Chinese Hydraulic Hedge Trimmer Junk or Not

This is a video that analysis the quality of a chinese hydraulic hedge trimmer. Those are on offer on many sites, for very low prices. But are they good enough ?

[@stephendavies923]

An honest and simple review of a product from the country of shortcuts. This video may not have been about cars, engines or building, but it was as always, well presented and entertaining. Thank you Steve.

[@D3Sshooter]

My pleasure and txs for the comments

[@ChileExpatFamily]

You and I are I am guessing about the same age. I remember back in the 1970s when things from Japan were junk! I still remember my dad sitting around the dinner table talking about how the Japanese only make trash. Of course now TOYOTA is a top end vehicle that lasts a long long time. I have had BMWs and the TOYOTA now out lasts BMW easy. (Watch how fast a BMW needs parts, expensive parts after the warranty goes out!) There are exceptions as expected. Eventually the Chinese will learn to make quality but right now they make cheap and poor quality! Love the video it brings back memories since I have spent a lot of my life working on a farm and equipment. Jim in Chile.

[@D3Sshooter]

Hi Jim, yes that is true... things change over time... The iPhone and iPad are also from China and good products. I guess if you pay enough it will be good. But what I hate is the shops sell this junk, as it was a great product

[@ratheskin58]

It is perfectly possible to buy high quality Chinese products - they have the skills. The problem is that so many things are built down to a price, which is often defined by the middle men who are selling the stuff on. I have had many items where corners have been cut on a basically sound machine - the hedge trimmer here appears to be solidly built, but is let down by the control and linkages. I've found that it is often possible to make small improvements that make a big difference to the useability of a tool. For example, bearings can often be easily changed for better items. You could argue that it shouldn't be necessary, but then you have to weigh up the initial cost plus modifications against the sometimes much higher price of the "brand name" equipment. Anyway, some of us like tinkering with these things! Cheers!

[@bigears4426]

The movement device is a fail safe in case of jamming increasing the spring rate would help , your property keeps you busy , it's a lovely area. There is a old saying you get what you pay for , i have lots of cheap stuff . Maybe you can put a mechanical linkage on the hydraulics reachable from the tractor

[@D3Sshooter]

That is indeed the purpose of the mechanism, the alternative is a fixed arm and a pressure (oil) relief valve between the in and out of the oil pump.. So when block the oil valve opens (bypass) and the pump stops.

[@Arthur-ej5gi]

I think you could maybe anchor the cables to the inside of the wheel arch of the tractor. Then adjust it so that when the tractor's mounting point is in its lowest prosition the cables might be correct. Thanks.

[@D3Sshooter]

Yes that is an option but always cumbersome with cables

[@MowBeta]

Hats off to you, sir, for an honest review of a knock-off machine you had to pay your hard-earned money for. To save money, I often look for used vehicles or machines that I can use in my business but have learned the hard way that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose in these kind of deals.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you kindly, and indeed

[@Christopher.C123]

After watching the 'video' and reading through the comments I still recon it's far better than a step ladder and a pair of hand shears . Have a strange feeling there is going to be a modification update in the near future .

[@D3Sshooter]

Hahaha, that is true especially for the 800m long hedge. You might be right about the near future. But first Old Rusty and the DAX motor

[@TheDaf95xf]

Evening Steve. Hope your all keeping safe and well 😀 Nothing better than another fantastic video from you. Your talents amaze me. Thanks for a great video on a Chinese bit of junk lol 😂 We all need to stop buying Chinese manufactured junk as I've had lots of crap from them for my model railway!! Then we start making quality things in Europe 👍🏻 My fried is in engineering quality control and gets lots of great samples then when the production stuff arrives it's absolutely crap.........🙄 Have a nice evening and so looking forward to seeing the new great video cheers Stevie 😎🇬🇧

[@D3Sshooter]

Hi Stevie. indeed I can only agree with you. You are into Model trains ? What scale is that.. I can see you building complete tracks, stations and more. Maybe something for a video ?

