Hedge trimmer recommendation?

[ajchien]

Looking for recommendations on a hedge trimmer for homeowner use. Should be affordable, may use it 1-2 times per year trimming bushes. Less than $50 would be nice.

 

[biscuit141]

Not quite in your price range, but I use the Craftsman variety of this trimmer. It has held up well over the past 3 or 4 years, using it a handful of times per year. if you want to stay under $50 you are probably looking at electric. i would say for as often as you will use it, just keep an eye on craigslist.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07179576000P?blockNo=6&blockType=G6&prdNo=6&i_cntr=1306847906013

 

[Wakefield]

A short purpose built hedge trimmer is easier to use but some kinds of Stihl string trimmer tools take a sicklebar attachment that converts them into a long pole with a hedge trimmer on the end. I think more powerful than a regular hedge trimmer.

Kombimotor? But that one is expensive

 

[pipsters]

I have an older electric craftsman I bought at an estate sale. Cuts like butter. Craigslist has a lot of cheap ones normally, and the corded work just fine. In fact there is another in my area up for sale, I might just grab it to have as a spare, you can't find made in USA power equipment much these days.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Do you need the extra reach of a pole-mounted unit, or would a regular hand-held style be fine?
I have a Black and Decker Hedgehog hedge trimmer that I have used for many years. I can't complain about it.

 

[ajchien]

Hand held is fine. Bushes in the backyard next to a fence basically.

I'm thinking electric is fine. Seems like most are imports, and I should just get one serviceable by the recs here.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Black and Decker generally isn't all that, but I have the 3 piece firestorm 18V kit and that hedge trimmer is hands down the best piece in the kit. It will cut surprisingly thick stems (about 3/8").

Really, I can't complain about the kit at all, I've had it for 5 years now and it's all running great, outside of the batteries getting close to their end points. The hedge trimmer just seems to be the one that has surprising power for a B&D 18V unit.

 

[tube_guy]

I use these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004R9YA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm very happy with them.

 

[Monte]

Stihl
www.Stihl.de
Made in Germany

Stihl (cordless)
Made in Austria

Dolmar
www.Dolmar.de

Makita
Made in United Kingdom
www.makita.co.jp

Solo
Made in Germany
www.solo-germany.com

Metabo
Made in Germany
www.Metabo.de

Metabo (cordless)
www.Metabo.de

Freund-Victoria
Made in Germany
www.freund-victoria.de

Gardena
www.Gardena.de

Wolf
www.Wolf-Garten.de

Bosch
www.Bosch-pt.de

Tonino-Lamborghini
Made in Germany
www.tonino-lamborghini-garden.com

Ikra Mogatec
Made in Germany
www.Ikra.de
www.Mogatec.de

 

[cashishift]

The Stihl electric ones are supposed to be the cats meow.

~200 bucks for the HSE 70.. which is 6 inches longer than the HSE 60.

http://www.stihlusa.com/hedgetrimmers/hedgetrimmer.html

 

[Greatbear]

Lamborghini garden tools? Awesome.

 

[jkeyser14]

I bought the Craftsman C3 battery powered hedge trimmer after reading the reviews on Sear's website. I have to say that I've been very impressed by it. I've got over an acre, partially wooded with lots of bushes, brush, etc. The trimmer will last me over an hour on a charge. The blades are sharp and chew through 3/4" branches with no trouble. I've got 2 months of heavy use and no problems so far. I think I got it on sale for $70.

 

[amolaver]

i'd guess most of the modern 18v lithium-powered cordless stuff will have plenty of grunt for actual shrubs. no doubt any of the decent corded models will have more grunt, and the gas powered models more so than corded. i doubt you'll find a gas model worth buying for anywhere near $50 (maybe used if you score a crazy deal), but if you can deal with trailing a cord behind you, i'd guess the corded will be your best bet unless you already have some quality 18v cordless batteries kicking around and their brand has a matching trimmer available.

i've been very pleased with all my ryobi one+ tools when using the lithium batteries. hedge trimmer is no different. sounds about as powerful as jkeyser14 described the craftsman c3. might not do 3/4" branches, but that really is polesaw material for me.

i have a corded as well (not sure what brand) and it is definately stronger than my cordless. we moved and now have a good sized area that needs to be trimmed that is far from the house - would need 300' of extension cord..no thanks. but the big upside to the corded is that you don't have the long term cost of maintaining/replacing expensive batteries. no rechargeable battery is going to live long being used hard once or twice a year and then sitting. i know my ryobis are ~$80 for two 1.5AH batts or one 2.4AH, and with cordless tools, batteries are a consumable.

ahm

 

[otis66]

Looking for recommendations on a hedge trimmer for homeowner use. Should be affordable, may use it 1-2 times per year trimming bushes. Less than $50 would be nice.

