Tools On Test: Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Tools On Test: Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer

At Barnsdale Gardens, the legendary ‘Tools On Test’ team never misses an excuse to put the latest gardening gadgets through their paces, especially if it involves power tools! This time, the folks at Stihl sent head gardener Jon a cordless long-reach hedge trimmer

When it comes to hedge trimmers, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Petrol models let you roam wherever your hedges take you, but they come with extra weight, plenty of noise, and a whiff of exhaust. Corded electric trimmers are lighter and quieter, but you’re forever playing ‘don’t cut the cable’. Battery-powered machines strike a happy balance, giving you cordless freedom without the fumes…just the small trade-off of carrying the battery.

Jon shares his verdict below…on the HLA 140 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer

Out of the box

The trimmer arrives in two main pieces with a few other parts to fit. The shaft and cutting head need connecting to the transmission and tightening with the supplied star key; the loop handle needs attaching with clamps and bolts, and the shoulder strap clips onto a carrying ring on the shaft. Once assembled, it really only needs doing once.

This model is sold without batteries or charger, so these need to be bought separately. I was supplied with an AL 501 hi-speed charger and three 36 V AP System batteries. Charging was impressively quick, with each battery taking under an hour from flat. That makes a real difference on a busy day, especially if you have more than one battery available. The batteries also have LED charge indicators, are IPX4 weather resistant, and can work with the Stihl connected app if needed.

In Use

Stihl HLA 140 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer

The HLA 140 weighs 5.6 kg before the battery, so it feels substantial but still manageable, especially with the shoulder strap taking some of the strain. The cutter head adjusts through 145 degrees in 12 fixed positions, which makes it very useful for taller hedges and awkward angles. The 60 cm laser-cut, double-sided blades are extremely sharp and give a very clean cut.

At Barnsdale we have a mix of hedges, and this trimmer came into its own on taller hedges and shrubs where access is limited. I used it on a mixed native hedge around 8 ft high, and it handled young growth and thicker woody stems without trouble. It felt powerful, smooth and comfortable and much quieter than a petrol machine.

Verdict

This is a top-quality battery long reach hedge trimmer and a real joy to use. It has plenty of power, excellent blade quality, and enough flexibility to make taller hedge work much easier. If you want a serious cordless machine, the Stihl HLA 140 is hard to fault.

Stihl HLA 140 B Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer: £594*

*Price correct from Stihl at time of publishing.

Please note: The tool featured in this review is not sold by Barnsdale Gardens. Our assessment is based solely on practical use and is intended to help gardeners make informed decisions when choosing equipment.

We test a wide range of garden tools and machinery at Barnsdale Gardens to help you choose the right equipment for your garden.

You can read all of the team’s Tools On Test here: https://shop.barnsdalegardens.co.uk/blogs/tools-on-test

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