Comparison GARDENA TCS Li-18/20 8866-20 vs Husqvarna 327PT5S

— Power grid. Powered by a conventional 230 V household mains. This option allows you to create quite powerful models, which are also much cheaper and easier to operate than gasoline ones, are quieter, weigh less and do not create exhaust gases. Of course, you will need an external power source for operation, and the battery life of the tool will be limited by the length of the power cord. At the same time, many modern "network" brush cutters are equipped with very long cords — about 20-30 m — which, moreover, can be supplemented with extension cords; and the 230 V network is distributed almost everywhere, from elite private houses to small summer cottages. However, the power cord has another significant drawback: it can create inconvenience when moving around the site (especially if there is thick grass hiding it). In addition, a tool with such a power supply has increased safety requirements: it cannot be used in wet weather, and special care must be taken during operation so as not to snag the power cable. Also, the power of electric models is generally slightly lower than that of gasoline ones.

— Battery. Powered by its own built-in battery. In terms of their main advantages, such models are similar to network brush cutters (see above): they do not create excessive noise and exhaust gases, are easy to maintain and cheap to operate. At the same time, the battery gives one important advantag...e — battery life: the tool does not require a constant connection to the network and works without a power cord, which ensures freedom of movement. On the other hand, such hedge trimmers are quite expensive, have a lot of weight (due to the battery), and their power is low and suitable only for relatively simple work. In addition, it is necessary to mention the limited period of work — in most models it is about 40-50 minutes, and even less if the working nozzle is heavily loaded or dirty. When the battery runs out of charge, it will have to be charged again, which will require a power source and can take quite a long time. Therefore, it is worth specifically looking for a battery model only if complex work is not planned, and freedom of movement plays a decisive role for you.

— Gas engine. The main advantage of a petrol engine can be called high power. Due to this, such brush cutters easily cope even with complex tasks that are beyond the power of electric models. In addition, such engines do not depend on external power sources and require only the presence of fuel in the tank to operate. However, gasoline tools have a number of disadvantages: heavy weight, high noise level, harmful exhaust gases, as well as difficulty in maintenance and high fuel costs. Therefore, this type of engine is found mainly in professional models that need to combine maximum battery life with high performance.

The length of the bar usually refers to the total length of the brush attachment or saw blade (see Attachments) supplied with the hedge trimmer. The longer the tire, the longer the cut that the tool can make at a time. In general, it is believed that a short length is typical for entry-level tools, while professional ones are equipped with larger attachments. However, here you need to take into account that the choice depends not only on the scale, but also on the specifics of the intended work: long attachments are less maneuverable and less suitable for topiary trimming of bushes. In addition, the cost of a brush cutter also largely depends on this parameter.

Overall length of pole saw (see "Type").

The height that can be reached with a pole saw from the ground depends on this indicator, without the use of additional devices (stools, benches, stairs, etc.). In modern models, the length of the rod can reach 4 m — this is enough to handle even fairly tall trees, and a longer length would make the unit too heavy and bulky.

When choosing according to this parameter, note that a too long rod affects not only the weight and cost of the pole saw, but also can be inconvenient when working at low heights. Therefore, it is worth looking for a "long-range" tool only if most of the work is planned to be carried out at high altitudes. However, some models of pole saws allow you to adjust the length of the rod in a certain range, which makes it possible to adjust the tool to specific working conditions. For such models, this paragraph indicates the largest value of the length.

Hedge trimmer motor power expressed in watts.

The performance of the tool primarily depends on the engine power, and this concept includes both the overall speed of work and the ability to cope with difficult tasks like cutting thick branches. Therefore, when choosing, it is necessary to take into account both the general volumes of the planned work and the material with which you will have to deal. For example, a powerful hedge trimmer may be needed even if it is only a few metres of hedge — if the branches in this hedge are quite thick. On the other hand, "more powerful" does not always mean "better" — after all, this parameter affects the weight, energy consumption (or fuel consumption) and the price of the tool.

If we talk about specific numbers, then the optimal power for most household tasks will be about 400-600 watts. Battery models (see "Power"), designed for small amounts of work in simple conditions, may have less power, and in gasoline models (see ibid.), on the contrary, it can reach 900 – 1000 watts.

In addition to watts, power can also be expressed in horsepower; this designation is traditionally used in gasoline engines. 1 HP approximately equal to 735 watts.

Hedge trimmer engine power expressed in horsepower. For more information about the value of power in general, as well as the ratio of horsepower and another unit of power — watts — see the “Power” paragraph above. Here we note that such a designation is typical mainly for models with gasoline engines (see "Power").

The cutting part of the device is fixed on a special swivel hinge with the ability to change position in one plane. By changing the angle of inclination of the blade, the operator can adjust the tool to perform a particular task. Adjustment of an inclination of a nozzle allows to increase considerably safety of work. As a rule, the saw blade (tire) has a fixed value of working positions, which are limited by the angle of inclination of the nozzle.

The working volume of the petrol engine installed in the hedge trimmer (if equipped, see "Power"). Usually, the larger the volume, the higher the engine power (see above). On the other hand, power is usually directly indicated by the manufacturer, and besides, it depends not only on this parameter, but also on a number of other factors. Therefore, in fact, volume is usually a secondary indicator, allowing to some extent to assess the economy of a brush cutter: for equal power, a larger engine is likely to have a higher fuel consumption.

The volume of the fuel tank installed in the brush cutter with a petrol engine (see "Power").

The larger the tank, the more fuel can fit in it — the longer the unit can work without refueling. And knowing the approximate fuel consumption, by the volume of the tank, you can also estimate the approximate time of work on a single refill. At the same time, brush cutters rarely have to work without interruption for a long time, refueling, usually, does not cause any particular difficulties (if there is a supply of fuel, but this supply is not difficult to provide); in addition, a volumetric tank would have a noticeable effect on the dimensions of the unit, and in a filled state, also on its weight. The latter is especially critical, given that the instrument is supposed to be “carried around”. In light of all this, the tanks of modern brush cutters are made small — usually about 0.5 liters or even less.

The type of battery installed in the battery-powered hedge trimmer (see above).

— Ni-Cd. One of the first types of batteries used for power tools. Nickel-cadmium batteries are well-suited for heavy loads, have quite a decent capacity per unit weight, while charging fairly quickly and are resistant to temperature extremes — the latter is important, given that brushcutters, by definition, are used outdoors. On the other hand, such batteries have a number of significant drawbacks, the most important of which is the “memory effect”: if the battery is started to be charged without completely discharging it before, it will accumulate less energy (as if “remembering” that part of the charge was not needed last time). (hence the name of the effect). In addition, some components of Ni-Cd cells are considered environmentally unsafe. As a result, this type of battery is considered obsolete and is gradually being replaced by more advanced options.

— Ni-Mh. Nickel-metal hydride batteries were created as a development of nickel-cadmium batteries, in an attempt to eliminate their main shortcomings. Such batteries are practically devoid of the "memory effect", they use safer materials in their construction, and at the same time they have all the main advantages of the original technology — in particular, reliability and resistance to temperature extremes. Of the shortcomings, one can only note the need to comply with specific rules for long-term storage.

— Li-Io...n. The most advanced type of modern batteries. Lithium-ion batteries combine small size and weight with high capacity, charge quickly, are practically not subject to the "memory effect" and are generally unpretentious in operation (besides, many of these batteries have recently built their own controller that optimizes charge-discharge cycles) . At the same time, they are sensitive to low temperatures and are more expensive than other types.