hedgetrimmer which is good

[josh1981]

Whats up guys? I need to buy a hedgetrimmer but dont know whats good besides stihl. I live in a condo and would only be using it 2-3 times a year at my condo, maybe a few other times a yr when doing a few lawns (couple of friends where parents live). so 4-6 times a yr. 6 times max.

So whats good besides stihl? Id like to get a stihl but expensive and wouldnt be using it like I do all my stihl equipment (every 2-3 weeks lol)

So far its:

stihl
husqvarna
craftsman

what else is good? is craftsman good, will it last a long time? need something that will last 15-20 yrs at least, longer would be better

[LarryF]

Mine is a Shindaiwa DH231. Seemed to me that it's very high quality which, of course, is the reason I bought it. Haven't been disappointed with it yet.

In regard to your question about Craftsman, I wouldn't consider it or any brand sold in Home Depot or Lowes.

[josh1981]

Mine is a Shindaiwa DH231. Seemed to me that it's very high quality which, of course, is the reason I bought it. Haven't been disappointed with it yet.

In regard to your question about Craftsman, I wouldn't consider it or any brand sold in Home Depot or Lowes.

why is that?

[milike]

why is that?

I have no credit card from them.

[josh1981]

lol. thats funny. seriosuly.

[bakerc8]

echo is nice

[josh1981]

echo is nice

yea it is but will it last 15-20 yrs?

[LarryF]

why is that?

I don't really want to get involved with mud slinging, but I'll try to answer. I didn't always feel that getting "commercial" or "professional" quality lawn/landscape-maintenance tools was the only way to go. And as a result, I've bought my share of Craftsman and Home Depot products. In fact, I still have a Craftsman chain saw that is so trouble prone, I don't want to be bothered with it when I have some serious work to do. I doubt it it has any resale value, so I keep it as a backup, but I seriously doubt if I'll ever really use it again. I also had purchased a Craftsman brush cutter, a Homelite backpack leaf blower and a Homelite string trimmer which all often caused me trouble whenever I needed them. Since I perceived them to be worthless, I didn't even try to sell those, so I just gave them away and replaced them with quality products the commercial guys on this forum use and recommend; products, for instance, made by Stihl, Redmax, Shindaiwa and even Husqvarna (a chainsaw which at the time I made the purchase was not sold in the big-box store). Troubles disappeared for me when I started using real tools, so now I feel that the best thing for me is to avoid buying any lawn/landscape-maintenance power tool that is sold in Sears, Home Depot or Lowes. But if you want to take a chance, go right ahead; however, you may not reach your objective of having it last up to 20 years, even for homeowner use. As for me, now I feel that getting "commercial" or "professional" quality lawn/landscape-maintenance tools is the only way to go, even for a homeowner.

[josh1981]

I don't really want to get involved with mud slinging, but I'll try to answer. I didn't always feel that getting "commercial" or "professional" quality lawn/landscape-maintenance tools was the only way to go. And as a result, I've bought my share of Craftsman and Home Depot products. In fact, I still have a Craftsman chain saw that is so trouble prone, I don't want to be bothered with it when I have some serious work to do. I doubt it it has any resale value, so I keep it as a backup, but I seriously doubt if I'll ever really use it again. I also had purchased a Craftsman brush cutter, a Homelite backpack leaf blower and a Homelite string trimmer which all often caused me trouble whenever I needed them. Since I perceived them to be worthless, I didn't even try to sell those, so I just gave them away and replaced them with quality products the commercial guys on this forum use and recommend; products, for instance, made by Stihl, Redmax, Shindaiwa and even Husqvarna (a chainsaw which at the time I made the purchase was not sold in the big-box store). Troubles disappeared for me when I started using real tools, so now I feel that the best thing for me is to avoid buying any lawn/landscape-maintenance power tool that is sold in Sears, Home Depot or Lowes. But if you want to take a chance, go right ahead; however, you may not reach your objective of having it last up to 20 years, even for homeowner use. As for me, now I feel that getting "commercial" or "professional" quality lawn/landscape-maintenance tools is the only way to go, even for a homeowner.

We use to have craftsman power tools back up in NY 90 acres land, your right they didnt last but MAYBE 3-5 yrs. and trouble, geez. not good.

thats why I have all stihl now, but was thinking maybe craftsman, etc would be good on this considering not using it as much.. but this changed my mind for sure.

So I have it down to:

redmax
stihl (#1 choice, if I can afford it)
echo
husqvarna

are all these good? will they last 20 yrs or better? and what should I be looking for quality wise/safety wise on a hedge trimmer

[LarryF]

will they last 20 yrs or better?

Well Josh, I doubt if you'll find anyone who can answer that question based on personal experience. I'm not even sure if these two-cycle powered hedge trimmers have been around that long. But if I were in you shoes, I'd consider that the commercial ones usually have a two-year warranty for commercial application and a year is usually regarded to be 2000 working hours, so two years equates to 4000 hours. I doubt if heavy usage would amount to more than about 1/4 of the time, so I think it seems save to say the commercial hedge trimmers you are thinking about should last at least a thousand hours. Since you expect to use it only six times a year, that can't be many hours..................maybe 20? So for your intended use, 1000 hours /20 hours per year = 50 years. Your warranty will have run out 48 years earlier, but by that time I think it's safe to say you probably will have forgotten where you bought it.

