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Can we talk hedge trimmers

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13K views 39 replies 19 participants last post by  Sjoerd  
#1 ·
This has been recently realized by me that I'm burning up valuable time putzing around with my Ryobi 40v hedge trimmers. They're only meant for maintained booxwoods and other light work. The worst part is I intentionally avoid accounts that have more than a little bit of bush maintenance. I don't know why I didn't come to Jesus about this earlier but I'm here now.

Gas, electric, hand crank, hamster wheel, I'm not trying to walk into this like I do with my trusty Ryobi 40v powerhead. I would prefer electric obviously but it's less important with something that will tackle overgrown stuff. Now, @sagesove has instilled confidence in me that the Husqvarna battery platform is one to run with. I will admit that I would like to go in that direction, we're all only human and I can't remove all my bias and personal wants but please anyone suggest anything that you like.

What really confuses me is what would be a good all around capable hedge trimmer? Something like this that is a traditional hedge trimmer in my mind. Btw, this is what I run.

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What about something like this? I've seen crews trimming big and small stuff with these types of setups. Might I get an
attachment capable powerhead and run a commercial hedge attachment?

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Can I approach this looking for an all around type unit or is there enough reason to get a hand style like my Ryobi pictured and a pole type? The pole type would allow me to begin creeping into running a commercial style powerhead but I need to stay focused on the main theme here and that's taking a step further into this trade and rocking out bushes with efficiency.
 
#2 ·
Back when I was trimming shrubs and hedges, we used corded electric hedge trimmers. Loved them. Lighter than gas powered, less noise and no fumes. Never had a problem with bogging down. Clients never had an issue with us plugging in to their outside receptacle. We did use a generator on a couple of jobs. Our biggest annual job was a hemlock hedge That was 12' to 15' ft. tall and a few hundred yards long. Several days work for 2 guys on orchard ladders.
 
#3 ·
I run some Kobalt 40v trimmers. They do fine on maintained small stuff. I got a gas powered Poulan Pro that someone gave Mr that hasn't come out since I got the kobalt. I also have a Lowe's grade craftsman pole trimmer since I'm not doing tons of trimming.

As I accumulate more milwaukee tools, I may look into their hedge trimmer when I'm ready to upgrade.

The light, quieter battery trimmer is SO MUCH nicer than a handheld gas unit if the battery is up to the task.
 
#11 ·
I run some Kobalt 40v trimmers. They do fine on maintained small stuff. I got a gas powered Poulan Pro that someone gave Mr that hasn't come out since I got the kobalt. I also have a Lowe's grade craftsman pole trimmer since I'm not doing tons of trimming.

As I accumulate more milwaukee tools, I may look into their hedge trimmer when I'm ready to upgrade.

The light, quieter battery trimmer is SO MUCH nicer than a handheld gas unit if the battery is up to the task.
I bought this generic attachment off Facebook last summer and it's surprisingly decent. I just don't want to wreck it on heavy duty because it's nice to have on maintained stuff.

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#12 ·
This has been recently realized by me that I'm burning up valuable time putzing around with my Ryobi 40v hedge trimmers. They're only meant for maintained booxwoods and other light work. The worst part is I intentionally avoid accounts that have more than a little bit of bush maintenance. I don't know why I didn't come to Jesus about this earlier but I'm here now.

Gas, electric, hand crank, hamster wheel, I'm not trying to walk into this like I do with my trusty Ryobi 40v powerhead. I would prefer electric obviously but it's less important with something that will tackle overgrown stuff. Now, @sagesove has instilled confidence in me that the Husqvarna battery platform is one to run with. I will admit that I would like to go in that direction, we're all only human and I can't remove all my bias and personal wants but please anyone suggest anything that you like.

What really confuses me is what would be a good all around capable hedge trimmer? Something like this that is a traditional hedge trimmer in my mind. Btw, this is what I run.

View attachment 492524

What about something like this? I've seen crews trimming big and small stuff with these types of setups. Might I get an
attachment capable powerhead and run a commercial hedge attachment?

View attachment 492530

Can I approach this looking for an all around type unit or is there enough reason to get a hand style like my Ryobi pictured and a pole type? The pole type would allow me to begin creeping into running a commercial style powerhead but I need to stay focused on the main theme here and that's taking a step further into this trade and rocking out bushes with efficiency.
You should get a multi tool powerhead like that Husky but you'll also want a nice handheld unit. Trust me, the extended hedge trimmer attachment is really nice but it will smoke your shoulders in a few hours, if not sooner.
 
