If you’ve ever tried to cut tall, wide hedges with a hand-held hedge trimmer you know how challenging a task that can be. Conventional hedge trimmers work best on hedges that are no more than 5 feet wide and 5 feet tall. For cutting hedges that are taller and/or wider than that, you’re going to need a different tool, extended reach hedge trimmer.
Extended reach hedge trimmers, also described as pole hedge trimmers, eliminate the need to cut taller hedges from a ladder. They also reduce stress on the operator by making it easier to reach across and/or up hedges. Extended reach hedge trimmers also allow you to work farther away from hedges. This is a great advantage if the hedges have thorns. Plus, working back at a slight distance makes it easier to see how the cut hedge will look when finished.
When you need extra reach for your hedge trimming tasks, a pole hedge trimmer is the right tool for the job. In this post, we’ll take a quick look at some of the options you’ll have when purchasing extended reach hedge trimmers.
Power
The first question to answer is what power source you’d like your extended reach hedge trimmer to have. The main options are corded electric, battery, and gasoline-powered. You could also go with a versatile multi-tool system such as the STIHL KombiSystem. Their attachments are compatible with both the battery and gasoline powerheads. To get the flexibility of both gas and battery-powered equipment all you need to do is buy two different powerheads.
Electric and battery models tend to be lighter weight and therefore less tiring to use. They’re also lower maintenance, have no engine emissions, and are typically quieter than gasoline models. There are a couple of drawbacks, though. With a corded model, you’re limited by the length of your extension cord and by the availability of a power source. Battery-powered models are much more convenient. Your run time is limited by the capacity of your battery, but if you have a spare battery on hand one can charge while you’re using the trimmer.
Gasoline-powered trimmers are popular because they’re typically more powerful and they’re easy to refuel. They can increase your mobility and productivity, but they’re also louder and heavier than most battery or electric models. They also require some extra maintenance to keep the engine running well. Still, if you have a large yard or you’re a professional landscaper gasoline models can be a great choice.
Blade Angle
You can get pole hedge trimmers with either a fixed-angle blade or an adjustable cutting blade. A fixed-angle-blade allows for precision cutting in hard-to-reach areas. Extended reach hedge trimmers with adjustable cutting blades make it easy to trim the top of a tall hedge while standing on the ground. They can be particularly useful for large hedges and formal gardens, and you can also use them to trim ground covers and lower branches.
Most fixed-angle models have straight shafts of varying lengths, but some are designed with a slight angle. For example, the Echo SHC-2620 features a 7° angle near the blade that provides a wide-angle view which can be helpful in complex trimming jobs. This particular trimmer has a 51-inch shaft length with a 21-inch blade. If you want a trimmer that’s extended but with a shorter shaft length, the Echo SHC-225 has a 33-inch straight shaft and a 20-inch blade.
The STIHL HL 94 K (145º) Extended Reach Hedge Trimmer has a 42-inch shaft and a 24-inch blade to reach tall hedges, with an angle adjust range of 145°. Similarly, Echo’s HCA-2620 articulating gear case allows for blade adjustment in 15-degree increments with a 180-degree total range. This larger trimmer has a 59-inch shaft and a 21-inch cutting blade.
Key Features
Weight and length are two key features you’ll want to look for in extended reach hedge trimmers. The heavier a trimmer is, the harder it will be to control and the more tiring it will be to cut with it for extended periods of time. You’ll need to find a good balance between the power and length you want and the weight you’re comfortable using. Increased weight tends to come with increased power and reach, but there are exceptions to the rule. For example, Echo’s 33-inch SHC-225 weighs 13.7 pounds and STIHL’s 42-inch HL 94 K only weighs 12.8 pounds.
Balance is also important, which is one reason why we encourage you to come and check out the extended reach hedge trimmer. we offer in-person so you can see how they feel in your hands. Look for comfortable handles that are positioned along the shaft in a way that lets you comfortably hold and control the hedge trimmer.
Other features to look for include anti-vibration technology and (for gasoline-powered models) reduced-emission engines. Most newer hedge trimmers from top brands include these features to help reduce operator fatigue and protect the environment. Some also include convenient features to reduce starting effort or make engine maintenance easier.
If you’re looking for a new extended reach hedge trimmer, come visit us at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower. We carry top trimmers from reliable brands like STIHL, Echo, and RedMax and our experts will be happy to help you find exactly the right trimmer to fit your needs.
