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Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening.
I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about 130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. Opinions would be most welcome - TIA John |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In uk.d-i-y Another John wrote:
I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Are cordless *really* lighter? In theory they should be heavier because you're carrying the power supply around as well as the motor. -- Chris Green · |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote:
I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about Ł130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Fix the rapidly declining body by ditching the gadgetry and use hedge clippers. Great exercise for upper body. ;) |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 29/04/2021 22:36, Chris Green wrote:
In uk.d-i-y Another John wrote: I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Are cordless *really* lighter? In theory they should be heavier because you're carrying the power supply around as well as the motor. +1 For the same power and ability to cut the machine would weigh the same, and then add the battery. Perhaps lifting the trailing cord at the back of a corded machine makes it unbalanced and the operator has to use more energy to level it off in order to cut. Clipping the cord to clothing and having some slack in the cord between the operator and clipper may make it seem less heavy. -- mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
And like most portable things Murphy's law will dictate that you will run
out of power in you last replaceable charged battery, just before you finish, and then it will **** with rain for a week. Brian -- This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from... The Sofa of Brian Gaff... Blind user, so no pictures please Note this Signature is meaningless.! "Chris Green" wrote in message ... In uk.d-i-y Another John wrote: I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Are cordless *really* lighter? In theory they should be heavier because you're carrying the power supply around as well as the motor. -- Chris Green |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
alan_m expressed precisely :
+1 For the same power and ability to cut the machine would weigh the same, and then add the battery. +1 I wonder if something between a cordless and a corded might be more suitable, not that I have ever heard of one? I have in mind a 12v lead-acid battery, in a portable box, with a flex from battery to hedge cutter. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote:
I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about Ł130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. Opinions would be most welcome - TIA A battery trimmer will be heavier than a corded one. Lots of info he https://advice.manomano.co.uk/hedge-trimmer-buying-guide-n3029 This one is corded and weighs only 1.9kg: https://www.ikra.de/en/ultralight-hedge-trimmer/electric-hedge-trimmer-ultralight-fhs-1545/ One thing you haven't mentioned is the length of the blade. Perhaps look for the shortest one you can find. Not only will it be lighter because there's less metal in the blade, it should require a less powerful, and so lighter, motor to do the cutting. -- Jeff |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In article ,
Harry Bloomfield wrote: alan_m expressed precisely : +1 For the same power and ability to cut the machine would weigh the same, and then add the battery. +1 I wonder if something between a cordless and a corded might be more suitable, not that I have ever heard of one? I have in mind a 12v lead-acid battery, in a portable box, with a flex from battery to hedge cutter. I can remember someone coming to cut our hedge equipped with a portable generator. -- from KT24 in Surrey, England "I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In article ,
Jeff Layman wrote: On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote: I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about 130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. Opinions would be most welcome - TIA A battery trimmer will be heavier than a corded one. Lots of info he https://advice.manomano.co.uk/hedge-trimmer-buying-guide-n3029 This one is corded and weighs only 1.9kg: https://www.ikra.de/en/ultralight-hedge-trimmer/electric-hedge-trimmer-ultralight-fhs-1545/ One thing you haven't mentioned is the length of the blade. Perhaps look for the shortest one you can find. Not only will it be lighter because there's less metal in the blade, it should require a less powerful, and so lighter, motor to do the cutting. But you might not be able to reach across the top of the hedge if it's too short. And, with a long blade you geta much neater cut - that's why the pros use them. -- from KT24 in Surrey, England "I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote:
I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about Ł130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I have the slightly longer cut one. If a branch will fit into the nip it will cut through it - no question. I have never found a satisfactory battery powered one (although I have burnt out a couple belonging to relatives when cutting their hedges with supplied tools). These days I bring my own. Nothing will stop a Bosch hedgetrimmer unless you try to cut through steel rebar or wrought iron gates by accident. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. They can match the power give or take but only for at most 15 minutes before recharge. Older ones the battery dies over winter. If you recharge them whilst the battery is still mad hot then you seriously shorten battery life (advice which came with the third party replacement battery for our Dyson vacuum cleaner and they seem to be right - their replacement battery has lasted much better than the OEM one). You can expect to do 15 minutes hard work with it every 2 hours or so. For me a mains powered one wins hands down every time provided that you are disciplined about where the trailing flex goes and have mains. -- Regards, Martin Brown |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
