Help me choose an electric hedge trimmer

[Rod N]

Going with electric because I only have about 40 ft of cedars with ample outlets.

The Black and Decker gets all the reviews and is $110. All my other tools are Stihl and I'd like to stick with them. The Stihl doesn't even show up on the reviews and is sale for $150.00

Any recommendations gents?

 

[Rod N]

Stihl

 

[CJM8515]

Stihl, the BD is cheap homeowner grade junk like everything they make.

 

[Rod N]

Stihl, the BD is cheap homeowner grade junk like everything they make.

That was my thinking when I bought my other tools, but why do they not show up on any of the reviews?

 

[Pinaud]

Little wonder

http://www.littlewonder.com/product/electric-hedge-trimmers/

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Stihl, the BD is cheap homeowner grade junk like everything they make.

My B&D stuff works great. My trimmer is a beast for an electrical corded one.

 

[CJM8515]

My B&D stuff works great. My trimmer is a beast for an electrical corded one.

I'm happy for you. But they are homeowners level machines at best. I'll take a pro level machine any day. Built better overall

 

[Git]

Makita Cordless

I have a coupe of gas powered trimmers but I bought this for the wife because it is not very heavy. Since I already have several Makita 18v tools it was a no brainer and I was surprised how well it works

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KA3ZFHK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Aspen RT]

My B&D stuff works great. My trimmer is a beast for an electrical corded one.

Going to have to agree, that being said, I also must add that they are older 90's models.
I dont know if they were made any different then and now or not. But they have cut ALOT of hedges.

That aslo being said, I would like to try something different just for the heck of it.

 

[James-W]

Makita Cordless

I have a coupe of gas powered trimmers but I bought this for the wife because it is not very heavy. Since I already have several Makita 18v tools it was a no brainer and I was surprised how well it works

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KA3ZFHK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I agree, the cordless tools keep getting better and better. If you happen to have batteries from other cordless tools that fit the trimmer, that is even better.

 

[zhaddock]

I have the 40v ryobi cordless and I have been very impressed with it.

 

[Slednut]

I buy a new B&D corded 24 inch hedge trimmer almost every year. We have a local Fred Meyer that put's them on clearance for around $35 every fall, they are usually around $65.

I'd rather spend the money than take the time to sharpen them.

They do get a workout.

 

[Bobf]

I've had a 120 volt since we moved here, will be 30yrs in Nov this year. Have short cedar hedges around three sides of the house about 130 ft plus along the drive way of a detached garage about 20 ft. I've trimmed them 2-3 times a year with our B&D 18" HT400 Type 1 2.6 A 3300 CSPM. Can't recall what I paid for it but I'd guess around $40 in 1986 dollars. Yup, I've got my moneys worth no doubt.

 

[Rod N]

Thanks for the tips guys.
I'll have to check the "little wonder" out as there is a dealer close by and they sell the Stihl too.
Having a battery go after 3 years on a tool I will use for only a few hours a year to me is unacceptable.
The Makita is very pricey and doesn't even include the charger or battery?
I know the B and D was a great product, but is it still? Home Depot has destroyed Lawn Boy and Vermont Castings, so who knows what other companies they F###d with.

 

[pablo94sc]

If you have Ryobi, their newest 18V is really impressive. I reviewed it on here if you want to search my posts.

I've yet to use more than 25% of the battery doing all the shrubs in my yard. I'd say it's got at least an hour run time on the 4Ah batteries. It will also cut 1/2" with ease, and only a little struggle to the 3/4" rating. Cost is also competitive with the model you listed.

 

[kngelv]

I'd get a Stihl gas model. Whether you have enough outlets is mostly irrelevant. The main problem is dealing with cords. I just picked up the HS 46 a few months ago and it is bad a$$.

James

 

[Rod N]

I'd get a Stihl gas model. Whether you have enough outlets is mostly irrelevant. The main problem is dealing with cords. I just picked up the HS 46 a few months ago and it is bad a$$.

James

The issue with gas is they want to be run regularly.

 

[James-W]

Thanks for the tips guys.
I'll have to check the "little wonder" out as there is a dealer close by and they sell the Stihl too.
Having a battery go after 3 years on a tool I will use for only a few hours a year to me is unacceptable.
The Makita is very pricey and doesn't even include the charger or battery?
I know the B and D was a great product, but is it still? Home Depot has destroyed Lawn Boy and Vermont Castings, so who knows what other companies they F###d with.

I realize that having to buy a new OEM battery can be quite expensive. But there are alternatives to this dilemma. What I do is, I go to Harbor Freight Tools and I buy one of their battery packs for $12.99 and with a discount coupon it would be even less. The Harbor Freight battery battery will not fit your tool, but that is not why you buy it. These batteries are not ONE battery, they are made up from several 1.2 volt batteries and they can be replaced. It is a simple procedure, what you do is, you take both batteries apart and you put the new batteries into the old battery case. Now you have essentially a brand new battery (except for the case) and it will last for several more years.

 

[redmondjp]

The issue with gas is they want to be run regularly.