[@TheDaf95xf]

D3Sshooter Morning Steve. Thanks for you comments. Ever since I came across your channel I've been inspired on what you achieve with a little patience. It's a great all round channel with something for everyone. Back in the late 70s my friends and I loved messing round with cars especially old MK3 Ford Cortina's with the pinto engine. My model railway is of the British scale of 1.76 which we call 00 gauge. I think in Europe and America you use HO scale? I haven't got the confidence of doing videos like you Steve as you come across as a natural. I did do a small one but I'm very critical of it due to a lack of confidence I think. So I'll just keep watching yours lol 😂 I may do some still shots of my layout soon as I'm on furlough from work I'm spending a lot of time making things for it. Hope you and all of your family are well and keeping safe? Oh and I think our trip too Antwerp will be cancelled in December 🙁 Until the next video cheers as always Stevie 😎🇬🇧

[@DNomer]

Good analysis. On top of your complaints, it is clearly visible in your videos that when you adjust some of the rams, the whole main frame at the bottom tilts quite a bit. Not sure what causes that. My feeling is that the basic mounting on the tractor should be sturdy and not move much.

[@D3Sshooter]

Yes indeed Dennis, that is play on the tractor lift mechanism that i need to reduce

[@namulit]

Wonderful big trees you have on your property...

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@c00kie84]

Please please please can you make a video on changing the hydraulic block? Plus some general info on tractor hydraulics. Thanks in advance!

[@D3Sshooter]

Yep that is coming, but only after I completed the motor of Old Rusty and the DAX. sorry

[@trevorsomerville5359]

Im loving the videos and your farm looks like a great place to live. I have worked on loads of hedge cutters and machines with cable controls over the years they are usually fairly relaible and only need adjust once or twice a year depending on amount of use or replaced if they get damaged. I have never seen cables behave like that before very odd they must be very rubbish quality. Plus you probably know this already but if you go for solenoids and power them up using a system that just switchs them 12volts on or off then you will lose the proportional control like what you get with the cables or a more expensive solenoid setup.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, and indeed but progressive solenoids with a joystick will just work fine.

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Great review Steve thanks for sharing 👍🇦🇺

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrissometimes7473]

While I agree that electrical vales would be better, have you tried clipping the cables in place in the middle of their run? You might have to move then to the other side of the fixed upright or use a bracket - just to reduce the flexing and maybe improve performance. Easy to try ...

[@D3Sshooter]

I have tried all possible combinations, the only way the work a bit is straight up... but then I can't reach lol... en besides that the valves seem to work on -off .. I like proportional controls

[@chrissometimes7473]

@@D3Sshooter Sorry - I didn't mean to move the controls from the tractor - just to secure the long loop in the control cables to the upright just to stabilize them. Actually, you could just cut the cable a lot shorter to get the same effect AND make them easier to operate. Anyway, have fun putting it into decent operating condition and fixing the manufacturer's design and construction issues. I'm sure we will see a video or two sometime.

[@orkidknog4147]

when you had the arms up high you never had the tractor in pump mode that's why it didn't work cant see why you want to keep changing the high of the 3 point linkage

[@sequoyah59]

Good video. Well done. No music, great. Not a lot of jabber, good. To the point but not beat it into the ground, good. These push pull cables are not very well suited to fine control if they are not made well. The pitman arm termination is certainly cheesy.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@capefear3297]

A sickle bar mower. They all can be a pain in the rear. My concern would be availability of replacement knives and guides. SAE or metric?

[@D3Sshooter]

Its metric....

