Hedge Trimmer vs Chainsaw
- Thread starter ducatiti
- Start date
No. A good hedge trimmer acts like a good set of shears...a chainsaw would just rip/pull at things. And it could be hazardous using a chainsaw from the flexible branches sucking the saw in when the chain hits them. I highly recommend one of the pro grade hedge trimmers with a metal gearbox if you have a lot of hedges, Kawasaki makes a nice one.
ajchien
Well-known member
Fwiw, I think you need pruning shears (thin branches), a lopper (up to half inch), hedge trimmer (thin branches up to 1/2 inch) reciprocating saw (up to 2-3 inches)and chainsaws (even bigger).
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
I'm going to disagree just a little bit here. A chainsaw is very very handy when you have to do more than light bush trimming. If you need to handle an overgrown bush, it may be the very best tool actually. But hedge trimmers are the best for the light trimming for sure. - Paul
Thanks ^^
I will probably go the battery type route and purchase both.
Actually, just bought an Earthwise rechargeable hedge trimmer on sale for $25 (osh 3 day sale). For that price, I don't think I can go Wrong in case I only use it once.
I will probably go the battery type route and purchase both.
Actually, just bought an Earthwise rechargeable hedge trimmer on sale for $25 (osh 3 day sale). For that price, I don't think I can go Wrong in case I only use it once.
sz0k30
Well-known member
Chain saws do not work well on small twigs, branches.
woody 73
Well-known member
I did learn a few things over the years in that gas powered hedge trimmers/and electric are a life saver if you are talking about miles of hedges but the downside is they tend to butcher the plants appearance unlike doing it by hand with nice clean cuts, but the downside is it takes forever and a day.
Chainsaw and shrubs with tiny limbs tend to also make butcher like cuts, unless you are talking about something like a lilac with larger type limbs on the inside of the plants.
The reason why I tend to stay away from the chainsaw on shrubs is that sometimes those branches tend to have a little kickback (think of the funny gags when the guy in front shoves the branches out of the way only to hit the guy walking behind him); and that is why I avoid using the chainsaw.
As with any tool use common sense.
Chainsaw and shrubs with tiny limbs tend to also make butcher like cuts, unless you are talking about something like a lilac with larger type limbs on the inside of the plants.
The reason why I tend to stay away from the chainsaw on shrubs is that sometimes those branches tend to have a little kickback (think of the funny gags when the guy in front shoves the branches out of the way only to hit the guy walking behind him); and that is why I avoid using the chainsaw.
As with any tool use common sense.
Pardon my ignorance, besides the twigs hitting you, is there a chance a chainsaw can eventually hit yourself because of this twigs and/or branches?
Bought and returned an electric trimmer. Set my mind to purchase an Echo chainsaw but now leaning towards an Echo Gas Hedge Trimmer.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Unlikely for the chainsaw to hit you BECAUSE of the small twigs and branches, it just makes it a PITA to wield. I am experienced with a chainsaw and still use hedge trimmers for hedges.
That twiggy, vine-y, strand-y, wirey stuff more or less gets pushed around with a chainsaw, where the hedge trimmers actually **** it into a groove and shear it.
PLEASE...get some chaps. It doesn't matter if you are doing 3" branches or 24" trees. one mess up and there goes your leg. You'll be all fawked up for not spending $50-80. And it doesn't have to be your fault. Know a dude who knew a dude who knew a dude that got stung by a bee/hornet, got caught off guard and there went his patella. That's your knee...you need a knee to walk. "Hey look at me, I can't walk anymore b/c I was too cheap to spend 80 bux".
That twiggy, vine-y, strand-y, wirey stuff more or less gets pushed around with a chainsaw, where the hedge trimmers actually **** it into a groove and shear it.
PLEASE...get some chaps. It doesn't matter if you are doing 3" branches or 24" trees. one mess up and there goes your leg. You'll be all fawked up for not spending $50-80. And it doesn't have to be your fault. Know a dude who knew a dude who knew a dude that got stung by a bee/hornet, got caught off guard and there went his patella. That's your knee...you need a knee to walk. "Hey look at me, I can't walk anymore b/c I was too cheap to spend 80 bux".
ajchien
Well-known member
Here's what goes through my mind when trimming bushes and hedges:
Can I do what I need with manual shears and loppers? Easy, makes nice cuts, I can shape easily. I shy away from using them if I have LOTS of stuff to cut.
