Electric brush cutter: what is needed and how to choose

What is used for?

Brush cutters are one of the most versatile tools for any summer resident. Modern electric hedge trimmers are used to care for fruit and berry plantations (trees, bushes), to cut green hedges, to clear areas of thickets, and some models are also suitable for lawn care.

Among the undeniable advantages of this unit are the following:

1. variety of species. Brush cutters are highly specialized and universal, which can cope with diverse work on caring for various plants without any problems;
2. secateur replacement. Not just replaces it, but makes it much more productive;
3. convenience. When working with a brush cutter, you do not need to hold the branches that are cut with your second hand;
4. power. Powerful hedge trimmers can easily handle both thin branches and young trees (up to 30 mm in diameter).

Types of power tools

Electric hedge trimmers are divided into two types: mains and battery. These models have gained popularity among gardeners due to their ease of maintenance – no need to buy gasoline, monitor the presence of oil, etc. All you need is to plug into a power outlet. Ban undeniable advantage is also environmental friendliness, relatively low weight and reasonable price. Due to its lightness, the electric brush cutter is very manoeuvrable, it can be held at arm’s length and is suitable even for women.

To choose the right electric hedge trimmer, be sure to consider the overall size of the hedge and its location. If the distance to the plants from the outlet does not exceed 30 meters, then you can safely buy network tools, since the standard cord is 30 meters. If the area is larger, you can use an extension cord, but this is a rather unsafe option: the tool may fall out of your hands and cut the cable; high probability of getting tangled in the wires; in hot weather, it is worth taking breaks so that the engine can cool down; during wet weather, work is completely prohibited.

The second type of garden electric hedge trimmer is cordless. Tools of this type are equipped with an independent battery, which must be recharged before starting work. It is convenient to work with this unit if there are few green hedges and they are at a great distance from sockets. But keep in mind that this brush cutter will not cope with large branches, and is also not suitable for large-scale work. The battery lasts only 40 minutes if the blades are not clogged. Sometimes this type of kit includes two batteries, which is a huge plus.

In this case, you can work freely without interruptions for recharging for about two hours. Please note that the greater the degree of contamination of the cutting part, the faster the battery runs out. In order for the tool to last as long as possible, after each use it is necessary to clean and lubricate the cutting part so that the blade is not damaged by rust. Please note that the cordless hedge trimmer can only be charged when the battery is completely discharged.

The power of the electric motor allows you to effectively work with branches up to two centimeters thick.

Video “Choice of scissors and brush cutter”

Specifications and features

When choosing an electric brush cutter, you should carefully study the features of the unit and clearly understand what it will be used for (type of plantings, area, frequency of use). The key points that you need to pay attention to when choosing an electric saw of this class:

1. power. The performance of the tool directly depends on this indicator. The maximum figure for electric brush cutters is 0,6 kW. The most acceptable for work in the summer cottage of amateur soda breeders is considered to be a device with a power within 0,5 kW;
2. blade length. The blade size of 40–50 cm is considered the most effective. To work with a wide green hedge, experts recommend opting for electrical appliances with an elongated blade. This will significantly reduce the time of work;
3. blade material. It consists of 2 parts: the lower blade is made of steel; upper blade – self-sharpening metal;
4. blade frequency. It is on this indicator that the quality of work depends. The higher the stroke frequency, the more accurate the cut;
5. blade type. Allocate bilateral and unilateral. Single-sided blades are ideal for beginner gardeners, while double-sided blades are more suitable for advanced users (it can be used to cut original shapes and significantly speed up work in general);
6. blade movement. Both knives move (mutual cutting) or one moves and the other is stationary (single-stroke). The units of the first type are more convenient. One-way vibrate strongly, thus increasing discomfort when using it (hands get tired more);
7. lever. It is worth considering the convenience and practicality of this element – rubber pads will reduce the level of slip and increase tool control.

Choosing the right device

To choose the best option for an electric hedge trimmer, you should take into account all the above features and characteristics of this electrical appliance. Here, not only the power of the unit is important, but also the length of the cut – long knives will ideally cope with cutting green hedges, and short ones will help to give the most intricate and unusual shapes to any crown.

When purchasing an electric brush cutter, be sure to pay special attention to the presence of security systems. The unit must be equipped with protection against accidental start-up and an emergency stop button. Also a plus will be a guard that can protect in case of an accidental kickback of the brush cutter.

Video “How an electric brush cutter works”

To understand how this device works, we advise you to watch the video below. It describes in detail the principle of operation of an electric hedge trimmer.