Hand Pruners: A better way?

mdvaden

mdvaden

Participating member
Location
Beaverton. Oregon
How many of you use hand pruners?

If yes, would you pay a few hundred dollars for hand pruners if a leap in technology could be made.

I know there are special pruners for vineyards and stuff.

What I had in mind was something that can be comfortably fitted to a landscaper or arborist, whether on the ground or in the tree. And would work with energy from the worker.

I was wondering about the use of a double handed tool, so both hands could squeeze in unison. One hand applying manual pressure, and the other using hydralics.

The idea came to mine from riding a motorcycle and thinking about how a squeeze of the hand can stop the heavy machine.

Pole pruners have been part of this thought process too.
 
you mean sacatuers mario?
i occasionally use them for epicormic on limes and they are hard on the hands specially when you'r eon bigger stuff...ive always applied pressure on the branch in the direction of the cut to releve this and make it easier but thats just a work around, would be nice to have something that does the job better. a friend of mine has a pair of ratcheting pruners....they are ok but not professional quality...i think the same idea should be expanded upon by someone like felco.
and no i wouldnt pay a few hundred dollars beings as i dont use them much but im sure someone like an orchard pruner who did nothing BUT use hand pruners would
 
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Two handed secateurs?.....Mario you have reinvented loppers!

[/ QUOTE ]

That's funny ... LOL

In a way, that may be true.

Where small hydraulic lines replace the handles.

I was thinking of a hand-held piece the was hand-sized.

A hand grip pump and small oil reservoir could be worn like a belt - maybe no bigger than a medium camera case. With a braided hydraulic line going to the hand pruner.


If there ain't no solution, then I'll have to stick with my short handle aluminumn Felco.
 
I use hand pruners often, on some jobs exclusively.
I have 2 pair and beteween the 2 of them, they have produced around 50k (or better) in their lifetime.

I dont know that Id pay more than what a pair of #2 Felcos cost, as they are simply the best you can buy.

Why reinvent the wheel Mario?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I use hand pruners often, on some jobs exclusively.
I have 2 pair and beteween the 2 of them, they have produced around 50k (or better) in their lifetime.

I dont know that Id pay more than what a pair of #2 Felcos cost, as they are simply the best you can buy.

Why reinvent the wheel Mario?

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you like the idea of a chainsaw being invented after manual saws were used?

Someone may have asked someone developing a power saw - easier way - "why reinvent the wheel"

Why was a light used on the computer mouse to replace the rolling ball? That's just one example of people replacing the part that rolls (wheel) with something different.

Why are two panes used in windows rather than one? Makes them more expensive.

It may be that a better handsaw blade is the answer, though. I find that a sharp Silky can cut 1/4" twigs nicely. So lately, that's been my means to save my hands. Lately, I use loppers for pruning only once per month except in winter for fruit trees.

I posted on "gardening" forums about skipping loppers in favor of the 2 tool system, and several gardeners have replied that they ordered Silky Zubats and agreed that the lopper was really not much of a need anymore. They said it took them a little while to get used to not pausing to reach for lopppers.

Sounds like we have a tool similarity. I keep a pair of Felcos too.

Actually, one pair I've had since 1985 and they are "Corona Felco" pruners / secateurs.
 
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In the UK arb show @Cirencester there were hydraulic hand pruners. Sorry, mario.

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Cool.

And powered by the operator like I posted initially, right?

No line going back to a machine on the ground either?
 
Felco 2's for me.

I've used battery powered secateurs for crown lifting thousands of mini Nordman Spruce Xmas trees which were planted too deep(no stem visible).

the powered secateurs were a life saver as regular pruners were useless.

Had to be careful you they didn't chop your finger off as once you press the trigger it has to complete a full cycle of one cut - scary.
 
here is the problem, either you are trying to cut a branch too big for hand pruners, or you are a wimp and need to start doing some excercizes and build up some elbow grease!

keep your pruners sharp, and leave the big stuff to the Silky


Right tool, right job!
 
Now we're talking! Those Felcos look awesome. Cost more than the 880 though haha

'you are a wimp'; don't pull the punches, sir
wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
If yes, would you pay a few hundred dollars for hand pruners if a leap in technology could be made.

[/ QUOTE ]

My answer is no. I would not pay that much for hand pruners.

Do I use them? Absolutely! When it is necessary.
 
Hey Mdvaden, I'm glad to see you're looking for a better way or better tool! I love hand pruners for fine pruning. but there would have to be quite a breakthrough for me to drop my manual power felcos. (I want some that swivel into different angles to make proper cuts & mount them on the end of my crane! Ha!)
 
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