Home > Consumer Reviews > Black & Decker HT018 3.0 AMP 18-Inch Electric Dual Action Hedge Trimmer

I should have bought this a long time ago, instead of suffering with hand clippers all of those years. It definitly does the job, lots of power and low vibration. I have 4 different type shrubs I used it on, plus two 6ft ficus tree's and a 8ft citrus tree. It trimmed all of them with very few problems. Some of the new growth "Green" citrus branches where over 1/2 in. thick, and it went right through them. However you will have a problem cutting though old growth "Brown" branches close to this size. Fortunately for me I had very few large old groth branches to cut. All and all it worked out well for me, and cut my work time by more than half.

However if I had it to do over again, I would consider the B&G Trimmer with the 20in blade. That would give me a bit more reach for the top of my citrus tree, and the extra .08 amp of power would be a nice plus for cutting through the larger old growth branches.

I purchased this trimmer to cut creeping fig that grows up and over my cinder block walls. It has never been trimmed so you can imagine the state it was in. I took the trimmer out of the box and it never got stuck. I'm glad I didn't get the 24", in tight spots it would have been a problem.

For a light-duty, chorded bush trimmer, this is as close to perfection as they come. It does the job well and it gives no headaches.

- Packaging: Ordered from Amazon, my first emotion was one of concern. The trimmer came in its retail box, scotch-taped and looking a little battered. I's an odd-shaped box that follows the trimmer's shape and was afraid that the blade might be broken but, lucky me, all was fine. Packaging could be better.

- Assembly: Not much assembly required. The only thing that needs attaching is the handle. A one minute job.

- Manuals: There's not much you need to know about operation and it's all in the manual which comes with some illustrations of proper bush-trimming techniques. And, if you don't understand English, there's a French version included too.

- Operation: Once a chord (NOT INCLUDED) is attached, you are ready to cut. The trimmer is light enough for me to operate it with one hand for minutes at a time without getting tired - when I do the tops of some of our taller bushes.

- Safety: You need to pull a trigger and to squeeze a lever for the trimmer to operate but I can do both with one hand so I would NOT call this 'child proof'. Must be careful not to cut the power chord and, of course, you must take the customary common-sense precautions when operating a live cutting device.

- Performance: It cut through our bushes like a butter knife cuts through butter. I imagine it would have some difficulties cutting through thicker growth but in our case, where everything we need to cut is rarely over 1/4 inch thick, we had no problems, whatsoever.

To conclude: if you have a long enough power chord and you are not engaged in any heavy-duty trimming activities, this can be your tool. I know it's mine. The only issue, as I mentioned, was the packaging but this is not what I am reviewing here. The trimmer itself deserves the 5 stars and the 5 stars it gets.

P.S. - My wife just managed to cut the chord while trimming. She says that she understands how this works now and it won't happen again.

Great trimmer at a good price. My old one broke B&D 20+ years old. I was NOT looking to buy a trimmer but my wife thinks the old one was a chainsaw. I'm glad she broke it, the new one cuts with dual action at twice the speed. I was a little worried when I got home and saw the bright orange box at the door. It was taped with clear tape and the box was broken right were the blade started. If ordering one of these units have it marked as a gift so as to conseal its contents and maybe better packaging. Mine was not broken and works like a charm. No vibration like the old one, tingling fingers. Wear gloves, glasses and earplugs for safty and an orange cord if you have one, it's easier to see in the greenery. Put your name on it right away, the guy next door will be over in the morning to borrow it. A 4 hour job in a little more than an hour. For a home owner you just have to love this machine.

the handle provides multiple hand positioning while cutting either horizontal or verticle. nicely made and thought out product, much better balance than previous style cutters. lots of power!!!