When you’re picking out a new hedge trimmer to use in your landscaping business, you want to make sure you have the right tool for the right job. Depending on your exact needs, that might mean finding a solid all-purpose hedge trimmer or it could mean investing in more than one trimmer to cover all the different jobs you do. Whatever the case, we’re here to help you understand the three big things to consider when looking at commercial hedge trimmers.
Pick A Power Source
Hedge trimmers are powered by an electric cord, rechargeable battery, or gasoline. You’ll probably want a cordless model for commercial work so you don’t have to rely on your customers having easily accessed electrical outlets. But should you go with battery or gasoline power?
Gasoline is going to be the easiest for you to refuel as you move from job to job. They’re also the most powerful hedge trimmers, which is a plus in commercial applications. But today’s battery powered equipment deserves consideration, too. Modern batteries last longer and deliver more power than ever before. If you’re working in neighborhoods that have restrictions on noise or engine emissions, then battery powered equipment will work well.
Choose Your Blade
There are three things to consider when picking a type of hedge trimmer blade. Depending on your needs, you might need more than one trimmer with different blade styles.
- Blade length – longer blades let you cut large hedges faster and more evenly. But they can also be hard to maneuver in tight spaces and cumbersome if you’re trimming smaller plants. 18-inch should be good for an all-purpose trimmer. But if you do lots of hedge trimming, you might consider getting a trimmer with a longer blade and one with a shorter blade.
- Single- or double-sided – single-sided blades are a bit safer since you can always keep the cutting side away from you. They’re also useful for precision trimming. But for most applications, you’re going to want the far more common double-sided blade. Double-sided hedge trimmers are more versatile and help you cut faster.
- Blade gap – this refers to the distance between cutting teeth. Homeowner trimmers usually have a gap in the 3/8 to 3/4 inch range. Commercial modes often have gaps of an inch or more so you can cut thicker branches.
Consider Ease Of Use
You’ll also want to look for features that will make your hedge trimmers easy to use. Lighter-weight models are easier to transport and to work with for longer periods of time. Unfortunately, the lighter-weight trimmers are usually less powerful. You’ll need to find a good balance between power and weight that works for you.
Look for trimmers with a wrap-around handle. That’ll let you keep a comfortable grip on the trimmer no matter what your cutting angle. And speaking of cutting angles, if you’ll be cutting hedges taller than chest height you’ll want to invest in an extended reach hedge trimmers. They make it much easier and safer to cut tall hedges. You can get these trimmers with fixed shafts or with rotating blades.
You’ll also want to consider hedge trimmer maintenance. Make sure the trimmer you buy is easy to clean and that you can easily access parts that will need replaced, like air filters and spark plugs. Also, it’s a good idea to purchase your hedge trimmer from a dealer like Richardson Saw and Lawnmower that has a full service department standing behind every product we sell. Then, if something does go wrong with your trimmer, we can get it back up and running quickly.