Are the branches all small (< 1/2")? If there are branches bigger, I'll still start with the hedge trimmer anyway, and when I hit the bigger branches, Ill jam the trimmer and curse a bit.
Then I'll look at the branches a bit closer. If I angle my trimmer a certain way, can I get that branch cut? Ok, if the branch is too big, then I bring out the manual lopper, reciprocating saw or chain saw. If it's a floppy, bouncy branch - it's probably not too thick, and better handled with loppers. I go with the reciprocating saw if I target a specific branch I want out, and it's steady not floppy and it's less than 2" or so. A longer 12"+ pruning blade can fit through other branches and do less damage to stuff you dont want to cut. A chainsaw, given it's large size, is just going to whack at anything in it's way. But it's great if you have clearance to get to a branch, and it cuts much faster. The reciprocating saw will bounce around on floppy branches making the branch shake and chainsaws given bigger weight make the branches and the saw bounce back and forth off each other.
You can probably significantly hurt yourself with any tool. I lent my chainsaw to a neighbor once, (responsible guy) who decided that the bounce back way not so good. so he decided to hold the chainsaw with one hand and to hold the branch steady with the other hand. After a visit to the ER (he sliced his hand open, fully recovered in a month), my neighbor's wife politely asked me never to loan her husband a power tool again.
Can I do what I need with manual shears and loppers? Easy, makes nice cuts, I can shape easily. I shy away from using them if I have LOTS of stuff to cut.
Are the branches all small (< 1/2")? If there are branches bigger, I'll still start with the hedge trimmer anyway, and when I hit the bigger branches, Ill jam the trimmer and curse a bit.
Then I'll look at the branches a bit closer. If I angle my trimmer a certain way, can I get that branch cut? Ok, if the branch is too big, then I bring out the manual lopper, reciprocating saw or chain saw. If it's a floppy, bouncy branch - it's probably not too thick, and better handled with loppers. I go with the reciprocating saw if I target a specific branch I want out, and it's steady not floppy and it's less than 2" or so. A longer 12"+ pruning blade can fit through other branches and do less damage to stuff you dont want to cut. A chainsaw, given it's large size, is just going to whack at anything in it's way. But it's great if you have clearance to get to a branch, and it cuts much faster. The reciprocating saw will bounce around on floppy branches making the branch shake and chainsaws given bigger weight make the branches and the saw bounce back and forth off each other.
You can probably significantly hurt yourself with any tool. I lent my chainsaw to a neighbor once, (responsible guy) who decided that the bounce back way not so good. so he decided to hold the chainsaw with one hand and to hold the branch steady with the other hand. After a visit to the ER (he sliced his hand open, fully recovered in a month), my neighbor's wife politely asked me never to loan her husband a power tool again.
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hangfirew8
Well-known member
I have all 3, chainsaw, pruning saw and hedge trimmer, the latter two on a Stihl KombiSystem power head. Each is awesome for its assigned job, and very bad at the other's jobs.
I only rarely use a chainsaw. It's only for cutting up larger stuff. And even then I usually prefer an axe and a bow saw just for the workout.
Hedge trimmer is a different animal. You'll NEVER get your hedges looking trimmed with a chainsaw. It just won't work. There's only 2 things that make hedges look good: Powered hedge trimmers and a good sturdy wife.
Honestly, I rarely use any of these lately (except for the wife, of course). 90% of the time, I find that my cordless sawzall and my cordless hackzall (both Milwaukee, FYI) with pruning blades do the job faster and easier than anything else, though they can't do what a chainsaw or hedge trimmers can do.
Hedge trimmer is a different animal. You'll NEVER get your hedges looking trimmed with a chainsaw. It just won't work. There's only 2 things that make hedges look good: Powered hedge trimmers and a good sturdy wife.
Honestly, I rarely use any of these lately (except for the wife, of course). 90% of the time, I find that my cordless sawzall and my cordless hackzall (both Milwaukee, FYI) with pruning blades do the job faster and easier than anything else, though they can't do what a chainsaw or hedge trimmers can do.
