Anyone ever use an Extended Hedge Trimmer (Pole Trimmer)?

[r0GuE]

I was wondering if anyone had used one and if they could share with me their insights. Easy to use, hard to use? Too heavy? Better of sticking with the ladder and trimming that way? I have 1-00 foot of hedgeline that is (ideally) about 8 or 9 foot tall. Currently it is 12 in some places (10 on average). I need an easier way to walk the hedge line and trim it up. I was hoping these things work well...

Thanks!

 

[Egon]

I rented a gas powered one and used it for about an hour. It seemed to work well but I have nothing to compare against and one hour is not much time.

It was a little awkward to use at first but this got better as familiarity became greater. For 10 feet or so It would probably beat a ladder and be safer. [ my opinion based on little knowledge]

Another thought I had was fastening an electric chain saw to a pole with a switch at the base for doing the same thing. This may be lighter than the extendable gasoline pole saw. The straps are very important for good control and ease of use.

 

[jand38]

I have the Echo brand H/D with a 12in. bar it cuts great but for an old man like myself it is hard to handle I wish I had got the lighter weight pole saw I would use it more I would not dream of using a ladder over a pole saw just my 2 cents worth MD

 

[r0GuE]

I'm thinking of getting one of these.

STIHL Incorporated United States -- Products -- Hedge Trimmers -- Manufacturing and Selling The World's Number One Chain Saw

I have 9 hours into the fall cut for the hedgerow, and it looks a little shabby. Thanks for the input so far. Keep it coming!

 

[Mith]

I've had one for about 4 years. Wouldnt be without it for cutting hedges.

Dont get a cheap one, you'll be disappointed. Stihl make very good ones. The hedge cutter part of Echos seem to wear out fairly fast.

They get heavy after an hour or so, but it beats using a normal hedgecutter for 2x as long.

The shaft is longer on the Stihl brushcutters than it is on the long reach hedgecutters, so if you buy a Stihl bushcutter with the loop handle and then buy a hedgecutter attachment for it then you end up with a longer long reach hedgecutter than you would if you bought a dedicated long reach hedgecutter.

 

[r0GuE]

Sweet! That's what I was guessing would be the case. I think I will get one for the Spring clip!

THANKS!

I'll keep an eye on this thread in case anyone esle has something to share.

 

[JB4310]

I have the Stihl 4-mix, it's a 4 stroke but you use 2 stroke mixed fuel, very little fuel consumption and good idling and smoother running, I have about 150' of hedge along the front next to the side walk, it's a mix of a couple of different bush's, I have that thing looks like a perfectly straight wall, I don't do the top as it grows into the taller trees but you could reach to 10 feet. It does get heavy with the leverage ratio but you can go so fast it makes up for the rest time, with the long pole and long arc of the swing you cover a wide area and is easier to make straight lines. Here's some pictures, about $1,000.00 for everything pictured

 

[diyDave]

I use one lots as I cut and maintain landscapes professionally. 2 thoughts: The Stihl 4mix shown in the first picture (fromJB4310) is a very good unit, but it's rather heavy. If you look at JB4310's first picture, you will see that there is a 37" approximate length extension that you can get to add even more reach, if you need to go higher in the future. The fixed shaft unit shown earlier will be a little lighter, but you can't add the extension. Either unit is well worth the price, as Stihl builds good tools!

 

[r0GuE]

The Stihl 4mix shown in the first picture (fromJB4310) is a very good unit, but it's rather heavy.

Just wondering, if I go without the unit that can double as a string trimmer, would it be lighter. The model I am considering is strictly a hedge trimmer. Although, perhaps that idea is short sighted.

 

[JB4310]

Just wondering, if I go without the unit that can double as a string trimmer, would it be lighter. The model I am considering is strictly a hedge trimmer. Although, perhaps that idea is short sighted.

Yes it would be lighter and less expensive, if you only need a hedge trimmer then you should be all set, but like diyDave said you can't extend the one your considering for further reach and by the picture it may not reach 10 feet, unless your just trimming the vertical sides and not the tops.
I bought an extra pole section for mine but have not needed it yet, I think I can attach 2 poles if I have another coupling, but not sure.
I bought everything at once but only use the full size hedge trimmer and weed whacker regularly, hardly ever use the chain saw or the short sickle bar.

 

[Kevin Beitz]

I have a Stihl. I cant beleve they dont put an angle on the blade...
When you stand under a limb to cut it off the limb pinches the blade.
If they would put an angle on it so the blade would sit on top of the limb it would be so much better... The shorter the pole the more you get pinched...

 

[Volfandt]

I've got a Troybilt TB490BC trimmer / brushcutter w/ several attachments but unfortunately not the hedge trimmer. It does offer an hedge trimmer attachment and if it works anywhere near as well as the string trimmer, brushcutter, lawn edger and 11' pole saw attachments I do have, it will work pretty good.
Power comes from a 26cc 4 stroke engine that doesn't weigh in much more than a similar sized 2 stroke.
I'm on my 3rd season with it, so far, so good.
I got mine at Lowes.

I do have an old electric hedge trimmer for the few chest high bush trimming jobs I do have but if I had long / tall hedge rows, such as what you describe, I'd also have the hedge trimmer attachment too

 

[LBrown59]

I was wondering if anyone had used one and if they could share with me their insights. Easy to use, hard to use? Too heavy? Better of sticking with the ladder and trimming that way? I have 1-00 foot of hedgeline that is (ideally) about 8 or 9 foot tall. Currently it is 12 in some places (10 on average). I need an easier way to walk the hedge line and trim it up. I was hoping these things work well...

Thanks!

I'd make it a 1 time trimming when i cut it down and dug up the roots.
From there on I'd trim it with a lawn mower.

 

[RollTideRam]

I went to price the pole saw to put on my Stilh. It figures, it is not recommended for my model trimmer. Just the attatchment was $219, the pole saw only model was over $400. If I could make some money with it, I would buy it. But I may look for a cheaper brand since I don't have many limbs. JC

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I have a Shindaiwa with articulating hedge trimmer. It works great! I put it on par with Stihl. I have the m230 model I think with 3 attachments. Weed eater, pole saw and hedge trimmer. It was not cheap, about $750 for all, 4 years ago. I didn't want to have to buy another after 2 years.

 

[Saxman]

Kevin,
Stihl does make a 45 degree angle attachment for their pole saws. I have a new HT-131 and I saw the attachement in the catalog. The HT-131 4-mix is a great tool, kind of pricy, but it should last a homeowner a lifetime.