Homelite Model UT44110 17 Inch Electric Hedge Trimmers
My old property had one huge yew bush an azalea and a couple boxwoods. That was all the shrubbery on that property, therefore I could get away with using an old pair of giant trimming shears. I used to consider it a couple hours of good exercise, but I have since moved into a house SURROUNDED by bushes. I’d be out there all day with the manual shears. Due to the steadily-increasing level of “busy” in my life, I faced the fact that I was going to have to spend some ever-tougher-to-keep dollars on a powered pair.
As is the case with weed-eaters, gas powered hedge trimmers are both more powerful and more expensive than electric ones. I went to the Home Depot in Powell, and naturally I went straight to the electric models, and saw that the Homelite Model UT44110 17 inch Hedge Trimmers, at only $29.97, were the cheapest I could find.
I picked up the cabled-down display model, and thought perhaps that this one was more solid than most (hence a little heavier). I also noticed the how stout the reciprocating blades were than most other electric models. They seemed at least worth the price, but then again, they are a Homelite product, and because of past experiences (most notably with their chainsaws), I don’t think their products are very reliable.
Since I am such a tightwad, I gambled and bought the Homelite model anyway. It has a pretty strong 2.7 amp motor that propels the 17 inch reciprocating blades, making it capable of cutting twigs up to 3/8 of an inch thick. The body is made of thick, high-impact plastic that holds together pretty tight. It operates on 100-125 volt AC, and requires at least a 10-amp outdoor extension cord for safest operation.
After getting them home, I get started on the shaggy yews around the front slab. The Homelite Model UT44110 17 inch Hedge Trimmers feature dual action blades (where both reciprocate), which creates 53% less vibration than the single-action sort (where only one blade reciprocates and the other remains stationary). I assumed trimmers this cheap would be single action shears, and this was sure something nice to discover, truly. These trimmers are smooth like an electric carving knife. I was sweeping the unit across the tops easily with one hand, maintaining perfect control.
The 17 inch cutting surface of the blades is the perfect length to service my shrubs (but might not be enough for some larger homes). Their hardened steel construction effortlessly snaps green growth cleanly without “chewing” them off. The teeth recurve slightly, which reduces incidents where a thick, mature twig jams the blades, which can damage the motor.
Probably the most amazing thing about these hedge trimmers is that the casing is so solid. I have worked with electric hedge trimmers before, and many of them vibrate to where the 2 halves of the shell buzzes, and jamming can cause the case to actually twist, causing a gap between the halves. These were an exception. Even when it jammed, the body behaved as one solid piece, which means it’s stronger and safer. One operates these hedge trimmers by sliding the power switch, it can not operated if user doesn’t squeezing squeezing the safety lever. There is a small knob to grab with the other hand, ergonomically designed to give more comfort and control of the unit.
Like I said before, I never thought too much of Homelite‘s products, but I am very impressed with the UT44110 Hedge Trimmers. They are far and away the best hedge clippers I have ever seen in this price range. I can only hope that they can break the long-standing Homelite curse for me, and last for at least 3 seasons (hopefully more). For smaller bushes and hedgerows, they do great work. Unless your property has very large bushes and privacy screens, there’s no point in buying anything else for residential purposes.
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