Electric Hedge Trimmers
Andy Mabbett
I have a family of triffids in my front garden, cunningly disguised as a
privet hedge. I tried to trim them back yesterday, using manual shears,
but they won. Never again.
Before I squander valuable beer vouchers, what should I be looking for
in electric hedge trimmers - what makes/ models can you recommend?
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| Andy Mabbett, Training Services Division, |
| Birmingham City Council - Economic Development |
| EMail: andy...@bcceddts.demon.co.uk |
| Phone: (+) 44 121 235 3087 Fax: (+) 44 121 235 1325 |
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George Poulson
Andy Mabbett (trai...@bcceddts.demon.co.uk) wrote:
: Before I squander valuable beer vouchers, what should I be looking for
: in electric hedge trimmers - what makes/ models can you recommend?
I'm probably going to be shot down in flames here, but I'm quite happy with
my Black & Decker GT221 16" model. I don't have a vast amount of privet
(thank goodness) and only needing to be used about 3 times a year I didn't
see much point in spending what seemed like over-the-odds for a more
up-market make/model.
--
George Poulson GP Designs Limited +44 1782 815231
geo...@gpdesign.demon.co.uk Computer systems & software
Electronics design & development
Stoke-on-Trent, England email: gpde...@gpdesign.demon.co.uk
Alan Bancroft
>I have a family of triffids in my front garden, cunningly disguised as a
>privet hedge. I tried to trim them back yesterday, using manual shears,
>but they won. Never again.
>
>Before I squander valuable beer vouchers, what should I be looking for
>in electric hedge trimmers - what makes/ models can you recommend?
Why not consider a 2-stroke hedge-trimmer, you should be able to pick
up one for about £100. Because petrol machinery is more powerful than
the electric ones, the components such as the blade assembly are more
robust.
I bought a Ryobi trimmer (electric) a couple of years back for £70 but
after a few uses the end of the blade assembly that is moved by the
cams broke. I was quoted £52 + VAT for a replacement blade and opted
to buy a B & D instead.
If you only need to trim once or twice a year, I'd consider hiring one
at about £10 a day.
Andy Mabbett
In article <3207a74a....@news.easynet.co.uk>, Alan Bancroft
<banc...@easynet.co.uk> writes
>Why not consider a 2-stroke hedge-trimmer,
er...
> you should be able to pick up one for about £100.
That's 100 reasons why!
Brian Childs
For what its worth I bought a good Bosch (about £100) six ot seven years
ago and share it with a friend. We both have LOTS of hedging and with
twice the normal single householder use it still works great.
Brian
In article <3207a74a....@news.easynet.co.uk>, Alan Bancroft
<banc...@easynet.co.uk> writes
--
Brian Childs
John Marchant
In a message on 06-Aug-96 13:15:29, Andy Mabbett wrote:
> Before I squander valuable beer vouchers, what should I be looking for
> in electric hedge trimmers - what makes/ models can you recommend?
I see you've had one reply so far, recommending a Black & Decker model.
If you already have a portable electric drill, you can probably get
a hedge-trimming attachment for this. It would be cheaper than
buying a whole trimmer, and I found it quite adequate for annual use
on a Cotoneaster microphylla hedge about 30 ft long. Mine was a
Black & Decker attachment designed for the B&D drill I have. I say
"was" since I no longer have the hedge, and I've given away the
trimmer, which I used for about 15 years. I followed the
instructions and oiled the blades regularly.
Make sure you have a circuit protection device, either at the mains
socket or in the trimmer plug. This will disconnect the power
instantly if you accidentally cut the cable (as I once did), and it
really does protect you from electrocution! A brightly coloured
cable is also a good idea. You can get them in orange colour. The
one I cut was black.
John
--
John Marchant ('Gnome'). Bedford UK. gn...@mag-net.co.uk
Amiga 4000/40 Fidonet: 2:2500/167.15
So easy to use, a child can do it. Child sold separately.
* Pick-Tag v2.3b *
--
Piet van de Donk
In article <1996Aug6.1...@gpdesign.demon.co.uk>,
George Poulson <geo...@gpdesign.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>Andy Mabbett (trai...@bcceddts.demon.co.uk) wrote:
>
>: Before I squander valuable beer vouchers, what should I be looking for
>: in electric hedge trimmers - what makes/ models can you recommend?
>
>
>my Black & Decker GT221 16" model. I don't have a vast amount of privet
>see much point in spending what seemed like over-the-odds for a more
>up-market make/model.
>
No need to be embarassed. My nabour and I have been using a very cheap B+D
for about 10 years now, and are fully satisfied (B+D, GS400, 405 mm). We use
it 2 or 3 time a year on our 22 meters of privet hedge. About a quarter of
an hour cutting for each of us. I use it also to cut back large bushes just
after flowering in spring (like jasmine). 5 Or 10 minutes in broad sweeps
will do that job. Any moderate irregularities in shape are soon nicely
covert with fresh green twigs. Very simple maintenance too. Disadvantages? I
did manage to cut the cable a few times. My nabour, being a bit more
careful, never did however.
Have fun, Piet
David H. Hutson
I also used the Black & Decker attachment (for about 10 years). I
am sure that they are no longer made. I replaced it with a Black
and Decker GS400 and have been very pleased with it (about 7 years
use now); 300 ft, 3 times a year; privet, pyracantha, cotoneaster,
griselinia; Kent and Cornwall.
Dave Hutson
DHHutson, 18 Tredova Cres., FALMOUTH, Cornwall, UK
Tel:44 (0)1326 319943