Has anybody seen the commercials for the lopper thing that black&decker has?
http://www.blackanddecker.com/alligatorlopper/
My moms wanting to do some "light" garden work (O boy, here we go)... First step for her plan is trimming some shrubs next to our driveway. Then whatever else she decides to do.

She's not exactly handy with a shears, would this be better or worse for her?

Anybody know of someone who owns one, or (better yet) accually own it?
Hows it holding up, and does it cut as good as it seams to?
Is it worth the $100, with the 2 year warentee?
tks alot
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

It does appear to be the perfect adjunct to a chain saw. I'd love to have a decent tool for the stuff that's 3/4" to 2" in diameter. Too big for the bypass shears and too small for the chain saw.

Note, however, that B & D isn't exactly known for durable power tools..........YMMV.

Hey Nate, I listened to some a.m. radio announcer talk about this tool on his syndicated gardening show over the weekend and he liked it for oversized lopping without having to go with a chainsaw. I took a look at it on amazon a couple days ago and think it would be a good tool for women who have a lot of lopping to do in excess of 1" dia. You might be best served buying at a store with a good return policy to make sure she likes it. Not a pro gardner quality tool at all, but most people don't need that anyway. I prefer a good chainsaw myself.
Paul
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98 E300

My mom scares me when she tries to mow the yard on the tractor... Theres no way I'm buying her a chainsaw for Mothers day.

I'll see what I can come up with before sunday... Might need to do a little road tripping to get it, but its looking to be a good gift, that she can use
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Unless used very very carefully, I don't see how that thing would keep from popping chains frequently. That said I have never used one.

........well........it's made by B&D........so........you get at least 20 uses out of it before it breaks for the first time.

Well, the other thing is, that most people don't know how to take a round file and sharpen a chain. I bet after about three limbs that chain will be dull, and if it doesn't pop the chain, it will just bind and burn out the clutch on the chain drive. I can't say I would buy one of these things for my wife.

A saws-all does pretty well for that kind of pruning.

The Pro:
It looks to me to be a two hand operation. That’s a good thing when it comes to cutting limbs. Many folks have held the limb with one hand, the saw with the other. Chain bounces and lands on the back of the hand holding the limb. Ouch. (Yep - In my Care-Flight days, I‘d see some pretty pizzzzar chainsaw accidents.)
So - With both hands operating the machine. I guess there’d be little chance of that.

The Con:
With both hands on the machine. Standing on a step stool or ladder might be a trick. With no free hand to hold onto anything with, I can see folks taking a dive off the ladder while trying to reach out to cut that last (I caaaan reeeeach ittt…..) limb. I'm sure it says somewhere not to use without both feet on the ground. But we all know how that's gonna go.....

And being B&D, it may not survive the fall either.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Dont they drop test them? I thought all hand held power tools were dropped from 6 feet, onto concrete... And had to work afterwords

Mabey not so much, but do you think they'd replace it if it breaks after droppage?
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

I have no idea if they drop test them or not. I do know that I have B&D electric hedge trimmers that I would not bet on surviving a 6’ drop to concrete w/o cracking something. Or busting the stationary blade off the housing.

As for their replacement policy. Even if they did, you’d probably have to go through special channels, questionnaires and wait 6 to 8 weeks for their return. Kind of like trying to get Snap-On to replace a wrench.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !