GTM Elephants trunk 2 review

[@1Ribman]

Hey, I just bought one, and all the arguments are true ! A little tip - attach the wire to the shoulder strap when not in use, otherwise you risk getting it in your face when you move around, if the wire is a bit long. / Gunnar

[@roadstar499]

the tension for cable should be adjustable... they dropped the ball there.

[@nzzenith]

petrol have better balance, the battery ones need those harnesses because they are head heavy. although, anything is heavy over a wide hedge on a ladder, so I'll be considering these harnesses.

[@quedecree]

I figure out which battery I'm going to use and then move the handle to balance the machine. I've gotten use to there being more weight up the gearbox end and it doesn't bother me anymore. Was a little off putting at first though. Either way, the harness is definitely one of my better investments.

[@0059pete]

Great video Must get one of those elephant harnesses. I've just gone over to sthil battery hedge cutters this season here in the U.K. And like you find the long reach heavy to handle at full reach after a time and as I'm pushing 60 the harness would be great ,sabe on shoulder and neck pain , keep up the good work 👍

[@MickTattersall]

I bought a budget version of this that would allow you to adjust the weight. It only lasted a year so I bought one of these. I actually found the cheap one to be way more user friendly. It retracted the cable smoother and just made the tools feel weightless. I found these ones felt like the tool was hanging from something (which thay are of course 🙂) and I seemed to be fighting it all the time. Perhaps I just got a bad one and that are usually a bit smoother.

[@quedecree]

Mine certainly slides around on my body a bit and ends up at one side or the other which can be annoying though I've not seen or used any other ones so I don't know how it compares. I cut the hedge in the video two days ago using the harness and there's no way I could do it without it. We were thinking about removing the hedge until we got a quote of $6000 ! Might hang on to it for a little while longer.......

[@devittm]

Hi, I bought one of these of the back of this video but as soon as I attach the HLA85 is it doesn’t hold nor balance and just sinks with weight. To me it would appear that the cable inside the unit is not tight enough. Any ideas. Will return if I have to but a pain having to do so. Thanks

[@quedecree]

The attachment points on the hedge trimmers are never set for the balance point - I've always had to move mine to get the unit to sit level. (I use a prussik loop on the HLA85s) From memory I think my HLA85 will slowly sink - it's a tad heavier than what my spring is on the Elephant's trunk - but it does hold 90% of the weight which saves my neck and shoulders. Conversely, some of the smaller units aren't quite heavy enough and you have to apply just a little downward pressure. The springs on the Elephant's Trunks used to be adjustable (not on mine though) - it would be worth checking this with your dealer. Also, you may be able to increase the 'apparent' spring tension by fixing the ET's attachment point back to the end of the arm with a cable tie, then adding a pulley and clip in between and using that for attaching to the HLA85 - effectively giving you a two to one pulley system which might be worth a try - you'd use twice the amount of cable but I think there's enough to try it.

[@anythinguploads2161]

Have you had a chance to try the easylift harness as well? Wish someone had a side by side video review that tried them both. Thanks for the video.

[@quedecree]

Haven't seen an Easylift in Australia at this stage - I see they're sold here but possibly out of stock atm. It would be a comparison that I would also like to see. Cheers - J.

[@shadowofthegardener]

We have one of the Easylift harnesses. It's a lot more complex in structure than the Elephants trunk 2. The mechanics of it are also more exposed. So is prone to getting caught on branches or twigs etc if you are not 100% aware of the height and reach the arm has. & it has some height & reach without weight on it! If I had the choice of buying one or the other again; I'd go with the Elephants trunk 2 instead. Even though I have yet to use it, the fact most of the hardware and mechanisms for distributing the load is out of the way or around the back, or contained in the metal pole. Would be the game changer second time around. Don't get me wrong, when I have had shoulder or back issues; it's the first thing out of the storage unit if I have prolonged machine use ahead that day. It does save a lot of pain and effort for a full days Hedge cutting, or pruning with long reach kit. Even out at 3m reach and at 5 meters height on the Orchard ladders. (Not that they advise you use them on a ladder; but when the work needs doing you just get on with getting it done.) If you have pulled your back, shoulder or some other bit (& we all have those weeks or months eating the pain to make rent & pay machine running costs!) & you have work to get done; one or the other will help. It will be down to what you want from it. I think the Elephants trunk 2 is a better designed piece of kit and certainly looks more professional than the Easylift, the padding and fitting is certainly more ergonomic and looks far better quality. While the Easylift looks a lot more Heath Robinson. They both look like they take the load and can be operated with minimal learning or breaking in period. The actual harness and set up of the GTM version though; certainly seems to be better. Time I guess to get the GTM version & do as you have asked, a side by side comparisson. Leave it with me. ;)

[@anythinguploads2161]

@@shadowofthegardener thanks for the input!

