Tips for best trimming results:
Before starting the hedge trimmer, maintain proper footing and balance and do not
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overreach. Wear safety goggles, non-skid footwear, and rubber gloves. Hold the tool with
both hands with the cutting blades directed away from you. Always use the hedge trimmer
properly.
Do not trim too much at once. This can cause the blades to bind and slow, reducing the
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cutting efficiency.
Do not force the hedge trimmer through heavy shrubbery. This can cause the blades to bind
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and slow down. If the blades slow down, reduce the pace of your work.
When trimming new growth, use a wide sweeping action, so that the stems are fed directly
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into the cutting blade. Older growth will have thicker stems and will be trimmed most easily
by using a sawing movement.
Always cut stems or twigs that are less than 3/4 in (19 mm) thick. Use a non-powered hand
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saw or pruning saw to trim large stems.
Top Cutting (Fig . 7)
Use a wide sweeping motion. A slight
downward tilt of the cutting blades in the
direction of motion gives the best cutting
results. If desired, you can use a string to
help guide you as you cut your hedge level.
Decide how high you want the hedge to be.
Then, stretch a piece of string along the hedge
at this height. Trim the hedge just above this
guideline.
Side Cutting (Fig . 8)
When trimming the sides of the hedge, begin at the bottom and cut upwards. Trim the side
of a hedge so that it will be slightly narrower at the top. This shape will expose more of the
hedge, resulting in a more uniform growth.
Fig. 8
Fig. 7
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