Black & Decker NPT318 18-Volt Cordless Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer
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Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $229.72 Our Price: $108.24 You Save: $121.48 (52.9%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours (as of 10:58 AM CT - detail)
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Designed for trimming shrubs and hedges with a height of 10 feetPre-hardened, machined steel, 18-inch, dual action cutting blade won't create excessive vibrationBattery supplies 2,400 RPM and up to 50 minutes of performance on each chargeDimensions: 8.2 x 8.1 x 45.2 inches (WxHxD); weighs 8.1 pounds; 2-year warrantyComes with one 18-volt pole trimmer, one 18-volt battery, one 18-volt battery charger, carrying bag, and blade sheath
Product Description
Designed for trimming shrubs and hedges with a height of 10 feet, this cordless electric pole hedge trimmer gets its power from one 18-volt NiCad battery (included, along with compatible charger) and helps you cut even hard-to-access pieces that most trimmers can't reach. The NPT318 features two interlocking sections that combine to create an extended pole measuring 78 inches, and a pre-hardened, machined steel, 18-inch, dual action cutting blade that won't create excessive vibration. There's also a 180-degree pivoting head that can be placed in five different positions to accommodate varying hedge sizes measuring up to 7/16-inch in diameter. To help you get more done in less time, the battery supplies 2,400 RPM and keeps the NPT318 going strong for up to 50 minutes on each charge. It also starts up with just a touch of the trigger, and a locking switch protects against unintended start-ups.
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
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Summary:
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Right for the job
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Comment:
Received this trimmer shortly after placing the order...great job on delivery. Charged it overnight and found ample power to cut 60 ft. of euonymous shrubs. For those 1/2 inch thick stems, have a pruner handy. It's a real time saver as I formerly used a 6 ft. alum. step ladder to plow into the shrubs to trim to top. This tool allowed me to trim the face and rear of the shubs, most of the top (which are 7-8 ft. tall, and then using a 4 ft. aluum. ladder, trim the top. (You have to see what you are cutting!) For the homeowner (not professional landscaper), this tool is a real time saver. Suggest you spary some silicone on the blades to prevent rust and keep those blades moving fast.
Worth the investment.
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Summary:
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Nose-heavy bulkiness.
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Comment:
Have been a landscape gardener for over 35 years. Was looking for a non-gas operated pole hedge shear. Didn't want to deal with noise and weight. Need pole trimmer for middle of top of established large shrubbery. Very disappointed with awkward design,handling, and weak performance. Couldn't imagine using this tool for any length of time. Literally used it for only minutes on middle of shrub. Other then that, will sit on the shelf. Good idea but poor engineering. Buyer beware. Glad of low money investment. Still waiting for a well made and designed electric pole hedge shear.
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Summary:
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The final word and the bottom line....................
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Comment:
Firstly I want to say that I have previously owned and used the Black and Decker trimmer that was the predecessor of this trimmer. So my review is based on how this model performs based on what it actually replaced.
Using this trimmer on the same bushes and the exact same hedges, it struggled, it took longer and it did not cut as well. Due to this the whole procedure of cutting became more tiring and laborious. The previous model was "corded" and worked very well indeed, but due to their infinite wisdom Black and Decker discontinued this model and replaced it with a cordless version. A few things may have saved this model from being a lemon. Also if you are going to re-invent a perfectly good working model, at the very, very least give it the same features that made the predecessor good...but they didn't !!
If you are going to make a cordless version at least give it a 24 volt battery not a 18 volt one. And make it last longer otherwise you are forced to invest another $45 in a back up battery so you can get the same job done as the cordless version was able to do.
The previous version has a telescopic feature that enabled you to shorten it from the 10 feet max to around 7 feet. This meant that you were not constantly waving a 10 foot pole around which is very tiring.
The previous version enabled you to "lock" the power on. This enabled you to use both hands to maneuver the trimmer and made it less tiring on your arms and "trigger" finger.
With the extra time it takes because it is under powered, plus the fact that it is always at max 10 feet in length, plus the fact that you have to constantly be holding the trigger "on" it makes it a very, very long and tiring afternoon.
Bottom line, unless you really want a cordless trimmer and you are only going to use it on very light projects, save your money and buy a gas powered trimmer, you'll be glad you did. And again to all those people that keep on saying in their reviews that if this does not do the job you want it to then you are using the "wrong" item. I base my review on the fact that I am using this trimmer on the exact same bushes and hedges as my previous Black and Decker trimmer.
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Summary:
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Good for tall tree, but not for bushes
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Comment:
It is not long enough to trim the top of the hedge when pivoted at 60 degrees.
Comment:
I am in my 70s and fairly fit, have a large garden. This hedger weighs about 8 or 9 pounds not too bad at all. but hangs out about 4-5 feet. I cut hedges of various types, privot, juniper etc. The hedger is long and therefore the weight is out about 4 feet, it helps to latch the switch on freeing up your grip. I generally cut for 30-40 minutes and take a break. The adjustable cutter angle is helpful but at 45 degrees throws off the balance somewhat. I am happy with this hedger, battery life is good, way beyond my 45 minutes of work and charging is no problem. I recommend this hedger if you are able to hold 8 pounds out 4 feet or so physically, otherwise get a norml lenght hedger and use a ladder or taller hedges..
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