After serious thinking Martin Brown wrote :
You can expect to do 15 minutes hard work with it every 2 hours or so. For me a mains powered one wins hands down every time provided that you are disciplined about where the trailing flex goes and have mains. Here, that would involve around 4 or 5 recharges, so a 10 hour day cutting, instead of the couple of hours work at present, we don't really have that much hedge. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
"Tim Streater" wrote in message
... On 29 Apr 2021 at 22:10:51 BST, Another John wrote: I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about 」130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. I dunno about extensive. It's lighter, yes, but the batteries run out and not only need charging, but they wear out too. Not cheap to replace. And it didn't have the required oomph of even a mains powered one. So I bought a corded one. We have Black & Decker chainsaw, hedge trimmer and strimmer. They all take the same batteries, so I tend to use the batteries in succession for any given task. The main delay with charging a battery that has just been used is the delay of about 15-30 minutes while it cools down enough to accept charge (the charger displays an "over temperature" light until it has cooled enough, and then starts charging without manual intervention). It's been very rare that I've used up all three batteries before the first one has finished charging - the only time was when I was cutting a fallen tree (about 18 inches diameter) into sections that were light enough to haul onto the bank of the stream at the bottom of our garden!). Cordless devices, especially hedge trimmer, are a great improvement over the hassle of trying to keep the cable untangled and *away from the blade*. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In uk.d-i-y Harry Bloomfield, Esq. wrote:
Here, that would involve around 4 or 5 recharges, so a 10 hour day cutting, instead of the couple of hours work at present, we don't really have that much hedge. Lidl were doing cordless branch cutters, which had a small and light 3-cell (10.8v) lithium ion battery. The battery life was about 10 minutes of runtime (bearing in mind each branch takes a few seconds, and most of the time is moving into position for the cut). Problem was, one job I wanted to do was off-grid, but a petrol cutter wasn't an option. So I bought four of them (£25 each). That means I got four batteries and four chargers. Enough for 40 mins of runtime. I had a car on-site that I could use to power an inverter. I could then charge batteries in relays - as one battery went flat I put it on the charger and picked up a freshly charged one. Although I never actually needed to do that in the end, and 1-2 batteries are enough for most domestic jobs. Theo |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In article , Theo
wrote: In uk.d-i-y Harry Bloomfield, Esq. wrote: Here, that would involve around 4 or 5 recharges, so a 10 hour day cutting, instead of the couple of hours work at present, we don't really have that much hedge. Lidl were doing cordless branch cutters, which had a small and light 3-cell (10.8v) lithium ion battery. The battery life was about 10 minutes of runtime (bearing in mind each branch takes a few seconds, and most of the time is moving into position for the cut). Problem was, one job I wanted to do was off-grid, but a petrol cutter wasn't an option. So I bought four of them (25 each). That means I got four batteries and four chargers. Enough for 40 mins of runtime. I had a car on-site that I could use to power an inverter. for my Ryobi kit, I have a charger that runs directly from a car battery I could then charge batteries in relays - as one battery went flat I put it on the charger and picked up a freshly charged one. Although I never actually needed to do that in the end, and 1-2 batteries are enough for most domestic jobs. Theo -- from KT24 in Surrey, England "I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote:
I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about Ł130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. Opinions would be most welcome - TIA John If you go for a model with a decent sized battery, it might well be heavier than a corded one. The local council contractors seem to use strimmers and (I think) hedge trimmers with batteries in a backpack. The most annoying thing with corded is that you have to take care not to cut the lead. But then you need to take care anyway that you don't cut yourself, or any fencing wire that is around. I've only cut one once in about 25 years (no drama or danger with an ELCB). Batteries are not cheap, and don't last forever (I have just skipped a perfectly functional B&D hedge trimmer and chainsaw because their obsolete batteries were dead). I've standardised on Lidl for ad hoc cordless tools (I have Makita drills). I have a chainsaw, a chainsaw on a pole, an angle grinder, and a tyre pump and inflator that use their current 20 volt batteries. I'm still using a corded hedge trimmer at home. I have a petrol one for remote work but that is pretty heavy and tiring. I'd certainly consider a Lidl trimmer if one came up. But I would not consider buying one if I did not already have a collection of batteries and a charger. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 10:54, Tim Streater wrote:
