Unlike the FatMax loppers, these are telescopic; the handles extend from 46cm up to 72cm for reaching higher up branches. Loppers Buyers Guide

Geared loppers use a series of gears that give you more leverage when you cut. This often leads to much smoother and cleaner cuts but can make the lopper heavier due to the additional parts. It also has a tendency to fail because of the increased number of parts involved in the cutting process. The telescoping handles can be adjusted between 26 and 40 inches in length, making this one of the most versatile loppers on the market. When fully extended, you should be able to reach high branches and tall shrubs without having to strain yourself. However, these loppers weigh in at over 4 pounds, so you likely can experience some arm fatigue over time. The manufacturer says hand fatigue is reduced by the product’s non-slip rubber grips. It’s also very important to consider the weight of the lopper. We’ve alluded to this a few times in this article, but we’re going to dedicate an entire section to it. Most lopper blades are made from steel for the durability they provide. It’s also a lot easier to work with when sharpening the blade. The best-quality blades are typically made from hardened or carbon steel. This makes them last much longer than typical steel and are less likely to bend, scratch or generally become damaged with general use. These are the most common materials that blades are made from and anything less usually means that it won’t last a long time or might not offer a clean cut. It might also be harder to maintain and sharpening the blade could result in more damage than actually sharpening the blade.

Replacement Anvil Blade for Felco Loppers 210

There are two different types of loppers; bypass loppers and anvil loppers. Bypass loppers are the most common type of loppers, featuring two blades that slide past each other much like a pair of scissors. They usually offer the cleanest cut due to the cutting mechanism, but they can occasionally get jammed when you’re trimming dead and dry branches. Alternatively, there are loppers that offer telescoping handles. These allow you to manually adjust the length of the handle, meaning that you can get more reach if desired. This offers a great level of customisation, but it does also affect the overall quality of the handle and the lopper as a whole. Grip Styles On the other hand, a long handle means that you have a lot more leverage and can reach branches that are further away. They tend to be a little more difficult to work with because of the extra weight, but if you’re comfortable handling it, it can actually be a very good option. Choose a lopper with long enough handles to reach the branches you need to prune. Make sure the blade is wide enough to cut through the size branch you need to remove. Most loppers cut between 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, and some are extendable, which allows you to set the tool at just the length you need.

Unless you’re cutting a branch far away, make sure your arms are at a comfortable handle and tightly grip each handle. If you extend your arms, you’ll get tired very easily. When using bypass loppers, don’t let them twist as they will naturally want to due to the cutting motion. How do I maintain my loppers? loppers come with basic plastic or silicon grips, while others offer an ergonomic shape that is designed to fit your hand. Some also offer impact-dampening qualities to reduce the strain on your hands when you cut a branch. If possible, try out the lopper you plan to buy to see if the grip is comfortable enough for you. For a lighter lopper, you’re typically going to get slightly worse build quality but it’s going to be easier to handle. You won’t strain your arms using it and they won’t feel uncomfortable after a while. These lightweight loppers are often made from aluminium or fibreglass, but the blades are still made from a heavy-duty material such as steel. Line up the blade with the cutting area and remember that the blades pass each other, meaning that the cutting area shifts a little For heavier loppers, you can expect them to tire out your arms if you’re not used to using them for a long period of time. Keep in mind that length can also affect the weight of a lopper since it’s adding more material to the lopper itself. Maintenance and Support

Replacement Felco Cutting Blade for Felco 100

Make sure they’re cleaned on a regular basis to remove any residue and dirt. Scrub them with a brush if there is dirt caked onto the blades. You can also sharpen the blades if they are getting dull by using a whetstone, but be careful not to shave off too much of the blade unless you have a mechanism to tighten the blades. After a gardening session, make sure you clean the blades. Related Posts There are three main types of loppers; geared loppers, ratcheting loppers and compound action loppers. Pruning trees and other woody plants can be labor intensive, so be sure to choose the lopper tool that feels most comfortable—and learn how to use your lopper properly. Tree loppers constructed with lightweight materials lower the stress on your arms and hands. Cushioned grips help reduce the pressure and wear and tear on your hands and wrists. Ratcheting loppers that cut in smaller increments work best for people with diminished strength in their hands. A carbon steel blade should stay strong enough to do the job, and the option of replacing blades comes in handy if you use the pruners a lot.

So what exactly should you be looking for when it comes to loppers? In this section, we’ll be looking at a couple of differentiating factors and how they can come to affect your purchasing decision and experience with a lopper. The Cutting Blades At just under 4 pounds, these loppers are on the heavier side, which means you may experience some fatigue when working overhead.