All about ratchet pruning shears

The pruner is the most used tool in gardening. It looks rather primitive, however, every element is very carefully thought out here. Ratchet pruner is a structure designed for cutting branches. Thanks to the special system, cutting large-diameter branches is not difficult. The tool will allow you to make a perfect cut without damaging the bark.

The only purpose of such a device is to trim old, dried or simply unnecessary branches. It is important that no burrs remain after the cut; for this, the scissors must have a special structure. The upper part of the blade can be either single-sided or double-sided. The top plane should be bent outward. The underside of the blade is designed to provide support and to reduce damage to the underside of the bark. It is a semicircle or plane, this is where the blade descends. The ratchet pruner can significantly reduce the use of the operator's physical strength. The unit can handle both twigs and branches of large diameter.

Before buying such a design, you should pay attention to the following points.

• The handle should be long enough, as the leverage effect is triggered here. The device should fit comfortably in your hand.
• After cutting, the handle itself should return to its original state thanks to a lever or spring mechanism.
• The incisors should be fairly sharp and made of high strength metal. Experts recommend choosing Teflon coated secateurs.

Buying a new gadget is always a risk. Many buyers prefer to opt for the most popular manufacturers, considering only German or Japanese models. They often overpay for the brand. But the name of the company is not a guarantee of the quality of the device. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with experienced gardeners, as they have most likely tried many tools over the years and can certainly advise a good model. If you do not have familiar gardeners, then you can always study the reviews of amateurs and professionals about each model you are interested in.

Before purchasing, pay attention to the weight and dimensions of the structure. The heavier the device is, the faster the hand will get tired during garden work. If your task is to tidy up the bush, then any model will do, but if you want to give a neat look to the fruit tree, then you will have to apply physical strength. The ratchet pruner is able to make a perfectly straight cut on a branch with a diameter of up to 30 mm. At the same time, even female representatives will be able to cope with the unit.

The mechanical part of the unit, which has a toothed lever lock, is called a ratchet. After each pressing, the handle is fixed in the preset position. The continuation of this lever is the blade, which, after each new press, deepens even further into the branch. It locks in this position until the operator makes the next press. Deepening will continue until a complete cut occurs. The ratchet in the common people called the ratchet because of the sound it makes when cutting.

Therefore, to make a cut of a thick branch, you need to make so many rotational movements so that the total force corresponds to one effect that can cut this branch. The speed and productivity of work drops significantly, but even a woman can put the tree in order. Ratchet pruning shears are more expensive than conventional pruning shears for four reasons:

• the complexity of the design;
• the tool in most cases is made of titanium alloy;
• the blades are made of a high-strength alloy, usually Teflon-coated;
• little-known manufacturers rarely release this device.

Every year the ratchet pruner gains more and more functionality. A few years ago, titanium was only used in aircraft factories. The fact is that titanium alloy does not corrode and does not get dirty. Consequently, the tools made from this material are of high quality.

Before you buy this device, be sure to hold it in your hands, it is important that it lies comfortably. If you buy a unit in an online store, and the goods are delivered by courier, then first agree with the seller about the possibility of refusal if you do not like the handle of the product. The purchase will be pointless if you use too much physical force to push.

It will be a huge plus if the cutters contain Teflon, carbon or chromium. They allow you to minimize resistance during the cut. The best example is garden appliances from Grinda. The tool holder is equipped with a hilt for safety. The most popular models of ratchet devices are Finland, PowerStep, Park, SmartCut secateurs.

SmartCut Gardena is a high performance pruner designed for cutting vines or branches. It has a PowerPlus system that can handle even the driest canopy. The maximum diameter of the branch to be cut is 2.2 cm. The tool can handle this thickness in 3 steps. The holder is made of aluminum with a rubberized insert so that the unit fits comfortably in the hand. The structure can be locked for safe storage or transfer. The manufacturer provides cutters protected from sticking.

The PowerStep ratchet pruning shears specialize in cutting the thickest branches in a couple of passes. The holder is made of FiberComp material, thanks to which it fits comfortably in both the right and left hand. The lower cutting element is also FiberComp coated. Thanks to the special substance that the manufacturer covers this unit, it is wear-resistant and does not require any particular maintenance. The manufacturer provides a convenient latch that can be reached with one hand.

The mechanism of the Finland 1611 model resembles a jack in its specificity. The tool can cut branches up to 25 mm in diameter. Thanks to the ratchet mechanism, the required physical strength of the operator is reduced by 2 times, compared to household shears. This device is able to make a perfectly straight cut, without leaving burrs, contributes to the rapid recovery of the branch. The unit is equipped with a plane trimming technique, the blades are made of steel. The total weight of the structure is 210 g. The manufacturer gives a two-year warranty. The construction is assembled in Japan and is not afraid of temperature changes. Thanks to the Teflon coating, the tool can withstand from -70 to + 270 ° C.

Another popular representative of secateurs is the MR Logo. These are Russian-made goods assembled in Taiwan. The company represents the widest range of various tools. The device is made of high-strength metal, the blades are coated with a special substance. This device has been actively used in professional activities for a long time.The incisors are made of carbon-containing metal and are able to cut branches up to 3 cm in diameter. Thanks to the ergonomic handle, the unit fits comfortably in the hand. The manufacturer provides a latch that protects the device from unintended startup. The instrument is made in bright colors. The design has a large number of positive reviews. Experts note durability and long service life.

Another reputable representative of the company for the production of ratchet pruning shears is Tsentroinstrument. This brand has a high rating and specializes in the manufacture of tools for working in the garden or garden. All units are in the budget price segment and are of high quality. A feature of this product is the ability to disassemble the device to a screw. Thanks to this feature, you can easily replace a worn out component and give new life to your favorite instrument.

All products manufactured under the Tsentroinstrument brand are made of titanium alloy and are used for professional purposes. Even at a low price, this design can serve for a very long time. Judging by customer reviews, it can be noted that the device is capable of cleaning an area of ​​8 acres. The design easily handles branches with a diameter of up to 50 mm, however, under too heavy loads, a slight creak is heard.

For an overview of the ratchet pruner, see the following video.