I did a lot of cedar hedge shearing today. Then when it was time to pack up and go home, I remembered one critical step. Blade spraying. You can use WD40 for this but proper hedge trimmer blade cleaner from Stihl is best.
Basic hedge trimmer checks
You can perform some basic checks in the field.
- blade sharpness, this is critical for good looking hedges so don’t forget to sharpen your blades regularly
- spark plug, replace when old so everything fires well
- fuel filter, check it visually when you gas up, if it’s very black it’s time to change it
- air filter should be clean, check it periodically
- all nuts and bolts are in place, nothing is missing?
- make sure your gas and oil mixture is correct
- are your shears covered from rain and not stuck in dirt?
- check gear case grease by popping the black rubber stopper on the gear case
The key step
Blade spraying after use is the best thing you can do for your hedge trimmer. It’s one of your hardest working machines in winter. We used it today to shear Spirea japonica into low mounds. This is done so that when the plant pushes out new growth it won’t grow out of control.
I don’t like to spray my blades just before use because the cleaner rubs off on my plants.
Stihl hedge trimmer cleaner advantages
The Stihl hedge trimmer cleaner is a great product. It’s an effective solvent for cleaning the blades; for removing resin, providing superior cutting performance and extending the life expectancy of the blades and the engine.
It also contains a lubricant which keeps the blades lubricated and also acts as a light rust inhibitor.
Review
Your hedge trimmers work hard so take care of them. When there is a big problem visit your trusted Stihl dealer. But there are several checks you can quickly perform in the field. See the list above.
Also don’t forget to cover your blades when your trimmers aren’t in use on rainy days. Spray the blades and put the unit away.
