Cordless Hedge Trimmers
They are completely portable and you don't have to worry about trailing cords being damaged or cut.
They are powered by a battery, usually rated between 12 volts and 18 volts. And although the battery will only last about half an hour (give or take) this gives you plenty of time to trim a small garden.
Battery charging varies, depending on manufacturers, from around three to six hours, although the first charge can take up to about nine hours.
They are not recommended for cutting large branches of shrubs or bushes or cutting hedges hard back. But they are great for general trimming.
Blade Information
Blade lengths vary from 30cm (12inches) to 50cm (20inches).
The short blades are ok for small areas that you want to trim and they are ideal for sculpting hedges, shrubs and bushes.
But, the more area you want to trim the longer the blade will need to be. Don't forget, though, the loner the blade is the heavier your trimmer will be.
There are two types of blade designs giving you the choice of single sided or double sided cutting but the vast majority of cordless hedge trimmers have a double sided blade.
Cutter Spacing
Blades also have different cutter spacing and it is important to choose the right one.
The small cutter spacing blades are for trimming light volumes of work such as trimming hedges.
The wider cutter spacing blades are for trimming larger volumes of hedge or trimming shrubs and bushes.
In general, the smaller the blade, the smaller the cutting spacing.
Other Considerations
Some cordless models come with rotating handles which allow you to turn the handle in relation to the blade. This makes for easier, more comfortable working for vertical or horizontal trimming.
Cordless hedge trimmers are more expensive and heavier than electric versions. They cannot cut such thick material as electric versions and are only suitable for trimming.
They are not quite so well balanced as electric versions because of the weight of the battery. But they are still easy to use and more or less maintenance free.
Safety Considerations
There is not much to choose between different manufacturers. But be sure the one you choose has all the necessary safety features, two hand switching operation, short blade stopping time, hand guard, and blade extensions (these prevent your fingers touching the cutting blades).
Disadvantages of Cordless
The disadvantages with cordless hedge trimmers are the additional weight of the battery, batteries only last for about thirty minutes and they take anything up to six hours to fully charge.
The batteries will not last forever, how long they last will depend on how you use the trimmer. Long periods of not being used where the battery drains flat will shorten its life span.
Buying Tip
It’s a good idea to visit your garden center or garden store and try out different models for the best balance, weight and handling.
This is especially important if you decide you want to buy online. Because you need to choose the model that is the most comfortable for you to use as well as being the right one for the job it will have to do.
Important Operating Tips
Follow the manufacturers maintenance instructions for cleaning and lubricating and for battery charging and care. See Most Important Tip note re WD-40
Allthough battery operated hedge trimmers may not be quite so powerful as electric or petrol versions you still have to take primary safety considerations (like wearing eye protection and hand protection)
Follow the manufacturers instructions for safe use and what protective clothing to use.
Click here to ask about cordless hedge trimmers
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