#13 ·
Meh. I ran an "extended reach", articulating head trimmer for many years before buying a handheld. I'm not a big guy. My shoulders survived.

I actually got so used to using it on almost EVERYTHING that when I did get a handheld trimmer I found the small trimmer awkward to use.
If I were going to buy ONE extended reach trimmer, I would not waste money on one that has a fixed head. The articulating head unit I bought is easily the best money I ever spent in terms of making my life easier.
I can adjust the angle rather than contorting my body.

Here's some old pics.
It's a Stihl FS90R string trimmer - they took different gearhead attachments - not a split shaft.
The only two attachments I ever bought were the edger (which I used about 3 times) and the hedge trimmer. (which I use a LOT)
Once I bought a second FS90R, I just kept the trimmer attachment on it all the time rather than swapping out the heads.

The forward loop handle was added because the "string trimmer" loop position is too close when reaching out away while cutting. I had that loop in the garage from a discarded homeowner trimmer and put it on this. Works great - multiple handling options.

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#21 ·
I really like the FS90 trimmers. I've got three of them, plus an FC90 edger. I've also got the hedge trimmer attachment, but I keep it on an FS130 that I wish I had never bought. It's got power for days, but is just too dang heavy to use all the time.

I think the FS100RX was the best power-to-weight ratio, but I don't think Stihl makes it anymore, and I gave mine away last year to my son when he hurt his back. I'm hoping to find another one someday.
 
#16 ·
I need to know more about these attachment that hook on a string trimmer. I seem to mostly have tight areas with multiple shrubs.
That I barley have room to get the right angle. All knee high shrubbery. Every time I see the kombi hedge trimmer it is on tall hedge row. Not up against the house.
 
#17 ·
I suggest starting with an ECHO SHC-225S, very little stooping for the low stuff, but enough reach for the moderate sized, and small enough to maneuver in tighter spots.

If you find most of your stuff is large then purchase a second unit, Go with the PAS with articulating head. This has been the real money maker for me. By far the most profitable piece of equipment that I own. Lots of guys pass on the larger stuff.

If you stuff is too tight for the SHC-225S, I would pickup a HC-2810. 28 inch blade helps not stooping over. Don't go with the 22 IMO. The longer blade is much faster and easier to use. However, the SHC-225S is easier to tote around being more balanced.
 
#27 ·
This has been recently realized by me that I'm burning up valuable time putzing around with my Ryobi 40v hedge trimmers. They're only meant for maintained booxwoods and other light work. The worst part is I intentionally avoid accounts that have more than a little bit of bush maintenance. I don't know why I didn't come to Jesus about this earlier but I'm here now.

Gas, electric, hand crank, hamster wheel, I'm not trying to walk into this like I do with my trusty Ryobi 40v powerhead. I would prefer electric obviously but it's less important with something that will tackle overgrown stuff. Now, @sagesove has instilled confidence in me that the Husqvarna battery platform is one to run with. I will admit that I would like to go in that direction, we're all only human and I can't remove all my bias and personal wants but please anyone suggest anything that you like.

What really confuses me is what would be a good all around capable hedge trimmer? Something like this that is a traditional hedge trimmer in my mind. Btw, this is what I run.

View attachment 492524

What about something like this? I've seen crews trimming big and small stuff with these types of setups. Might I get an
attachment capable powerhead and run a commercial hedge attachment?

View attachment 492530

Can I approach this looking for an all around type unit or is there enough reason to get a hand style like my Ryobi pictured and a pole type? The pole type would allow me to begin creeping into running a commercial style powerhead but I need to stay focused on the main theme here and that's taking a step further into this trade and rocking out bushes with efficiency.
I also have the same Ryobi trimmer awesome for light trimming but sucks for thick hedges. I love the lightness but hate the power. I had a gas powered Poulan pro got rid of it cause it leaked gas and would always bog down.
I started with a black & decker corded hedge trimmer, it did have the power to do the job. I was just always embarrassed to be running a cord everywhere to a $18 trimmer.
Same here I also had the blower and trimmer.🤣
 
#30 ·
I've got 4 gas-fired hedge trimmers currently in service. 18 inch Echo, 30 inch Shindaiwa, extended reach articulated Shindaiwa and a multi-tool articulated Shindaiwa for the really tall stuff or long reaches.

