloha, Kevin

[turfguy33]

I currently have Echo. I thought about buying a shindaiwa and a Husqvarna, but they were too pricey. For what I use them for, Just a couple weeks a year, the echo is fine, and at $220.00 you can't go wrong

[BigEd]

Stihl HS-80, twist handle and double sided.

[Northwest]

Stihl single sided 40'for medium to large plants (don't have to lean over or use a ladder most of the time) small to medium plants Stihl double sided articulating.

[eslawns]

Originally posted by skyphoto
Hey eslawn,

How much did you pay for the articulated head trimmer attachment?

I paid 189.00 plus tax...Was just wondering if I got robbed..
Thanks

If some rippin' off was going on, they got us both. :) Mine was the same as yours, but I had to put it on. Used it all day Saturday, and for 2 hours today.

[Mowman]

Bought Husky's 225H60 hedge clipper last season. AWESOME!!!
It has alittle more power than the Sthil 80 and is also lighter. The handle swivels for cutting at different postions. I paid $379.00 for them. I would buy another one.
What ever you buy, get a good commercial trimmer.
Good Luck,
Mowman