With larger branches, some hedge trimmers block despite a powerful 36-volt battery. Other devices convinced in a test with a clean cut and, despite their heavy weight, felt good in the hand.
Anyone who cuts a hedge should make sure that the cutting edge is clean. Because improperly cut branches can lead to fungal infestation or withered shoots. A powerful hedge trimmer is correspondingly useful.
The magazine “Selbst ist der Mann” (9/2022) and TÜV Rheinland tested ten hedge trimmers in practice. The devices have a 36-volt battery and, unlike 18-volt devices, are also designed for hardwood hedges. They cost between 100 euros and 400 euros.
In the test, one device was rated “very good”, six were rated “good”, and three were rated “satisfactory”. The HT4055 scissors from Al-Ko came out on top – with an overall rating of 1.4 (price around 110 euros). Editor Peter Baruschke praises the good cutting performance even with thick branches and the long battery life.
The HGE 36-60 Battery device from Kärcher (1.6, around 190 euros) came in second, followed by the A-HS-2×20/61 from Lux-Tools with an overall rating of 1.7. With a price of just under 100 euros, this device was also the winner in the price-performance category.
“With most machines, the fully charged battery lasted at least half an hour – in some cases you could even work with it for more than an hour,” says Baruschke. “Overall, we were very satisfied with the performance of the batteries.” An advantage of cordless tools compared to mains tools is that no cable gets in the way when working – you can neither cut through it nor trip over it.
Important criteria in the test were also the weight of the devices, the ability to work with them ergonomically and quickly, a clean cut and the ability to cut thicker branches. Many of the devices weigh more than four kilograms. “That’s why we paid special attention to ergonomic handling,” explains Baruschke. When buying a device, he advises: “You should pay attention to how heavy the device is, but also pick it up if possible.”
Despite weighing 4.5 kilograms, the relatively heavy machine from Lux was convincing because it was well balanced in the hand. In addition, some devices have rotatable handles. In this way, the scissors can be easily adapted for changed working positions. For example when cutting the hedge flank and crown.
The devices did not always meet the requirements: the motor switch was unfavorably positioned on one device. With another manufacturer, the grip area was quite small.
Some devices also damaged the bark of the branches by pushing them aside during the cutting process. Three blocked particularly often with thicker branches and thus prevented rapid work. In some cases, the testers then had to pull thicker branches out of the cutter mechanism manually.
(This article was first published on Friday, August 05, 2022.)