[@anythinguploads2161]

@@quedecree Thanks!

[@livingplanetandtreedoctors9466]

Thanks so much for your review @@shadowofthegardener . I was just needing to make a decision between the two back harnesses.

[@miguelsanchez8238]

Great video, best one on youtube about the Elephants trunk harness thanks for sharing. Does it help protect your lower back?

[@quedecree]

Cheers Miguel. I hadn't thought about it protecting my lower back, but it does certainly provide support similar to an elastic back support that I have - so I would think it does help protect my back.

[@annaellery5962]

Geez, the number of times I've had migraines started from using my hla86 and the pole chainsaw!!! Heck..I could work longer hours!!

[@quedecree]

Mine's looking a little worse for wear these days but it has been an essential bit of kit for my neck and shoulders. I'm currently using it on these very same shrubs 4 years on. Note that I'm using my own hooking point at the center of balance - the factory installed hook point is too far back for comfortable use.

[@raidop1]

That's what I need for sure.

[@lesliehowson1992]

What make is the ladder ?? I really want one with that safety bit to lean over when cutting hedges

[@quedecree]

It's a Gorilla 4-5-6 adjustable platform step ladder. Bunnings sometimes carry them as does Total Tools in Aus. Best ladder I've ever bought.

[@shadowofthegardener]

@@quedecree Have you tried a Henchman Orchard/Tripod ladder?

[@quedecree]

@@shadowofthegardener I had a very similar one for many years although the legs weren't adjustable. The Henchman does indeed look very good.

[@estesdavis5876]

I'm here in the USA, where can I purchase one of these harness?

[@quedecree]

If you go to the manufacturer's site - gtmprofessional and send them an email, they should be able to tell you who the distributor in your area is. I've also seem them advertised on ebay.

[@wedoitmjrslice]

looks a little silly but man talk about a work saver . nice video m8 hello from the yanks

[@quedecree]

Cheers! Yep, silly and weird. And then there's the operator.......

[@jamescrashley2263]

What have you used to connect the trunk karibiner to the hedge trimmers please? Looks like a clove hitch then another karibiner? Thanks, nice video.

[@quedecree]

Cheers James. Yes, one of the machines has a clove/prussik knot & carabiner attachment. On the other, the carabiner can fit onto the handle. I try and attach closer to the point of balance were possible.

[@cstefmoi6683]

Bonjour. Très beau travail. Pourriez vous s'il vous plait me donner la marque de votre escabeau et aussi si vous le connaissez, le modèle. Merci beaucoup.

[@quedecree]

Thanks! It's: Gorilla PL0406-HD 6-Step 1.2-1.8m Best ladder I ever bought. Cheers!

[@jules2cv]

Very informative video. I also prune a lot, and always look for faster and better ways. But if you use battery tools. Is it perhaps an option to try the backpack battery of stihl? Then it is also a lot lighter. greetings from the Netherlands!

[@quedecree]

Hi Jules. I think the long cordless trimmers actually need the battery in the rear end to act as a counter balance to the extra weight of the motor at the trimmer end - particularly the HLA85. Having said that, I haven't tried the backpack battery - if I see a demo unit in the shop, I'll see if they'll let me use it for a day.

[@keithkalfas634]

No link in description. I wanna buy it

[@quedecree]

GTM Professional are the manufacturers in Germany. Check their site for local distributors in your area.

[@gearjammer3688]

Seems just the thing for those extra wide hedges using my extendable Stihl hedgecutter.

[@quedecree]

Absolutely. Even if it's not that wide, it still saves my shoulders heaps. Ideally, I'd like a fully adjustable tension control but even without that, it's certainly one of the very best investments I've made for my business since '94.

