Which bed edger??

[merrimacmill]

I know this has been talked about quite a bit, but it seems that most of the convorsations on here about this are "well get this brand, its what I have and its good". I want to know why its better than any of the other ones. This is my first year and we haven't gotten a break with the mulching jobs. I've already installed over 75 yards of mulch since april. I got into this expecting mostly a demand for mowing, but its mostly all been mulching and clean-ups.

Anyways, about 80 percent of our time on a mulch job is spent doing the edging trenches. Right now I cut it using a stick edger, then dig it out using a flat shovel and a garden hoe. It comes out pretty good, but no where near what I've seen these dedicated machines do. I think I've found enough of a demand to purchase one of these machines, so now its time to start looking at the different brands.

The ones I'm interested in are the Little Wonder bed shaper, and the BlueBird Bed Bug. I think that the Little wonder would have better parts and service availibility for me, since there is two close by dealers. The blue bird seems to have more features though. Such as how you can lock the wheels to get a perfect straight line. Maybe the little wonder does all this, but its just not as advertised.

Any opinions/experience on these two machines or other machines I should be looking at? I'm looking to spend around $2500 on one, but less is always better. As long as it is a quality machine that will last.

[cgaengineer]

Have you thought of renting the ones you like just to get the feel for them before laying down the cash?

[merrimacmill]

No I haven't actually. Thats a pretty good idea. I didn't even know they rented those. I always fuigered that if a homeowner needs to edge, they'll do it by hand. If a landscaper needs to edge, they either do it so little that they do it by hand, or probibly do it enough that they'll have one.

[gorknoids]

http://www.horseandgardensupply.com/trenchmaster_bededger.htm
We have 3 or 4 different cutters, the most profitable of which cuts an 8" deep slit for installing invisible dog fence wire. The 4", 45 degree bed edge cutter will pay for itself in no time if you're kick edging. Just be advised that you WILL become an expert in sprinkler head replacement and adjustment if you don't flag every job!

[DiyDave]

The Turfco Edgerite. This is the one that the golf courses use to edge around sand traps. Does a neat job and since it vibrates like a sodcutter, doesn't throw trash everywhere. All you have to do is pick up a ribbon of sod, after you are done, and there other blades for other jobs available.:waving:

[merrimacmill]

I was talking to a couple local landscapers today who are running the Little Wonder BedShaper, and seem to really like it. Anyone here have experience with this machine? Its the one I see on ALL the trailers around here too.

[cgaengineer]

No I haven't actually. Thats a pretty good idea. I didn't even know they rented those. I always fuigered that if a homeowner needs to edge, they'll do it by hand. If a landscaper needs to edge, they either do it so little that they do it by hand, or probibly do it enough that they'll have one.

I know Lowes (NationsRent) carries a bed edger so you may try there first.

[justgreen]

I called my local Little Wonder dealer, and since they don't have a bed edger on site, they are going to bring in one for me as a test. They said I can take it and use it for a couple hours and then bring it in for free. Anyway, maybe you should talk to you dealer before plunking down the change. But I hear you, I can't stand using a spade anymore, and I edge so much, I may as well get one.

[ooo]

I have used the Bluebird and the EZ-trench. They both work well, but the newer model Ez-Trench with the double front wheel worked best for me.

[john_incircuit]

I really don't like the BlueBird, while it has some nice features, the cut is not good. The EZ with the 6 HP engine is much better and also makes it easier to re-edge the same edge again.

[Markf]

One job of manually edging a bed was all it took for me to decide to buy an edger. We bought the Brown Bed Edger with the 9hp Honda engine. Here, the amount of rock is substantial and the extra hp was well worth it. You can edge almost as fast as you can pull the machine. It turns the soil into pulverized dust which we just push over onto the bed with a rake or blow with a powerful backpack blower. A very efficient operation once you get the hang of it. The cost was about $2750 for the 9hp.
Mark

[merrimacmill]

One job of manually edging a bed was all it took for me to decide to buy an edger. We bought the Brown Bed Edger with the 9hp Honda engine. Here, the amount of rock is substantial and the extra hp was well worth it. You can edge almost as fast as you can pull the machine. It turns the soil into pulverized dust which we just push over onto the bed with a rake or blow with a powerful backpack blower. A very efficient operation once you get the hang of it. The cost was about $2750 for the 9hp.
Mark

Do you have any pictures of the edges it makes? I go by a couple banks around here and the edges are amazing, I would love to see who does them so I can ask what their using, but I've never seen anyone doing the edges, they always just perfect. Very deep though, my guess is 4'' or deeper..

[Markf]

Sure. I have a job this Saturday, weather permitting and will try to get before and after pictures. The 4" depth you spoke of should be adjustable.
Mark

[merrimacmill]

Thanks, I appriciate it.

I rented a bed edger for the first time today. Now I know I NEED one. It cut the time in half. Literally, if not better... I rented the "bed scaper" by "EZ-Trench" I believe it was. It worked pretty good, but gave me a lot of trouble when I got into rocks in the soil. One yard we used it on had all new loam with new grass planted over it, and it worked like a charm there. Another yard was really rocky, and it was a work out to use the thing. But all in all it was really nice. I'd like to find a rental place that has a disc style one, like the blubird or the little wonder.

[Dstosh]

Check out the turfco if you can. Its worth the look and only about 1600

[David Grass]

Dont be afraid of the expense of the turfteq sidewinder. I have one, and it has payed for itself. It is the fastest, and drives forward like the Little wonder. It has several combinations tho, the vid is on www.turfteq.com