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