Cordless telescopic hedge trimmers

[Joanbunting Profile]

Now this may well be a specialist subject beyond the ken of most - it certainlly was for us.

Our neighbour used one of these when he kindly trimmed the rampant growth on our wall that adjoins our daughter's garden. He said they weren't all that expensive and would be far safer tht M climbing a ladder and cheaper than getting in a gardener.

Has anyone else used one-bought one- considered one???

DD is fine about buying a "company" one - like the Dyson the steam cleaner etc!

[jeral Profile]

Sounds like a brilliant invention. Was he able to use them from ground level?

It's the sort of thing I'd probably see if I could hire for a little while. I've spent way too much on expensive things like shredders that are used only one or twice a year. Not sure you'd have the same plant hire shops in the middle of France though... With my shredder, it worked very well though being medium-heavy duty the blades wore out quickly and cost a lot to replace, hence thinking towards hire.

[Joanbunting Profile]

Hi Jeral

From a small set of steps.

The thing is that stuff grows so fast here that you need to be able to use it every couple of weeks. We have tried hiring stuff but it has been unsatisfactory.

At the moment one of us goes out every other day to attack the vine or the several wisterias in the two gardens, When things are left we have to resort to getting professional help - expensive! I don't want 70year-old M even though he is quite fit climbing tall ladders with me hanging on.

We never regret buying the leaf blower.

[Stokey Sue Profile]

I presume you mean a cordless trimmer with a telescopic handle?

I have used a cordless trimmer, brilliant invention, but never one with a telescopic handle

Elfin safety note: you'll need actual goggles, not just safety specs, as it goes above your head, and sharp bits can get behind even good safety specs. I would combine them fetchingly with a baseball cap as the bits may bounce off the peak

[Joanbunting Profile]

I presume you mean a cordless trimmer with a telescopic handle?

I have used a cordless trimmer, brilliant invention, but never one with a telescopic handle

Elfin safety note: you'll need actual goggles, not just safety specs, as it goes above your head, and sharp bits can get behind even good safety specs. I would combine them fetchingly with a baseball cap as the bits may bounce off the peak

Hi Sue

Yes I do and don't worry, we have both hard hat and safety goggles - comes with using the chain saw an essential piece of gear when one has a wood burner and can pick up the odd tree trunk

[Global_Worming Profile]

JB until last week end when my ancient JCB petrol strimmer seized up. I would use it with the adjustable hedge trimmer giving me a 3 to 4 metre reach.The only problem is some people find them a bit heavy to use.

[hungryhousewife Profile]

Hi Joan! My darling hubby went out a couple of years ago and bought the 'best' Flymo hedge trimmer he could lay his hands on, after several attempts to make do with inexpensive ones ( we have hedges down both long (200ft) sides of our garden and they are about 7'high - He gallantly swathed through the tops of the hedges and everything looked lovely - except, like your garden, this job needs doing frequently and it is a big job. I can't lift the blasted thing without getting arm, back and everything ache! So last spring (when we actually had some nice weather), I snuck out and bought myself a cordless Bosch hedge trimmer - light as a feather - batteries recharge in a trice - I hide my little secret beside my extra fridge in the garage!! - hedges neat and tidy - tickedy boo!!;)
HH

[Joanbunting Profile]

Morning everyone and thank you for your advice.

Met our neighbour again last night and he says this one is very good.

http://www.lawnmowers-uk.co.uk/acatalog ... teid=38938

Obviously this is a UK site but it would seem that they are available locally at about the same price in €s as given here in £s as DD has offered to go halves then it seems like a good outlay. Any thoughts?

[Stokey Sue Profile]

i've had Gardena stuff in the past, it's a decent make, though I haven't had any power tools from them

That one's not cordless - are you OK with a cord? Can you reach Rosa?

It occurs to me that cordless rechageables might be a bit heavy to use on a telescopic handle, as batteries aren't the lightest of things

I actually though they might be a bit pricier than that, so I guess it is reasoanble

[Joanbunting Profile]

Hi Sue

We think weight is more important than cord - but we are going to look at the two next week to decide. The gardener who comes to the house next door says he can get a discount at the outlet we wre going to and has kindly offered to get it for us once we have chosen the exact model.

PS I know i keep saying the house next door but we have 5 houses next door - all at some point adjoining ours!

[jeral Profile]

It does say that it's ergonomically designed and balanced; it'll be good to be able to check it out to be sure it is as comfortable to use as hoped. Mine had a dead man's handle trigger so I'd get cramp if I used it for too long so would do a bit at a time.

Incidentally, if you get a corded one, do you have one of those electrical cutout thingies either wired into your main fuse box which cuts the supply within a fraction of a second if the lead gets damaged, or a plug-in one if applicable.

This guide of what to look for in a trimmer is helpful, giivng info on wattages and blade lengths and types: http://www.growsonyou.com/retailer/GB/g ... e-trimmers

[Wokman Profile Website]

Hi Joan,

I'm not sure if your husband is up to wielding one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-in1-Petrol- ... 2ebea89af2

They are only a bit more expensive than a rechargeable one, but they do have the added advantage of being a 5 in 1 multi-tool.

[Joanbunting Profile]

Hi Wokman

Thanks for that but we already have a chainsaw ! We collect wood!!

The most important thing is that what we buy is light and has a good reach - so no serious ladder climbing. Our wall is about 3 metres high and can be accessed on our side from the balcony. Both DD and we have wrought iron canopies. Hers just wisteria, ours wisteria and a vine.

As they are both, in effect, courtyard gardens a lot of the interest comes from what grows and flowers on the wall and canopy also as both face due south we need shade too but not uncontrolled foliage!!! this may give you a bit of an idea. have to say that DD's garden was completely overgrown with a huge dead tree when they bought the house.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62387678@N ... 889868600/

Go back one picture on the stream for ours!

[hungryhousewife Profile]

AAAAHHHHGGGG!!!! I am so envious!! it looks soo gorgeous!! like a stage set from Romeo and Juliet!!
How heavenly!!

Does M feed you grapes that dangle from the balcony??

HH

[Joanbunting Profile]

AAAAHHHHGGGG!!!! I am so envious!! it looks soo gorgeous!! like a stage set from Romeo and Juliet!!
How heavenly!!

Does M feed you grapes that dangle from the balcony??

HH

Morning HH

Actually often more like Sleeping beauty's castle than Romeo and Juliet but thanks anyway! Think you can see the need for a trimmer .

[Joanbunting Profile]

Well it has arrived !! We settled on the Gardena cordless rechargeable. M is now impatient to charge the battery and try his new jouet

It is raining at the moment anyway but will report back when we or rather he has tried it.

[hungryhousewife Profile]

Sorry to hear its raining out there! Hope you get to try out the new toy soon! What fun!!

HH

[Joanbunting Profile]

Don't be sorry we need it - or rather the vegetables do

He couldn't resist trying out when the rain stopped and it is absolutely great. Took 10 minutes to do what would have taken an dangerous hour up a ladder - I am much relieved

[jeral Profile]

Good ho. It's lovely when something is clearly worth more than its cost

[Joanbunting Profile]

This trimmer is worth it's weight in gold!

This morning M attacked the Rosa which had, in 5 days, sprouted gigantic shoots. BHT (before hedge trimmer) it would have taken him a couple of hours, this morning 10 minutes, then of course 20 sweeping up