Hedge cutting

Agriimark · Oct 28, 2018

The chap who normally does our hedges has left to go to NZ. I fancy giving it ago but after advice please. Start from the ground and work up? How many passes and average speed? Majority of hedges only have a years growth so just a tidy up.

BDBed · Oct 28, 2018

@Kevtherev

davidroberts30 · Oct 28, 2018

Top down

You mulch your cuttings up that way

ProDrive · Oct 28, 2018

Don't try to take too much in one pass, you can't put it back on!!

yellowbelly · Oct 28, 2018

I always take the top off first and then do the sides, starting at the top and working down.
Angle the sides out a bit so it's wider at the bottom - the bottoms of hedges don't grow as much as the tops. Depending on the tractor, you'll want to be in the lowest gears.
If you've not done any before, start in the slowest gear you've got - it'll give you more time to master working 4 levers with your left hand like some demented pianist

ARW · Oct 28, 2018

What tractor are you putting it on?
When you get the hang of it start on the shoulder, then you can see the cutting line on the top of the hedge. Always take the thick off the top first then you can see where to cut and it will make a better job. Also doing the shoulder first, then when you do the bottom you just match it up with the bottom of the cut on the shoulder, this gives a good even cut on the sides, if you start at the bottom you could go to far in and male it look untidy.
A sharp flail is the only way to cut a hedge

BDBed · Oct 28, 2018

ARW said:
What tractor are you putting it on?
When you get the hang of it start on the shoulder, then you can see the cutting line on the top of the hedge. Always take the thick off the top first then you can see where to cut and it will make a better job. Also doing the shoulder first, then when you do the bottom you just match it up with the bottom of the cut on the shoulder, this gives a good even cut on the sides, if you start at the bottom you could go to far in and male it look untidy.
A sharp flail is the only way to cut a hedge

+1 for this

Agriimark · Oct 28, 2018

Spearhead 565 excel on the back of a case mx135. So say i was taking 6 inches off for example in my first pass take 4 inches then second take 2 at a slower speed would i make it look half decent [emoji23]

milkloss · Oct 28, 2018

AgriiMark said:
Spearhead 565 excel on the back of a case mx135. So say i was taking 6 inches off for example in my first pass take 4 inches then second take 2 at a slower speed would i make it look half decent [emoji23]

If you’ve got the time and the patience then yes. You might not have the luxury of another pass if it’s wet though.

Kevtherev · Oct 28, 2018

Go steady practice makes [emoji108]

ProDrive · Oct 28, 2018

Try to cut in the same direction they have always been cut, you'll soon find out which way, "be like stroking a dog the wrong way"!

neilo · Oct 28, 2018

Kevtherev said:
Go steady practice makes [emoji108]

I've been practicing for a couple of years now, still no closer.....

Flat 10 · Oct 28, 2018

AgriiMark said:
Spearhead 565 excel on the back of a case mx135. So say i was taking 6 inches off for example in my first pass take 4 inches then second take 2 at a slower speed would i make it look half decent [emoji23]

Crack on in one go. If its 1 years growth I aim to do it all in 1 pass. 2 years would require a second pass.

ARW · Oct 28, 2018

Flat 10 said:
Crack on in one go. If its 1 years growth I aim to do it all in 1 pass. 2 years would require a second pass.

1 pass is hard work I think, bray the hedge off as fast as you can then finish it off with ease. Only 1 pass on the sides. Depends how strong your hedges are

Flat 10 · Oct 28, 2018

ARW said:
1 pass is hard work I think, bray the hedge off as fast as you can then finish it off with ease. Only 1 pass on the sides. Depends how strong your hedges are

Maybe its false economy but I just want to get done and go home, and I don't think any of my hedges look much worse than others in the vicinity.

Ali_Maxxum · Oct 28, 2018

I always do the side first, that way you aren't over hanging the corner nearest you and unnecessarily over lapping, similar to what ARW said you can see the top line then, rough pass then another to tidy up, possibly a floor pass if there's brambles/lambs.

Single year black thorn hedges I can comfortably cut with one pass by going a gear slower.

I used to do the shoulder first but found it was of no real benefit for in field hedges.. Most of what we do the bottoms are totally eaten out by sheep or horses anyway. All my roadside work I take the shoulder off last to keep it back off the road, plus I don't like square box hedges.

Nearly · Oct 28, 2018

Flat 10 said:
Maybe its false economy but I just want to get done and go home, and I don't think any of my hedges look much worse than others in the vicinity.

Mine do.

Flat 10 · Oct 28, 2018

AgriiMark said:
Spearhead 565 excel on the back of a case mx135. So say i was taking 6 inches off for example in my first pass take 4 inches then second take 2 at a slower speed would i make it look half decent [emoji23]

That’s a decent outfit I would say

Flat 10 · Oct 28, 2018

Nearly said:
Mine do.

Do mine?

Bury the Trash · Oct 28, 2018

Flat 10 said:
View attachment 732604
Do mine?

perfick

Hedge cutting

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