Tell me about hedgecutters

[Swagger]

I'm thinking of replacing my current hedgecutter (5.2metres reach with a 1.25metre head). Nothing wrong with it except it's cable controlled rather than joystick - and I've just recently heard that current models have parallel movement which would be very nice indeed. What other features do folk find indispensable ? This is just for farm use, not contracting.
A major constraint is my tractor is a MF 4225 - 60HP and weighs in at about 3 tonnes, so I wouldn't want anything bigger/heavier than the current machine.
One feature that I would find useful would be a memory setting to help when hedging round trees etc. - is that a thing ? What else is worth looking for, and what makes are well regarded nowadays ?

 

[davidroberts30]

I'm thinking of replacing my current hedgecutter (5.2metres reach with a 1.25metre head). Nothing wrong with it except it's cable controlled rather than joystick - and I've just recently heard that current models have parallel movement which would be very nice indeed. What other features do folk find indispensable ? This is just for farm use, not contracting.
A major constraint is my tractor is a MF 4225 - 60HP and weighs in at about 3 tonnes, so I wouldn't want anything bigger/heavier than the current machine.
One feature that I would find useful would be a memory setting to help when hedging round trees etc. - is that a thing ? What else is worth looking for, and what makes are well regarded nowadays ?

The only memory feature available is muscle memory from plenty of practice

I wouldn't get too hung up on a parallel arm either with a joystick

 

[goodevans]

You do well with only 60 hp on 5.2 m reach

 

[Dave W]

Spend a bit of money on what you have. Tidy it up. Unless you buy new you'll struggle to find a really well specced machine to suit 60hp

 

[FarmerFrank88]

We went from a cable machine to a joystick this year, both were McConnells and I find the joystick only slightly better to use than the cables and I wouldn't upgrade just for that. We changed ours due to the pump being on it's way out and just generally being worn as our old one had done 18 years. Not sure what make of trimmer you have but ours has a pretty much identical arm to the old one. It's a bit thicker and stronger but its design is the same so the parallel movement is the same. Imo if what you've got works and doesn't give too much trouble I'd stick with it

 

[robs1]

Used cables for years then buttons now joystick, doing lots of trimming wouldn't now consider anything but joystick

 

[Swagger]

You do well with only 60 hp on 5.2 m reach

Yes, I know it's a bit big; makes the tractor rock when at full stretch and feels distinctly uncomfortable when cutting downhill. It's an Italian machine (Agromec), which I don't suppose is as good as Spearhead or McConnel for example. Trouble is, I don't really want a heavier tractor if that means it's physically bigger (though no-one ever said they didn't want more HP !)

 

[yorkie]

40 yrs ago we ran a 18ft on a 4000 and 23ft 674 think they both would be a lot lighter

 

[Chae1]

Where's @john1594 !

 

[Steevo]

Always amazes me how they come up with such high prices for a joystick model.

 

[Fendtbro]

I am running a loader cable joystick with 2x 3rd services for the 3rd arm ram and the slew. Then 2 more buttons on the joystick for head rotate working a solenoid valve. Fairly simple setup and no complex electronics to pack up when your miles from home.

 

[GB1]

Just a quick question I have a McConnel with cable control that needs a bit of tlc to the cables can it be converted to a joy stick or electric controls?
thanks

 

[dusty]

Mcconnel pa 93 switchbox controls got parallel arm and easy to work

 

[Nearly]

Just a quick question I have a McConnel with cable control that needs a bit of tlc to the cables can it be converted to a joy stick or electric controls?
thanks

@Dave W stuck electrics onto my trimmer rather than repair the cables. Great bodge.

 

[Fendtbro]

Just a quick question I have a McConnel with cable control that needs a bit of tlc to the cables can it be converted to a joy stick or electric controls?
thanks

Yes. electric is mega money, joystick is as cheap as chips.

 

[Dave W]

@Dave W stuck electrics onto my trimmer rather than repair the cables. Great bodge.

A what!!!!

 

[Dave W]

It's worth pointing out there's a huge difference between proportional and non proportional electrics.
A second hand non proportional setup could be retro fitted to a cable machine relatively cheaply. But personally I don't think there's much advantage to it.
Proportional electrics or oil over oil is a different ball game entirely

 

[Simon Chiles]

It's worth pointing out there's a huge difference between proportional and non proportional electrics.
A second hand non proportional setup could be retro fitted to a cable machine relatively cheaply. But personally I don't think there's much advantage to it.
Proportional electrics or oil over oil is a different ball game entirely

Personally I think the non proportional electrics are worse than the cables, at least you can feather a cable. The non proportional electrics are either on or off and make hedge cutting difficult. As you say the proportional electrics or oil over oil is a different ball game and well worth the extra cost.

 

[Nearly]

my week of the year spent hedge trimming is much nicer with Dave's electric box than hauling on the cables. If I was doing 7 months rather than 7 days then I'd spend the money.

 

[Classichay]

We’ve an older hedge cutter here as backup we’ve done up in bits through the winter new bushes motors hoses etc still 000’s cheaper than trading it up to an old newer machine. I’d want 80hp to be at 5.2m with a 4ft head! 6m with 1m can get iffy on ridge and furrow at full reach.