Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I'm in the market for a hedge trimmer and would appreciate any advice and/or recommendations you may have.  One question I have is whether there is a preference for gas vs. electric?  I have plenty of available electric outlets near the hedges that are my primary concern.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/information.

If your familiar w/ having 2 cycle equipment grab a gas one.   Expect to pay about $175 for an entry level gas powered one.  Electric will be much cheeper(I've seen trhe for as little as $45), not as powerful, or big of saw area.   You will probably cut enough extension cords w/ it, to make it balance out even over the years though.  

Also ask yourself if you will need further eguipment later on???  If yes, you can buy one power plant, and a variety of tools, like the hedger, weed wacker, pruning chain saw, broom, etc.  I have a Echo PT 28 (I believe)  and use it mainly for just weed wackin and the long reach, angular hedger.  Nice unit.  Stick w/ a big name in gas models, like Echo, Stihl, Husq, and it will last you for years of trouble free use, provided you take some care of it. 

I have a Stihl HS-45 Gas hedge trimmer, and cut OVER 100' of hedges today with it. Its MUCH faster than a black and decker electric model. But i do use the B&D hedge hogs for some slower detail work, and you cant beat them for the price.

Take into consideration the height and shape of your plants.  I used to have a tall wide hedge that required me to stand on a ladder and hold a pole against the house to lean on while I trimmed with one hand.  I have a Black and Decker electric and it got pretty heavy after a while.  I'd imagine a gas trimmer would have been tough to handle in that situation.

LL

Well said Bill.  I have the Black & Decker HS1010, a 20"er.  It performs well for me and has even hit the sidewalk a good deal of times while trimming ground cover.   Either I like to move slow when trimming hedges or this thing has good power to it because I don't recall of it cutting out on me, but I do suppose gas is a bit faster and stronger.  I have the review here. 

I have some electric Hedge Hawgs, they do well. Surprised me for an electric!

Marshall wrote:

its the newer, more agressive tooth design that cuts much easier.

The older models were plane jane ansd could barely cut a pencil in half.

Thanks for the advice all.

I picked up a B & D 22" Hedge Hog XR from Home Depot: http://www.blackanddecker.com/Outdoor/ProductDetail.aspx?PID=9832&RHID=69&P=ProductDetail.aspx&ATT=AttachmentDetail.aspx&ACC=AccessoryDetail.aspx&ACS=AccessoySet.aspx&R=ProductListByType.aspx

I was tempted by a Remington http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0558576281.1119886859@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccehaddemljfjjicgelceffdfgidgjl.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Super%20Categories/Outdoor%20Living&MID=9876&pos=p06 as it has an extended 10 foot reach and I do have some tall hedges, but I didn't know anything about the manufacturer.  It also looked like it might be ackward and difficult to control when trimming at lower heights.

I haven't opened the B&D yet, so what do you think between it and the Remington?

I had the hardest time deciding between that very unit and the battery powered Hedge Hog. Although I know for a fact that the one you picked is BETTER, (Cuts bigger branches, has more power, and the cool handle...) I just did not want to deal with the cord. Your machine will go through just about anything!!! Mine will only cut new growth. But I am happy with it! Plenty of run time too!

Brian, thanks for the input.  I also was going back and forth on the cordless, and decided that since I had many available outdoor outlets I'd take the increased power.

We're actually neighbors as I live in North Bellmore.  Smaill world, huh! 

I want one now too  

North Bellmore???!!! Small world indeed!

My buddy lives on Fowler Street off Bellmore ave!

I live on Tusk Ln in Wantagh!

The best Hedge Trimmers I have used are the Stihl HS80 and the Tanaka THT 2100 Both are Double Sided trimmers that run Commercial grade engines. The Tanaka has the upper hand on weight, handle adjustment and of course pricing. Here are some links.

http://www.tanaka-usa.com/index.php?section=55

http://www.stihlusa.com/hedgetrimmers/HS80.html

Sorry the Model Posted for the Tanaka is wrong it is the 210s set up a Free Demo.

I have the Makita electric hedge trimmer and it works great.  Tons of power and not to o heavey to handle either.  I know Amazon.com used to sell them, not sure if they still do or not.

They do Makita 

I have both electric and gas. I haven't used the electric since I bought the Echo. No comparison between the two.

Marc

I would go with the Husqvarna Model No: 123L a great choice..