Hedge trimmer for cutting back raspbery bushes?

[jimainiac]

I maintain horse trails in the woods, some of which get overgrown through the summer with raspberry bushes and other plants. I usually walk through, swinging a pruning saw to cut them back.It's hard on the arms and shoulders, so I was wondering how a battery powered hedge trimmer might work. We have a heavy duty gas trimmer that takes a "grass blade", but that's a lot to lug through the woods. We don't have any hedges, so I don't have any experience with hedge trimmers, and I don't know how they would handle this type of work. Has anyone used hedge trimmers in this way?

 

[jaxs]

I would think stooping to use a hedge trimmer might take a tool on your body also. Have you considered a "wheeled"trimmer? They can be fitted with string for grass ,weeds and seedlins or saw blade for brush.

 

[CADplans]

I have a hedge trimmer,,, a bad back,,, and a FIMCO sprayer,,

Forget trimming,,
hit those raspberries with a little 2-4-D,, and next year there will not be an issue.

 

[jaxs]

I have a hedge trimmer,,, a bad back,,, and a FIMCO sprayer,,

Forget trimming,,
hit those raspberries with a little 2-4-D,, and next year there will not be an issue.

Or hire a spray plane to do it in a single pass. 2-4-D will kill the trees along with berrys either way. Mis-use of pesticides by misinformed and uninformed consumers is why many are no longer available without permit. If you resort to spray,for goodness' sake use Glyphosate aka Roundup. 2-4-D presist's in soil for months and leaches to be picked up by roots.

 

[zzvyb6]

My F-935 with a 72" deck and Gator type blades does a marvelous job on red and black raspberry plants and grape vines. May take several passes in both directions. Thorns can be hard on the tires, though.

 

[PJSprog]

I just use a pair of bypass loppers for tougher plants. Of course, depending on the size of the trail and the amount of growth, that could be a lot of work, too.

 

[mddorange]

I maintain horse trails in the woods, some of which get overgrown through the summer with raspberry bushes and other plants. I usually walk through, swinging a pruning saw to cut them back.It's hard on the arms and shoulders, so I was wondering how a battery powered hedge trimmer might work. We have a heavy duty gas trimmer that takes a "grass blade", but that's a lot to lug through the woods. We don't have any hedges, so I don't have any experience with hedge trimmers, and I don't know how they would handle this type of work. Has anyone used hedge trimmers in this way?

I have used a Ryobi 18v hedge trimmer for years and it works well. If the vine is large, sometimes it will get stuck and you have to dislodge it and go again.

 

[txdon]

I maintain horse trails in the woods, some of which get overgrown through the summer with raspberry bushes and other plants. I usually walk through, swinging a pruning saw to cut them back.It's hard on the arms and shoulders, so I was wondering how a battery powered hedge trimmer might work. We have a heavy duty gas trimmer that takes a "grass blade", but that's a lot to lug through the woods. We don't have any hedges, so I don't have any experience with hedge trimmers, and I don't know how they would handle this type of work. Has anyone used hedge trimmers in this way?

Yes, I have and it works good IF you get the right hedge trimmer. The one I use, on youpon infringing on trails, is the EGO 56V hedge trimmer. Last for 60-75 minutes of cutting before it needs recharging and has a 3/4" cut capacity. The weight is 12 pounds. Here is a review that I found to be accurate.
EGO 56V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Review

 

[4get gto]

Yes, I have and it works good IF you get the right hedge trimmer. The one I use, on youpon infringing on trails, is the EGO 56V hedge trimmer. Last for 60-75 minutes of cutting before it needs recharging and has a 3/4" cut capacity. The weight is 12 pounds. Here is a review that I found to be accurate.
EGO 56V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Review

I have one of those. Works pretty good don't it. Also have their 14" chain saw.

 

[Uncle Lar]

I used loppers for a few years keeping blackberry , multiflora, and cedar limbs cut back our trail. Wife bought a 22 in Greenworks hedge trimmer for about 100 bucks at wallyworld and its like a Godsend. We ain't kids anymore.