product review Hands on
tools, allowing gardeners to do their bit for the environment while taking care of their outdoor space. DIY has been trying out the latest addition to the range. Cobra’s range of hedge cutters is designed specifically for homeowners who prefer lightweight, powerful, easy to use garden power tools and the versatile HT550E model is no exception and it offers some really useful features which belie its very reasonable £59.99 recommend retail price tag.
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The HT550E features a 55cm double sided blade, so it cuts on both the downward and upward stroke, getting the job done faster and reducing the need for the user to move around. The rotating handle helps to tackle the most demanding jobs, and the 20mm tooth spacing will make light work of most domestic hedges and bushes. With a 10-metre cable length and weighing just 3.4kg, this hedge trimmer is practical, manageable and a pleasure to use.
First impressions
There’s no mistaking what’s inside the HT550E’s box, which is shaped to the tool and provides plenty of details about it on the outside. Once you extract the tool from this well decorated packaging, you’re greeted by the tool’s bright red body and the 55cm long silver blades. It’s quite a striking tool with a really modern design that feels good to hold, helped by the soft touch rubber material used on the handle. It’s also well balanced and feature a clear plastic guard that aids visibility in use. Despite being made mainly of plastic, the hedge trimmer feels sturdy and is well finished and the cast metal blade holder adds some extra strength and heft to the machine. It also has some useful design features, including a blade which swivels 90- degrees in either direction and power triggers on each side of the handle to make it easier and more comfortable to use at these different angles.
In use The 600W motor is quite standard for hedge trimmers of this size, but the price of the Cobra is very competitive. In use it feels powerful, yet smooth and the 55cm blades with 20mm tooth spacing perform very well. Our trimmer had no problems cutting through a mix of shrubbery with a variety of thickness and density and was coping just as well after 30 minutes of continuous use, which bodes well for blade sharpness longevity.
This tool is very user-friendly and does a great job of tackling most types of hedging. Also, weighing in at just 3.4kg makes it easy to handle and use for long periods without fatigue and the 10m heavy duty cable allows it to reach across larger areas. We really enjoyed testing out the Cobra HT550E and it performed much better than our existing hedge trimmer and at under £60 it represents very good value for money.
Broad range Cobra also has a number of other hedge trimming options in its range, these include the H5024V cordless hedge trimmer. Weighing just 2.6kg and with ergonomically positioned controls, it gives excellent comfort and manoeuvrability. With a run time of over 50 minutes, this battery powered machine is great for small and medium sized gardens.
For gardeners who need something more heavy duty, the powerful H5540VZ cordless hedge trimmer is a good solution. With its 55cm double sided blade, tooth spacing of 28mm and 40V Li-ion Samsung battery, it will make light work of hedges. With a run time of up to 85 minutes, this tool is great for larger gardens. For gardeners who prefer a traditional petrol-powered tool, the HT62C hedge trimmer features a long 62cm blade and is designed for use on all types of hedges. Powered by Cobra's own robust 22cc two-stroke engine, it incorporates a twist grip handle to help tackle even the most awkward jobs with ease.
Cobra products are available to buy online at
www.cobragarden.co.uk or via a network of expert dealers across the UK.
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www.gardencentreupdate.com GCU Winter 2020
obra has expanded its power tool range with the introduction of a new HT550E 600W electric hedge trimmer. The garden machinery manufacturer is committed to expanding its range of green powered
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