How do

8 years ago

I was looking at a new pair of loppers. My existing ones (Hortex) have extension handles and serve me well. I was looking at getting another pair. But then I saw ones that were called "ratchet" systems.
As I saw it, the difference between the ratchet and non-ratchet styles was that the handles needed to be opened a lot less with the ratchet than without. However without taking in a branch and testing, I cannot tell whether this is causing any loss of cutting force vs handle force required.
These are not a ratchet system as I understand it, where you can repeatedly pump the handles and the blades progressively tighten, like a pop-rivet gun, or conduit cutters. They have a sort of rack on one handle near the head and the other has a pawl that can move along this rack. By measuring the amount of handle movement vs blade closure when the pawl was in various rack positions, I _think_ I saw some mechanical advantage when the pawl's down near the axis of the blades...but not that much.
To add to the confusion, the maker (Cyclone) claims "5X" gain...but the standard non-ratchet version by the same manufacturer already says "4X". To make things even worse, the extension style(Hortex) claims "2X" gain, even though to me they seem to have a bigger gain than the ratchet ones. And the extension style one _also_ had some sort of sliding setup, whose use I could not really see.
Sorry this is messy. I am puzzled. Any help appreciated.
Nick

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Comments (3)

loger_gw
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
What’s the largest diameter wood you will probably be cutting? Please share links or Pics to the Loppers you have references to and a job if needed. My challenge is my “Torque, Power, and Strength” has changed or will vary and leave me confused…I need a power tool on some chores I have Lopped off in the past. Otherwise, "My Body Charges me, A Few Days Of Pain".
300ft_anin
8 years ago
hi, i use fiskars loppers. can't tell what model they are (stickers scratched up) but say something about 2x easier. as far as loppers go, these are quite easy to cut through anything that fits in the blade and these are 10+ yrs old. i googled the tools you listed above, both look like quality tools.
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loger_gw
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I have fiskars loppers about 10 years old that that shows 1.5 diameter capacity (versus what will fit in the loppers. I feel 1” is as much as I want to cut with them and that depends on the type of wood and if it is green vs dead and dry. I went with this brand due to my old unknown brand that were not doing well and these had a Lifetime warranty at Home Depot.

I finally had a problem and complaint and returned them to the close store (expecting a new pair since this was not always a problem). That is when I was shown the “Small Print” that they would be Repaired or Serviced or Etc and Replaced If Needed.

Looking at the loppers as not being dull and this is a new problem, something had changed. Plus, I did not need the wait time and challenge since it was not an auto exchange. I returned home and added a little tension to the jaws and that seem to
have cured my complaint a few years ago… The Big Key IMO is I do not expect them to cut 1.5” dia vs 1” or less w/o folding vs cutting. Plus, my force has to be in the limits that is “Unknown”.