The John Deere H20SLE gas hedge trimmer cuts reliably and neatly. It will trim deep or high hedges with its long reach. And it's less noisy than many other gas models.

The John Deere H20SLE hedge trimmer carries a 30-inch single-sided, double-reciprocating blade. This allows the operator to achieve a long reach for high, wide, or hard-to-reach bushes and hedges. The 19.8 cc 2-cycle gas engine is designed to emit low emissions. The cutting blade cycles 34 times every second.

We found the John Deere H20SLE to be a good tool for grooming long, straight hedges -- even deep or high ones. It started easily and ran reliably. The 30-inch blades let us cut a straight, deep hedge quickly. This model's gas engine meant we were completely unencumbered by the restrictions of an extension cord and could work anywhere on the property. But it also meant we had to mix fuel for the 2-cycle engine. For smaller bushes or where we wanted to cut in both directions, the H20SLE was rather awkward with its long single-sided blade.

The translucent gas tank makes it easy to see when you need to refuel. And its 16.9-ounce capacity lets you work for a long time between those fills. The precision-machined crankshaft helps reduce vibration and also helps ensure a long life for this model. The H20SLE weighs 12.8 pounds.

If you need a long-bladed hedge trimmer to reach high or far, the John Deere H20SLE gas trimmer has the capability to free you from the restriction of an extension cord. But the long, single-sided blade -- as opposed to a double-sided blade -- makes it a bit more difficult if you want to do more precise work.


Pros: Long blade reach, portable
Cons: Single-sided blade, fuel emissions

Warranty
1 year (commercial use); 2 years, limited; lifetime, ignition coil (residential use)