Makita EN4950H Petrol Hedge Trimmer Review - 4 Stroke vs 2 Stroke

I'm reviewing the Makita EN4950H long pole 4 stroke petrol hedge trimmer.
Generally the written product reviews I have seen are very good, however a couple mention issues with the trimming blades not working well. This didn't put me off however since there were plenty more good reviews than bad.
I noticed the assembly instructions miss an important point which may save you some troubles, so I decided to make this review.
I hope you find it useful....

[@julianhull9110]

I borrowed a Stihl recently and found it awkward to use; to set the variable position cutter to cut away from you at 90 degrees you needed to rotated the whole machine. I bought this Makita because it is much easier to set the cutter positions without needing to hold the machine differently. I found a few negative reviews but I think some may be due to miss-assembly. It's easy to get it wrong - causing loss of drive. The instructions are clear, in that the shafts must slide together, overlapping by 237mm. (I put a pencil mark to check the shafts had overlapped enough). But it is much easier to remove screw (2), rather than just loosen it, so you can see the holes in the shafts are lined up before re-inserting screw (2). If you dont remove the screw but don't loosen it enough the shafts won't slide together enough - but you may not notice this unless you've marked the shaft. I believe this is the cause of drive problems flagged in some negative reviews. I put grease in the grease in the gearbox and and filled the sump with oil as it was empty for transportation. I have Stihl, Husquvarna, DeWalt and Makita tools. The Makita tools happen to all be made in China - but they have proved to be as good as the other tools.

[@naui_diver9290]

Theres no problem with attaching the cutting head to power head. Loosen the two screws like the instructions say and its NO PROBLEM. EXCELLENT TOOL.

[@thegenderfaerie]

Would you say the Makita would be good for a gardening business ?

[@bellefs]

how do you store the makita? the manual is a bit confusing, not sure why i cant fold it and leave it laying on the floor.. also it says to emply the tank and lines after use, which seems like horrible practice imo. components will dry out..

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Hi, I actually fold the blade over and store it horizontally on the garage floor or hooked up horizontally on the wall out of the way over winter. I don’t specifically drain the tank for longer term storage, but it often ends up that I run it out of fuel on the last cut of the year. I’ve had it a few years now and no issues, still starts really well. Not sure if that is best practice, but it been fine for me.

[@CuttaSquad]

dope. I got the Makita. its nice

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Sweet... Good choice!

[@albe013]

I have this wnd the LH2650 split shaft with the hedge cutter head and extension bar both are great pieces of machinery what I have done is replace the 2 grease bolts with grease nipples so its easier to keep the heads greased up should make them last alot longer

[@joshuabush2569]

How are you finding it? I'm thinking of purchasing the same... What's the weight turn vibration like? Cheers.

[@albe013]

@@joshuabush2569 it takes a little bit of time to get used to the weight of it and the vibration is dampened enough but also it is quieter than a 2-stroke engine no smoke no mixing only using straight petrol I will confess I like Makita equipment

[@joshuabush2569]

@@albe013 thanks for the reply! I'm a Husky fan myself but like the Idea of the 4 stroke Makita. I actually invested in Ego battery stuff a year ago and was happy at first but have had a lot of battery and charger failures which has annoyed me.

[@albe013]

@@joshuabush2569 I have alot of Ryobi 18v + tools this includes a blower mhedgetrimmer,loppers and secateurs and find them great up to press the Makita stuff I have is 7 chainsaws ,brushcutter ,large strimmer ,3 petrol combi systems ,small and large pole hedge cutters ,hand held blower ,small and large back pack blowers ,telescopic chainsaw and petrol cut off saw so quite abit if stuff

[@benjaminroys6613]

The 2 stroke wanted to go for a walk on the crank over! The 4 stroke stayed still on the crank over!

[@heavymetalcleaner2597]

Hey mate, cracking review thanks! I'm in the market for a petrol pole trimmer, tempted by the Makita. Just wondering, do you have any other sorta recommendation at all? I've got 50-60m of 8-10ft conifers that need trimming once (probably twice but I'm lazy) each year, both sides. I've just broken my wolf creek 500w pole trimmer and am looking to upgrade with a budget of about £350. Thanks!

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Hi Mate, thanks and glad you liked the review. I've not tested too many, the cheapest I've seen the Makita for is around £385 on eBay, though I have no idea what the seller is like. One of my neighbors has a Webb long reach pole trimmer (UK make) which they are pretty happy with and sub £200. They probably have half the length of hedge than you do though, I think I'd only do that once a yer too! :) Good luck

[@aku1031]

the vibration of the 2 stroke hurts me the most after ~1hr of grass cutting..😅

[@joshuabush2569]

Hi, good review! Can I ask if you still have the machine and if you've had any issues? Cheers.

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Hi, thanks for the nice comment. Yes I still have it, only used it to trim the hedges about three weeks ago and all working well, though It doesn’t get a lot of use, three or four times a year to keep the hedges from getting to wide, so I”d expect it to be in excellent working order still. It starts first or second pull even after long periods without use, no issues with it at all, so far very pleased.

[@MICHAEL-wg2lh]

MM4 Makita OPE is 👌

[@tbm583]

Good review! Thx.

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Glad it was helpful!

[@p098098098]

Great review , thanks. I can't decide between this or 18vx2 dux60 which is more expensive but you can change attachments 🤔

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Thanks! I had a look at the multi attachment option too, it was very tempting to have the pole saw accessory for thicker branches. I decided to stick with the petrol hedge trimmer option because I found a really good deal on the price. If you go for the dux60 I’d be interested to know how you get on with it. Good luck!

[@naui_diver9290]

You can change attachments on this one too. 7 different ones I believe.

[@aamikkalinin6385]

4 stroke is more reliable than 2 stroke I think

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Thanks, good to know on the reliability. I’ve not had the 4stroke that long to make a proper comment, but it’s been working flawlessly so far.

[@danielbigtiger]

4 stroke is quieter

[@triple6758]

Does the unit have to be held upright or is horizontal running ok?

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Horizontal running is fine too.

[@triple6758]

@@randomdadstuff1777 Took a bit of looking but finally found where Makita admitted that it is 'run any direction'. Thanks for reply!

[@not4roaduse]

Why did you buy this one over the makita en4951sh?

[@randomdadstuff1777]

It had a longer reach and we have quite tall hedges, I was hoping it would be long enough to trim them without needed a ladder.

[@terryberry9452]

hi , thankyou , very helpfull 👊🙏

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Glad it was helpful! 👍🏻

[@wingmasterjimmy6724]

Absolute JUNK.Mine has lasted 3hrs before the gearbox drive failed !!!!Returned to Fastix in Bristol today a huge disappointment !!!Made in China!!!

[@MICHAEL-wg2lh]

I bought the Makita mm4 split shaft a few months ago , tbh it's been great 99 percent of the time but like you say it's made in china as mine says on the back , I've had the odd strange thing happen like not shutting off when I hit the shut off and not idling at all now and then , but it is intermittent , but yes I have a sneaky feeling it's not going to last without issues for a long time , I was going to go with honda and I think I will do next year to be fair as the made in china label does not fill me with confidence

[@wingmasterjimmy6724]

@@MICHAEL-wg2lh unfit for purpose purchased bought mine from FASTFIX in Bristol 3weeks later and still hadn't refunded me,so my Bank is now recovering my funds-AVOID both!!I purchased a new gearbox head and cutter bar complete for my Stihl long reach for £297 and up and running again hassle free

[@randomdadstuff1777]

Sorry to hear it's been a headache! Hope the Stihl does the job better, they have a good rep for being robust.