Anything between a hedge trimmer and chainsaw?

imadeyouthink, Feb 24, 1:36pm
I let my hedge go a bit far. Needs a serious prune. The hedge trimmer can't handle the thickness of the branches. Tried a chainsaw but that just seems to get clogged by the small branches and leaves. Is there a tool that will help? Quite thick foliage, and some branches would be up to a small wrist size I guess.

gpg58, Feb 24, 2:50pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VEB2x4ux4w But suspect a more powerful hedge trimmer designed for thicker branches may be a LOT safer. I have one of these, does the neighbor's macro hedge ok, but think 12-14mm is its true limit, (not the claimed 20mm for anything that's not really soft), and only if cutting thru one at a time that thick. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ozito-550mm-600w-electric-rotatin
g-handle-hedge-trimmer_p0292109


Ps - took 3 of the pos RYOBI 600W back, all had same issue, would not run when upside down for doing an archway, and went up in a cloud of smoke trying, utter junk ( https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ryobi-600w-hedge-trimmer_p0087552), zero issues with the ozito, and a lot cheaper too.

gpg58, Feb 24, 3:12pm
Comparison of brush cutter blades.
https://youtu.be/HVJz7Gqn_SY?t=3

Like the metal pole contact tests at 10 minutes.

mouse265, Feb 24, 3:12pm
just use a folding saw to cut the thicker branches off the trim the rest with a decent trimmer but make sure the thick ones are cut inside the rest of the hedge then they are out of sight and wont annoy you again as long as you trim the hedge regularly

oh_hunnihunni, Feb 24, 3:23pm
Be a bit careful. Some hedge plants do not like regenerating from hardwood cuts.

imadeyouthink, Feb 24, 4:03pm
That sure was cool to watch thanks!

imadeyouthink, Feb 24, 4:05pm
Yes was hoping it didn't come to something like this, but might have to. Don't particularly like anything manual lol. I saw some power/battery pruners on my look around after seeing some answers above.

trade4us2, Feb 24, 5:32pm
I have an Alligator chainsaw that I got at Mitre10
https://cdn-o.fishpond.co.nz/0045/862/102/725757045/original.jpeg

lythande1, Feb 25, 1:43am
Those long handled loppers. manual but does the trick.

harm_less, Feb 25, 4:01am
Interesting video but in all cases using a brushcutter will be extremely awkward in a hedge trimming scenario. The problem is getting the blade at the right angle to trim the sides or top of the hedge due to having to hold the entire machine at odd angles to get you cuts right.

Using a purpose designed hedge trimmer as part of a power tool set-up like the Stihl Combi is probably a better solution: https://www.stihl.co.nz/stihl-products/01478/combisystem.aspx Husky also do a similar machine.

gblack, Feb 28, 2:23am
Just wondering what sort of hedge?

We had something like this: https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/ego-56-volt-multi-tool-pole-saw-attachment/p/304144

(We had the Ryobi version which was plug in, but tech has moved on since then)

Place we lived had a giant Monkeyapple hedge on 3 dudes of a big section and it was a nightmare. I had a pole mounted hedge trimmer attachment that would handle the leaves then choke on the branches. So would swap over to the chain saw attachment which would cut through the branches and then choke on the leaves. Got pretty fustrating as the hedge was so high, took lots of climbing up and down a ladder.

In the end, just got a local tree guy in; team of 3 of them and a truck knocked the entire hedge back to manageable level in under a day. From then I just trimmed the leaves until we sold the house.

I think these days, would not buy another combi tool, but a seperate hedge trimmer and pole saw + better platform ladder so that could alternate between the tools.

christin, Mar 1, 4:05am
I’ve had one of those for years. love it

So has everyone rhar borrowed it. Mum brought one a year or two ago on special in case mine ever broke as we both use a bit as find it safer and easier than a chainsaw

zirconium, Aug 13, 9:13pm
I have a stihll battery pruner, would that do the job?
https://www.stihlshop.co.nz/default/stihl-gta-26-battery-pruner-kit-with-battery-charger.html
It weighs about 1.5kg including the battery and is aimed at the psycho-little-old-lady market! (From Zirc, the mad-pruner).