Yup. I would not under any circumstances recommend a gas-powered trimmer unless somebody is using it monthly. It may be OK for the first year or two, but then you'll have carburetor problems and it won't start and will be extremely frustrating, not to mention expensive to repair (is cheaper to buy 2-3 replacement carbs online and simply replace when needed than to take it into a shop for service one time). If you do get a gas one, use only alcohol-free gasoline in it.

This is what happened to me this season. I have a Stihl hedge trimmer, which worked perfectly until this year. Carb developed a tiny air leak so it doesn't pump any fuel in. Found that I can buy new Zama carburetors for $11 each online, so I bought three since one of my line trimmers uses the exact same carb.

I also have a Sears electric, with a 6' coil-cord on it. I've snipped my extension cord twice accidentally, so I use the coil-cord to keep tension on the cord, with the long extension cord behind me, so I don't snip it again.

 

[willf650]

I have a Black and Decker that I was looking for to recommend. The way the blades are set up it will literally saw through a branch that won't fit in the trimmer blades. I've cut branches in excess of 1" in diameter with it due to this saw feature.

I guess it was a liability issue because I can't find one like listed anywhere. I assume they stopped making it. Another nice product down the tubes due to liability.

 

[zak77]

I had a Stihl trimmer and eventually sold it because i'd spend more time fixing it than using it. I dont have very many hedges around my house so my trimming time is very minimal. I started off with corded trimmers but those were a pain so i got the Stihl and that was a pain, even after replacing the carb and fiddling with it forever then the next time i went to use it, idled but died with any throttle. F that. Bought a cordless Cobalt trimmer at Lowes, not expecting great things but it worked pretty good. Granted i used it for only 15-20 minutes but i was happy and didnt have to spend an hour to get them running.

 

[BlackLS2]

Went through this a few years back. Researched to death. Decided on the Remington 24 corded at Home Depot; it has been awesome. I just checked...they are $66. 5 amp...you may fall in love with the adjustable handle. Titanium blade still sharp after 3 years of work.

 

[BleedingBlue]

I have had the black and decker corded for 5-7 years now with no issues.


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[polexican23]

I bought my B&D 36 volt cordless tools going on 4 years ago now and I have worked them hard. Just now, one of the 3 batteries not wanting to hold full charge. Not bad, and have not had one issue with any of them. JMO

check out the clearance rack at Homedepot by the trimmers. The closest to me is an endcap. I saw they clearanced out a bunch of BD batteries.

 

[glentre]

Love my electric Homelite from Lowes or maybe H Depot because it is long to reach high and can be angled in two directions for hedges or hard to reach places.

Glen

 

[Rod N]

^^^ That looks usefull

 

[CJ7VFR]

,,,What I do is, I go to Harbor Freight Tools and I buy one of their battery packs for $12.99 and with a discount coupon it would be even less. The Harbor Freight battery battery will not fit your tool, but that is not why you buy it. These batteries are not ONE battery, they are made up from several 1.2 volt batteries and they can be replaced. It is a simple procedure, what you do is, you take both batteries apart and you put the new batteries into the old battery case. Now you have essentially a brand new battery (except for the case) and it will last for several more years.

That is a great idea!

I have been buying the actual cells from places online for about $2.00 each and with a coupon I get free shipping. For my 18v tools it takes 15 of them, so for me it costs $30 to repair the battery packs.

That cost from HF is great. The only downside is that the batteries I have been buying are the Nickel Metal Hydride ones as upgraded replacements for the NiCad ones. The NiMH batteries are a bit more powerful and they last a bit longer.

But for the price savings of getting the HF cheapy battery pack, and scavenging the cells out of it, I may try that next time!

Great tip! I have a 14.4v cordless hand vacuum that won't hold a charge anymore, and for less than $15 bucks from HF, I am going for it!

Jim

 

[Milton Shaw]

Nobody else has mentioned this but the electrics vibrate a lot more than the gas. Enough so that you still have the shakes for an hour so after using them. Get a good Stihl or Echo power head and they the attachments to let you use it every week. I have an echo powerhead with string trimmer, hedge clipper, polesaw. rototiller. and extra extension. That way you have the best of both worlds, fast speed, no cords to cut and able to keep it running by using it often. My daughter just bough a Stihl with a leaf blower. In the fall after use drain the tank and put maybe a half cup of Stihl mix in there and run it until empty. That has the mix for storing it. Expensive to use all the time but do use it for storage. Also find ethanol free gas premium grade for your usual mix.

 

[Mandres]

That is a great idea!

I have been buying the actual cells from places online for about $2.00 each and with a coupon I get free shipping. For my 18v tools it takes 15 of them, so for me it costs $30 to repair the battery packs.

That cost from HF is great. The only downside is that the batteries I have been buying are the Nickel Metal Hydride ones as upgraded replacements for the NiCad ones. The NiMH batteries are a bit more powerful and they last a bit longer.

But for the price savings of getting the HF cheapy battery pack, and scavenging the cells out of it, I may try that next time!

Great tip! I have a 14.4v cordless hand vacuum that won't hold a charge anymore, and for less than $15 bucks from HF, I am going for it!

Jim

Anyone have a video on this process? Do you have to desolder any pcb components, or is just a plug and play deal?

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