The little Echo is good for the small stuff. The extended Shindaiwa is great for cutting stuff a bit bigger and I love it for cutting the back sides of hedges/shrubs that are close to a building. I articulate it 90 degrees for that. It's also nice because you get a good perspective when you're standing back a bit. The 30 inch Shindaiwa is awesome for serious work like annual jobs but it's exhausting to use.
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It's pretty dangerous too. No guards and large spaces between the teeth. The multi-tool one I only use when I have to. I can barely do that one with the ladder with it. It's both tall and wide.
 
#31 ·
I may or may not have mentioned in this thread about buying the Ego 25” hedge trimmer and the powerhead with hedge trimmer attachment. I bought these around late February early March. Note my fuzzy winter socks 😉

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I won’t be super redundant if I’ve already said it but they’ve been good hedger tools and performed as needed on a number of occasions. That 25” handheld is pretty heavy for regular hedge maintenance so I sought out something that would be much easier to use on an everyday basis. I dug up this Worx brand dual blade attachment with a long shaft. I modified it with a 6” driveshaft from a junk tool and it’s become my go-to tool for the light to medium trimming. It’s not as capable as the ego units and certainly not commercial grade but but very easy to use and is lightweight. This one attachment and an extension is all I keep in the truck. Super easy on my back because I just adjust the angle and can get everything on normal sized shrubbery. This set is all keep in the Rav. If a job needs special/better tools it gets done on Saturday.

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Makita was mentioned at points during my search for a professional hedge trimmer and I wish I went that way instead of Ego. Initially after using the Ego hedge trimmers I was excited about eventually changing over from Ryobi to Ego but for various ergonomic and other dislikes I stuck with my Ryobi powerhead and generic attachments.

Four months and a lot of browsing later I came to the conclusion that the Makita 40v platform is the direction I should have gone. I’ve looked through the wiring diagrams, watched videos and read opinions and I believe not only is the makita 40v stuff very powerful, it’s also very refined in it’s performance. The point is, so far, out of trying four different powerheads, only the Ryobi has that precise throttle control and ability to spin dang near 1 rpm if desired. I really don’t like not being able to spin my trimmer super slow when around very delicate plants and objects. At the end of the day, while I really want to get into the Makita line and streamline all my equipment into one brand it’s not necessary when my Ryobi stuff is plenty sufficient and the Ego hedge trimmers are always in the shop for scheduled tough hedges. I’m all but certain that I will move into all makita once the business has money burning a hole in it’s bank account. There’s just nothing else out there that continuously steals my attention. I’d love to have a 4 piece makita set on my backseat like my generic attachment set. Makita says the powerhead is equivalent to 30cc and I believe makita, maybe not every 30cc but still, it’s surly very strong.

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#33 ·
Beyond all of that is how well do the blades hold up to use so that you get a clean cut. On some shrubs dull blades don't matter much but on others you'll see the damage when you come back in a week or two and they're brown from all of the mashed and mauled leaves and stems.

My Shindaiwa units are chromoly steel that can chew through an overgrown privet and then trim a boxwood without shredding it, for years. And when they do eventually dull the blades can be disassembled for sharpening and adjusted for proper clearance between them. On some cheap units that isn't possible. And then there's the gearbox. Some just don't hold up to hard use.
 
#35 ·
I use Husqvarna and Festool battery tools.
80% of my daily work in the summer is hedge trimming, the other 20% is mowing and other garden maintenance. Festool; because I also do some carpentry work in the low season.

I've also decide to use so less as possible combitools, if it's a combitool such as a broom it will get his own power unit; I won't unmount it anymore. The system wears really out with every day use.

I'm not familiar with Makita garden tools, but in the carpentry work it's not my favorite.
 
#38 · (Edited)
Try this with a battery powered unit.In progress in the beginning stages and the final stages before giving it all a blast with the Echo 8010. I used loppers and a rope pole pruner and a pole saw for some of it.

i don't like having to work that hard anymore.
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Edit - Will seed the bare area that was under the hedge where it hung into the lawn in the fall. The customer has an irrigation system but they don't usually use it. The back yard isn't visible to anyone but them.
 
#39 ·
Two weeks ago I bought a Husqvarna 520iHD70 (70cm / 27.56") battery hedge trimmer in Germany and ordered a 520iHE3 and a 325iLK (motorunit only) at my dealer in the Netherlands. Because of delivery delays I‘ve to wait for them. Yesterday, I was in an other Dutch Husqvarna dealer with almost nothing on the wall… but they had a 520iHE3 in the corner. So bought this! In a few weeks I've a second one and I'm out of my petrol hand tools. 😁

I want to have combi tools so less as possible. I have them now and after a few years hard use you see the coupling worn out. Tools as broom and edge cutter will have their own motorunit 325iLK without unmounting.