A good hedge trimmer makes short work of most bushes. You gotta pay for a good gas powered one with SHARP teeth. Otherwise an electric or home use one works ok and you can use shears to fix anything you dont like or the trimmer wont handle.
Chainsaw has to much heft and also grabs the thin branches of most bushes and pushes them. Hedge trimmer ***** them up..
Chainsaw has to much heft and also grabs the thin branches of most bushes and pushes them. Hedge trimmer ***** them up..
sometoyotaguy
Well-known member
I have a gas hedge trimmer and it's good for anything up to about 1/2" diameter. A good pair of loppers works well for up to 1-1-1/2" or so. A sawsall works pretty well for branches larger than that. There isn't enough room in bushes for a chainsaw to work well, and not be dangerous.
If you have to ask, please don't try to use one. They are dangerous even for an experienced person. If you have large branches to trim, then a chainsaw is a good option.
If you have to ask, please don't try to use one. They are dangerous even for an experienced person. If you have large branches to trim, then a chainsaw is a good option.
I gotta be honest. I don't like 2-stroke lawn tools anymore. Too much ethanol maybe? I just can't keep them all running.
I got a decent Honda generator and mounted it to a little red wagon. I can pull it anywhere on the property to run all the electric power tools. So now I only have to keep one engine alive! ANd it's a 4-stroke Honda! Easy!
I got a decent Honda generator and mounted it to a little red wagon. I can pull it anywhere on the property to run all the electric power tools. So now I only have to keep one engine alive! ANd it's a 4-stroke Honda! Easy!
afazz
Well-known member
When I read the title of this thread, I thought it was going to be about an epic battle between the two tools. I have nothing to offer but my disappointment.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I've used a chainsaw to clear heavy brush at work before. It does pose risks in that role- namely kickback, plus trying to saw small branches isn't a picnic.
It also won't be neat as a hedge trimmer. I'm sure there are pros that can chainsaw them some well done trimming, it isn't going ot happen for the newbie.
It also won't be neat as a hedge trimmer. I'm sure there are pros that can chainsaw them some well done trimming, it isn't going ot happen for the newbie.
ajchien
Well-known member
A chain saw is a perfectly fine tool. It's just not the best tool in all bush/shrub situations. You're not going to find a single tool that will do it all well.
TreePointer
Well-known member
Hedge trimmers are best for the look and health of hedges because they make cleaner cuts when used properly.
Chainsaws can be handy when radical trimming/pruning of hedges is desired because chainsaws can tackle larger diameter woody parts that hedge trimmers can't. CHAINSAW KICKBACK is a concern because small branches can be "grabbed" by the chain and cause kickback. Cutting with a chainsaw above head level or on a ladder is a major no-no. As mentioned, chaps are a must, as well as other PPE.
My regular hedge trimming is done with a regular Echo hedge trimmer and a Stihl Kombi with articulating hedge trimmer head for high hedges.
Chainsaws can be handy when radical trimming/pruning of hedges is desired because chainsaws can tackle larger diameter woody parts that hedge trimmers can't. CHAINSAW KICKBACK is a concern because small branches can be "grabbed" by the chain and cause kickback. Cutting with a chainsaw above head level or on a ladder is a major no-no. As mentioned, chaps are a must, as well as other PPE.
My regular hedge trimming is done with a regular Echo hedge trimmer and a Stihl Kombi with articulating hedge trimmer head for high hedges.
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Good safety info above, even a hedge trimmer can be dangerous. I got lazy and let my trimmer accidentally touch my thigh after I let off the trigger (blades still move for a bit) and it went right through my jeans and gave me a nice cut.
The Kawasaki trimmers are much better than the Stihl trimmers. Better motor, better gearbox, easier starting, and the gearbox is greaseable: http://www.kawasakienginesusa.com/handheld/hedge-trimmers#
The Kawasaki trimmers are much better than the Stihl trimmers. Better motor, better gearbox, easier starting, and the gearbox is greaseable: http://www.kawasakienginesusa.com/handheld/hedge-trimmers#
So after weeks of research and an Easter 15% off coupon, I went with these. Figured that I am not a professional or need it these for commercial use, these are my safest bet. Just to give you an example on the pricing, the Echo PB-250 LN Blower ended up to be $125 with the discount. Thanks for all your suggestions.
