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New Loppers needed

Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
in Tools and techniques
Can anybody recommend which brand does the best loppers, preferably telescopic ones please? I need some new ones before tackling a really tough overgrown hedge (berberis).
I'm now under 5ft, with very small hands and a dodgy right shoulder so can't cope with anything too heavy.
North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think the important thing is to go somewhere where you can pick them up and see how they feel.  I have very small hands too and I find that the grips/handles on tools are often too thick for comfort.  Having said that I think it's less critical for loppers which I don't use for hours at a time than it is for secateurs or spades and forks.
    My telescopic loppers are very elderly and unbranded, so I can't help you with a specific recommendation.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited January 2019
    Do you want telescopic over a geared pair?
    Geared or ratchet would be less strain and easier on your shoulder?
    My geared ones are easy to use no strain to push shut, little effort, but you do need to open them a bit wider for fatter branches.

    I find telescopic harder to use, not bought many pairs, but some shears I have are not as well balanced when extended. And the handles end up further apart the longer you have them, so would it strain your particular shoulder injury more?

    I prefer a step  or short ladder to make up the reach. Though that is maybe a personal preference.

    My Wilkinson sword ones (geared bypass) have lasted years, and taken a bit of abuse too. They feel light to me but as Jennyj said trying them.
    The specification gives length, weight etc.

    https://wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk/products/ranges/cutting-range/loppers/general-purpose-geared-bypass-loppers

    This is the ratchet ones which are slightly heavier.
    https://wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk/products/ranges/cutting-range/loppers/ratchet-loppers

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks Jenny and Ruby, that's useful advice. I can't use a stepladder because of sloping ground hence the need for extending ones. Might just have to persuade OH to do the heavy bits!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    The Wolf Garten range of click & swap tools might be your answer. I use some of them & find the telescopic pole pruner very useful. The pulley operated pruner top will cut through some quite big branches, & there is a pruning saw that goes on it as well. On full extension the leverage effect makes it quite heavy. To counteract this I use a cheap tool pouch belt, and put the base in that this gives you added support & you don't have to grip the pole so hard. You can manoeuvre with one hand and operate the pulley with the other. Hope that makes sense!
    AB Still learning

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    edited January 2019
    Thanks Allotment Boy, we do have a telescopic tree pruner which as you say is invaluable and we use it mainly for pruning the fruit trees. I'm finding though that my shoulder won't cope with that kind of hard pulling down movement any more, which is very frustrating. OH to the rescue methinks with the small chainsaw! 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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