In our hedge-cutting special, Alistair Chambers got to spend some time trimming the motorway verges with a striking pair of orange tractors fitted with high specification McConnel hedge cutters. This is not a job for the faint-hearted, but is essential to the maintenance of the motorway network.

Peter Thomas Keaveney went to visit a midlands contractor who runs a pair of Spearhead machines, as well as running the JF Centre.

Michael Collins went on the hunt for value hedge cutters and found three good value machines in dealer’s yards around the country.

Barry Cassidy looked into the insurance issues that surround working with hedge cutters on a roadway and general safety when using these very useful but dangerous machines.

In the news section, Mzuri has entered the market with some novel ideas and Blaney has upgraded its offering with new technology and a smaller finger bar-type machine.