In article ,
Eggs Zachtly wrote:

Phisherman said:

On Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:19:14 -0500, "Not@home" wrote:

I know they have dead man switches, but I also know that a lot of people
use the override rather than holding the trigger. If you are in that
situation, I wonder if you want to be balanced on an unstable ladder,
holding something that will trim you as easily as it will trim the
hedge, hoping that you won't fall.

Unless you are very tall, or have a stable platform to stand on, I think
you would be far safer with a manual trimmer, which will do just as good
a job, just as quickly. (My wife prefers the manual trimmer to the
corded model I have, even for our short hedge, and I know I'm lucky that
she likes doing the trimming).

Phisherman wrote:
I'm looking for a decent hedge trimmer. I'm thinking of a lightweight
cordless to use on a 10' high, 200-foot long Rose-of-Sharon hedge. Any
recommendations under $110?

The trimmers are for a cancer-treatment weakened 73-year-old man and
he won't use manual hedge trimmers.

Bit of an omission, eh? Your post said "you" were looking for a hedge
trimmer. Leading everyone to believe that was actually the case. I can't
imagine an electric cordless lasting long enough (even with extra
batteries), but you've probably already figured that out.

IMO, a motorized hedge trimmer would probably be a poor choice of tool, for
a Hibiscus syriacus. I've always used hand pruners for them. And, who in
their right mind plants a 200' hedge of that plant anyway? heh

Also, at 10' high, a powered hedge trimmer would be a bit unwieldy,
especially for a 'weakened 73-year old man'. Hell, I wouldn't attempt it,
and I'm just over half his age.

Does he try and keep it formally trimmed? That size of hedge, of that
plant, should look just fine, grown naturally.

I can imagine a trigger button
would be annoying. Last year they were trimmed using hand pruners, a
time-consuming process.

Anything is going to be 'a time-consuming process', given a hedge of that
size. But, that was the best choice of tool, if they /really/ want to keep
it formal.

Me, while I never would have planted it in the first place, I'd stick with
the hand pruners.

Just my $.02

I've got a cordless trimmer but no hedges. Ah a Japanese hedge may
qualify but I use it as a upright weed destroyer.

Lazy

Bill Banzai

I take that Banzai means I hope to see you when this is over.

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade
http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid

Phisherman expounded:

The good news is that
he has finished all treatments and so far no cancer has been detected.

I can't help you with the hedge trimmer but wanted to say I'm happy
for him (and you as his friend).
--
Ann, gardening in Zone 6a
South of Boston, Massachusetts
e-mail address is not checked
******************************

Phisherman wrote:
On Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:05:00 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

I'm looking for a decent hedge trimmer. I'm thinking of a lightweight
cordless to use on a 10' high, 200-foot long Rose-of-Sharon hedge. Any
recommendations under $110?

After some research, it looks like the cordless models are only good
for a short time. Everyone that has had a corded model says they
eventually and accidentally cut the cord. And, I don't want another
gasoline tool. So now I'm looking at the hand trimmers/shears, maybe
Made in Germany or a Felco brand. I see there are straight and wavy
cutting blades--why is one preferred over the other? TIA

I had a cordless Homelite set from HD for only $99 with trimmer, weed
wacker and 2 batteries with charger that worked OK for maybe 3 years but
when batteries and maybe charger going and batteries costing $50 each, I
threw out the whole set. Hated to do this with still functioning
equipment but economics rules.

As an older person myself, I would think this guy is going to expend
more energy climbing a step ladder to reach top of hedge. I'm not
familiar with Rose-of-Sharon but maybe as good neighbor, you could help
him trim back to more manageable height.