[@rhys6990]

Good video can you change the valve blocks

[@D3Sshooter]

Yes. I can and that is about 350 Euro

[@davidbliss1721]

I bought a 07 30hp Chinese tractor as scrap as it only was used three years repair and was used as a spare parts and left outside for eight years and then I spent three months repairing and mainly modifying so with many properly made parts and as its heavy for the size does what I want, and can see this hedge cutting has some very odd things like that drive to the cutter bar, Why on earth is it made like that? I like the cutter bar types as it leave a much smarter job.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, indeed why did they make it like that

[@nickhill3362]

That 990 Will certainly outlast that cutter for sure

[@D3Sshooter]

Oh , yes.. That DB starts like a champ and rides like new

[@nickhill3362]

@@D3Sshooter I own a old JCB 3cx digger a old JCB 530b telescopic fork lift and a international 785 xl so it always interest me when you work your old machine's 👍

[@TheMaurob1979]

one time i brought a small cinese grinder.. i used it for one hour for remove the rust from my house gate.. and after it start to smoke out and also bad smell.. disposable.. terrible

[@namulit]

There are only Chinese grinders nowadays... ;)

[@D3Sshooter]

yep, often you get what you pay for... same thing here

[@D3Sshooter]

@@namulit , that is true. but they come in different price ranges.

[@TheMaurob1979]

@@D3Sshooter yes.. without a doubt.. in italy we say less you spend more you spend.. becouse need to buy a new one ..that time i needed the grider for one time.. shitty quality really

[@gerin1946]

Beginner construction --- the good product stay's in China --- also the European financial system want's it that way-- buy cheap to make a MAX benefit on retail price..... many things are like this. ( Called CAPITALISM) But Steve is going to solve all the problems and he will have a good machine. Warm regards Steve !!!

[@D3Sshooter]

yes indeed, soon i will fix all this before the season starts

[@gerin1946]

@@D3Sshooter STEVE !!!! this is a very good idea for moving the cable commands of the machine make them hydraulic !!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYabZqt3hcaMfbs !!!

[@artemiasalina1860]

It'd be great if you did some videos on upgrading this trimmer. I'm especially interested in the electronic valve body and controls.

[@D3Sshooter]

Noted! Thanks for the comments

[@mattlaptop5728]

Thank you - Very good advice. I am lucky to have a Marolin M290 with a flail head and a cutter bar. It is very well engineered, works very well and is reliable. I echo your advice: buy a quality tool. It will save you time and money in the long term and be a pleasure to use.

[@D3Sshooter]

Right on, Thanks for the comments

[@ChrisSmith-bw1nt]

Looks like a nice project for modification.

[@D3Sshooter]

Yes, it is...simple to deal with

[@tedwpx123]

Can't wait to see the modified maiden run

[@D3Sshooter]

hahaha, that will come soon if I have some time

[@453421abcdefg12345]

It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money … that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the things it was bought to do.The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot … it cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.” ~ John Ruskin

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, I try to beat the law of business and often it works and often it fails... but its fun

[@irishguy200007]

Show us the remodeling of this machine

[@D3Sshooter]

I will as soon as i get to it

[@capefear3297]

I'd wire tie the control cables in a workable position.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you for the comments, I am moving it to the front of the tractor and we will see what happens then

[@stevewhyte8476]

something tells me when you are done wit it , it will work pretty good!

[@D3Sshooter]

That is the plan. Modify and improve but also warn about it

[@bluesix2843]

Thanks!!..Think you just saved me on something similar! A well presented and factual appraisal of that hunk of junk. (no offence 😉) 👍 Many thanks for sharing with us.

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad it helped!

[@bluesix2843]

D3Sshooter - 👍 although spent the day cutting by hand 🤦‍♂️...knackered!

[@Olieman2012]

Why did you buy this (second hand) piece of junk in the first place?

[@D3Sshooter]

hahaha, because I am cheap.... I git it really cheap and wanted to test it and see how good or bad it was. I will keep the good parts and modify /change the bad parts.

[@Olieman2012]

For 1000€ extra you can have a used good as new Dutch / German quality hedge trimmer.

[@woodand]

do you have a video of the improvements you make to the cutter bearing ? I have one of these trimmers and wouldl ike to make a similar mod.

[@D3Sshooter]

I sold the dam thing and got a proper version

[@bxb590]

I'm happy to find I'm not the only one having to take home and re-engineer what I've bought.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for commenting

[@organicvids]

What electrical valve block did you use?

