Petrol Hedge Trimmer

For the avid gardener as well as owning a petrol strimmer, a petrol hedge trimmer is another essential power tool to own if you have garden hedges or shrubbery that you need to maintain. The petrol hedge trimmer is a tool that has a cutting blade, a unit to house the motor, a starting mechanism and an operating switch. The tool is powered by a 2 stroke petrol engine and is very easy and convenient to use.

Choosing a petrol hedge trimmer

When choosing the model that you want you must first assess your needs and the actual workload that you have planned for the trimmer. Remember that the more powerful the engine on the unit is then the higher the cost. So it is only worthwhile purchasing a more powerful model if

When buying a power tool that you intend to use for many years to come it is always a very good idea to invest in the best quality of product that you can afford. The higher the price does not necessarily mean the better the product, but generally more expensive items do tend to be of better quality than their cheaper counterparts. So check out all the well known makers of the petrol hedge trimmer such as Ryobi, Makita, Spear and Jackson and McCulloch. These companies have a history of making good quality tools and also have a reputation to uphold. So they put a lot of effort into design and manufacture of their products. It is not the name you are paying for with their products, but the quality of tool.

Features on your petrol hedge trimmer are important as well. It’s a good idea to go to a supplier and check out the models available in real life. Put the unit in your hands and see if all the features such as emergency switch off are within easy reach. Make sure the machine feels right when it is in your hands and is not too heavy. Can you operate it easily? Another advantage to seeing the unit live is that you can ask the seller for a demonstration to set you on your way in the right way. And of course, just in case your unit does break down you can ask about warranties and repair times etc.

Miscellaneous Petrol Hedge Trimmers

Ryobi Rht-2660DA Quick Fire Petrol Hedge Trimmer by Ryobi

Here is a very good petrol tool from Ryobi. The company has been making petrol hedge trimmers for many years now and have built themselves up a great reputation. One other thing that has to be said about Ryobi is their after sales service. Their after sales service is excellent, and you actually get to speak to a live person who even gives their name.

This machine is a quick fire start petrol hedge trimmer for easy starting achieved by having a high technology carburettor. There is also a diaphragm fitted on to the carburettor which means that you have no problems at all using the petrol hedge trimmer at any angle you so desire. Coming with this machine is a 600mm blade that gives you a cutting capacity of 28 cm. The blade is sturdy and strong high quality that will cut through most overgrown hedges and brambles.

For comfort in use this unit has a 5 position rotating back handle so you can set it in the ideal position for you. There is also a front handle which gives added comfort when using and provides safety when you are using the model for prolonged periods of time.

The specifications on this model are a 26 cc engine, output power of 0.89 Hp, tank capacity of 0.3 litres and a weight of 5.34 Kg.

45575 26 cc Petrol Hedge Trimmer by Draper

Here is a 2 stroke petrol hedge trimmer that is lightweight and yet has powerful petrol performance. It is a very nice looking unit that is very sharp, easy to use and easy to start. It is fitted with an easy start priming bulb and there is a 5 position ergonomic rotating back handle for you to set as you see fit. For cutting efficiency the cutting blade is a double sided dual reciprocating blade. When you buy this machine from Draper you are supplied with a blade sheath to protect the blade, a 0.6 litre mixing bottle and a 8/10mm open ended spanner.

The specifications on this model are a 26 cc 2 stroke engine, engine output of 750W, blade length of 60 cm, cutting blade length of 40 cm, maximum cutting diameter up to 2.8 cm, speed of 7500 revs per minute, fuel tank capacity of 0.6 litres and an overall weight of 5.5 Kg.

270MT Petrol Hedge Trimmer 4 in 1 Multi Tool by Mitox

As mentioned earlier it is possible to buy a petrol hedge trimmer that comes with accessories for other gardening jobs. Here is just an example by Mitox of what type of tool is available to you. This unit is great value for the money and gives you 4 tools that are all powered by the full crank 26 cc engine. When you are familiar with all the accessories then you can attach the hedge trimmer, pole pruner, grass trimmer or the bush cutter head to the Mitox 26 cc engine in seconds. The robust aluminium quick lock coupling allows this efficiently. So if you are looking for a complete solution to all gardening jobs with just the one petrol engine to service and maintain then this package is ideal for you. The Mitox 2 stroke engine is full crank and will give you high performance with great reliability.