Why don't you just go buy one of the commercial trimmers you have identified. By the way, I was also impressed favorably with the Kawasaki brand sold by Lesco, so you may want to look at those. But do get a commercial trimmer and I think you will be happy with it.

I'm not qualified to answer your question about what to look for in safety features for a hedge trimmer. But please be careful when using it. I consider it to be as dangerous as a chain saw, and maybe even more so.

[Lazer_Z]

Josh, I see that your leaning toward Stihl. Here are a couple of links, these are from my Stihl dealer. 1st is the HS 45 http://www.stihldealer.net/productdetails-dealer-003979-prodid-504-toplvl-13-catid-13-subcat-13-catprods-63.aspx

This link is the HS 81 T http://www.stihldealer.net/productdetails-dealer-003979-prodid-508-toplvl-13-catid-13-subcat-13-catprods-64.aspx

You can clearly see what stands out the most is the price difference, but for what you'll be using the machine for I'd say go with the HS 45 it'll last you a long time as long as you keep it maintained.

[josh1981]

Josh, I see that your leaning toward Stihl. Here are a couple of links, these are from my Stihl dealer. 1st is the HS 45 http://www.stihldealer.net/productdetails-dealer-003979-prodid-504-toplvl-13-catid-13-subcat-13-catprods-63.aspx

This link is the HS 81 T http://www.stihldealer.net/productdetails-dealer-003979-prodid-508-toplvl-13-catid-13-subcat-13-catprods-64.aspx

You can clearly see what stands out the most is the price difference, but for what you'll be using the machine for I'd say go with the HS 45 it'll last you a long time as long as you keep it maintained.

Thank you. I decided on hs45 most safety features and best for money and it'll last forever LOL

[Lazer_Z]

Thank you. I decided on hs45 most safety features and best for money and it'll last forever LOL Your welcome, enjoy you new toy er, I mean tool :D

[LarryF]

Your welcome, enjoy you new toy er, I mean tool :D

Ditto from me too, Josh. I doubt if you'll ever wear it out. Did you get the 18" or 24"? Some of my hedges are pretty wide, so my Shindaiwa is a 36"... Very convenient, but a bit unwieldy at times.

Lazer_Z's provided web site surprised me, because I had not realized one could buy Stihl products on line. Nice to know that. I had a Stihl chain saw once and currently have one of their string trimmers, but I always had to pay list price. Does this particular web site give any kind of a break on the list price? Just curious in the event of any possible future purchases.

[josh1981]

Ditto from me too, Josh. I doubt if you'll ever wear it out. Did you get the 18" or 24"? Some of my hedges are pretty wide, so my Shindaiwa is a 36"... Very convenient, but a bit unwieldy at times.

Lazer_Z's provided web site surprised me, because I had not realized one could buy Stihl products on line. Nice to know that. I had a Stihl chain saw once and currently have one of their string trimmers, but I always had to pay list price. Does this particular web site give any kind of a break on the list price? Just curious in the event of any possible future purchases.


Getting it this week or next Problly 24 inch. I'll make a video and I will enjoy using it

[Lazer_Z]

Ditto from me too, Josh. I doubt if you'll ever wear it out. Did you get the 18" or 24"? Some of my hedges are pretty wide, so my Shindaiwa is a 36"... Very convenient, but a bit unwieldy at times.

Lazer_Z's provided web site surprised me, because I had not realized one could buy Stihl products on line. Nice to know that. I had a Stihl chain saw once and currently have one of their string trimmers, but I always had to pay list price. Does this particular web site give any kind of a break on the list price? Just curious in the event of any possible future purchases. Not quite the case Larry, that's just my dealers web site and he has pricing info ONLY. You still can not buy Stihl equipment on line, sorry if my links mislead you.

[Green Team Landscaping]

I was pointed in the direction of stihl when I had a similar question here, and so far it has done no wrong. Great machine, no complaints. Would you consider going with an electric one? Less maintenance, and reliable.

[Lazer_Z]

I was pointed in the direction of stihl when I had a similar question here, and so far it has done no wrong. Great machine, no complaints. Would you consider going with an electric one? Less maintenance, and reliable. If he has a lot of hedges to trim and a lot of moving around to do the cord would be a HUGE PITA.

[LarryF]

If he has a lot of hedges to trim and a lot of moving around to do the cord would be a HUGE PITA.

I agree with Rob on this comment as well. I have two electric hedge trimmers hanging on my garage wall, I'm pretty sure I'll never want to use either one again now that I bought the gas-powered one. I have two because at one time I also owned a summer home. For me, however, it was a pain in the neck rather than what Rob referred to because I usually had the cord wrapped around it.

[josh1981]

decided to hold off on buying one for a while. Need money for other things. Will problly get a used one in the future- stihl

[xxl]

Edho 150 or 165 those rock love mine

[stressed]

I buy an echo a year but i use the heck out of mine.They are cheaper and better than stihl.i know cuz i have a stihl also,paid more and less performance.Plus echo has cutting blades on each side stihl has one cutting side and other side is stationary