What hedge trimmer to buy??

[Larry's Lawns]

thanx for the fast response Rob. I agree, first point of logic is to not waste money on junk... kinda why i'm fishing for any negative opinions before I go get it.

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Larry Puckette
Larry's Lawns
Seguin Texas

[musician/lawnman]

Lawn care business tips

I have an 30" echo I got refurbished from home depot. Has been dollar for dollar probably the most profitable piece of equipment in my arsenal. $200 or so & 'm sure I've billed over 10x that for it's use in less than 6 months. I bought an echo 260 power head & pole pruner attachment that has been great too. They make an attachment for the power head that is a longer hedge trimmer with an articulating head. So if you need to top some hedges that are taller than you are no need for a ladder. JUst set it on 90 deg. & walk up the hedge row! I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Good Topic!

You know, when I first started out I had to buy so much kit, not only for the landscaping side of my business but for the property repair side too.
At this time I was very naive and thought I could get away with spending £60.00 / $120 on a Spear & Jackson Hedge Trimmer. Well the first pair lasted a week and the gears went. The second pair lasted five days and the engine rattled off the chassis! and the 3rd pair didn't even start despite being brand new haha.
I then took the plunge and invested in an Oleo Mac (similar to Echo) hedge trimmer and I've never looked back. It's double sided and yes I have once cut my leg after not letting the blades come to a stop. Other than that the power and reliability are awesome.
Just remember to oil the blades now and then and if there is a grease nipple, give it a good squirt of grease every 3 months or so.
One thing I always do now, is to wear a fine particle mask, to reduce the risk from some of the fumes given off. This won't stop Carbon Monoxide though, so it's good to have a break after each hour when doing very long hedges as you can become drowsy from the fumes.
For me hedges are good fun and very very good earners.

Hope this helps

Marc

[Steve]

It's double sided

Marc, do you have an preference of single sided vs double sided cutters and why so?

I have a tiny little weed eater one that I use for small bushes and hedges. When I do bigger ones, I always rent a big pole trimmer so I don't have to use a ladder. I don't do enough hedges to make buying one feasible at this point, but the pole trimmer is a lifesaver on the back/arms and allows you to stand further away from the blades for safety. Also has a tiltable blade, so you can trim the top of the hedge perfect and flat while walking along the ground with the blade tilted at 70 degrees or so, makes it quick and easy.

[Little's]

Originally Posted by Larry's Lawns

ANY OPINIONS ON HUSQVARNA HEDGE TRIMMERS??

My hedge trimmer is Husqvarna, and hasnt given me any trouble at all.

[hotwired]

Though I'm not a big echo fan for various reasons, I happen to use those HC1500s with the 20 or 24" bar, and I do indeed love them. I have only nicked my leg once in 15 years and it just gave me a blood blister. For some reason, I didn't do it again!!!

I also like Echo's split shaft system with which you can get a hedge trimmer attachment, chain saw, cultivator, weed wacker and now a 2 foot extension. Good stuff.

I found out today that you can special order Echo at the Home Depot. I noticed a lot of the tools they supplied in the tool rental department are available on special order.

Also, I found a major flaw in the Echo pole hedge trimmer I was using (it was a split shaft model). When I was switching sides across my body, I brushed the base of the engine along my leg (I wasn't actually touching the spark plug at all) and holding the shaft on one of the metal areas. I received a significant electrical shock on both my thigh and my hand as I created some sort of electrical bridge along the trimmer. My theory is that there was something shorting out inside the engine housing, but whatever it was, it gave me a significant jolt. I needed to finish the job I was at, so I tried to be careful and it did it again later when I brushed the engine against myself accidentally a second time.

[Little's]

I have a pole hedge/chainsaw made by Ryobi (I know there not the greatest, but it was cheap and actually hasnt given me any trouble, and I have used it a ton), but it shocks me all the time. I have just got into a habbit of not touching the plug wire. I have a theory that it is when the wire is damaged internally that allows the spark to be released through the insulation. I dunno, maybe?

Originally Posted by Steve

Marc, do you have an preference of single sided vs double sided cutters and why so?

Hi Steve,
For me it has to be the twin sided type of cutter. They are so much more versatile but I do miss a blade hadle when I have to reach accross wider hedges.

Just a point. I noticed a local companydisplaying cutting charges for a standard hedge. They state, should take approx 1 Hour to cut and cost would be £40 + Taxes (That's $80.00 for an hourse work!).