Comparison of hedge trimmers: How to find the right hedge trimmer
Whether the manual hedge trimmer, electric, battery-powered or petrol hedge trimmer: There is a suitable model for every hedge in the garden and every requirement. This guide shows what to look out for when buying.
Hedge trimmers: Overview of the types
Anyone wanting to buy a hedge trimmer has a choice between different models and designs. The first decision concerns the choice of drive system. Both manual hedge trimmers and models with the electric drive, battery or petrol engine have their advantages and disadvantages.
Electric hedge trimmers
Electric hedge trimmers are connected to a power outlet via a cable. This allows large areas to be processed without a break. However, the cable connection restricts the freedom of movement. In large gardens or if there is no power outlet nearby, an extension cord must be used.
Advantages:
• Unlimited duration
• Low weight
• Affordable
Disadvantages:
• Restricted freedom of movement
• On-site power connection required
• Risk of the cable being cut
Battery-powered hedge trimmers
For large gardens or land properties without a power connection, purchasing a battery-powered hedge trimmer is therefore a good option. Depending on the battery quality, the breaks for recharging must be planned when working on the large areas. Battery-powered hedge trimmers, on the other hand, impress with their low noise level.
Advantages:
• Low noise
• High freedom of movement
Disadvantages:
• No on-site power connection required
• Affordable
Petrol hedge trimmers
Petrol-powered hedge trimmers are ideal for use on remote land properties without a nearby power source or for particularly large areas. Even professional gardeners use the petrol hedge trimmers. The reason for this is the high performance and power with which even the thicker branches can be cut.
Advantages:
• High freedom of movement
• No on-site power connection required
• Maximum performance
Disadvantages:
• High weight
• High noise
• High maintenance costs
• Expensive
Manual hedge trimmers
Manual hedge trimmers are particularly suitable for the hard-to-reach corners of the hedge. Even if only a short hedge needs to be trimmed, or if the hedge trimming is only required once a year, a mechanical hedge trimmer is sufficient. For the larger areas and frequent cutting, a motorised hedge trimmer should be used, otherwise the gardening becomes very time-consuming and tedious.
Advantages:
• Affordable
• No maintenance required
Disadvantages:
• Significant physical effort is required
• Not suitable for large areas
• Not suitable for thicker branches and twigs
Criteria for buying the hedge trimmers
Once the decision has been made regarding the type of drive system, the purchasing process can enter the next phase. The factors of cutting length, performance and ease of use should be carefully considered before purchasing, so that working with the hedge trimmer does not bring any unpleasant surprises.
Cutting length
The size of the hedge and the type of cut determine the required cutting length – that is, how much area can be shortened with one cut. The cutting length should not be confused with the knife length. The last parameter indicates the total length of the trimmer. Generally, the following should be noted: The greater the cutting length, the heavier the hedge trimmer and the more difficult it is to cut accurately.
Performance
The power of the hedge trimmer determines which branches and twigs can be cut and which cannot. The thicker the branches, the higher the power output should be. Those who only trim their hedge infrequently and therefore have to deal with more robust branches should pay attention to a powerful motor. The weaker models start at around 400 watts; for more power, a hedge trimmer with 750 watts or more should be chosen.
Ease of use
Working with the hedge trimmer can quickly become tiring. That makes the ease of use all the more important. The following questions should be answered before purchasing:
Can I use the trimmer over my head?
For left-handed people: Are the handles and knobs arranged symmetrically?
Does the hedge trimmer have an anti-vibration system?
Tip: Telescopic hedge trimmer for tall hedges
The heavy weight of the hedge trimmer makes working on the ladder dangerous. The solution for cutting the tall hedges is a hedge trimmer with a telescopic handle. Hedges up to 3 meters high can be cut without the need for a ladder.
Safe handling of the hedge trimmers
The sharp, fast-moving blades of the hedge trimmers are not entirely harmless. Therefore, the certain safety features should be considered when making a purchase.
•A two-position switch (safety circuit) prevents the unintentional operation.
• An automatic blade stop prevents the hedge trimmer from continuing to run.
• An overload protection system switches off the motor if the load becomes too great – for example, when cutting thick branches.
• A hand shield protects against flying branches.
The protective clothing is required
In addition to the safety features, the following protective equipment should be used for safe operation of the hedge trimmers:
• Safety goggles
• Gardening gloves
• Hearing protection (when using the petrol hedge trimmers)
Questions and answers
With thick branches, it's tempting to quickly cut them off with a chainsaw. However, working with a saw has several disadvantages. First, the large dimensions make a precise cut impossible. Second, the chainsaw is not suitable for work carried out above the chest height – the risk of injury is too high. However, there are 2-in-1 devices that combine a hedge trimmer and a chainsaw, and whose dimensions and weight are adjusted accordingly.
Just like sharpening the lawn mower blade, which is a part of gardening, the blades of the hedge trimmer should be sharpened regularly to ensure a clean cut. To sharpen the blades, they are removed, cleaned with a cloth and moistened with a few drops of petroleum. Both sides of the blades are then sharpened using a whetstone. After sharpening, a little oil should be applied to the blades to protect them from rust.
To clean the inside of the hedge trimmer, the lint-free cloths and the brake cleaner are sufficient. After removing dirt and plant debris, the drive should be oiled. The hedge trimmer should ideally be cleaned before winter storage.