On 30 Apr 2021 at 08:17:46 BST, Jeff Layman wrote: On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote: I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about Ł130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. Opinions would be most welcome - TIA A battery trimmer will be heavier than a corded one. Lots of info he https://advice.manomano.co.uk/hedge-trimmer-buying-guide-n3029 This one is corded and weighs only 1.9kg: https://www.ikra.de/en/ultralight-hedge-trimmer/electric-hedge-trimmer-ultralight-fhs-1545/ One thing you haven't mentioned is the length of the blade. Perhaps look for the shortest one you can find. Not only will it be lighter because there's less metal in the blade, it should require a less powerful, and so lighter, motor to do the cutting. How does that cope with a hedge that's flat-topped and a metre thick? It takes a bit longer, that's all. I doubt there are any trimmers which would cut a 100 cm wide hedge in one pass. Also, most hedges are more than 150 cm high, so you've got to do multiple passes for a side cut anyway. -- Jeff |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 08:44, charles wrote:
In article , Jeff Layman wrote: On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote: I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about Ł130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. Opinions would be most welcome - TIA A battery trimmer will be heavier than a corded one. Lots of info he https://advice.manomano.co.uk/hedge-trimmer-buying-guide-n3029 This one is corded and weighs only 1.9kg: https://www.ikra.de/en/ultralight-hedge-trimmer/electric-hedge-trimmer-ultralight-fhs-1545/ One thing you haven't mentioned is the length of the blade. Perhaps look for the shortest one you can find. Not only will it be lighter because there's less metal in the blade, it should require a less powerful, and so lighter, motor to do the cutting. But you might not be able to reach across the top of the hedge if it's too short. And, with a long blade you geta much neater cut - that's why the pros use them. You could give a trimmer with a 200 cm blade and I'd still get a wonky line! -- Jeff |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 10:24, Theo wrote:
In uk.d-i-y Harry Bloomfield, Esq. wrote: Here, that would involve around 4 or 5 recharges, so a 10 hour day cutting, instead of the couple of hours work at present, we don't really have that much hedge. Lidl were doing cordless branch cutters, which had a small and light 3-cell (10.8v) lithium ion battery. The battery life was about 10 minutes of runtime (bearing in mind each branch takes a few seconds, and most of the time is moving into position for the cut). Problem was, one job I wanted to do was off-grid, but a petrol cutter wasn't an option. So I bought four of them (£25 each). That means I got four batteries and four chargers. Enough for 40 mins of runtime. I had a car on-site that I could use to power an inverter. I could then charge batteries in relays - as one battery went flat I put it on the charger and picked up a freshly charged one. Although I never actually needed to do that in the end, and 1-2 batteries are enough for most domestic jobs. Theo The Lidl 10.8's seem wimpy to me for garden type jobs. If I was following your strategy I would only put the first one on the charger after I had emptied two, if you see what I mean, to avoid recharging warm batteries. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
"newshound" wrote in message
o.uk... The Lidl 10.8's seem wimpy to me for garden type jobs. If I was following your strategy I would only put the first one on the charger after I had emptied two, if you see what I mean, to avoid recharging warm batteries. Most chargers/batteries seem to have sensors which won't let the battery charge until it is cool enough. That means you can put each flat battery on its charger as soon as you have finished with it, and forget about it. The battery will initially give a "too warm" error, but it will start charging as soon as it is happy, so you don't need to hang around and keep trying it periodically to see if it is cool enough yet. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
Another John wrote:
Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. I have an 18V cordless hedge-trimmer, but have only owned it 18 months and not really given it extensive use. For me a corded one was not an option as I have no mains power where it is is used. I only remember it complaining at trying to cut one branch that was too thick for it, and it did "bind up" a bit on the stringy/fibrous vines of some wild hops that was growing within the hedge. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In uk.d-i-y NY wrote:
"newshound" wrote in message o.uk... The Lidl 10.8's seem wimpy to me for garden type jobs. If I was following your strategy I would only put the first one on the charger after I had emptied two, if you see what I mean, to avoid recharging warm batteries. Most chargers/batteries seem to have sensors which won't let the battery charge until it is cool enough. That means you can put each flat battery on its charger as soon as you have finished with it, and forget about it. The battery will initially give a "too warm" error, but it will start charging as soon as it is happy, so you don't need to hang around and keep trying it periodically to see if it is cool enough yet. Not the Lidl chargers - or at least they will charge while warm, the BMS might cut them out of their get dangerously hot. I manually leave batteries to cool before putting them on the charger. Theo |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
Chris Green wrote:
Are cordless *really* lighter? Modern brushless motors can be considerably smaller and lighter, yes there is the battery weight and it might be cheaper and lighter to buy e.g two 3Ah batteries rather than a single 6Ah battery. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
Tim Streater wrote:
