Hedge trimmer recommendations

wavinwayne

wavinwayne

Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
9,613
Location
North Alabama
Last week I spent way too long trimming bushes with an old 17" Black+Decker plug-in hedge trimmer. It was just too small for the job and had I really thought it through, I should have rented a better trimmer from Home Depot for the day. I'm considering buying this Makita for the next time the bushes need trimming, since I already have 3 Makita LXT 18V 4AH batteries: Makita LXT 18V 24" Hedge Trimmer

Just curious what you all would recommend for a GOOD hedge trimmer. 3/4" diameter is about as big as I need to trim. Since I already have the 3 LXT batteries should I go with this Makita unit, or something better IF I can get it for the same price (with battery+charger) as the Makita trimmer (tool only)?
 
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JeffKeryk said:
I like the one my yard maintenance guy uses...
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I hear that! I'm still paying a guy to cut my grass for now, and he's doing a great job. I either have to spend money on fixing my old John Deere or buy another mower in usable condition; I don't want to spend new mower money right now. The nice John Deere 535M I used at my last place didn't belong to me, and had to stay behind. :(
 
That Makita looks decent enough, especially if you're not doing commercial duty style trimming. Plus you have the batteries already. I stepped up from probably the same B&D trimmer you had to a 22" Husqvarna 2 years ago and haven't looked back. The 22" really made a huge difference in reach and cutting power. Had the batteries already from a blower and string trimmer and Husqvarna online had a special that included an additional 36V battery free (for the same price as the tool only Makita), so thats why I chose it. All of my hand tools are Makita and I have almost a dozen of those batteries too, and would get that Makita if the deal from Husqvarna hadn't been so good. Get it.
 
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ryobi hp (24")model is really good for the price.. maybe 85% as good at thick pieces vs my dewalt.. but more ergonomic and has built in sweep.. for half the price.

As long as you dont care about 249 for the tool I'd buy the makita.

199 would get you the ryobi and 3 batteries

if you have taller bushes you might want to get one of the articulated style to go with the regular type.
 
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I have had the best luck with Echo machines, I have 3, the hedge trimmer, blower and weed wacker. The oldest is at least 20 years old, the other two are at least 15 years old. I have a Husqvarna 235 saw and the cheaper Huskies (supposedly the same as Poulons) are not so great, they are prone to carb troubles in my experience. The Echos just keep on going and going and their parts availability is quite good as well.
 
Nessism1 said:
Hedge trimmers won't cut through a 3/4" branch.
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my dewalt does. It might take a wiggle if its dead oak but its pretty strong.
1747693720992.webp


the ryobi I mentioned earlier will as well.. with a HP battery.
1747693800648.webp
 
Nessism1 said:
Hedge trimmers won't cut through a 3/4" branch.
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Nessism1 said:
Good luck with that.
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Why even post.. great contributions to this thread so far?

Its not great at 3/4" but it will do 1/2" like nothing. I usually bring some hand pruners and a 12" mini chainsaw but the dewalt hedgetrimmer does 3/4 fine.. there is only 3/4" spacing on the cutters so if its slightly oversize you have to wiggle it a little to get it jammed into the teeth area.. still cuts.. as long as you dont hit 2 at once.

The ryobi's will cut out a little earlier to protect themselves.. but if its a live branch will do 3/4" fine.
dead hard oak or locust.. not so much.

Also I didnt even mention Echo hedge trimmers...
will do 1.1"
1747696433258.webp
 
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Rand said:
Why even post.. great contributions to this thread so far?

Its not great at 3/4" but it will do 1/2" like nothing. I usually bring some hand pruners and a 12" mini chainsaw but the dewalt hedgetrimmer does 3/4 fine.. there is only 3/4" spacing on the cutters so if its slightly oversize you have to wiggle it a little to get it jammed into the teeth area.. still cuts.. as long as you dont hit 2 at once.

The ryobi's will cut out a little earlier to protect themselves.. but if its a live branch will do 3/4" fine.
dead hard oak or locust.. not so much.

Also I didnt even mention Echo hedge trimmers...
will do 1.1"
View attachment 280172
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Some hedge trimmers may be able to make it through a random branch at 3/4" diameter, as long as it's a soft wood, and not dried out, but this is not normal business for hedge trimmers. And personally, I'd never use a hedge trimmer in that way.
That DeWalt has a clutch, so no doubt the clutch will slip as the blades hammer and hammer at the branch, eventually severing it. You are free to use the tool as you desire, but to me, that's abusive use for a hedge trimmer.
 
I wouldn't try to fit 3/4" semi-hardwood in a hedge trimmer even if it fits. The times I have to trim 3/4" dense wood are seldom enough that I can usually use hand loppers or a recip saw once to cut to their final height/length and then in subsequent seasons I am only cutting younger, much thinner growth with the hedge trimmers.

Granted this is for homeowner use, not contractor where you may be dealing with greatly overgrown vegetation that hasn't been touched in a long time, all day long, then a recip saw may seem too slow and time is money.

This also reduces the amount of blade sharpening I have to do. Swapping a new ~$2 blade into a recip saw is at least 100X easier and 200X faster than sharpening hedge trimmer blades. Some hedge trimmers also have their blades riveted together so more of a pain to sharpen or need fasteners after you drill the rivets out, or of course buy a new blade assembly if still in production.
 
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I expect that the products all have literature and owner's manuals which state how thick the material can be to cut.

Rather than guess, why not look at the resources and let that be your guide?
 
dnewton3 said:
I expect that the products all have literature and owner's manuals which state how thick the material can be to cut.

Rather than guess, why not look at the resources and let that be your guide?
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Although I didn't specifically say so in my original post, I was aware from reading the info on Home Depot's website that the max cutting diameter of the Makita I was asking about was 3/4", which is all I'll need from a hedge trimmer.

My wife thinks my old B+D trimmer works fine, so I need to find a way to convince her otherwise..
 
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