EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer Delivers Performance that Competes with Stihl and Husqvarna
Hedge trimmers aren’t horribly complex and they’re one of the easiest tools to convert from gas to battery power for homeowners. But it’s not so easy to match the kind of performance that Pros expect. We’ve been impressed with EGO’s Pro-targeted lineup, but the gap between homeowner and professional hedge trimmers isn’t an easy one to bridge. We put the EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer to work to see for ourselves if it can make it against leading Pro brands.
Pros
- 25-inch blades
- Performance that compares well against Stihl and Husqvarna
- Competitive pricing
- Uses EGO’s 1568 watt-hour backpack battery as a primary power source
Cons
- Not as feature-rich as Stihl and Husqvarna
EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer Performance
On consumer-level hedge trimmers, 0.75-inch to 1-inch blades are the norm, but Pro models extend beyond that. The EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer’s 25-inch blades can handle branches up to 1.3 inches.
When we look at Pro models from Stihl and Husqvarna, they’re in the 1.2 – 1.5-inch capacity range, putting EGO right on par with them for the branch diameters you can cut.
Blade speed varies widely among professional models. On one side, you top out around 3200 SPM and on the other, you can go as high as 5000 SPM. EGO’s brushless motor settles in at 3600 SPM.
What’s interesting is that as the capacity increases, the stroke rate decreases. Stihl’s higher capacity model runs on the 3200 SPM side and their lower capacity runs up to 5000 SPM. EGO is sitting in between the two in both capacity and speed.
We have no complaints about the cutting speed and power. As usual, the more you stay on top of your hedge trimming, the easier the work for your hedge trimmer. But sometimes you have a new client that’s neglected their hedges and that’s when the 1.3-inch capacity and extra power really come in handy.
Pro Tip: Grease the gearbox every 50 hours to maintain performance and life. EGO recommends a polyurea, NLGI-2, shear stable grease with exceptional pressure and excellent anti-wear properties along with perfect oxidation stability. Check the manual for full details.
EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer Design Features
Blade Design
The EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer has 25-inch dual-action hardened steel blades. “Dual action” simply means that the blades cut in both directions. Putting the blades through a hardening process makes them more durable and helps them hold their edges longer.
The blades are also fully serviceable, so feel free to remove the guard and use a metal file to sharpen them when it feels like they’re getting dull.
Pro Tip: Use an anti-rust oil on the blades after you get done for the day to prevent rusting and maintain the best performance.
Power Source
The EGO HTX6500 does its best professional work with the battery backpack. If you want to use their 56V battery packs, you can snag their battery harness to make them work.
The connection is minimal compared to a full battery replacement adapter like Husqvarna uses. It helps keep the weight in your hands down to a manageable 8.6 pounds.
As long as we’re talking management, there’s also a steel wire cord holder on the back. Just snap the cord in to direct it right or left and keep it heading the direction you want.
Control Design
EGO sticks with a single-speed control using a 3-finger trigger that’s pretty comfortable to use. Some models give you multiple speeds or an Eco mode to help conserve battery power, but it’s not something I really worry about with a power source as large as EGO’s backpack battery.
Standard safety protocols are in place. There’s an on/off switch you need to flip first. We like that EGO uses a mechanical switch here and not an electronic blister button. Those buttons aren’t as easy to use with gloves and they’re more prone to cracking or tearing, especially in colder climates.
There’s also a full safety trigger around the guide handle, ensuring you have two hands on the tool to operate it. Its full-handle design lets you work at different angles without needing a funky grip.
Missing Features
We already hit on this a bit, but here’s what you need to know isn’t on this model:
- Multiple speeds
- Rotating handle
- Trigger lock (not really necessary with the power switch in place)
EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer Price
The EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer runs $399 as a bare tool. That’s a little less than Husqvarna’s 520iHD60 and $110 less than Stihl’s HSA 94 R/T. That’s a great place to be as EGO pushes into the professional market.
The Bottom Line
The EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer fits in really well with Pro models from Stihl and Husqvarna in terms of performance and design. Though its price is competitive, be aware that it lacks multiple speed settings and a rotating handle if those are must-have features for you.
EGO Commercial Hedge Trimmer Specifications
- Model: EGO HTX6500
- Voltage: 56V
- Maximum Cut Diameter: 1.3 in.
- Cut strokes per minute: 3,600
- Shaft Length: 26 in.
- Blade Length: 25.5 in.
- Blade Gap: 1.3 in.
- Start Type: Switch
- Depth: 45.669 in.
- Height: 7.480 in.
- Width: 9.055 in.
- Weight: 8.8 lbs
- Warranty: 2 years (commercial)
- Price: $399