[@D3Sshooter]

I have not procured it... I am still considering

[@organicvids]

@@D3Sshooter cant you extend hydraulic hoses and move valve block, quick couplers?

[@MrjackieG]

Its apparent the cable system needs to be replaced by strictly hydraulics. Then there will be no issues.

[@williamcollins306]

what year is your tractor?

[@D3Sshooter]

Its a 1970

[@Mackeson3]

Having been to China several times my conclusion is they keep all the quality stuff and then they export all the crap. Export stuff is built to a price not a standard which in the long run is counter intuitive for them.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I think the main problem here is that people buy these chinese clones of machines made in civilized countries and expect them to work out of the box, I don't think I have ever bough a Chinese made tool and had it work properly without virtually re making it, that is OK if you have the machinery and skill to do this, but in most cases it gets sold on, or ends up in the land fill, this is a very poor way of using recourses, I think that now we are aware of chinas attitude towards the civilised world we will be seeing less of this junk over here, this thing looks like it has been made by someone that has never seen or used the real thing, I call them "film set" jobs! Stay safe! Chris B.

[@D3Sshooter]

I agree to that. A friend of mine sells tools. I would say low cost tools and those are all China made. One of the points is that when go goes and visit the factories he can make the choice between I, II or III quality. The tools all look the same but are `cheap, middle or normal priced" you can't see the difference easily. And many tool shops in Europe buy the cheap version. Especially the web shops. They make a fortune with it , while the customer is F.... Unless he/she can modify the tool.. sometimes that works. So the real issue IMO are our sale shops that buy those low cost tools despite the fact that the same tool is available in China with better quality

[@sonyhk3824]

Enjoyable video. Thanks

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@billjenkins2174]

Fascinating. Nice day outside though.

[@D3Sshooter]

Yes, thanks. It was a real nice day

[@johnoberst1045]

That'll cause a bustle in your hedge row...

[@superduty4556]

Ha, nice

[@deopersad2915]

Yeah a lot of tools still need fixing after you get them to make them work, that's what I have found 😞

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed

[@WesW3187]

Deo Persad Most of the tools are still made in China.

[@RAT.MAN.]

Is it still working

[@D3Sshooter]

I sold it after two weeks as it was nothing then trouble

[@RAT.MAN.]

@@D3Sshooter Wise move

[@davros517]

Fancy putting a hedge cutter on the back of an Aston Martin.....naughty!

[@D3Sshooter]

That would be something. Was the David Brown not designed by Aston Martin ?

[@davros517]

@@D3Sshooter Other way round, I think AM was developed by David Brown.

[@geeper2142]

You get what you pay for........Support free Nations , or take crap!!!!!!

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed

[@mgc9144]

Brilliant tku

[@scattkiwiman]

Chinese products are way too expensive, I prefer North Korean products, much cheaper :-)

[@D3Sshooter]

and last longer ?

[@danielsweeney6742]

Lol now it work just fine on a Chinese tractor. : )

[@D3Sshooter]

haha, that is what is wrong I should use a Chinese Tractor.... Dammed , I used a good old David Brown...

[@haraldblotand5460]

Heard a story of the first Chinese tractors made (or it may have been North Korean). It had four backward gears and one forward.

[@iamrichrocker]

it's not crazy.it is cheap...

[@D3Sshooter]

Yep

[@danhealey8668]

will do my best NOT to support the C.C.P no way..........

[@D3Sshooter]

hahaha

[@happyface7342]

Why purchase if you know it's rubbish 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@D3Sshooter]

Well because I got it really cheap and I will keep the good parts and replace the bad parts or modify it... I just wanted to warn the viewers be aware of cheap trimmers like this one...

[@jamewakk]

In essence, dont buy Chinese.

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed, I would say , don't buy cheap Chinese stuff. If you see something for half of the price then something is wrong

[@Hydrocarbonman147]

Yep, It looks like cheap Chinese sh*t to me, If anyone can recommend a good make scissor cutter for a 30hp tractor, i'm interested to know? cheers