It’s not a good idea to try tackling anything larger anyway. Maximum branch size: This isn’t a major issue because there isn’t much difference between tools.Double-sided is more efficient and is usually what you find on gas hedge trimmers. Single- or double-sided: Blades can be either.It is generally in the range of 20 to 24 inches, which is enough for a great many hedges, but up to 40-inch versions are available. Shorter shafts are available, but for us that seems to negate the benefits of a shaft in the first place. The drawback with this kind of hedge trimmer is that while you’re more likely to be able to stand on the ground, which is safer, the tool isn’t as easy to control because it can be difficult to see exactly where the blades are cutting. The pole gives you greater reach, and the head is usually articulated so you can set the blades at the required angle. It also makes for a more manageable tool for general trimming duties on low hedges and plants.Įnd blades: The other format looks more like a pole saw or string trimmer, with blades on the end. This gives you a machine that’s well balanced and easy to manage, which is particularly important if you have tall hedges that you have to stand on a ladder or scaffold to cut. The most popular is a unit similar in appearance to a chainsaw, but with the blade running horizontally rather than vertically. Horizontal blades: There are two basic configurations for gas hedge trimmers. There are now 15 states that ban tools that don’t meet the CARB standard. The only real difference between the budget and premium brands is component quality and thus durability.Įmissions: Some manufacturers have put considerable effort into reducing emissions, and the best two-cycle motors are now California Air Resources Board ( CARB) and/or Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) compliant. That would suggest they all produce similar output, which is true, and the weight only varies by a pound or two. Four-cycle motors tend to be more durable and slightly quieter, and they run a little cleaner, but they have one major drawback: weight.įor that reason, gas hedge trimmers invariably have a two-cycle motor, and most of the models we looked at were somewhere between 21 and 25 cubic centimeters (cc).

Key considerations MotorĬycles: With many types of gas-powered garden equipment, you have a choice of four-cycle or two-cycle motors. Always use a measuring jug or other calibrated container. Two-cycle machines rely on an accurate mix of fuel and oil for proper performance.

Gas trimmer with edger attachment