Pruning shears and loppers are indispensable tools for those who prune plants and trees, especially at a professional level. Thanks to their structure consisting of two long, sturdy handles, these tools allow you to exert greater cutting force, ideal for tackling medium or large diameter branches. Loppers are particularly useful for working on branches that are difficult to reach with standard pruning shears, offering a clean and precise cut without requiring excessive effort.
The main feature of loppers is their combination of lightness and cutting force, a quality made possible by advanced construction materials such as aluminium and hardened steel, often used for blades. The variety of cutting types, either cutting or passing, allows you to choose the tool best suited to your specific pruning needs, whether for frequent or occasional use.
What is the difference between pruning shears, pruning loppers and loppers?
The difference between pruning shears, pruning loppers and branch cutters lies mainly in the structure, type of cut and intended use of each tool:
- Pruning shears are lightweight and easy to handle tools, designed for precision work on thin branches. Their structure is similar to that of normal scissors, but with sharp, durable blades that allow for clean, precise cuts. They are ideal for pruning ornamental plants, shrubs and small bushes, but also for removing dry or damaged branches. Thanks to their compact size, they are perfect for detailed work, allowing you to easily reach even the most difficult spots. They are perfect tools for those who need a precise and accurate cut without excessive effort, with a branch diameter limit of about 2-3 cm.
- Pruning shears are distinguished by their sturdiness and design, which offers greater leverage than scissors. The longer handles allow you to exert more force, making this tool suitable for small to medium-sized branches. The blades are sharp and cross each other to achieve a precise cut, but with greater power than scissors. Shears are therefore ideal for pruning larger woody plants, such as small trees or thicker branches of shrubs. Thanks to their versatility, shears are highly appreciated by those seeking a balance between power and precision, and are capable of handling branches up to 4 cm in diameter.
- Loppers are tools designed to tackle the most demanding pruning jobs. With long handles and a sturdy structure, loppers allow you to exert significant force, making them perfect for cutting thick, hard branches over 4-5 cm in diameter. Their mechanical strength makes them particularly suitable for work on mature trees, where pruning larger branches is essential to maintain the health of the plant. Loppers are an indispensable ally for those who work in gardens or green areas with tall trees, allowing precise cuts even on very thick wood. The long lever of the handles offers the advantage of reducing effort, making these tools ideal for more demanding jobs.
What are loppers and pruning shears used for?
Loppers are indispensable tools for pruning activities that require precision and cutting power. Their sturdy construction and long handles allow force to be applied even to larger diameter branches without requiring excessive effort on the part of the operator. They are ideal for maintaining fruit trees, hedges and ornamental plants, as they ensure a clean cut that promotes healthy and orderly plant growth.
Loppers can be used in a variety of settings, such as:
- Professional use: designed to guarantee high performance, they are suitable for gardeners and farmers who need tools for frequent and prolonged pruning.
- Agricultural use: perfect for the care of fruit trees and vineyards, they guarantee clean cuts that preserve the health of the plants and improve their productivity.
- Home gardening: ideal for hobbyists who maintain trees and shrubs in their gardens, with models available for precision cutting on medium-diameter branches.
How do branch cutters work?
Pruning shears and loppers operate on the principle of leverage, thanks to two long handles that multiply the force applied by the user, reducing the effort required to cut branches of substantial diameter. The structure of the loppers, consisting of sharp blades and ergonomic handles, makes these tools practical and effective for pruning even in difficult conditions. Loppers use specific cutting mechanisms that make them suitable for a wide range of applications, from green and soft branches to drier and more sturdy ones.
Here are some of the main operating modes and features:
- Handle length: long handles provide greater leverage, facilitating the cutting action and reducing user effort, especially for thick branches or those positioned high up.
- Cutting diameter: the ability to cut branches with a diameter between 33 and 45 mm allows you to choose the loppers based on the size of the branches to be pruned, adapting to different maintenance needs.
The use of loppers and pruning shears requires attention to the characteristics of the materials and the quality of the blades, often made of hardened steel to ensure durability and precision. Maintaining them correctly, by cleaning and oiling the blades, provides an extension of their effectiveness and makes pruning work safer and more efficient.
