Types of loppers, scissors and pruning shears, rules for choosing a tool

Long gone are the days when people used to do work in the garden with an ordinary hacksaw. Modern manufacturers of garden tools produce a variety of accessories for processing fruit and ornamental plantings. Using the latest technology, pruning shears and pruning pruners allow you to effortlessly cut old thick branches at high heights. The range of these products is striking in its variety. Electric, mechanical and gasoline assistants are ready to make the gardener's work easier. The main thing is to choose a high-quality and convenient device suitable for solving specific problems.

Varieties of loppers

The lopper is very similar in structure and principle of operation to an ordinary pruner. It is not for nothing that I call this product in another way "air pruner". However, if the pruner can cut branches that are at arm's length, then the lopper equipped with special long arms or a bar will allow you to reach the most distant points of the tree. With such a tool, in most cases, you will not need to climb onto a stool or step-ladder, all the work can be done from the ground without putting yourself in danger of falling.

There are several types of loppers, they differ in the way the tool is driven and the principle of operation.

1. Plane. The device resembles a pair of scissors. Two sharpened metal plates move in the same plane. In some models, both cutting surfaces have straight edges, in others, one blade is straight, the other is curved in the shape of a crescent, which allows for a stronger grip on the branch. Usually, live branches are cut with a planar lopper - the cut is smooth and heals quickly.
2. Contact. The mechanism, working on the contact principle, is designed like an ax or a knife. This tool has one moving blade and a contact pad. It is easier to work with a contact delimber than with a planer, but this device has significant disadvantages. Due to the fact that the blade does not immediately cut the branch, but first squeezes it, the edge of the cut is uneven and more open for bacteria to penetrate. Usually, a contact device is used to process old, dried wood.

Depending on how the lopper is operated, the tools are divided into mechanical, electrical and gasoline. Electric garden pruning devices, in turn, are divided into two types: battery and mains.

A rod mechanism can be distinguished into a separate group, which is often called a pruner for pruning tall trees.

Mechanical devices

A mechanical lopper works by force applied by a person, so the power of this device is low compared to other devices. But it is inexpensive and easy to use. With a mechanical lopper, you can cultivate your garden any time you like, regardless of the weather or electricity. In addition, such a tool does not require fuel costs.

The mechanical lopper has undeniable advantages that make it the most popular among the tools for pruning trees.

• The tool is lightweight and has a small cutting head. This allows you to penetrate the very thick of green spaces and process a tree or shrub in a small space.
• Many models are equipped with a special ratchet mechanism, which greatly facilitates the use of the instrument. The principle of operation is that the movement of the cutting surfaces is converted from rotary to stepped.
• The mechanical lopper can be used anywhere in the garden as it does not need to be permanently connected to the electrical network.
• There are models with telescopic handles.
• To make the tool convenient to store and transport, the manufacturer has provided a special blade holder.

With a mechanical tool, you can cut branches up to 5 cm in diameter. In the event of a breakdown, it can be repaired without assistance, since spare parts are sold in garden stores, and it is not difficult to install them yourself.

Electric tools

The electric lopper is used to cut branches at a height. The main disadvantage of this device is the constant dependence on the operation of the electrical network. If the supply of electric current is suddenly interrupted, then the work in the garden will have to be stopped.

An electric pole saw is a rod at the end of which a working mechanism is attached. Control is carried out using a remote control built into the boom handle.

The electric lopper has many positive qualities.

• No harmful substances are emitted into the atmosphere when operating a power tool. In addition, the device is completely silent.
• The working mechanism can be rotated 180 °, which allows a firm grip on tree branches.
• The work does not require much physical effort, since the device is lightweight. Even a woman can handle an electric tool.
• The mechanism is easy to use, and in the event of a breakdown, purchasing spare parts will not be difficult.

Due to the low power, the electric lopper can cut off a branch no more than 2.5 cm thick. This tool is not suitable for trimming old thick branches. In addition, the disadvantage of this device is the power cord, which can get stuck in the branches of bushes and trees.

Cordless loppers

Cordless loppers work from independent power sources - accumulator or batteries. These devices combine all the positive qualities of mechanical and electrical garden tools. They are characterized by high performance and good maneuverability.

The advantages of rechargeable devices over other types of similar products are as follows.

• Free movement throughout the site, the ability to trim green spaces in hard-to-reach places.
• The device does not generate noise and does not emit exhaust gases into the air.
• The light weight of the product and convenient control make the work comfortable.
• With a special reservoir built into the boom handle, the chain can be automatically lubricated.
• Typically, cordless loppers are equipped with telescopic tubes that can extend the boom length to 4-6 m.

To make the gardener's work convenient and comfortable, manufacturers have equipped electric cutting tools with special shoulder straps and devices to stop the delimber during pruning.

Gasoline Tools

Loppers of this type are powered by a two-stroke gasoline engine and are used in large horticultural farms where a large number of trees have to be processed. In addition to the garden saw, additional attachments with a special purpose can be attached to such delimbers.

Among the advantages of a gasoline tool are the following characteristics.

• Excellent productivity - allows you to handle large areas of gardening.
• Mobility - the autonomous operation of the mechanism makes it possible to prune trees in hard-to-reach places and in any weather.
• High power - the lopper easily handles thick (over 5 cm) branches.

Along with the listed advantages of a gasoline lopper, one cannot fail to note the disadvantages of such devices.

• Heavy weight and operating noise.
• A person with special training must work with a gasoline pruner.
• The device needs professional maintenance.
• The high cost of the product.

The petrol lopper is advisable to use in forested areas and in horticultural farms. It is suitable for trimming wood of different ages and thicknesses.

How to choose the right lopper?

Before you go to the store for a pruner, you need to decide on the type of tool. If you do not work very often with a delimber, you can purchase a mechanical model. It is simpler and cheaper. In the event that there are many tall fruit trees on the site that need to be cut off every year, it is better to choose an electric or battery mechanism. The gasoline powered tool is suitable for owners of large estates.

Features to consider when choosing a garden cutting tool:

• the thickness of the branches allowed for pruning - for modern loppers this value ranges from 2.5 to 5 cm;
• handle length - the choice depends on the height of the branches to be removed;
• the presence of a telescopic handle - allows you to remove excess growth at a height of 6 m without taking off from the ground;
• weight - modern models offered by manufacturers have a weight of 0.5 kg to 1.8 kg;
• device for fixing blades - makes the use and transportation of the secateurs safe;
• precision sharpening is a special way of sharpening blades when the edges are the sharpest.

Like many other tools, loppers are produced by various companies - German, Swedish, Finnish, Chinese, Russian. When choosing, you should pay attention to the manufacturer's brand. Leading brands in this industry are such brands as Gardena, Raco, Fiskars.

The right lopper will make gardening easier and make regular pruning a pleasure from a chore.