New hedge trimmer

[James]

Run mcconnel here and can't see me changing tbh. Don't like the look of bomfords and spearhead dealer never bothered to come out. Yes its had a few issues but all sorted now overall very happy

 

[Lofty1984]

We had a new 6565t McConnell start of the season so far it's been a joy to use only issue I have is the control box xtc (the old type) is uncomfortable for someone with longer arms the foam part is too short so my elbow is off the end which makes my arm ache luckily we are ment to be having the new xtc style control when they sort their stock issues out, other than that it's a fantastic trimmer on F14 flails. Boss priced a bomford exactly the same spec and it was was way over priced may of been the dealer mind. I have heard of one bomford locally again same spec as ours that the main jib has a big twist in it thought to have been caused because of the telescopic being used and there not being enough metal in the arm for the weight having not seen the newer bomfords in the flesh I can't say if that's true or not

 

[spikeislander]

I agree with previous posts I run a shelbourne hd60t and really pleased with it but do agree with the post about the head. Neighbours seem to be able to take bigger growth easier although I don't have hammer flails. It's very easy to use and a compact machine when folded in but has an awesome reach when needed. I think I will look at putting McConnell's flails on now I have read this thread. But that aside I think I still will buy another

 

[General-Lee]

What problems are there with XTC box? My 2011 one has been faultless touch wood

+1 but ours is only just over 2 years old.

 

[rob1]

My XTC box has been faultless in the nine years I have had it but it is jumpy and will go for proportional in the next one, saw a shellborne at a dealer day and like the look of it but I do have a lot of big hedges to do for others so having a rethink now

 

[sleepy]

My XTC box has been faultless in the nine years I have had it but it is jumpy and will go for proportional in the next one, saw a shellborne at a dealer day and like the look of it but I do have a lot of big hedges to do for others so having a rethink now

XTC boxes are all proportional, your must be bang bang controls.

 

[Toby765]

Choice between McConnell 5565 with 1.6mtr head or Shelbourne 760t 6 metre tele (4.8 metre closed) with 5ft head. Currently running PA55 xtc so new McConnell wouldn't be to different.
Any one running a Shelbourne with 5ft head? Or similar? How have they been?
I like the way Shelbourne is mounted to the Tractor a little more rigid but is this better?

We run both Sherbourne linkage mounted and a mcconnel bracket mounted. Bracket mounted much more stable and easier to drop on and off. But Sherbourne with vfr 5 foot head hydraulic roller etc very nice machine to use.

 

[Lofty1984]

XTC boxes are all proportional, your must be bang bang controls.

What issues did you have with your controls

 

[sleepy]

What issues did you have with your controls

It would randomly go slowly in certain directions, the most annoying was when the head tilt went slow as it went really slow.

A new box cured it immediately, apparently lots of boxes have been replaced.

 

[colhonk]

I like my Twose

 

[jonny]

What problems are there with XTC box? My 2011 one has been faultless touch wood

Reach got very slow on mine and had to be reprogrammed the biggest problem I had with the xtc box was the mounting bracket the adjusters collapsed so I made a new bracket

 

[kill]

I agree with previous posts I run a shelbourne hd60t and really pleased with it but do agree with the post about the head. Neighbours seem to be able to take bigger growth easier although I don't have hammer flails. It's very easy to use and a compact machine when folded in but has an awesome reach when needed. I think I will look at putting McConnell's flails on now I have read this thread. But that aside I think I still will buy another

How tight will it work in narrow lane's? Really like the idea of the compact size when working in tighter spots as used a long reach none telescopic machine last week and on the second cut up a hedge I'd have to be as aware of the end of the dipper arm poking it's nose across the road at lorry's, buses, car's and any object it could damage as where the head is cutting and the wheels are pointing. To much to do at my age

 

[Ducati899]

How tight will it work in narrow lane's? Really like the idea of the compact size when working in tighter spots as used a long reach none telescopic machine last week and on the second cut up a hedge I'd have to be as aware of the end of the dipper arm poking it's nose across the road at lorry's, buses, car's and any object it could damage as where the head is cutting and the wheels are pointing. To much to do at my age

I found that problem when I used a PA60 compared to my 6570T,dipper arm stuck out was a pain

 

[gjm]

We changed to a new McConnell at the beginning of last season, 6570T with Revolution controls, imo I think it's far superior to our old spearhead, got the best head on it from any Hedgecutter I've used before, and the revolution controls really are the dugs nuts. Not to take anything away from the spearhead, it served us well over the years, and didn't give any great problems, I just find the McConnell leaves a better finish, really pleased with it so far.

 

[rob1]

XTC boxes are all proportional, your must be bang bang controls.

Yes the normal button ones thought that was called xtc, after having cables for years when you could feel the movement I dont like the bang bang ones

 

[Vernon]

Have xtc on our pa65t. I really like it and the ability to operate all the functions at once. It's a 2009 machine and did need a new joystick last season. Good trimmer though. Only ever used McConnell so can't comment on others.

Vernon

 

[rob1]

Have xtc on our pa65t. I really like it and the ability to operate all the functions at once. It's a 2009 machine and did need a new joystick last season. Good trimmer though. Only ever used McConnell so can't comment on others.

Vernon

Hi Pete how are the new flails going some have said they tend to break more, will need a new set for next year as have sharpened mine right down now

 

[Vernon]

Hi Pete how are the new flails going some have said they tend to break more, will need a new set for next year as have sharpened mine right down now

I think they're good. They've done around 650 hours so far, will need turning half way through next season so wear about the same as the f10's. We've broken one this season, to be fair would normally break one or two f10's as well. Good on grass as it doesn't wrap around them so keep cutting faster. Also a bit quicker on the hedges, got a lot of tops to a good standard with one pass in the autumn when catching up from the lost month.

 

[paul&mandy]

Im on my 2nd shelbourne now, 1st was a hd60t and 2nd a hd760t. tbh they just dont put them together as well, im sure it wasnt pdi'd as hardly anything was tightened up.The head roller is a terrible design mine is all worn out again, lucky if i can get through a season without doing something to the head. pivot between 1st and 2nd arm im pretty sure the bush has just broken up, having trouble with the slew too fast or too slow, slew bushes very worn. Machine is 2 seasons with just over 3k hrs.
I like the look of the new 800 series looks more of a contractors machine if you do any serious hrs id go for that not the 700. I would swap this year but fear I would get robbed of mine so its getting sorted then doing another season

 

[Kevtherev]

It would randomly go slowly in certain directions, the most annoying was when the head tilt went slow as it went really slow.

A new box cured it immediately, apparently lots of boxes have been replaced.

It's caused by the box becoming hot and a cooling fan can be retrofitted