Machine pruning requires proper machine selection - The right equipment is half the story

The choice of tool depends mainly on two elements: first, the type of vegetation one wishes to prune; second, the desired pruning pattern.

The hedge trimmer: a neat pruning image

The best pruning appearance is generally obtained with a hedge trimmer. This tool cuts the branches while evenly distributing them between the "fingers" over the entire working width. Thanks to the relatively large working widths available, it is also easier to obtain an even cut. In short: the machine of choice for finer work. A hedge trimmer easily cuts through branches up to three centimeters in diameter. Pruning at least once a year is recommended with this tool.
When pruning, the cut branches fall to the ground in their full length. Cleaning up afterward is therefore required.

The mulch deck: pruning without pruning waste

In places where the trimmings are allowed to remain, a mulching deck is very suitable. Two or more rotors are mounted in the closed housing, to which loose blades are attached. These rotate at high speed and neatly cut the branches. The cut material is shredded and blown back into the hedge by the air movement. The fine material that does fall to the ground next to the hedge can easily be blown under the vegetation with a leaf blower. A mulching deck is also better suited than hedge clippers for young crops. Where hedge shears flatten the young branches, a mulch deck can trim these fine branches neatly, resulting in a tight result. With slightly thicker branches, a mulching deck can cause some frayed tips, where hedge shears leave only nicely trimmed branches. Like the hedge clippers, the mulch deck is suitable for pruning at least once a year. For fast-growing crops, it is appropriate to do this twice a year.

The loppers: pruning thicker branches with precision

Cutting thicker branches with care and minimal pruning wounds can be done with the loppers. This machine is based on the classic hedge trimmer, but is much heavier duty. A slow-moving blade, equipped with a fixed counter blade, literally cuts branches up to ten centimeters in diameter. Given the power required, the blade is driven by a hydraulic cylinder and the cutting motion is relatively slow. A slow travel speed, less than one kilometer per hour, is required to deliver quality work.

The saw unit: cutting thick branches with high efficiency

For branches with a large diameter, in practice from six centimeters and up, a saw unit is used. They come in a wide variety of working widths: from a single saw with one blade, to multiple saw units with working widths of up to almost four meters. Heavy wood edges that must be set back, overhanging branches, highway verges with wood bulkheads that must be pruned: the saw unit is the professional's choice of choice. Working speeds, depending on the machine used, can reach up to ten kilometers per hour. 

The tree trimmer: for the toughest work

A tree trimmer is suitable for cutting shrubs, branches and even entire trees. Depending on the type of wood, logs up to thirty-five inches in diameter can be cut. This work can become quite heavy and taxing for the basic machine: usually a tire or tracked excavator. The better machines are distinguished by two blades moving toward each other. They not only reduce the mechanical load on the excavator arm, it also results in a much smaller cutting wound. The latter is less important when clearing trees, but all the more important in pruning jobs where the health of the tree takes precedence.

A wide range of offerings at Pivabo

Pivabo, the Belgian importer of brands including Herder, Herder-Fermex, Elkaer and Marolin, offers a complete range of professional tools for machine pruning. Pivabo has several standard tools in stock, which can be delivered within 48 hours. If required, each tool can be custom built to fit the available basic machine. Together with the customer, the best solution for each work to be carried out is considered.