 | Home > Off Topic > hedge trimmer recommendations. |
 
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006   
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I don't have a tractor big enough for a flail mower for the hedges so in the past we have used a contractor but he is becoming increasingly unreliable and the season is really too late for a big tractor to not compact the land. So it has been suggested to get a 2 stroke hedge machine and do it manually. Yay only about 3 miles of double sided hedges yippee. I was thinking of either sthil or a husqurvana but I would value some input it will mostly be hawthorn and the odd bit of black thorn and will only be used once a year but equally needs to work well. Any views? Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
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4th Nov 2014 6:20am |
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| RobKeay Member Since: 19 Jul 2009 Location: Stafford Posts: 1579  
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Stihl 81R won't let you down.
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4th Nov 2014 6:28am |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006
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Ok cool. Is there any merit in one of their smaller semi professional machines like the 56 ce or would I be wasting my money on an inferior machine. What I mean is that ok it will see some fairly serious use for a few days but it will not be used the rest of the year so it's not like the work load of the one's I used to use on the parks department that saw hours and hours every day. I know I don't want something like a ryobi as it will wither and die in no time. Right tools for the job and that. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
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4th Nov 2014 7:10am |
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| muddybaldboy Member Since: 09 Apr 2012 Location: Ruthin Posts: 395  
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Stihl every time for hand tools.
How small is your tractor? I've got a Twose flail on my 28hp-best piece of kit I ever got. Paid just over 2k for it but worth every penny. I've virtually retired my strimmer also since getting  He who dies with the most toys...wins! |
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4th Nov 2014 7:56am |
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| scotty38 Member Since: 21 May 2011 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 571 
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Are you really planning on cutting 3 miles of hedge with a handheld device?
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4th Nov 2014 8:13am |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006
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By the time I'm done it might not be a full 3 miles but well over 2. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
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4th Nov 2014 8:23am |
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| RobKeay Member Since: 19 Jul 2009 Location: Stafford Posts: 1579
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56 is fine just not as strong as 81. Should aim for 20% of list price
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4th Nov 2014 8:37am |
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| SGH Member Since: 27 Sep 2010 Location: Hellingly-Sussex Posts: 1527
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I use a Stihl pole hedge cutter to do hedge tops standing in the back of my 110 tipper whilst SWMBO drives.
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4th Nov 2014 8:53am |
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| JWL Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Hereford Posts: 3443 
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I know this may seem like a step back in time but how hard are you going to be cutting back? You can cover a fair bit of ground with a decent brashing hook. If you are just clearing new growth off fencing you could actually cover more ground with a hook than stumbling along with a petrol powered hedgetrimmer. When I've put up new stocknetting to replace old stuff it's been quicker and easier to just use a hook and for the bigger stuff a decent pair of long handled loppers.
By just doing the necessary it will give you breathing space to organise a more reliable contractor or even look into hiring the kit(booked well in advance) to hit the hedges harder next year. Also by walking the hedges you might see where a bit of trimming with a chainsaw may bring the hedge into line by taking some of the bigger stuff out and allowing the hedge to grow back in a more stockproof barrier rather than just flailing what's there back every year. |
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4th Nov 2014 10:13am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17338 
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I'm not sure that any of the usual hand-held hedge cutters, however good, are really up to that amount of agricultural hedge cutting. I don't think I'd even attempt it. I guess your likelihood of success depends on the nature of the hedge, how well maintained it is, and how often you cut it.
As far as manufacturers are concerned, you will as usual not get concensus on the "which is better, Husky or Stihl?" question! There's really nothing in it overall, it is a matter of preference. Stihl lost a lot of users to Husky recently due to their incredibly restrictive internet spares sales policy. Echo also are serious contenders and now make some tools which are every bit as good as either Stihl or Husky. |
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4th Nov 2014 10:15am |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006
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Don't worry technology wise we are stuck in the 70's and amongst other period hand tools I have brash hook and it gets used on some of the land we rent but our own hedges have been getting a little bit bigger every year for the last 4 or 5 they have been flailed despite instructions to the contrary so this is an opportunity to sort them out a bit better without smashing them to bits. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon. |
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4th Nov 2014 5:32pm |
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| Romadog Member Since: 07 Jul 2011 Location: Powys Posts: 1749 |
Hand held machines
Go for Makita, they have a four stroke one now - they have a new long reach coming which will walk all over a Stihl HL95 or Stihl HS81R If you have a small tractor with hydraulic spool valves then go for a McConnel Swingtrim. They are on ebay or available from your nearest decent agricultural machinery dealer.They are the dogs danglies especially if you have as much to do as you say. A hand held one will give you Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome in no time ! |
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4th Nov 2014 6:21pm |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006
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Ooh makita, we like their stuff . Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
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4th Nov 2014 6:31pm |
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| a13x Member Since: 25 Sep 2011 Location: Burton on Trent Posts: 553
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I recently purchased the 56. Very happy with mine and taken abit of abuse over the last few months.
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4th Nov 2014 7:55pm |
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