On 03/08/2019 07:59, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Yes I know there are numerous "reviews" that can be Googled, but I am
hoping for relatively ubiased opinion from real world users.

Can people please recommend a suitable trimmer for a mixed hedge?
It comprises escallonia, cotoneaster, honey suckle, eleagnus and
ceanothus (with the odd photinia and viburnum birwoodi).

To date I have been coping/battling with a seriously old B & D jobbie.
But it is becoming increasingly unreliable and only has a 500mm blade.

When I have used a B&D it lasted less than a year. Sometimes didn't even
finish the job I started with it. I have a Bosch 600mm with 26mm cut.

The predecessor of this one I think:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Elect...dp/B00B1RBG36/

I am quite happy to continue with a corded model and would certainly
prefer that to a heavy battery unit.

I have never found a battery one any good at all. OK for trimming light
growth off but anything more than that they are a waste of time. YMMV

The hedge size is about 35m long x 2.4m high and clearly from the
constituent shrubs has "branches".

I have slightly more hedge to cut than that in Beech, Holly, Privet,
Cotoneaster and Lonicera.
I also have a hefty pair of long handled loppers for the thickest
things that the hedge trimmer cannot get.

Ideally I would like a device that could be used to reduce the height,
but suspect that such an animal may be too heavy.
I am an aging office boy, so cutting this is quite an effort these days,
hence the weight consideration.

Not sure that this warrants a petrol driven item.

I'd stay with electric if you have it available. Just use an ELCB since
there is always a risk that you will cut through the cable one day.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown