(c) 2010 Proudland Landscape, LLC.
It's pruning season in Atlanta, and the equipment you use can make all the difference. Not all pruners are created equal. Some equipment is up for the task, and some is just not. Loppers are the heavy lifters of the pruning business-- those large, two-handled pruners used to cut large and hard to reach branches. They require two-handed operations, and often temp the gardener pruning shrubs, and trees, to cut branches larger than the pruner can handle. Hence, our discussion today about pruner selection.
There are two main components to pay attention to when looking at loppers. The blades, and the handles. In our experience, the handles are the main vulnerability. Given the temptation to cut branches larger than the loppers can handle, you need handles that just won't break. The only material I've found up to the task is steel. When it comes to blades, go with the by-pass style, and simple is better.
This old pair of pruners may be ugly, but it is a proven workhorse
(c) 2010 Proudland Landscape, LLC.
Steel Handles. This grey pair, though ugly in apperance, are beautiful in action. They are more than ten years old, and have cut literally thousands of branches. Unfortunately, I do not recall the brand name. They were purchased at the, now defunct, West Building Materials branch in Lithonia. Those old loppers are still in service.
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The ash handles just could not hold up against an oversized branch.
(c) 2010 Proudland Landscape, LLC.
For a short period of time I was using a pair of ash handle loppers. They encountered one too many tough branches, and one handle gave way. Where it entered the steel sleeve, i.e., at the weak point, the steel held up.
There was also a pair of Corona, fiberglass, extendable loppers (no photo available). The extension capability was extremely convenient, however the fiberglass just didn't hold up. Corona makes outstanding tools, I have several pairs of their smaller hand held pruners and shears in service--the fiberglass just wasn't up for the task.
Slick looking, but all steel construction and simple design make them hold up
(c) 2010 Proudland Landscape, LLC.
Currently, I have a new pair of loppers in service made by Fiskars. These have steel handles, made of oval-shaped tubing. The cutting force is oriented along the long axis of the oval. So far, so good. The blades use an integrated lever to increase the opening size of the jaws, and compound the cutting force. This works well for branches that are close by. But is hard to implement on branches that are a reach away.
Simple, bypass-style blades. Regarding the blades, I personally prefer bypass-type over the anvil style loppers for my heavy cutting. Little is worse than being fully extended, arms over your head, cut a branch, and have it not cut all the way through, and get hung by some bark. Another consideration is are the bolts that hinge and hold the blades together. They should have adjustable hex nuts. Do not buy loppers with riveted, or otherwise unadjustable nuts. Over time your pruners will need adjusting, and unadjustable nuts, are, well, unadjustable.
Bottom Line. All steel construction, simple design, and bypass style blades. Stick to simple, proven mechanisms. Allow the newest innovation a few seasons before you buy--It'll be cheaper, and they'll have the kinks worked out (e.g., fiberglass, extendible handles).
Resources/Related Articles
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Abdurrahim is the lead designer at Proudland Landscape. He can be reached via email at a.jalal@proudlandlandscape.com, or followed on twitter--www.twitter.com/Proudland.
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