Hedge trimmers and cutters come in all shapes and sizes and differing power options with pros and cons, writes Jon Brocklebank, Barnsdale Gardens’ head gardener

Petrol – heavy, noisy, smelly but free to go anywhere and operate all day, with fuel to hand.

Cabled electric – more restrictive – plugs, sockets and cables to deal with – but generally lightweight, quieter than petrol and no smelly fuels.

Battery powered – all the benefits of cabled electrics with the added weight of a battery, either on the machine or in a backpack attached to the machine with shorter cable.

I’ve used many different Stihl machines and regard them as the highest quality out there, along with a few other brands. Well designed and engineered to do the job, they’re extremely user friendly, reliable and built to last.

But I hadn’t used a battery long-reach hedge trimmer so was looking forward to giving this one a go.

Out of the box

The trimmer comes in two main pieces with a few other parts to attach. Cutting blade and shaft have to be connected to the transmission then tightened with two screws (a star key is supplied to tighten them), plus a loop handle to attach with a couple of clamps/nuts and bolts. The shoulder strap attache to a carrying ring on the shaft with a carabiner. Once set up it shouldn’t need dismantling again.

Batteries and charger

This trimmer is sold without batteries or charger so need to be bought separately. I received an AL501 hi-speed charger and three 36 V lithium ion batteries, which accepts Stihl AK, AP and AR batteries only and charges one battery at a time.

The 1X AP200 S (187 Wh, 4.8 Ah and 1.3 kg) and 2X AP300 S (281 Wh, 7.2 Ah and 1.8 kg) I received have charge times that can vary depending on temperature. I gave them all a full charge before first use and was amazed at the speed.

Each battery charged in under an hour from flat – very impressive and a key consideration when choosing a battery powered machine. Having two or three batteries available means work can continue, especially when they charge so quickly.

Stihl estimates maximum and minimum run times but this will vary depending on the speed setting being used and thickness of the hedge material.

AP200 S 69-86 minutes

AP300 S 104-130 minutes

LED charge indicators allow you to check battery levels easily, its IPX4 weather resistance rated and improved cold start feature optimises power in the cold for peak performance.

The batteries and trimmer can integrate with the Stihl connected app via built-in Bluetooth module to track operating hours, manage maintenance and monitor fleet utilisation.

Specifications

The fully assembled unit weighs 5.6 kg plus the battery so matched in weight to a similar-sized petrol machine, while the cutter head can be adjusted by up to 145 degrees to allow all cutting angles. The 12 fixed positions are selected with a simple sliding sleeve mechanism.

The 60 cm cutting blade has a protective scabbard to cover it when not used. The whole length with blades in the straight position is about 245 cm, reducing to about 190 cm when they are folded back on themselves for easier storage, while sound pressure level is rated at 85 dB and sound power level 96 dB.

Blades are laser-cut, double-sided, double-edged and diamond ground so extremely sharp and friction-optimised so should retain their edge well. The anti-lock mechanism actuates automatic reverse the blade movement when you release the trigger if cutters jam on a thicker branch.

The illuminated control panel is easy to understand and has 3200, 3600 and 4000 RPM cutting speeds, selected by a button on the panel, which can be changed during operation,

A release slide turns the trimmer on and off. Press it, then press the trigger lockout – sounds complicated but it’s not. If the triggers are released for more than five seconds, the LED panel and power switches off, and the release slide needs pressing to restart. The removable metal mesh air filter cleans easily.

Use and verdict

Barnsdale has a mix of hedges – beech, hornbeam, laurel and mixed native hedges, mostly blackthorn. This hedge trimmer comes into its own for taller hedges, with limited or no access for cutting platforms.

I tackled one of our mixed native hedges (finished cut height 8 ft, just under 2.5 m). The hedge cutter was comfortable to use, the shoulder strap taking weight off the arms.  The blades easily cut through young growth and year-‘old woody stems and I could reach over the top of the hedge by adjusting the cutter angle without feeling strained or off balance. It’s far less noisy than a petrol cutter, so more enjoyable for users and our garden visitors.

Power

On a par with petrol trimmers. No struggle, even with thicker stems. Double-sided, extremely sharp cutter blades allow use in either direction and give a pleasingly clean cut. The Constant Power function maintains power level until the battery’s flat.

I’d recommend this hedge trimmer to anybody wanting to invest in a top quality battery powered machine – a joy to use and I’d struggle to find a better alternative.

Photos: Steve Hamilton

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