As well as the pretty standard sized petrol hedge trimmer there are other versions too. One such version is the long reach petrol hedge trimmer. There are many petrol hedge trimmers that are available today on the market and some of these are classified as long reach, even if they are not truly long reach. So when you are looking for a long reach petrol hedge trimmer be sure to check out the specifications properly and make sure that you have the length of cutter that you actually want.

The handy things about long reach petrol hedge trimmers are their ability to reach the top of hedges or the sides of tall hedges without you having to stand on something to do so. They have a long main section with the cutting blades at one end. To make them more easy to use they usually come with a handy strap and a well positioned handle to enable the user to have more stability when reaching for the tops of hedges. The better quality long reach hedge trimmers will also have a moveable head that makes cutting the top of tall hedges very easy.

Long Reach Petrol Hedge Trimmer 22.5 cc by Trueshopping

Here is an example of a long reach petrol hedge trimmer. It is robust and lightweight making it an ideal tool for homeowners. Included in the makings of this unit are easy starting and a safety break. The cutting bar is double sided and with the model being very compact and cable free it is very user friendly. The double sided trimmer is designed to trim hedges efficiently up to chest height and with the increased flexibility of a double sided blade the ergonomics are better when trimming hedge sides. Also the double sided blade is better for shaping hedges. The specifications of this model are a 22.5 cc petrol engine, CDI power, 0.65KW carburetter, diaphragm type blade. Double blade fuel tank.

Hedge cutting with a petrol hedge trimmer

All hedges need to be trimmed at least once a year if not twice a year as a minimum. As well as performing these once or twice annually tasks with your hedge, light pruning is as well recommended. You should do this light pruning on a regular basis as it is easier to carry out and there will be less cuttings to dispose of. The hedge provides you with a boundary to your garden and a well maintained hedge adds an overall fine looking appearance to any garden. If you leave your hedge unchecked then it will lose it’s shape very quickly and end up looking extremely untidy as well as casting unwanted shade.

Before you start to cut your hedge make sure you have the correct petrol hedge trimmer for the job. If you plan on using your hedge trimmer a lot then make sure you have a good quality model that will not let you down and perform a good job.

When cutting your hedge you must start by trimming the sides. The depth of your cut is dependent upon your requirements and the type of hedge that you actually have. When you have finished the sides of the hedge then you are ready to move on to the top of the hedge. When doing this do not lean into the hedge as it can damage the shape. You can use steps or a T board method to assist you in reaching the top.

When you are actually cutting the hedge work the petrol hedge trimmer blade from right to left holding your left hand close to your body. When you are sweeping the cuttings will fall straight to the hedge. For the cuttings on the top of the hedge you can use a broom to sweep them off.

When you think that you have finished the job then take a garden rake and gently tap and push the hedge. This will remove any lingering cuttings and any long branches that are left can be bent back into the hedge or simply cut off if they spring back out. Always have a pair of secateurs handy for those stubborn twigs and plenty of heavy duty bags for all the cut off foliage.

Accessories for use with the petrol hedge trimmer

When cutting your hedge with your petrol hedge trimmer there are a couple of accessories that you should have handy with you. The hedge trimmer when used properly is not a dangerous tool to have in your hands and along with a couple of safety items, your hedge cutting task will be both enjoyable and danger free.

Heavy Duty Leather Gardening Gloves by Esscherts Design

When gardening, not matter which task your are performing it is always good to have a quality pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands. These gloves from Esscherts are a perfect example of the type of gloves you should own. They are made out of hard wearing pig grain leather and are light and comfortable to wear. In case the day is cold they are fleece lined to give extra warmth. They are one sized and fit most hands properly because of the elasticated fit. They are a snug good quality pair of gloves to use with your petrol hedge trimmer.

Protector Clear Safety Glasses by Dewalt

When using the petrol hedge trimmer there is always the risk of branches or debris flying up and hitting you in the face. So when cutting your hedge it’s advisable to wear some sort of eye protection. These safety glasses from Dewalt can give your eyes all the protection they need. The glasses have a streamlined design and are great eye protective wear for man or woman alike. For comfort they have rubber tipped temples which have a soft feel to them. They are also lightweight and when wearing them you hardly notice at all that you have them on. The lens are polycarbonate and hence are distortion free. These Dewalt glasses give the user a secure and comfortable fit that are impact resistant and ideal to wear when operating a petrol hedge trimmer.

