The chance for me to work a hedgecutter for the first time arose this autumn. It was too good of an opportunity to turn down. I have been driving tractors and harvesters all my life, but never a hedgecutter.

The very first piece of advice for anyone taking on this job is to start in fields out of view from everyone. It takes time to get used to how far the arm travels in and out.

The position of the flail head against the hedge is tricky to get right at the start. Another aspect is the ground underneath. If there are tyre tracks or soft ground then the hedgecutter will also dip down, especially when the arm is at full reach.

My brief time operating the hedgecutter taught me that it’s important that the seat and controls are set up to suit your own driving style. If you are more comfortable at the controls, the likelihood is that you will work longer hours and get more done.

I did not have enough back support in the seat as I had to reach for the controls slightly. This could be altered very easily on your own tractor.

Just after starting, I encountered a rain shower that caused all the debris to stick on the glass. A side wiper would have allowed me to continue, but that is not too common unless retrofitted. The glass had to be wiped clean. Against the sunlight, it was nearly impossible to see out with the sap from the leaves.

Hedgecutting is not a quick job. I thought one run along a hedge would have a significant impact on the foliage and briars. It did, but nowhere near a finished hedge.

The trick I learned is that slow and steady wins the race. A slow forward speed with a number of passes cutting a little more off the ditch each time is the best way to achieve satisfying results. I did try tackling the hedges in a faster gear, but it only led to more time tidying up.

With experience and a hedge that is cut every year, the process could have been speeded up a lot. I travelled at 2km/h for most of the operation. In light foliage I could have travelled considerably faster.

Bomford Hawk

The machine used on the day was a Bomford Hawk. It has a higher specification than an entry level machine and is targeted at small contractors and farmers. The machine was nicely put together, with a professional finish to all cables, pipes and hoses giving it a look of quality. An integrated LED light in the frame was also a nice touch.

The Bomford Hawk used was fitted with a low-pressure hydraulic system and joystick controls. I would recommend taking the time to manoeuvre the machine in the open field before getting close to the hedge. The control of the arm, head and the power slew was easily achieved by one hand on the joystick at all times. If you are used to working a loader with a joystick, the transition to working a hedgecutter with these controls is not a massive leap.

The hydraulic break back gave confidence that the machine had adequate protection against tree stumps and other obstacles encountered. This is especially important when the arm is at full extension, and not running close to the tractor, as there is a greater twisting force at the base of the machine.

The movement of the arm with the joystick allows potential hazards to be avoided easily.

This machine also had a reverse drive in the motor, which was operated by a single lever beside the joystick. This allowed for heavier tree branches not to be mulched, taking pressure off the machine. The normal direction of the motor allows for finer mulching in the head.

The belt drive of the head, according to Martin Owens from IAM, reduces the shock loads to the motor. This gives greater protection to the motor from potential damage.

The reach on the machine at 5.4m was enough for me. I did not have drains or banks to cross over. I can see that certain factors like cutting on a lower road or lane from the hedge could cause the need for extra reach. The longer reach may allow the tractor to travel on better ground avoiding field ruts and especially watercourses off the road.

I operated the machine for about five to six hours, and noticed I was improving slowly, but not quite to a contractor standard. The job is time-consuming and cannot be rushed. Hedges with good foliage are easier to cut than hedges overrun with weeds.

Safety has to be considered, especially when operating on the road. If considering buying a machine, take time to make the right decision. This should be based on the size of the tractor available, the amount and size of hedges to be cut and the time that can be allocated to the job. Consider the option of using a contractor.