This cutting strength is attributed to the compound action mechanism, which helps to increase the power of the tool beyond most others in the market, offering around a 50% higher cutting capacity than similar sized pruning shears. There aren’t many downsides to this tree lopper, although the pulley cord can be fiddly as it’s fairly long which may take a bit of getting used to. However, its length is also an advantage as it gives a long reach. It also runs down the outside of the lopper, whereas some pulley loppers encase the cord, so you do need to manage it properly to avoid tangles.

Blades: The best and most common type of blade is carbon steel. This allows the lopper to not only be sharp, but also not to slip and possibly cause injury. A geared mechanism offers additional leverage when cutting, with the gear system engaging each time you open and close the handles. You do need to open and close them several times to get the necessary pressure for larger branches, so they are not the most suitable for working in confined spaces as they need to be opened wide a few times over. Ratcheting There are two main types of lopper available to buy, each one offering their advantages, so be sure to consider what type is best suited for your needs. Bypass loppers come with basic plastic or silicon grips, while others offer an ergonomic shape that is designed to fit your hand. Some also offer impact-dampening qualities to reduce the strain on your hands when you cut a branch. If possible, try out the lopper you plan to buy to see if the grip is comfortable enough for you.For those with taller trees that require more length, consider telescopic or extending handles reaching upwards of 2m. However, you may find these tougher to control, in which case you are better using a ladder with shorter handled loppers. Grip The best loppers are comfortable and easy to use. High-quality blades and proper adjustments can go a long way, but there are other factors that can give certain lopper models an edge over others. Long handled models allow users to reach difficult to reach branches, such as high branches, or the tops of tall bushes and shrubs. Long handles also make your loppers more clunky and awkward to handle. Some models offer telescoping handles that are adjustable so that you can change the length to suit your task. It’s also very important to consider the weight of the lopper. We’ve alluded to this a few times in this article, but we’re going to dedicate an entire section to it.

As the handles are made from aluminium the tool remains lightweight at just 1.2kg, so it should be easy to operate for longer periods without feeling fatigued. Padded grips help to avoid any aches and pains after prolonged use. The loppers have a durable, stainless steel blade that stays sharp even after heavy use. The blade is ideal for cutting through branches around 2.5 – 3.8 cm (1 – 1.5”) in diameter. Although this lopper isn’t designed for heavy duty work, on small-to-medium soft branches it will produce a clean and powerful cut. Cutting branches of 4.5 cm can be achieved by applying a fair amount of force on the lopper. However, anything under 4 cm in diameter is easy to slice through without requiring too much strength. The TABOR TOOLS GG11E Professional Bypass Lopper is very powerful; its cutting potential is particularly impressive considering it doesn’t use a ratchet mechanism. This tree lopper is capable of cutting through branches up to 4.5 cm in diameter; therefore, it’s the best tree lopper if you want power without using a ratchet.

Unfortunately, another downside to this option is that the blades are not as effective as some others. Although they do have a two-inch cutting capacity, they typically will only cut through about an inch of dry wood. Also, the EZ Kut does not have padded handles for comfortability. A ratchet lopper is a manual gardening tool that is used for snipping twigs and branches. The long handles provide good leverage with minimal exertion to cut through tough wood, while the ratchet mechanism enables you to apply less force with each turn. Typically, it’s best to use ratchet loppers on wood that has a diameter of at least one inch. For smaller pieces of wood, you can use one-handed pruners. Most lopper blades are made from steel for the durability they provide. It’s also a lot easier to work with when sharpening the blade. The best-quality blades are typically made from hardened or carbon steel. This makes them last much longer than typical steel and are less likely to bend, scratch or generally become damaged with general use. These are the most common materials that blades are made from and anything less usually means that it won’t last a long time or might not offer a clean cut. It might also be harder to maintain and sharpening the blade could result in more damage than actually sharpening the blade.

The telescopic pole as an adjustable length from 1.3 to 2.4m, providing upwards of 6m in reach when accounting for the user’s height. This makes it a good choice for pruning higher branches or hedges without needing to use a ladder. Alternatively, there are loppers that offer telescoping handles. These allow you to manually adjust the length of the handle, meaning that you can get more reach if desired. This offers a great level of customisation, but it does also affect the overall quality of the handle and the lopper as a whole. Grip Styles For pruning small trees, look for handles around 38 – 45 cm long. You’ll need loppers with longer handles (>50 cm) for reaching the tops of taller trees (over 200 cm).

One difficult landscaping chore is removing overhead branches. The force it takes to clamp down and cut the limb is considerable. This is where ratchet loppers come in handy. It is not just lawn care, either. Cutting through other materials can be very difficult if you do not have something to keep the cut steady.