Does anyone have a gas powered hedge trimmer?

[skipperbrown]

I have a Stihl with the combo head and trimmer on the extension so it's about the length of a trimmer. I've been using it for at least 5 years without a hiccup and it's built to take it. It's heavy, but boy will it cut a hedge down in nothing flat. The extra length is usually a benefit especially for wide hedges, but sometimes I wish it was a bit shorter. If you can get the limb between the gates, it will slice it. Did I mention it's heavy?

 

[kc5dlo]

My city house has shrubs on 3 sides of the house. Inherited a Sthil gas hedge trimmer from my brother. Gave it a try once and I only had the stamina to do a little more than half before taking a break to rest. I have been using an 18 volt Black and Decker cordless trimmer for several years. It is not as fast as the gas unit and I can last as long as a battery will. One battery usually does about 2/3 of the property on a charge. Recently bought a package deal off of Craig's list than included 3 batteries, 2 chargers, a palm sander, leaf blower, and a hedge trimmer for 20 bucks. Guy I bought it from had upgraded to lithium tools and wanted to get rid of the old stuff. All the batteries are good so I can do all the shrubs the same day now. Leaf blower is not very strong but it gets a lot of use because it is so convenient. Haven't had a need to use the palm sander yet but it should come in handy as well.

If I was starting from scratch, I would find a Lithium powered hedge clipper. I would imagine the run time would be more than sufficient to do all my shrubs at one time.

 

[plowhog]

I have a Stihl with the combo head and trimmer on the extension so it's about the length of a trimmer. I've been using it for at least 5 years without a hiccup and it's built to take it. It's heavy, but boy will it cut a hedge down in nothing flat. The extra length is usually a benefit especially for wide hedges, but sometimes I wish it was a bit shorter. If you can get the limb between the gates, it will slice it. Did I mention it's heavy?

I have the Stihl with combo head. I run a hedge trimmer, pole saw, blower, and more. The hedge trimmer works great. Yes it is effort to hold it up high.

 

[mikester]

I have the Stihl with combo head. I run a hedge trimmer, pole saw, blower, and more. The hedge trimmer works great. Yes it is effort to hold it up high.

+1

It's heavy and solidly built. Cuts evergreen and deciduous branches easily and without jamb-ups. No problems with mine and it's outlasted several LD electric and battery operated units. Great for toning your Popeye arms.

 

[RustyA]

I just bought an MTD attachment for my Remington gas power head/pole saw unit. Used it the first time this weekend to trim brush back from the sides of our driveway and private road. A little heavy but it will cut brush up to the size of your little finger no problem. Head articulates up to 90 degrees for doing top of hedges if needed. Only cost around $70 and was a real timesaver for me since I already had the power head and wanted to save time cutting brush back.

 

[sixdogs]

I'm the OP here and this is what I decided to buy.

ECHO HC-152 21.2cc Hedge Trimmer with 2" Blades

Cost is around $280. I could have gone with the 24" blade rather than 20" but it didn't seem to be a great advantage from the comments here. It's over 11 lbs and I'm getting older but it will only get used once or twice a year to aggressively trim cedars back where they belong. Hope I'm OK with that weight but I'm in shape and work out.

Renting was an option but that would be $60 a day and rental would be on their time rather than mine. I've seen used ones sell for $200 so I figure payback in fast and then I actually earn $$ over resale value.

 

[Diggin It]

I have a 24" electric. I can't remember how long the Trimmer Plus one is fight off, maybe 24" also. But then I add an extension to the power head and can reach across 3 - 4' width of hedge without too much trouble.

 

[Big Barn]

I'm the OP here and this is what I decided to buy.

ECHO HC-152 21.2cc Hedge Trimmer with 2" Blades

Cost is around $280. I could have gone with the 24" blade rather than 20" but it didn't seem to be a great advantage from the comments here. It's over 11 lbs and I'm getting older but it will only get used once or twice a year to aggressively trim cedars back where they belong. Hope I'm OK with that weight but I'm in shape and work out.

Renting was an option but that would be $60 a day and rental would be on their time rather than mine. I've seen used ones sell for $200 so I figure payback in fast and then I actually earn $$ over resale value.

Glad you got it figured out

Eleven pounds, huh. You should be fine with that weight and NOT having an extended shaft model. Now I’m curious. I’m going to weigh mine later.

Edit: 16 1/2 pounds. I’m heading to the gym now. Really...

 

[sixdogs]

Glad you got it figured out

Eleven pounds, huh. You should be fine with that weight and NOT having an extended shaft model. Now I知 curious. I知 going to weigh mine later.

Edit: 16 1/2 pounds. I知 heading to the gym now. Really...
View attachment 574197

Wow, 16 1/2 lbs. You can trim your hedges and bulk up at the same time.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I would have to go look to see what model Stihl I have had for at least 15 years. A former dealer used to give new units to his church to use for a year then sell as used at the shop. Saved a bundle. My use is hit or miss, sometimes heavy and sometimes it sits. Never found it to be overly tiring to use. Great for doing nice neat trim jobs on hedge's, etc.