DEWALT DCM563PB-GB 18 V XR Hedge Trimmer, Bare Unit, Yellow

Having cut through the cable of my 240 volt Bosch hedge-trimmer for the 3rd time in 2 years, (the lead is now the length of a (small and underfed)) earthworm)… I decided to look at cordless models. I bought Dewalt because I already have a Dewalt cordless screwdriver, a Dewalt cordless impact drill, and 2 x Dewalt cordless normal drills…..which meant that I already had 4 of the required XR 18 volt batteries! (otherwise 50 or so each!) So THAT is why I bought the Dewalt ( “body only”.) Now….to be fair to Dewalt, my 60 yard long by 12 feet high by 12 feet across conifer was always going to be too much for any make of cordless hedge trimmer, but I relied on my constant flow of existing batteries, and putting one back on charge as soon as it died, as if a little production line. This did enable me to work pretty much continously. However two of my batteries were older (1.3. a.h.), which lasted about 15 minutes each. The other two were newer 2 a.h, which gave me approx 30 or so minutes. (for the uninitiatedededed (I know how to spell it; I just dont know when to stop..) “a.h. = amp hours..and the preceding number is how many hours it takes for that battery to drain at 20 watts per hour useage. …yawn….but for non geeks, basically the practical result is that the the higher the number the longer it lasts. Note! A 2.a.h battery does NOT last 2 hours, because the hedge trimmer uses power at a rate in excess of 20 watts per hour. They DO now make a 5 a.h. battery, but as I have a mortgage to pay, and a lethal Red Wine habit, (if you like it powerful and deep try Barossa Ink..or B. ink, its baby brother from the Barossa Velly in Australia. available at Tescos.) Sorry…where was I ?? Aha ! Yes. Back to how to trim your bush… It was great NOT to worry about an electric cable wrapping around my legs when up the ladder, and there was a freedom of movement, and it speeded things up a bit as opposed to ascending and descending with a cabled trimmer, and moving the extension lead reel every time. It is of course not as powerful as a 240 volt, but coped fine with branches about the thickness of my forefinger when it had to. One thing I missed; the old Bosch had the safety cut out section on both the top and side of the handle, allowing you to rotate the trimmer easily for awkward cuts. The Dewalt only has it on the top of the handle, so I did get some nasty tendon pain in my forearm the next day or two. THAT said, the job took me 4 hours. A normal little domestic garden hedge, maybe 15ft long by 3ft high by 18” wide of privet, would probably be easy and GREAT with the Dewalt, and would use only one battery charge. I have a third of an acre to deal with, much of it up ladders, so I am putting a HUGE demand on it. I hope that helps somebody. If only to get a bottle of Barossa Ink, (Tescos approx 10 …or 9 sometimes with club card. Please send donations to…….Steve.