In many domestic gardens, a hedge is used as a living screen or noise barrier. An occasional pruning is necessary to ensure that it meets these requirements and also represents an ornament for the property. This is due at least once a year, often twice. Hedge owners need a functional hedge trimmer for this. But which one is best suited for the individual trees and shrubs? And is the most expensive and most complex device always the best?
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Different models
The name hedge trimmer may be a bit irritating, because not all devices look like classic scissors. Hedge trimmers differ in many ways. In order to find a suitable model for different needs, it makes sense to pay attention to important details when making your selection. Because the intended use and the nature of the trees play a decisive role in the selection.
Motorized hedge trimmers always consist of a motor housing with a handle and a sword, with many knives attached to the right and left as the actual cutting tools. The cut is made by moving the two blades backwards and forwards. Electric hedge trimmers have an average cutting length of 40-70 centimetres, with the blade cutting off branches and twigs in a straight line.
Mechanical hedge trimmers
Purely mechanical hedge trimmers that are operated manually are largely similar to classic scissors. They consist of two handles and two blades that cross at one point. In contrast to normal scissors, they can be operated with two hands. The shorter versions with a cutting length of around 25 centimeters are particularly suitable for hard-to-reach trees or for light thinning. Manual hedge trimmers with a cutting length of around 40 centimeters are well suited for small to medium-sized hedges or shaped trees.
Manual hedge trimmers are very manoeuvrable and can therefore be used when the hedge or the wood is curved rather than straight. In addition, they generate only a minimum of noise when working, so that they do not disturb neighbors or nesting birds to any significant extent. When cutting longer hedges, however, the work is very tedious.
Battery powered hedge trimmers
If you need to cut large hedges several times a year or if you want to save a lot of time, you should switch to motorized versions. Battery-powered hedge trimmers can be used universally because they do not require a direct power connection via a cable. This means good usability, but the operating time is limited at an average of less than one hour per battery. To charge the battery, it is removed from the machine and connected to the mains using the charging station. The cordless cordless hedge trimmer is preferably used wherever the hedge is far away from any power connection. For more complex cuts, it is advisable to have a spare battery on hand.
Gasoline powered hedge trimmers
Hedge trimmers with a petrol engine can be used anywhere because they work independently of batteries and electricity. Professionals who have to cut kilometers of hedges at many different locations use this device variant almost without exception. Anyone who would like to buy such a device for the home should be aware that these hedge trimmers score with their enormous range and better handling without a cable, but are generally extremely loud and very heavy. Due to their high dead weight, they require an enormous amount of physical effort, especially when cutting high hedges above the head area is the order of the day. A full petrol canister should always be available for refuelling.
A distinction must be made here between devices with time-cycle engines and four-stroke engines. Two-stroke models require a special petrol/oil mixture for refuelling, four-stroke engines can be refueled with normal petrol. Apart from the high noise and exhaust gas values, as well as the high dead weight, these devices usually impress with their professional performance and independent use: A perfect hedge trimming is possible in a short time.
Electric hedge trimmer with mains connection
The most popular and most frequently used hedge trimmer is the corded electric hedge trimmer. With it, uninterrupted cuts are possible in a short time. Not quite as heavy as the petrol-powered hedge trimmers, because there is no tank, they still often have a high dead weight. A high level of noise pollution must also be accepted with the electric hedge trimmer. The biggest disadvantage of such a hedge trimmer is the ubiquitous power cable. Anyone who works with such a device must exercise extreme caution because of the power cord to avoid accidents. Constant control is necessary to ensure that the cable is not blocked or accidentally cut.
price and equipment
While manual hedge trimmers are commercially available from around twenty euros, electric and battery-powered devices are available from seventy euros. You have to dig a little deeper into your pocket for the petrol-powered hedge trimmers, they cost at least one hundred euros, and there is no upper limit to the price structure. When choosing a suitable hedge trimmer, the following criteria should be considered:
- hedge area
- Astdicke
- power
- Location (power supply available?)
- own weight
- cutting length (sword length)
- noise level
The most important factor when buying is the dead weight. It makes no sense to choose a petrol-powered model for long hedges if the gardener has no strength left to hold and operate the device after just a few minutes.
Which hedge trimmer for which application?
If hedges with thicker, woody branches are to be cut, a hedge trimmer with sufficient power and cutting power is recommended. This is particularly appropriate for older deciduous hedges.
- As a rule of thumb, the further apart the blades are, the thicker branches the device can handle.
- For very dense hedges, long swords with low cutting power often prove to be advantageous, as the cut is more precise (e.g. with yew hedges).
- The longer the sword, the more hedges are cut in the same amount of time.
- A long sword is advantageous for large, straight hedges.
- Short blades often result in uneven cuts (holes in the hedge).
- With cordless hedge trimmers, you should pay attention to the charging speed and the service life. Lithium-ion batteries are significantly more durable here than other variants.
