Cordless hedge trimmer expected life span

[Dave1976]

Hello,

 

Bought a battery (18v) no name hedge trimmer about 5 years ago (3/4 inch tooth spacing. Used it on bramble, some really thick ones for many hours. And lots of managing thin wild overgrowth around fences ... (cuttingvthin branches). Used it in a process of clearing the land, where it could manage the branch thickness. I am fully aware that it is the border line of what it was designed for. But it stood its ground.

 

Today it broke. Upon dissasemby found pieces of needle bearing in gear housing. No idea where that bearing was originally. Took it to pieces and binned it, since this is one off equipment, with no spare parts available. Blades were surprisingly well made, kept an edge really well. Gears to my surprise were in good shape too.

 

Probably got twice the money worth what i paid for from this trimmer useful life. Not complaining there.

 

Same model is not available any more.

 

I also have cordless secuteurs (stihl asa20) and loppers to aid trimming/reduction hedge work.

 

 

 

What is life expectancy of hedge trimmer ? (Years, working hours etc.)

 

Do you have any suggestions to buy a new one (have makita and einhell 18v batteries) ?

 

Stihl cordless hedge trimmer kind of ticks all the boxes, but i am not eager to jump into another battery platform.

Edited 15 hours ago by Dave1976

[Steven P]

for batteries, they are selling converters between some brands so you might not be just limited to Einhell and Makita if you can get a converter.

 

Not sure about lifespan though, my petrol ones are still going strong so haven't considered the alternatives yet.

[Dave1976]

Thanks.

 

Battery converters if you can find one work on simpler models. Once it gets to brushless and more electronics, they often are not usable.

 

Chainsaws, i go all petrol. Had a cordless one, not comparable ). Many will disagree.

 

But a hedge trimmer, being so often close to the breathing area, i find nicer to use battery operated. Although i never tried petrol one. I held petrol one in my hand, but it being considerable weight, would keep it and fumes again close to the body while operating. 

[Muddy42]

I have a lot of makita LXT battery tools for small jobs and I have to say they are amazing. Not broken one yet. 

 

But if I am doing any 'hard work' petrol powered followed by mains electric is the way to go.  Battery just doesn't have the power and the components tend to be lighter weight. Alkalyte fuel produces far nicer fumes. Long reach hedge cutters keep the fumes further from the body.

 

[Dave1976]

Hard work tasks i tend to use stihl asa20 cordless secateurs, stihl gta26 cordless chainsaw pruner and loppers.

 

Rest i try to use hedge trimmer.

 

Hedge trimmer design is not really for hard tasks (thick branches). But we are testing the equipment limits all the time.

Edited 13 hours ago by Dave1976

[Peter 1955]

I had this quandary a while ago. Makita battery was the preferred option, ( I have lots of batteries ) but they weren't cheap for what you got, and didn't look value for money, to me at least. Toolstation/Screwfix offerings were considered next, either petrol or battery. Nothing leapt out at me, and reviews are mixed. 

So, once more I bit the bullet, and once more, after I had done so, a better option appeared. 

I got a Stihl 82 R with the heavy duty gearbox, and it's a beast, cuts through stuff you would think beyond it. I can't fault it, except for the one thing I can't get round- starting a petrol tool at the top of a ladder. 

Once I'd bought that, and also lots of AP batteries for my newly acquired battery chainsaw, Stihl decided to bring out a battery equivalent, the 140 R. Thanks Stihl. 

Sounds like neither option would suit you, hope you find something that does, good luck.