25mm+ Cutting Capacity Pole Hedge Trimmer

aik on 16/10/2024 - 11:34

I have Ryobi OHT1850S (length 400mm, cutting capacity 17mm, max reach 2.88m, 5y.o.), it is meh, need something stronger (25mm should do). Looked at gumtree, fb marketplace, nothing. So I googled.

  1. https://www.ryobi.com.au/products/pole-hedge-trimmers/18v-on… , 22mm capacity but "RYOBI EZ REACH" system, not what I have. And Ryobi does not sell the pole alone, only with a pruning saw which I do not want and won't be able to sell as the potential buyer will want the pole too.

  2. https://www.ryobi.com.au/products/hedge-trimmers/expand-it-4… . 28mm capacity, just 199$, yay. It is the "expand-it" system but power heads are not sold separately and no clue if this is compatible with Makita or others (it is not, right?).

  3. https://www.ryobi.com.au/products/pole-hedge-trimmers/36v-44… , plus a battery and charger (249$ at Bunnings or 100$ ebay's third party). But non-ryobi-website reviews on the Bunnings website are mixed. 450..600$. And it is not "expand-it", however ryobi.com.au pretends it is.

With this kind of money I thought why not Makita or EGO or AEG or Dewalt.

  1. https://sydneytools.com.au/product/makita-un001gz-40v-max-xg… 849$ skin only. Not a surprise but still, ouch.

  2. https://sydneytools.com.au/product/ego-htx5300pa-56v-brushle… 664$, better, but then I read about EGO batteries reliability, meh.

  3. https://www.totaltools.com.au/149676-dewalt-18v-brushless-55… good specs but 18v.

Did I miss some brand or store?
Is there any cross-vendor attachment system?
Will 36v/40v/56v make difference in my case?
Are these "cutting capacity" millimetres the same across different vendors? Dewalt can do 25mm on 18V but Makita can only 21.5mm, for example.
My other "one+" stuff is alright or just not annoying enough to bother.
Any thoughts, recommendations? Added a poll, with URLs from the above. Thanks,

Poll Options Wed, 02/07/2025 - 00:00

  • 1
    1. ryobi 18v-one-hptm-brushless-45cm-pole-hedge-trimmer-attachment
  • 1
    2. ryobi expand-it-45cm-hedge-trimmer-attachment
  • 2
    3. ryobi 36v-44cm-pole-hedge-trimmer-tool-only
  • 2
    4. sydneytools makita-un001gz-40v-max-xgt-brushless-600mm-pole-hedge-trimmer-skin-only
  • 11
    5. sydneytools ego-htx5300pa-56v-brushless-cordless-530mm
  • 2
    6. totaltools dewalt-18v-brushless-550mm-pole-hedge-trimmer-skin-dcmph566n-xe
Home & Garden Hedge Trimmer

Comments

  • Ozbar Gain on 16/10/2024 - 11:37
    +1

    If overthinking was a forum post

    • aik on 16/10/2024 - 11:41
      +1

      too much choice is a first world problem :-)

  • skid on 16/10/2024 - 11:44
    +1

    Will 36v/40v/56v make difference in my case?

    Yes. 25mm is fairly thick and will need >36v for a quick cut.

  • wombat81 on 16/10/2024 - 11:59
    +1

    Just a suggestion, but think about whether Makita's 36v DUX60 powerhead system might be useful for you. As well as hedge trimmer attachments it's also a good quality whipper snipper, pole saw, edger, cultivator etc etc. It's obviously not cheap, but if you'll have need for other tools in the future it can be a good way to go. There are often packs with good, "free" extras, like this one which comes with the whipper snipper attachment for "free" and a free blower by redemption. From memory, this kit has been down around the $700 mark in the past. https://sydneytools.com.au/product/makita-dux60pspt2b-36v-18…

    I needed a pole saw and took the opportunity to replace my annoying petrol whipper snipper.

    • aik on 16/10/2024 - 13:30

      It says "Max Branch Diameter: 20mm" for the compatible attachment though. If only there was a way to try first and see….

      • wombat81 on 16/10/2024 - 13:34

        There are a couple of different hedge trimmer attachments available, I believe. I reckon they'd be fine for 25mm. Any bigger than that and I think you'll struggle to find a hedge trimmer that will do it. Might need to go to a saw.

        • aik on 16/10/2024 - 13:49

          dun461wz-18v-pole-hedge-trimmer-460mm - 18mm
          dun501wz-18v-brushless-pole-hedge-trimmer-500mm - 21.5mm

          Not 25mm. Back to my question if these are the same mm as Ryobi mm :-)

          Also, they do say "18V" in the tool title, are these supposed to work with 36v, or too much load?

          I have a saw, it is just too annoying to keep switching tools on a bush 20m long, >2m high and 1m wide.

          • wombat81 on 16/10/2024 - 14:22
            +2

            @aik: Those are different to the DUX60 attachments. The ones I'm referring to are here: https://makita.com.au/outdoor-power-equipment/lxt-18v-36v/mu…

            I doubt any of them will list capacities greater than about 22mm, and like I said, any more than 25mm and you need to look at a different tool anyway. Hedgers aren't intended to cut stuff bigger than that. The useability would go downhill if the gaps between the teeth were bigger than that.

    • original15 on 16/10/2024 - 13:58

      i've got the makita powerhead with line trimmer, pole saw, hedge trimmer and the extension. Has come in handy, hedge trimmer is a beast, but the whole thing can be heavy and difficult to maneuver with the extender on (even without for the hedge trimmer), probably same for all brands.