ReddMax

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Lamborghini garden tools? Awesome.

haha seriously, does it make cool noise too?

 

[blazer1]

Stihl or Echo for sure! Those are the Snap On for lawn tools. Just like Toro and Snapper are top of the line for mowers. Stay away from electric though.

 

[Lightfoot]

I've got a craftsman electric trimmer. I can't compare it to any others because it's the only one i've ever bought. Had them for over 15 years now.

 

[baucom]

I don't like messing with corded hedge trimmers...sooner or later you're going to cut your extension cord. I haven't looked at any of the new Li-ion cordless hedge trimmers, but I'm sure they're nice and light, and they're probably perfect if you don't have a lot of trimming to do (or don't plan to do a lot at once). I finally decided I needed a hedge trimmer last year, and after looking at the corded and gas models on the market, I bit the bullet and bought a new Kawasaki KHT600D. It's a 23cc gas model with double action blades and a commercial grade gearbox, and it comes highly recommended by professional landscapers. For the quality, it was a deal at $227 brand new. It's a good bit heavier than an electric hedge trimmer, but I can carry it anywhere without dealing with an extension cord or worrying about the state of charge of my batteries.

 

[pipsters]

You just have to chuckle, here is a guy saying he wants to spend $50 on a trimmer and people are suggesting $200 and $300 pieces of equipment.

I've had a corded electric lawn mower for 4 seasons and still haven't managed to cut the cord. It's not rocket science, pound for pound and $ for $ they are the most cost effective, and the older Sears units are darn near bullet proof.

 

[Monte]

You just have to chuckle, here is a guy saying he wants to spend $50 on a trimmer and people are suggesting $200 and $300 pieces of equipment.

ooops sorry
i only know quality products

 

[tube_guy]

I use these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004R9YA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm very happy with them.

I was absolutely serious when I posted this. I've used all kinds of hedge trimmers, from the cheap Sears electric ones all the way up to a Stihl HS81 gasoline powered trimmer. I've found the hand trimmers every bit as fast as the cheap electric ones. The hand trimmers are cheap and very long lasting. The Stihl HS 81 is certainly faster, but it's also a lot more expensive to buy and use and requires much more upkeep. Unless you have a lot of hedges to trim, or the position of the hedges makes it difficult to use the hand trimmers, it's really difficult to justify more than the hand trimmers. Especially in the under $50 price range.

 

[ajchien]

I wound up doing the GJ thing. I found a Rockwell corded hedge trimmer (didnt know Rockwell made these), for a measly $10 at a flea. 16" length, worked well. I only finished half the bushes, the trash bins were full ... (thats my official excuse to play with the Walker jack I just got).

 

[joseywales]

Black and Decker generally isn't all that, but I have the 3 piece firestorm 18V kit and that hedge trimmer is hands down the best piece in the kit. It will cut surprisingly thick stems (about 3/8").

Really, I can't complain about the kit at all, I've had it for 5 years now and it's all running great, outside of the batteries getting close to their end points. The hedge trimmer just seems to be the one that has surprising power for a B&D 18V unit.

I'd have to say, ithe B&D Firestorm set is all that and a bag of chips! That darn trimmer worked every year. AND, the battery would sit in it and the following year I'd get one round of bushes before having to recharge. I recently bought the Ryobi set, because of Ryobi Days, needing a few tools B&D didn't have and my B&D drill starting making noise after 8 years, 10 years? of home DIY service. But I won't be getting rid of my B&D tools.

I did guy the Ryobi hedge trimmer as well, based on a good friend's informed recommendation, so I have high hopes for that as well. He said it's easy one-handed, due to the weight and placement of trigger/safety. Good blades and cuts effectively. Maybe justify the added expense by grabbing a new drill with it?

 

[Parrothead]

You just have to chuckle, here is a guy saying he wants to spend $50 on a trimmer and people are suggesting $200 and $300 pieces of equipment.

I've had a corded electric lawn mower for 4 seasons and still haven't managed to cut the cord. It's not rocket science, pound for pound and $ for $ they are the most cost effective, and the older Sears units are darn near bullet proof.

Yep, happens every time here...$50 budget and $300 recommendations.

For your budget I'd recommend the Black & Decker corded versions. You will cut the extension cord, it's a matter of when not if. I'm pretty careful and have done it twice.

If you want to stretch the budget the 20v series is good and no cord! Under $100.

 

[ptgarcia]

Yep, happens every time here...$50 budget and $300 recommendations.

For your budget I'd recommend the Black & Decker corded versions. You will cut the extension cord, it's a matter of when not if. I'm pretty careful and have done it twice.

If you want to stretch the budget the 20v series is good and no cord! Under $100.

Hopefully the OP made his purchase by now, otherwise he's probably been devoured by his hedges!