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Does size matter?

Posted by Andy Lawrence on January 27, 2012 at 5:13pm

Ok, let's get too it, is 30in too big? (no sniggering at the back there J.P)

I refer, of course, to the blade length on hedge trimmers...

Finally getting round to buying a new hedge trimmer and am going for the HS81 R.

But I'm not sure whether to go for the 30in blade or the 24in. Have handled the 30in one in the shop (I said no sniggering!) and the weight seems ok. It's a little unwieldy but the advantages are obvious.

Anyone have any preferences on length? Anyone have a 30in one?

Cheers

Andy

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  • GORDON January 27, 2012 at 5:54pm

    Hi Andy

    I guess it depends on what or how much it will be used. But if you are trimming large ares of hedges then you need to use the longest blade that you can manage.

    I use a single sided 40" Echo and to be honest now that I am use to it, any thing shorter would seem like a toy.

  • Chris Auld January 27, 2012 at 5:59pm

    I have an 81T and 81R, both 30", they might seem a bit heavy at first but you will soon get used to them.

  • Andy Lawrence January 27, 2012 at 6:18pm

    Cheers guys, reinforces what I've already been thinking.

  • Dan Frazer Gardening January 27, 2012 at 6:29pm

    I agree Andy, I have an 81r and couldn't imagine trying to use a 24 inch trimmer. You want to be able to reach across the full width of the top of a hedge in one run rather than doing 2 runs. The 30" doesn't quite make it at times and I think the 40" would be a better tool.

    You're welcome to give my HS81r a try if you like, I'm about next week.

     

  • PRO
    Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd January 27, 2012 at 6:30pm
    30" blade also means that you don't need to bend down as far to reach the bottom of hedges!

    Nick
  • Andy Lawrence January 27, 2012 at 6:37pm

    Yeah could maybe hook up later in the week once I've finished ripping the van apart!

    Cheers

    Andy

    Dan Frazer Gardening said:

    I agree Andy, I have an 81r and couldn't imagine trying to use a 24 inch trimmer. You want to be able to reach across the full width of the top of a hedge in one run rather than doing 2 runs. The 30" doesn't quite make it at times and I think the 40" would be a better tool.

    You're welcome to give my HS81r a try if you like, I'm about next week.

     

  • PRO
    Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd January 27, 2012 at 6:48pm
    It should also be noted that the reach of a 40" single blade hedgecutter has more or less the same reach as a 30" double bladed hedgecutter due to the positioning of the handles.

    For this reason I use a 30" double sided machine as it gives a bit of extra flexibility for not much extra weight.
  • PRO
    Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd January 27, 2012 at 7:20pm

    I guess but probably puts extra strain on the handle not to mention H&S issues...I would never allow an employee to hold one like that and as such have to set an example myself!


    Paul @ PPCH Services said:

    Not if you hold it one handed on the trigger handle and slide across the already cut hedge in fronnt to reach what is just out of reach.

    Nick @ NM Garden Services (NMGS) said:

    It should also be noted that the reach of a 40" single blade hedgecutter has more or less the same reach as a 30" double bladed hedgecutter due to the positioning of the handles.

    For this reason I use a 30" double sided machine as it gives a bit of extra flexibility for not much extra weight.
  • Andy Kenney January 27, 2012 at 9:21pm

    Ive got an HS81T - light enough v efficient - like it so much i will be getting an 81R in due course to compliment.

  • Nic Johnson January 27, 2012 at 11:15pm

    ive got a hs81r 30 inch great bit of kit id never go smaller bigger is better if they brought out anything bigger id buy it the longer it is the less reaching stretching and bending you need to do which is the killer on big long hedges when your spending alot of time operating the machine

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