Battery garden maintenance kit
Discussion
I have just broken my extended reach hedge trimmer. TBF it has done me good service for a few years, but it was only a cheapie Titan.
I am therefore looking to replace it. I refuse to have yet another petrol engine to maintain, and I want it to be easy to use, so battery it is. I think I'll probably look to replace my petrol chainsaw too, so it makes sense to buy into a decent system.
Naturally, being PH, my mind turns to Stihl stuff. Surely that many pro's can't be wrong? It is expensive, but I can afford the consumer level tools if it is truly good long lasting gear.
I have about 100m of mixed hedges to cut twice a year, so I want something sturdy and easy to use.
Should I just go Stihl? Looking at the HLA 56. Or is there a better option?
I am therefore looking to replace it. I refuse to have yet another petrol engine to maintain, and I want it to be easy to use, so battery it is. I think I'll probably look to replace my petrol chainsaw too, so it makes sense to buy into a decent system.
Naturally, being PH, my mind turns to Stihl stuff. Surely that many pro's can't be wrong? It is expensive, but I can afford the consumer level tools if it is truly good long lasting gear.
I have about 100m of mixed hedges to cut twice a year, so I want something sturdy and easy to use.
Should I just go Stihl? Looking at the HLA 56. Or is there a better option?
I use the Ryobi One+ stuff. It's cheap, especially as there's always some kind of offer and I have an adaptor to take my DeWalt batteries.
I've got a trimmer, strimmer, long reach trimmer and a pump. You wouldn't use it for a landscaping business but for home use it's been great.
But if your budget runs to Stihl, well go for it!
I've got a trimmer, strimmer, long reach trimmer and a pump. You wouldn't use it for a landscaping business but for home use it's been great.
But if your budget runs to Stihl, well go for it!
Similar hedges here, around three sides of half an acre - yes, went for Stihl when we moved in. It was an investment, but 8 years later we haven't looked back.
We went for tools with the AP battery system, which appears now to be the bigger one. Bought pole hedge trimmer, hedge trimmer, chainsaw and blower. Later we got a streamer as well. Two batteries have been enough as we don't use everything all at once.
The convenience of having the same batteries is very good, and the ease of use without having to maintain petrol engines cannot be underestimated.
I can't give an opinion on other systems as we've never had to use any of them
We went for tools with the AP battery system, which appears now to be the bigger one. Bought pole hedge trimmer, hedge trimmer, chainsaw and blower. Later we got a streamer as well. Two batteries have been enough as we don't use everything all at once.
The convenience of having the same batteries is very good, and the ease of use without having to maintain petrol engines cannot be underestimated.
I can't give an opinion on other systems as we've never had to use any of them
Some of the cheap Chinese stuff that takes fake Makita 18v batteries is very effective.
Brand snobbery is costly, and 'premium' stuff attracts thieves.
If I was using this stuff every day for work, it would be worth investing in tools that get the job done a bit quicker etc.
If budget matters at all, keep some money back for things like ladders you will inevitably need, loppers, secateurs and other hand tools.
Ive found that pole trimmers are great, but eventually you need to get up there and deal with odd branches or whatever.
I've found that a hedge trimmer, mini chainsaw and small strimmer are OK at 18V (that's 21V on ebay), sharing batteries with hammer drill, rattle gun, etc.
If I was spending on more powerful batteries, I'd be looking to have a battery mower in the system.
If the lady of the house does any of the hedge work, an 18V tool with a light battery may be a better idea than waving a mower battery around?
I haven't taken the plunge on a battery mower yet, my feeling is reasonable units are getting cheaper and more options appearing.
I'd like a robot mower, but our plot is too awkward, steps, multiple grass areas and a very steep bit.
Trouble is with mowing, sometimes you want to do a lot in one session, because you're free and the grass is dry for a change.
So a big battery or multiple batteries is a significant bonus.
Brand snobbery is costly, and 'premium' stuff attracts thieves.
If I was using this stuff every day for work, it would be worth investing in tools that get the job done a bit quicker etc.
If budget matters at all, keep some money back for things like ladders you will inevitably need, loppers, secateurs and other hand tools.
Ive found that pole trimmers are great, but eventually you need to get up there and deal with odd branches or whatever.
I've found that a hedge trimmer, mini chainsaw and small strimmer are OK at 18V (that's 21V on ebay), sharing batteries with hammer drill, rattle gun, etc.
If I was spending on more powerful batteries, I'd be looking to have a battery mower in the system.
If the lady of the house does any of the hedge work, an 18V tool with a light battery may be a better idea than waving a mower battery around?
I haven't taken the plunge on a battery mower yet, my feeling is reasonable units are getting cheaper and more options appearing.
I'd like a robot mower, but our plot is too awkward, steps, multiple grass areas and a very steep bit.
Trouble is with mowing, sometimes you want to do a lot in one session, because you're free and the grass is dry for a change.
So a big battery or multiple batteries is a significant bonus.
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