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I always use an aluminium access tower when cutting the hedge in my garden. It's nowhere near 20ft, but the principle is the same. A 3ft gap is a tight squeeze, but a single width tower would just fit. I think it's a far better option than any type of ladder, tripod or not. The safety rails allow you to confidently lean out if you need to, and if you use a long-handled trimmer you should be able to cut at least a six-metre run of hedge without moving the platform. N.B. when the ground is wet, you need to ensure that the tower stands on something firm e.g. scaffold boards. and that you use the stabilizers that should be provided with it. Our hire company (www.countyhire.co.uk)uses Alto tower which is very easy to assemble. The nearest height to your spec costs £50 + vat for a one-day hire, or £83 + vat for one week.
Not sure on overall height but u can easily get access to a standard height house roof
If the hedge isn't that tall but still too tall to not reach I make up multiple sections and board across
Hope this helps and there should also be a few pictures to show you what I use
Dan
I have used towers a couple of time now. You can see one in use on a large hedge on my web site here (http://www.bournegardenservices.co.uk/index.php/gallery/gallery-3/)
They do give you a huge amount of confidence when working at height. I have got mine from hirebase in the past, but I am sure most hire companies will do them.
Ben
My gallery also shows a shot of it set up for you to see.
http://corelandscapes.com/gallery.html
I wonder if it's worth buying the equipment to cut a hedge this high if it's just a one-off..... you've a lot of expense there and once you've got it, you've then got to have a place to store it..... perhaps you could you hire something suitable? Worth having a think about how often you will need the equipment. I know no-one likes to turn down work but if you're not desperate for it, might be a sensible option.
The Henchman ladders are good, but speaking as a DIY hedge cutter I still prefer the tower. You can assemble it to almost whatever height you want (the platform in the attached photo is around 3ft); it gives you a big standing area; also somewhere to keep several tools. Any Landscape Juice contributor will always get 10% off our rates, but to encourage you to try it (and maybe 'cos it's Christmas) we'll give you 20% on the first rental so you can try it out at minimal cost.
Have a great holiday season everyone, and I hope 2014 turns out to be a good year for all of us.
neil garrett said:
I was offered one for £150 last week, what sort of faults should I be looking for?
Seems like a steal at that money
as i mentioned the access is tight one side i would only get a 2ft wide tower in so that would only give me a platform height of 6ft without outriggers which i cannot get on, the other side is only 4ft wide strip between 2 hedges. i have used a mobile platform on other hedges but it only had a 2ft sq platform and found it a pain going up and down a lot setting up again the tools back up seemed to get nowhere fast