Green Hedge Trimmers/Clippers
Lithium hedge trimmers are the perfect replacement for that rusty old clipper, that short running NiCad, that restrictive corded hedger or that broken down gas hedger. New lithium hedge trimmers can now boldly go where no trimmer has gone before. They are lightweight, easy to start and can run on a single charge more than long enough to finish the job. Lithium hedgers come in all sizes making it easy to find the right one for you.
Lithium Power Versus NiCad Battery Power
Many people either mistakenly buy or think that all battery operated equipment is created equal. Well, that is simply not the case when it comes to comparing NiCads to Lithium. Think of NiCads as a heavy gas guzzling Hummer with the power of a Prius while the Lithium as a light weight gas sipping Prius with the power of a Hummer. To put it simply, Lithium batteries offer twice the power , run time and battery life with half the weight. You may be tempted to go for the NiCads because they are much cheaper than Lithiums, but remember that you are getting half the trimmer in terms of performance and run time. Below is a side by side Lithium to NiCad comparison.
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| Power |
Typically 12-18 Volts
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Up to 21 volts
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| Run Time |
About 30 minutes low capacity
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Up to 1 hour high capacity
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| Battery Life |
Low. Problems with “memory” effect. | Extremely long, no “memory” effect. |
| Weight |
Heavy metal batteries
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Extremely lightweight. 1/2 the weight of NiCads
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| Charging Time |
High charging times
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Charges quickly, in as little as 30 minutes
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| Price |
Typically inexpensive, under $100
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Between $100-$150
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| Overall Benefits | Inexpensive, easy to find | Long running time, fast charging time, long battery life, high capacity, lightweight |
Lithium Power Versus 2 Stroke Hedge Trimmers 2 Stroke Gas Powered
As with any gas powered piece of lawn and garden tool, the most dreaded parting of using it is always the pull start. Gas powered hedge trimmers are no exception. Who needs to spend 30 minutes trying to start the thing when your trimming only takes 10 minutes?
Difficult starting is the product of the inefficient 2 stroke design. Put too much oil and forget about starting it. Too much gas and watch your engine cease up. It’s now wonder 2 stroke tools are most commonly replaced tools in the lawn and garden tool arsenal. Not only are these engines hard to start, they pollute like crazy! Maybe you don’t care about the environment and you don’t mind breaking your back trying to start them, have you thought about the pollutants blowing straight in your face? Yet another disadvantage with gas hedgers, is that they are twice as heavy as their battery operated counterparts! Then there is the heat that’s generated by these 2 stroke engines. Touch the engine heat sink and it’s third degree burn city. Finally, even if you don’t care about any of the above, surely you gotta find the noise extremely obnoxious? Below is a side by side gas to lithium comparison.
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| Power |
Overpowered
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12,000 strokes per min
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| Ease of starting |
Very difficult to impossible
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Push button easy start
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| Winter Storage | Difficult winter storage requiring fuel draining and cleaning. Dangerous fuel storage. | Easy, batteries unaffected by winter. Ready for Spring use. No volatile fuels to store. |
| Weight |
15- 20 pounds on average
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10 pounds or less
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| Eco Friendliness | Terrible |
0 emmissions
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| Run Time per tank/per charge |
Varies with tank capacity/throttle control but indefinite with plenty of fuel on hand
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60-90 minutes / fast charge time as little as 30 minutes
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| Range |
Indefinite
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Indefinite
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| Engine Safety |
Noxious fumes, very harmful noise levels, gas volatility, hot engine , overpowered engine sending high speed projectiles
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powerful motor may send high speed projectiles
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| Maintenance |
broken shafts, spark plugs, fuel mixtures, must be completely drained for long storage time
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None
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| Price |
$100-$300
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$100-$150
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| Operating Costs | Expensive as fuel prices go up. Expensive maintenance and frequently replaced. | As little as $5-$10 a year to maintain no motor maintenance required. |
| Overall Benefits |
Indefinite run time with plenty of gas, very powerful, makes you feel manly
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Plenty of power for most home owners, long run time, silent operation, very light and easy on the body, a breeze to start, no ongoing maintenace costs
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<td><strong>Power </strong></td>
<td>
<div>Typically overpowered</div></td>
<td>
<div>20,000 rpm, plenty of power for gas and weed trimming</div></td>
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<td><strong>Ease of starting </strong></td>
<td>
<div>Easy when new, very difficult as it ages. Also, must get gas/oil ratio perfect. Impossible to start with old or incorrect gas/oil mix.</div></td>
<td>
<div>Push button easy start</div></td>
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<td><strong>Winter Storage</strong></td>
<td>Difficult winter storage requiring fuel draining and cleaning. Dangerous fuel storage.</td>
<td>Easy, batteries unaffected by winter. Ready for Spring use. No volatile fuels to store.</td>
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<td><strong>Weight</strong></td>
<td>
<div>15- 20 pounds on average</div></td>
<td>
<div>10 pounds or less</div></td>
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<td><strong>Eco Friendlyness </strong></td>
<td>
<div>Not at all. High on emissions and very inefficient</div></td>
<td>
<div>0 emmissions</div></td>
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<td><strong>Run Time per tank/per charge </strong></td>
<td>
<div>Varies with tank capacity/throttle control but indefinite with plenty of fuel on hand</div></td>
<td>
<div>60-90 minutes / fast charge time as little as 30 minutes</div></td>
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<td><strong>Range</strong></td>
<td>
<div>Indefinite</div></td>
<td>
<div>Indefinite</div></td>
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<td><strong>Engine Safety</strong></td>
<td>
<div>Noxious fumes, very harmful noise levels, gas volatility, hot engine , overpowered engine sending high speed projectiles</div></td>
<td>
<div>powerful motor may send high speed projectiles</div></td>
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<td><strong>Maintenance</strong></td>
<td>
<div>broken shafts, spark plugs, fuel mixtures, must be completely drained for long storage time</div></td>
<td>
<div>None</div></td>
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<td><strong>Price</strong></td>
<td>
<div>$100-$300</div></td>
<td>
<div>$100-$150</div></td>
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<td><strong>Operating Costs </strong></td>
<td>Expensive as fuel prices go up. Expensive maintenance and frequently replaced.</td>
<td>As little as $5-$10 a year to maintain no motor maintenance required.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Overall Benefits </strong></td>
<td>
<div>Indefinite run time with plenty of gas, very powerful</div></td>
<td>
<div>Plenty of power for most home owners, long run time, silent operation, very light and easy on the body, a breeze to start, no ongoing maintenace costs</div></td>
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