It's not pumping out 600W, that's how it's lighter. My 36V brushcutter/strimmer puts out 1kW, but that is a 36V tool. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
Another John wrote:
I'm cross--posting to DIY and to Gardening. I have had two Bosch AHS 55-26 (corded) hedgetrimmers in the last 10 years. I cut a lot of hedging, in three different gardens, and this is a great cutter: 55cm blade, 600W power, and weighs 3.6kg; my second one cost me about 」130 several years ago. Used sensibly, nothing stops it blazing through the many different hedges I look after. I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to _feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? I can't really believe that even the best cordless trimmer could match the power of the one I have. Opinions would be most welcome - TIA John If you’re feeling flush Stihl do cordless tools that can be used a socking great battery backpack. This would make the tool lighter and possibly less tiring to use but you’d have to factor in the 5.5kg battery on your back. https://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Produc...k-battery.aspx Having said that, the lightest hedge trimmer they do that uses that battery weighs 3.9 kg. https://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Produc...e-trimmer.aspx Tim -- Please don't feed the trolls |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote:
Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? The only good cordless garden tools run on petrol. Bill |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote:
I'm starting to get older ... hang on: I've always been getting older: what has happened is that I'm starting to_feel_ older, and I'm wondering if a cordless (therefore lighter) trimmer will be kinder to my now-rapidly declining body. There's nothing more tiring than an underpowered garden tool. So cordless are out. Bill |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 10:24, Theo wrote:
In uk.d-i-y Harry Bloomfield, Esq. wrote: Here, that would involve around 4 or 5 recharges, so a 10 hour day cutting, instead of the couple of hours work at present, we don't really have that much hedge. Lidl were doing cordless branch cutters, which had a small and light 3-cell (10.8v) lithium ion battery. The battery life was about 10 minutes of runtime (bearing in mind each branch takes a few seconds, and most of the time is moving into position for the cut). Problem was, one job I wanted to do was off-grid, but a petrol cutter wasn't an option. So I bought four of them (£25 each). That means I got four batteries and four chargers. Enough for 40 mins of runtime. I had a car on-site that I could use to power an inverter. I could then charge batteries in relays - as one battery went flat I put it on the charger and picked up a freshly charged one. Although I never actually needed to do that in the end, and 1-2 batteries are enough for most domestic jobs. Theo What a palaver Bill |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 14:17, williamwright wrote:
On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote: Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? The only good cordless garden tools run on petrol. Bill Have you actually tried a modern battery chainsaw, then? My Lidl one has more than enough power for its 10 inch bar, as long as the chain is not too blunt. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In article ,
williamwright wrote: On 29/04/2021 22:10, Another John wrote: Does anyone have reasonably extensive experience of cordless trimmers? The only good cordless garden tools run on petrol. Bill I have both petrol & battery ones,. Modern battery ones seem quite good for simple lawn edging. -- from KT24 in Surrey, England "I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 14:15, Tim+ wrote:
If you’re feeling flush Stihl do cordless tools that can be used a socking great battery backpack. This would make the tool lighter and possibly less tiring to use but you’d have to factor in the 5.5kg battery on your back. I've used the brushcutter with the backpack battery and hardly noticed the battery weight, the tool is then remarkably light so on footpath maintenance I trim the path and sides with a 4 edge blade in it. It has nowhere near as much power as a petrol strimmer but much lighter to use. When volunteering we are only allowed 60 minutes trigger time and the battery lasted two of us. Many professionals are using cordless pole pruners and long reach hedge cutters now. Similarly many climbers now use the small Stihl 160 and carry up to 5 batteries to last the day. In overall performance this is less faff then putting petrol in the saw, though of course you have to top up with chain oil. As with other tradesmen if the client has mains electric available batteries are kept on charge during the day and I have yet to hear of anyone being charged for the electricity. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 15:52, Tim Streater wrote:
On 30 Apr 2021 at 13:41:23 BST, Andy Burns wrote: Tim Streater wrote: It's not pumping out 600W, that's how it's lighter. My 36V brushcutter/strimmer puts out 1kW, but that is a 36V tool. So it draws 28 amps? Must get toasty. The batteries do get noticeably hot. Too hot for me to touch. That is also true for a Dyson vacuum cleaner in continuous heavy use. An AA cell can source over 10A into a dead short. A D cell can probably manage nearer 100A. It will get hot! It is probably one reason why their batteries don't last... -- Regards, Martin Brown |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
Tim Streater wrote:
Andy Burns wrote: My 36V brushcutter/strimmer puts out 1kW So it draws 28 amps? Must get toasty. I think the 18650's are rated for 20A continuous, 30A peak, and I suspect it'll take most at the point of stalling. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
OP here.
