petrol-hedge-trimmers.co.uk

Many of us have a hedge in our garden. A good hedge has many benefits as a garden boundary and can provide:

• Shelter, reducing wind strength better than a solid barrier
• Filter, absorbing dust and noise
• Privacy, as an effective visual screen
• Security, a prickly hedge is a great deterrent
• Beauty and interest from seasonal changes

During the summer months your hedge will grow and lose its formation so regular trimming is of the utmost importance. A hedge which receives no management will develop into a row of trees, often becoming unstable and falling over. Trimming also helps to promote even growth.

Hedge trimmers are offered in a bewildering range of models, including professional electric units as well as petrol powered ones. The best one for the job will depend on the type and size of the hedge.

Electric hedge trimmers benefit from being lightweight, making them ideal for the hours of concentrated work needed on formal hedges and topiary. The downside is they need a power source, such as a suitable generator, and working around a cable can be tedious.

Petrol powered hedge trimmers give the roaming mobility needed to tackle long hedges and should be selected where the hedging species is hardwood or the hedge has been left to grow.

Having an engine, these machines are heavier and can be tiring on the arms, shoulders and back but they do have a cutting capacity up to 25 mm and that is roughly twice what you can expect of an electric hedger trimmer.

Who Needs a Hedge Trimmer?

Hedge trimmers are useful to a range of people such as homeowners, gardeners and professional landscapers. There is great pleasure derived from seeing well taken care of hedges and shrubs in a garden. A hedge trimmer is the tool that allows you to accomplish this look. It will save you time and help you achieve great looking and even hedges. Hedges cannot only be used to enhance the look of your garden but with a little creativity you can create the look of distinct divisions in the space you have. According to your tastes and skills you can even turn your shrubs into interesting shapes that will catch the eye.

If you own a gardening business then you will know that time is money and the quicker you get a job done and get paid the quicker you can move to the next one and grow your business. There are some gardening tools such as cultivators or heavy duty chippers that you don't need to own and are better off hiring them when you need it, but hedge trimmers are relatively inexpensive and after one job you'll get your money back. If you are serious about your business you have to have at least one hedge trimmer.

Advantages of Petrol Hedge Trimmers

Hedge trimmers are categorised according to what power they use. There are 2 main types; petrol hedge trimmers and electric hedge trimmers. You can get electric hedge trimmers that are mains powered using a lead or rechargeable ones that are powered by a battery. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Petrol powered trimmers are powerful and they are suitable for both small and large gardens. They are used by both homeowners and professionals.

Electric trimmers are suitable when you have a small garden that you can reach everywhere with the cord. So before you purchase make sure that the cord will allow you to cover every inch of the garden. But you have to be careful not to get the wire tangled. There are some stories of people accidently cutting the wire or falling over the wire.

A petrol hedge trimmer is a little more expensive than the other types but it is well worth it for the flexibility of movement it affords you. You can get the job done without having to worry about the battery running out or the lead not being long enough. They are suitable for both small jobs and the more heavy duty trimming.

Features to Look for When Buying a Petrol Hedge Trimmer

Gardening is very popular and there are many reasons for this including the effect TV programs about gardening have had on us. Lots of people are more conscious about how their garden looks and how they can improve it. Thankfully, gardening tool manufacturers have risen to the challenge and have come up with many tools and features that both the average person and the professional gardener can take advantage of and create beautiful spaces. Hedge trimmers are amongst the most popular of gardening tools and because of this there is a huge array of options on the market.

Deciding which model to buy can seem daunting when faced with such a huge range but if you take your time to think about what your needs are, then you will have a clearer idea of what to buy and how much to spend. Precisely honing on your needs and how you intend to use the petrol hedge trimmer is essential because a homeowner has different needs to a professional landscaper. A professional will be using their machine almost every day for extended periods of time and will be doing different jobs from light work to more challenging rough cutting.

Blade Length and Blade Width
Hedge trimmers come in different blade lengths and widths. Your choice will be dictated by the type of work you will be doing. The longer and wider the blade is, the more cutting you will be able to get done, but you should also keep in mind that longer blades mean heavier trimmer. If you have a small hedge then you might be able to get away with a good pair of hand shears. Otherwise look for trimmers with blades of 45cm or less. If you have a medium sized hedge then go for blade sizes of 46-56. If you are going to be cutting big hedges then you need something a little more powerful such as 57 or longer blades. For those with long hedges then a long reach trimmer pole hedge trimmer might be a good idea.

Blade Extensions
If you have very long hedges or do work for others then you will find blade extensions very useful. These will allow you to reach very high and get the task done with ease and safely.

Weight
You shouldn't overlook this because your arms will get tired quite quickly if you are not used to doing this type of work regularly. The blade size will play a significant role in how much the machine weights, so if have weak arms go for shorter blades.

Blade Sheath
It is a good idea to look for a model that has a blade sheath because they are designed to protect both you and the trimmer when it is not in use. The cutting teeth of petrol hedge cutters are very sharp and you can accidently cut yourself when carrying it or putting it away.

Automatic Brake
Some trimmers come with an automatic cut out function that turns off the machine as soon as you let go off the trigger. This is a safety feature and it is very important.

Hand Guard
Hand guards are another safety feature that some models come with. They are designed to protect you from cuttings as they drop and also as the blades move.

Cuttings Collector
As you work and clippings fall it can get messy and you will have to spend more time tidying everything up. This is where a collector comes in as it helps you keep things nice and tidy and save time.

Petrol Hedge Trimmer Safety

As with any machinery, the most important safety advice is to read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how to properly operate the hedge trimmer. Many accidents occur because people are not sure of what to do and how to maintain their machine. Once you know what you are doing you should wear the correct clothing. Petrol hedge cutters can get very loud so you should wear ear defenders. You also need safety goggles because of all the flying debris. Your feet should also be protected ideally with stainless steel boots and you should wear gloves.

Before you start cutting you should make sure that there are no people or animals close to the area where you will be working. If you have to fix a jam or remove some debris from the machine make sure that it has fully stopped working and the blades have completely stopped.

Make sure to always hold the trimmer with both your hands at all times. You might be tempted to use only one hand especially if it is not too heavy but don't do this.