Test results and field reports
In order to find a suitable device, it is not necessary to buy the most expensive model. Sometimes high-priced hedge trimmers offer special features that the gardener does not want to do without. In other cases, a cheap model can achieve the same or even better results. At regular intervals, various devices are tested on the Internet or in specialist journals, or user reports are written that can be used as a basis. The models described here have each performed well or very well in various tests:
Manual hedge trimmers
The following manual hedge trimmers received average good to very good results in the various categories such as cutting quality, weight, handling, etc. in these tests:
- Barnel B1000L: 0.92 kg, blade length 23 cm, total length 70 cm, extremely sharp blades, around 50 euros
- Freund Victoria Classicline 1954: 1.35 kg, blade length 24 cm, total length 55 cm, hard chrome-plated blades, wrist-friendly shock absorber, around 40 euros
- Gardena Classic 540 FSC (391): 0.87 kg, blade length 23 cm, total length 55 cm, simple model, low price (around 20 euros)
- Fiskars Quantum geared hedge trimmer HS102: light 0.73 kg, total length 57 cm, very good power transmission, around 40 euros
Battery powered hedge trimmers
With battery-powered devices, the main focus is on how long the hedge trimmer can be operated with one charge and how long the charging process takes. They differ greatly in sword length and blade spacing. In general, knots between 10 and 20 mm thick are the maximum. The battery lasts longer the less power is required (that means the thinner and softer the branches are). The price is strongly determined by the quality of the battery.
- Black & Decker GTC3655L: 3.1 kg, blade length 55 cm, charging time 1 hour, around 200 euros
- Black & Decker GTC 1850 L: 2.6 kg, sword length 50 cm, charging time 3 hours, around 100 euros
- Bosch AHS 35-15 LI: 1.9 kg, bar length 35 cm, running time 50 min, charging time 3 hours, around 100 euros
- Stihl HLA 65: 4.6 kg with telescopic handle, blade length 50 cm, charging time 1.5 hours, around 500 euros
- Dolmar AH3656LGEA: 5.1 kg, sword length 55 cm, charging time 1 hour, price over 600 euros
- Worx WG268E: 4.2 kg, blade length 56 cm, charging time 1 hour, around 250 euros
Gasoline hedge trimmers
Most petrol-powered hedge trimmers use a mixture of petrol and oil as fuel, usually in a mixture ratio of 1:50. Significantly fewer exhaust gases are produced when pure petrol is burned in 4-stroke engines. They differ only slightly in sword length (60 cm) and maximum branch thickness (average of around 20 mm).
- McCulloch ErgoLite 6028: light 5 kg, 0.8 hp, two-stroke engine (1:50), 93 dB, around 200 euros
- Fuxtec FXMH 1.2: 6.1 kg, 1.2 hp, two-stroke engine (1:40), 96 dB, low price around 130 euros
- Husqvarna 123HD65x: light 5.2 kg, 0.8 hp, two-stroke engine (1:50), 95 dB, very robust and durable, around 450 euros
- Honda HHH 25D-60: 6 kg, 1.0 hp, quiet and low-emission 4-stroke petrol engine, around 600 euros
- Hitachi CH 66EB ST: light 5 kg, 1.0 hp, two-stroke engine (1:50), durable, around 300 euros
Corded electric hedge trimmers
In addition to the cutting length of 40-70 cm, the electric hedge trimmers differ greatly in their processing, performance, noise level and weight. Except for very quiet models, the average noise level is around 85-95 decibels.
- Solo E-HS 166: 4.1 kg, power 500 watts, sword length 55 cm, cutting thickness 22 mm, around 200 euros
- Dolmar HT-345: 3.6 kg, power 550 watts, sword length 45 cm, cutting thickness 22 mm, around 120 euros
- Bosch AHS 50-26: 3.5 kg, power 600 watts, sword length 50 cm, cutting thickness up to 32 mm, around 140 euros
- Einhell RG-EH 6053: 4.4 kg, power 600 watts, blade length 53 cm, cutting thickness under 20 mm, very low price (around 60 euros)
- Stihl HSE 61: 3.9 kg, power 500 watts, blade length 50 cm, cutting thickness 22 mm, around 200 euros
- Wolf-Garten HSE 45 V: 3.5 kg, power 500 watts, blade length 45 cm, cutting thickness under 20 mm, around 130 euros
- Metabo HS 8865 Quick: 4.4 kg, power 660 watts, sword length 65 cm, cutting thickness 26 mm, around 300 euros
Care and Maintenance
So that the gardener can enjoy his hedge trimmer for a long time and that it can still deliver high-quality cuts even after a long period of use, the device should be cleaned after each use. For safety reasons, the hedge trimmer must be switched off and the power plug pulled or the battery removed. It should also be serviced at certain intervals.
- Always remove stubborn dirt from knives after use.
- Dry storage
- Before cutting, check the screws for tightness and tighten if necessary.
- Regrind knives regularly.
- Oil moving parts and hinges.
- Gasoline hedge trimmers require additional maintenance.
- Checking the spark plugs and air filter
- Two-stroke models: Prepare the correct petrol/oil mixture.
safety
Motorized hedge trimmers have two safety switches, both of which must be activated continuously while working. If at least one of the switches is released, the knife stop function starts. The hedge trimmer blades come to a standstill in less than a second, usually less than 0.5 seconds. This system has established itself as the best security protection. However, one should not forget to protect certain parts of the body from flying clippings, such as the hands and face. Here especially the eyes. Although battery-powered hedge trimmers are significantly quieter than electric or petrol hedge trimmers, continuous exposure to around 80 decibels leads to hearing damage.
- solid gloves
- Forestry helmet with face protection and earmuffs or alternatively
- safety goggles
- ear protection
- sturdy, closed shoes
- long pants made of solid fabric
Conclusion
Manual hedge trimmers are well suited for smaller hedges and special cuts on topiary. They work quietly and emission-free and are commercially available for around 30-50 euros. If the hedge area is larger, you should switch to a motorized hedge trimmer. The electric hedge trimmers with cables are particularly effective and powerful. If the hedge is far away from a power connection, you can switch to a battery variant. However, the battery only allows a maximum runtime of less than an hour. Therefore, only petrol-powered hedge trimmers are suitable for continuous operation without a power connection.