      • wombat81 on 16/10/2024 - 14:15

        Yeah I have the DUX60 with the pole saw and extension. It is a bit of a beast. You'd want to hit the gym for a few weeks before use.

        • aik on 20/10/2024 - 22:57

          DUX60: power head 5.6kg, trimmer 2.4kg, 2 batteries 0.6kg * 2 + pole so the whole thing is about 10kg assembled. Heavier than EGO, and more expensive. Kinda missing the point in Makita (although I like the brand), may be it only makes sense if I wanted non-gardening power tools?

          • wombat81 on 21/10/2024 - 08:27

            @aik: Heavier doesn't equal worse. At the end of the day it's about how effective, reliable, usable it is. It's a high quality but of kit, but I haven't used Ego so can't compare.

          • donbot on 21/10/2024 - 08:36

            @aik: It's heavy when used as a hedge trimmer, but not excessively. I wouldn't want to use it every day, but otherwise the dux60 is a great option around the house:

            Polesaw is good and manageable with extender.
            Hedge trimmer is good - not sure about it with extension though ?
            Line trimmer is good.
            Cultivator is a beast. Probably only use this a few times a year, but man it's good.
            Edger is handy to keep crispy lines.

            Yes, it's a bit of a PITA to change the motor heads over, but reality is it's not often to do it - so it's not an issue and having one unit power so many different heads is awesome.

            Then the Makita 18v power tool setup is prett extensive. That's why I went the dux60 with 36v rather than the 40v option as the tools, for the weekend warrior, are cheaper as 18v than 40v and perfectly powered for my use.

            • wombat81 on 21/10/2024 - 13:16

              @donbot: Yeah, the main reason I went that way was because I already had other 18v Makita tools and therefore already had batteries. It's also good to be able to add different tools later without buying completely separate units.

              Love my Makita 36v chainsaw, by the way.

              • aik on 25/10/2024 - 13:55
                +1

                @wombat81: I love chainsaws in general :)
                Thinking of pulling the trigger on Makita DUX60 with this annual "Mak Ca$h" running in Totaltools right now (get a pole saw kit, use the bonus on trimmer attachment, as I kinda need both tools)…

  • Loot N Plunder on 16/10/2024 - 12:27
    +1

    Have you thought about a manual pole saw?
    less weight, longer reach and capable of cutting much thicker than 25mm

  • apsilon on 16/10/2024 - 13:02
    +1

    By the pruner attachment (mini chainsaw) for your existing pole. 25mm+ is too big for a hedge trimmer, you need a saw.

    • aik on 16/10/2024 - 13:33

      I do not think I can buy an attachment to my current pole, it is not "EZ Reach" which Bunnings sells now.

      • apsilon on 16/10/2024 - 15:08

        Check with Ryobi (or just buy it and return it if it doesn't work), I have the same pole as you and the attachment points look identical to the ez reach. It might just be a new marketing name.

        • aik on 16/10/2024 - 15:15

          I did check, borrowed the whole thing from a friend, the current pole has a groove while the old one does not, and they are not physically compatible.

      • ColtNoir on 17/10/2024 - 13:45

        If they’re that thick, have you looked into the pruners?

  • mauricem on 16/10/2024 - 13:44

    The dewalt should do the job fine. Their 18v brushless tools have plenty of grunt and get a boost if you use a flexvolt battery. Buy from Bunnings and if doesn't perform as described get a refund. Actually dewalt offer refunds within 30 days if not satisfied but good luck getting sydney tools to refund anything.

    • aik on 16/10/2024 - 13:54

      out of curiosity - how does this flexvolt boost work? The tool won't take more than 18v, where does the boost come from?

      • mauricem on 16/10/2024 - 16:18
        +1

        Not my field of expertise but I think its do with the extra current available from more cells. In a similar way tools will perform better with higher a/h batteries at the same voltage.
        If you want to go down the rabbit hole of optimal battery solutions for various tools check out the torque test channel

        • aik on 16/10/2024 - 18:58

          Dewalt runs "redemption" now when they give away a free battery with a purchase of that trimmer (and I'll need to find a charger), almost pulled the trigger but the battery is 18v, not flexvolt. Hm.

          • mauricem on 16/10/2024 - 22:08

            @aik: Nothing wrong with the 18v battery, its what that tool was designed for. Plenty of the basic dewalt chargers on marketplace for around $30 as they are bundled with so many deals. I've got about 5 I haven't got around to selling!

  • sumyungguy on 16/10/2024 - 17:58

    Stihl HLA 135 can cut 26mm

  • aik on 16/10/2024 - 23:05

    After looking at the poll, dug some more about EGO, found a kit https://www.totaltools.com.au/174374-ego-power-56v-1-x-2-5ah… for 799$. Seems the way to go?

    • skid on 17/10/2024 - 08:03

      Yeh, that looks good especially as it is a multi-tool.

  • Euphemistic on 17/10/2024 - 08:22
    +1

    Hedge trimmers just aren't designed for cutting thick branches. You need a pole saw to cut the thicker branches, then stick with your ryobi hedge trimmer.

    • aik on 17/10/2024 - 11:13

      The current one just struggles a lot, let alone 25mm branches, I just need a better trimmer.

      • Euphemistic on 17/10/2024 - 18:26
        +1

        Fair enough. My ryobi 18v hedge trimmer goes OK, but not if the hedges are too unruly, only if reasonly well maintained. They dont likenthicker sticks, and to be honest, they arent meant to cut sticks, they are designed to cut leafs and leaf stems.

  • WT on 18/10/2024 - 08:03

    dont think I would try much above 20mm even with a petrol one

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join