Loppers

[bcradio]

Its that time of year again (spring time) and I am looking for a good set of tree loppers. Anyone have any suggestions on good brands/models to looks at? I want to get one that can handle 2.5" branches. My last pair was given to me by my dad and broke on its maiden voyage (pruning rose bushes). Had to bust out the sawzall to finish the job.

Please chime in if you have suggestions. Thanks!

 

[jflores]

Felco are the king of loppers. I own a pair of the carbon fiber handle, curved blade, sharp as sin.

http://www.felcostore.com/loppers

 

[jflores]

I actually bought mine at Killian Hardware.

http://www.kilianhardware.com/felcoloppers.html

 

[Trucky]

All we really use is Corona.

http://www.remodelr.com/Prod/Corona-WL6490-Loppers-Forged-37/RM168895/Cat/628?gclid=CP6MnNWf4K4CFYNo4Aod-jDJaA

A tad expensive, but they'll do the job for sure.

 

[bcradio]

Felco are the king of loppers. I own a pair of the carbon fiber handle, curved blade, sharp as sin.

http://www.felcostore.com/loppers

Carbon fiber handle sounds good as I snapped the handle on the cheapies I had. How much did you get your for?

 

[bcradio]

All we really use is Corona.

http://www.remodelr.com/Prod/Corona-WL6490-Loppers-Forged-37/RM168895/Cat/628?gclid=CP6MnNWf4K4CFYNo4Aod-jDJaA

A tad expensive, but they'll do the job for sure.

Corona is what they had at Lowes that caught my eye. $50 for one that can cut 3" branches.

 

[Flatland Dave]

Either Felco or Carona. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[Trucky]

Corona is what they had at Lowes that caught my eye. $50 for one that can cut 3" branches.

Red handles, extendable? I think we have one like that from a while ago.. I've only sharpened it twice so far (with good regular maintainance) and it's been through a lot. It's somewhat light so my parents get some use out of it as well when they need it. The solid handled ones are a bit heavy for them.

 

[bcradio]

Red handles, extendable? I think we have one like that from a while ago.. I've only sharpened it twice so far (with good regular maintainance) and it's been through a lot. It's somewhat light so my parents get some use out of it as well when they need it. The solid handled ones are a bit heavy for them.

This is the one I've been eying for a bit now:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_82581-63731...=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=corona&facetInfo=

No extendable handles though, but it looks fairly sturdy.

 

[Outlawmws]

Corona's are good; if they have them get them in a compound cutter. without it, big branches are difficult. Also when using any lopper, cut on the diagonal on heavier branches, as this allows the cutting blades to slice more with the grain and it about doubles what you can cut, depending on the wood.

Edit:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_10153-63731-FL+3479D_0__?productId=3589352&Ntt=corona&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dcorona%26page%3D1&facetInfo=

 

[Trucky]

This is the one I've been eying for a bit now:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_82581-63731...=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=corona&facetInfo=

No extendable handles though, but it looks fairly sturdy.

Upon doing a little research (reading the reviews), I can see a lot of unhappy folk. Seems like they actually max out at around 2" or so, maybe more in lighter wood.

If I was in the hunt for good loppers, I would just bite the bullet and grab a higher-tier version of those. I know the one I previously posted is rather expensive, but these are definitely "get what you pay for" tools. I'd hate you see you spend half a bill and get something flimsy.

EDiT: ^Outlaw linked to one of the pairs that I have. Great for lighter duty work. Anything bigger and the saw comes out.

 

[bcradio]

Corona's are good; if they have them get them in a compound cutter. without it, big branches are difficult. Also when using any lopper, cut on the diagonal on heavier branches, as this allows the cutting blades to slice more with the grain and it about doubles what you can cut, depending on the wood.

Edit:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_10153-63731-FL+3479D_0__?productId=3589352&Ntt=corona&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dcorona%26page%3D1&facetInfo=

Thanks for the advice. I was also pondering these as compound handles have worked well for me in the past:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

 

[bcradio]

Upon doing a little research (reading the reviews), I can see a lot of unhappy folk. Seems like they actually max out at around 2" or so, maybe more in lighter wood.

If I was in the hunt for good loppers, I would just bite the bullet and grab a higher-tier version of those. I know the one I previously posted is rather expensive, but these are definitely "get what you pay for" tools. I'd hate you see you spend half a bill and get something flimsy.

Do they have any higher-tier compounds that you know of? Also, do you prefer wood handle or steel or something else?

 

[Trucky]

Do they have any higher-tier compounds that you know of? Also, do you prefer wood handle or steel or something else?

As far as compound loppers go, there's that extendable Corona, a fixed version of it, and the Fiskars powergear ones as well, available up to 32" I think. That's about it for compound action. I have yet to see any others, really.

I prefer wood. It's heavy, but it has give, but not too much. Steel is alright, the tubing bends a bit more I think but it's rather resilient. If fatigue is a worry, go for steel/aluminum/carbon fiber.

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't care for anvil type cutters personally. I think the slicing types cut better. YMMV

 

[Trucky]

Pretty sure anvils are supposed to be used on dead wood and the sharps are for live branches to leave a clean edge. Oh well. Never stopped me before

 

[ricleh]

Florian ratcheting hand pruners, loppers and pole pruners.

Florian

 

[retDAC]

I like these: http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Yard-and-Garden/PowerGear-R-Tools/PowerGear-R-Bypass-Lopper-32

Have gotten a lot of use from mine. Broke one blade; called Fiskars and asked about a warranty; they sent a new blade - no charge.

Do NOT twist them. I didn't break the blade that way but I can see you could easily tear them up that way. Broke the blade cutting too many limbs bigger than specified.

Sears and HD have them.

 

[rlitman]

Pretty sure anvils are supposed to be used on dead wood and the sharps are for live branches to leave a clean edge. Oh well. Never stopped me before

Yep. I use a Felco #8 (handheld bypass) for pruning most anything green, but if it's thicker than a finger, and has a hard wood center, I use an anvil lopping shear. It actually tears less. In wood, the bypass is more likely to spread, and fuzz the fibers on the end. I really like the style with the adjustable anvil, and compound action like this (I have a pair marked Ace, a pair from Craftsman, and another from a Fiskars brand.

I also use my Stihl PP100 for things I have to reach to get to. Because of the way it works, although the blade looks comparable to my Felco's, it can cut much more with less hand strength too.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

I like Sandvik loppers.