Corded Ear Plugs by Vitrex

The petrol hedge trimmer can be noisy when in use and it is of course at close proximity to you when you are using it. So you should be protecting your ears from the noise. The ear drum is a sensitive part of the human body and once damaged it is very hard to reverse the damage. So for just a small added expense it is well worth buying yourself some ear plugs. These plugs from Vitrex are a very nice price and meet the European Standard EN352. They are also CE approved. They are disposable foam ear plugs and are shaped for easy insertion in to the ear. The outer surface is smooth which gives better hygiene. They are also corded so you will not accidentally lose them whilst your are using them. They can be used for most power tools.

Bypass Secateur by Spear and Jackson

When trimming your hedge with your petrol hedge trimmer it’s always good to have a pair of secateurs handy in your pocket or nearby for those stray branches or twigs that the trimmer missed. If you have gone to al the effort to trim your hedge it would be a shame to leave it looking tatty in some parts by not cutting off the stray parts. These Spear and Jackson secateurs have a medium sized handle and SKS carbon steel blades. The hand grips are of a bi-material non slip which are very comfortable. The blades are drop nose blades which enables you to prune easily and they are also coated in PTFE which is rust resistant and gives smooth cutting. The locking catch on these tools is ambidextrous and there is a shock absorber. A very nice and useful tool.

Petrol hedge trimmer engine

Most petrol hedge trimmers are powered by a 2 stroke engine. The 2 stroke engine is an internal combustion engine that completes the thermodynamic cycle with 2 movements of the piston as opposed to 4 movements of the piston with a 4 stroke engine for example. Completing the cycle in just 2 movements means increased efficiency that is accomplished by using the start of the compression stroke and the end of the combustion stroke to perform simultaneously the intake and exhaust functions. Because of these actions the 2 stroke engine gives out a very high specific power level which makes them suitable for power tools such as petrol hedge trimmers and the petrol strimmer

As with all engines the 2 stroke engine needs to be lubricated in order to function properly and smoothly. Now the thing with the 2 stroke engine is that it cannot use regular sump lubrication because the crankcase is actually used to pump the fuel and air mixture into the cylinder. So to lubricate all moving parts of the 2 stroke engine you need to add oil to the fuel that runs through the system. You mix this oil and fuel together yourself in proportions of 20 to 1. So you want to have about 5% of your petrol/oil mix to be the lubricating oil.

Petrol hedge trimmer maintenance

Spark Plug

A spark plug is an electrical device that is fitted into the cylinder head of certain internal combustion engines. A spark plug ignites compressed fuel by means of an electric spark in order to create motion. In the petrol hedge trimmer there is one spark plug and one day it will wear out and you wont be able to start your tool. So when this happens you nearly need to know how to change a spark plug as it is actually a very simple task to do. Once you know how to do it you will save money in the long run on service bills and if your petrol hedge trimmer doesn’t start, instead of running down to the repair store, change the spark plug yourself first. If after changing, the machine still does not work then you know you have a more serious problem with your petrol hedge trimmer.

So to change the spark plug in your petrol hedge trimmer, locate the spark plug hatch and pull it off. You will need a ¾ inch deep well socket to remove the spark plug and once you have removed the plug hatch place the socket over the spark plug. Unscrew the spark plug and pull it out. Then get your new spark plug and put it in place. Tighten it with the socket and put the plug hatch back in place.And that is all there is to it. A very simple task indeed.

As with most power tools on the market today, the petrol hedge trimmer comes in many models and varieties to suit many different budgets and requirements.So when looking petrol hedge trimmers don’t just take the first one that catches your eye and fits into your budget. Take some time and check out as many models as you can to compare them all. The time will be well spent because when you buy a petrol hedge trimmer and take good care of it, there is no reason why the unit will not last you for a life time.

If your hedge area is large and there is no available electricity supply, the petrol hedge trimmer is a must option for you. They have their own power source and are very versatile with a greater power than battery alternatives. People choose the battery powered option of trimmers but with one of these you have to contend with wires and cables that can get in the way and also the problem of the trimmer losing power during a cut because the battery is running down. With the petrol hedge trimmer you have none of these inconveniences.

you have a lot of work for it. If your hedges are only small and will not need too much maintenance then the smaller cheaper petrol hedge trimmers will suffice.

If your garden is small and does not need much maintenance, but you have a variety of tasks you want to perform then maybe opting for a hedge trimmer that can be used with various attachments could just be what you are looking for. These multi toll petrol hedge trimmers can be used with brush cutters, edgers and strimmers.

Petrol Strimmer 2010 Contact:garnett65@hotmail.com