Advantages of pruning shears and loppers
Loppers offer numerous advantages over other pruning tools, making them ideal for quick and precise work. The combination of long handles and sturdy blades allows you to easily cut thick branches without having to resort to electric or motorised tools. Unlike traditional pruning shears, loppers exert significantly greater cutting force thanks to their leverage, making it easier to manage trees, shrubs and hedges of various sizes.
Here are some of the main advantages that distinguish loppers and pruning shears:
- Cutting efficiency: thanks to their long handles, they apply leverage that reduces the effort required, making cutting thick branches less tiring.
- Versatility in the type of cut: the possibility of choosing between a cutting or passing cut allows you to adapt to the type of branch, whether dry or green, preserving the health of the plant.
- Large cutting diameter: the ability to cut branches with a diameter of up to 45 mm allows you to tackle even the most complex pruning jobs without the need for additional tools.
- Availability of models with a saw: some loppers include a saw, a useful accessory for cutting even larger branches, ensuring greater flexibility when pruning.
Technical characteristics of loppers and pruning shears
At AgriEuro, you can select loppers based on various technical characteristics, so you can identify the tool best suited to your pruning needs. Here are the main technical characteristics of loppers and pruning shears:
- Cutting diameter: varies between 33 and 45 mm and determines the maximum thickness of branches that the loppers can cut. Models with a larger diameter are ideal for pruning large branches.
- Saw accessory: some models include a saw, an accessory that makes it easier to cut thicker branches, adding versatility to the loppers.
- Type of cut: the hammer cut uses a blade that stops on a soft base, similar to an anvil, and is suitable for dry branches, avoiding damage to the remaining branch. The through cut uses a blade that slides over a counter-blade, similar to scissors, making it ideal for green or fresh branches, ensuring a clean cut without crushing.
Guide to buying the best loppers
When choosing the ideal loppers, it is important to consider some fundamental factors that influence the effectiveness and practicality of the tool, based on the type of work to be done and the specific needs of the user. Here are some tips for choosing loppers based on your needs:
- Type of cut: the bypass cut is ideal for pruning dry branches, while the straight cut is recommended for plants with green and fresh branches.
- Cutting diameter: for demanding pruning on trees or hedges with thick branches, loppers with a large cutting diameter of up to 45 mm are useful.
- Saw accessory: the integrated saw is a useful addition for cutting larger branches without having to change tools, improving the versatility of the tool.
Who should buy a branch cutter?
Below are the profiles of some typical users of loppers:
- Gardening professionals: they need sturdy loppers with a large cutting diameter and swing cutting options for intensive work on large plants.
- Farmers and orchard maintenance workers: they choose loppers with a saw to tackle demanding pruning on fruit trees and vineyards, preferring a large cutting diameter.
- Hobbyists and home gardening enthusiasts: they opt for lightweight models with a straight cut, ideal for maintaining small trees and hedges without requiring professional tools.
The best brands of pruning shears and loppers on offer at AgriEuro
AgriEuro offers a wide range of renowned brands of loppers, each with specific features to meet the different needs of users, from professionals to hobbyists.
Here are some of the best brands of loppers available:
- Fiskars loppers: known for its quality and innovation, Fiskars produces loppers with sharp, durable blades, ideal for precision work on branches of various sizes
- Gardena loppers and shears: known for its quality and innovation, Fiskars produces loppers with sharp, durable blades, ideal for precision work on branches of various sizes.
Why buy loppers from AgriEuro?
Buying a branch cutter on AgriEuro offers numerous advantages, guaranteeing a convenient and secure shopping experience, with the certainty of high-quality products. Here are the main reasons to buy a branch cutter on AgriEuro:
- Fast and free shipping: products are shipped quickly and at no additional cost, thanks to direct management by AgriEuro logistics centres.
- Availability of spare parts: spare parts are always available to order, facilitating maintenance and ensuring a long product life.
- Personalised after-sales service: AgriEuro offers attentive and tailor-made after-sales service, with qualified staff ready to respond to every need.
Choosing a branch cutter from AgriEuro means relying on a comprehensive service and a range of carefully selected products. Discover the range of pruning shears and loppers now and take advantage of the exclusive benefits of AgriEuro.