Thanks for a very useful discussion. I conclude that - horses for courses - a cordless isn't the horse for my course [yet]. I do have a small (40cm) B&D cordless which is now about 5 years old. With the enormous strides in battery and other electronic technologies, I wondered if they now make a cordless which combines great power with lighter weight. It seems that they don't. Thanks a lot for all the opinions! John Postscript of dubious value: My particular "course", as I said in the post, is that I do *a lot* of hedges: I cut the hedges in three gardens (mine and two others); the total length must be about 200 yards, counting two sides in a few cases; the average height overall is over 6 feet. The hedges are [thinks] cotoneaster, beech, hazel, [ivy], hawthorn, blackthorn, and the damned holly (which must make up half the total: what a ******* that is to trim, especially when you're half-way up a ladder). Going up (and down) the ladder, is the worst thing, these days: joints and legs. All these hedges are very mature, and therefore have thicker branches to cut at intervals, in different places. Hence, I chose a cutter which has a wide tooth spacing - 26mm in this case. Even when the branch is somewhat thicker (within reason), sawing at it with this trimmer will deal with it. As I said, it's a Bosch 55-26 - 55cm blade, 26mm tooth spacing. Also as I said, it "blazes" through all this hedging. I only cut most of the stuff once a year, but in my own garden I do some every growing month, the rest just twice a year. (And always outside the nesting season of course.) From the discussion, my gut feeling was right: nothing compares to mains power [coming into a powerful cutter]. Of course a 4-stroke petrol would be more powerful (and free of those reels of cable), but my work nowhere near justifies that kind of cost. Furthermo even a 4-stroke is noisy, but a 2-stroke is absolute hell - for the user, and for the neighbours. I have never considered using a petrol cutter. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 30/04/2021 14:54, newshound wrote:
Have you actually tried a modern battery chainsaw, then? Yes. A bag of shite when you're used to a good quality petrol machine. Bill |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 01/05/2021 14:35, Another John wrote:
With the enormous strides in battery and other electronic technologies, What enormous strides? The energy/weight figure for battery is still light years behind petrol. Bill |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 01/05/2021 17:54, williamwright wrote:
On 30/04/2021 14:54, newshound wrote: Have you actually tried a modern battery chainsaw, then? Yes. A bag of shite when you're used to a good quality petrol machine. Bill well yes. My shoulders are aching from this afternoons efforts to chop up a 10 metre tall tree that fell over last year. The thickest part of the trunk - that I have yet to tackle - is about 2' diameter. My little chainsaw - petrol - is having trouble with the 8" diameter sections. I guess its around 1500W equivalent. I was on for about a continuous hour today 1.5kwh. The equivalent battery model is twice the price and has little more than half an hour in the battery and weighs only a little less. -- It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. Mark Twain |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 01/05/2021 17:57, williamwright wrote:
On 01/05/2021 14:35, Another John wrote: With the enormous strides in battery and other electronic technologies, What enormous strides? The energy/weight figure for battery is still light years behind petrol. Bill No, not light years, about 50%, For the whole package. A neodymium based brushless motor is a lot lighter than an equivalent 2 stroke. But the final weight is really all about battery capacity. That means a cordless is a winner for occasional consumer use, but is ****ing pointless if you need to run the thing all day on a major bit of tree surgery -- Truth welcomes investigation because truth knows investigation will lead to converts. It is deception that uses all the other techniques. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
On 01/05/2021 14:35, Another John wrote:
I wondered if they now make a cordless which combines great power with lighter weight. It seems that they don't. They do, but the price you pay is very short charge life. and its not a lot lighter. -- The biggest threat to humanity comes from socialism, which has utterly diverted our attention away from what really matters to our existential survival, to indulging in navel gazing and faux moral investigations into what the world ought to be, whilst we fail utterly to deal with what it actually is. |
Thinking abut a cordless hedgetrimmer
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote: My little chainsaw - petrol - is having trouble with the 8" diameter sections. I guess its around 1500W equivalent. A decent bowsaw would have no trouble at all with such diameters, unless the wood is yew or hawthorn, when anything would. Yes, it would take some time and effort. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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