[@777darcy]

Great video , I've just received my gtm harness and was wondering what you use to attach the clip to the machine is it rope wound around with a loop ,

[@justincrouch8233]

@@777darcy I am also wondering about this.

[@Montie1960]

Hi I have just bought one of these - it does take a lot of the strain off especially useful when reaching over on a wide hedge. One problem I found was the harness twisting on my back however I tightened all the straps - I am a slim 6' so had the harness on the top setting. Anyone have any hints to stop it twisting? Thank you :)

[@quedecree]

It does twist around a little - I've gotten used to shoving it back in place as required. Polyester work shirts probably don't help much!

[@paulgoodall_]

How have you attached it to your tools? With rope?

[@quedecree]

It has a stainless steel wire under tension and I"ve put a carabiner on the end. I hook that to my handle on the smaller Stihl and hook it to a loop of cord on the longer Stihl. I try and clip it around the center of balance so the machine will stay level if I let it go. If there is no good attachment point, you can use a loop of cord (prussik knot or larks head knot).

[@jonpage99]

Hello, I know this is quite an old video now, I was wondering if you carried on using this piece of kit, and if you would still recommend it?

[@quedecree]

Yes, while I'm not cutting hedges professionally any more, I still use it on this hedge at home. I would not consider doing any serious hedges without it. I have occasionally broken the wire but so far have always managed to pull a bit more wire out and re-attach the stopper and eye.

[@jonpage99]

@@quedecree Thanks for taking the time to reply. It's very much appreciated.

[@rongraham3491]

@@jonpage99 ppppppppppp

[@jonpage99]

@@rongraham3491 I don't know what to make of this reply... But on OP's recommendation I now have one, and it's a vast improvement on trying to do the job without one. (Thanks again OP if you see this!)

[@kurt.wilkinsongardendesign]

Nice video

[@plantarmais285]

Onde comprar esse equipamento no Brasil?

[@quedecree]

GTMprofessional are - I think - a Dutch company. Send them an email to see what your options are. Best of luck.

[@freeman3320]

Those enormous hedges must require extra fertilizer and the constant care of an expert arborist.

[@quedecree]

Lol, I think they have to make do with no fertilizer and the occasional pruning by an ex apprentice of an expert arborist!!

[@B0bbyJac0b]

Do they sell this in the US?

[@quedecree]

I would be surprised if they didn't. Check out gtmprofessional.com - if they don't list a supplier in the US, they may be able to ship you one.

[@allwoodchippers]

B0bbyJac0b contact midas nursery solutions

[@scottthomson700]

Im going to try one of theses. Nice set of step ladders also. Are they adjustable?

[@quedecree]

Hi Scott. The ladder extends by two feet (one foot increments) on either side. You can get away with some interesting slopes by having one side longer than the other. They also make a 5 - 8ft version. Best ladder I've ever seen.

[@scottthomson700]

It looks like a proper bit of kit. Do you have details of supliers for the ladder? im in Scotland so might not be able to get my hands on one. Also do you think there is enough resitance in the pully on the elephant to be used with petrol pole trimmers with a 1meter extension? and without the extension??? i dont want to just order this and it not to be any good at copping with the weights i use. I cant get a demo. If it could deal with these weights it could save me lots of time and effort as i could get lots of my hedge work from one side rather than having to go at it from both sides. Which means taking down scaffolding moving it and building it again and up down up down. You get the jist :) Many thanks Scott.

[@scottthomson700]

Oky doke. Thanks for the advice and info and taking the time to do the review, best one on YT for this product. All the best Scott.

[@diracflux]

quedecree I’ve been eying these ladders at Bunnings. Not cheap, but this vid has convinced me to get one. Also, more pruning and clearing vids using Stihl stuff please :)

[@jimpickering3099]

Good info but the audio is horrible.

[@patrickhanley9049]

proven equipment for loosing weight. strap a fat person up with a piece of cake dangling and they'll walk for miles

[@tramboithao]

Well said mate. One question ,would that be sponge cake?

[@patrickhanley9049]

@@tramboithao yeah! a massive one with lots of jam and cream

[@romanhlubucek6713]

KDE SE TO DA KOUPIT A CO TO STOJI DIK

[@quedecree]

email: [e-mail] for your local distributors.