Issues with long reach hedge trimmers

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by jolly, Oct 9, 2013.

  1. jolly

    jolly Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi,

    I was just wondering if anyone else has problems with using a long reach hedge trimmer for a long period of time. I find them very heavy and have to take regluar breaks. Does anyone have a solution for this? Are there any lightweight petrol trimmers or good back harness to use?
     
    jolly, Oct 9, 2013
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  2. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Learn to use the harness at the correct length (I still haven't), do more of it to build your arms up (I still haven't done that either!) or just do it in smaller batches.

    There are lighter petrol trimmers but due to the length of kit etc they will all weigh heavily after a while
     
    Loofah, Oct 10, 2013
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  3. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    Stilts (like drop-ceiling contractors use) and a lightweight trimmer?

    Or a lightweight trimmer and a ladder such as made by Henchman
    www.henchman.co.uk
     
    Kristen, Oct 10, 2013
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  4. jolly

    jolly Apprentice Gardener

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    I am currently completing a design and make project at university and want to come up with a solution to this problem of tiring when hedge cutting. I feel the two possible design solutions when be to create a back harness that would support the weight of the machine but still allow the user complete control of the machine and use it however they wish. Or a have the engine mounted on your back and have this connected to the trimming arm but still make the trimmer as light as possible (use aluminium or carbon fibre).

    do you feel these could be possible solutions?
    Thanks
     
    jolly, Oct 10, 2013
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  5. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I'd like to have a metal rail (like a railway track) on either side of my hedges, and then a jig with a long cutter bar that I can just walk along the hedge and Bingo! job done.

    Or could have "sockets" in the ground, for the rails, and a contractor bring the rails and cutter to do the job for me.
     
    Kristen, Oct 10, 2013
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  6. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    You can already buy the back pack version:

    http://www.mysmartbuy.com/p-497-Eck...ck-Power-Unit--with-Easy-Fit-Attachments.html

    I've never used one but should imagine they are much less tiring.

    I wonder about finding the lightest possible powerpack, the one I linked to above is 42.7cc. I reckon a much smaller but more efficient unit would still do the job and reduce weight (but would cost more of course). Maybe an electrically powered unit with as much as possible in the backback (batteries)?
     
    JWK, Oct 10, 2013
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  7. Jiffy

    Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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    JWK, first seen a machine just like them back in the 80's, think they were called Knicker Kacker Napsack Mower or some thing like that, had one on demo, nice machine but didn't buy one because of penny's
     
    Jiffy, Oct 10, 2013
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  8. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Great name Jiffy :)
     
    JWK, Oct 10, 2013
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  9. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    I found they feel too heavy after a while...tried all the staps and palarva but can't get on with them....So when 'trimming' my plum trees all was going well but after time i was getting lower and lower through aching arms so now i've got two nice 'little' plum trees:oops:
     
    Lolimac, Oct 10, 2013
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  10. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Eye watering price!
     
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  11. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    I borrowed a petrol powered professional extendable hedge trimmer with back harness. I still found it too heavy because the motor was on the handle and not the back pack.

    So I bought myself an electric one but didn't take sufficient notice that the motor, much small than the petrol one, was not near my hands but on the end of the pole by the cutter :doh:

    So, although it's a lot lighter than the petrol, it has the weight towards the far end and excerts a lot of leverage. Result, arms aching!

    It seems to me that the electric version could easily be made with the motor at the bottom of the pole instead of the top. They could run the cables through the inside of the pole. Then it would be easier to use.

    You could work on this design.

    http://reviews.diy.com/2191-en_gb/10377691/reviews.htm
     
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  12. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    'Fraid so, its what the Pro's use, so might not be justifable just for a small garden. I like the fact that it is stable enough and has a rail that you can put your full weight against to lean right out over the hedge ... means moving it fewer times.

    They come up second hand, at much more affordable prices, now and again
     
    Kristen, Oct 10, 2013
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