Husqvarna Lopper, 32 in

The Husqvarna lopper with 32 in handles gives you the leverage to cut branches that are too thick for hand pruners. It is a ground-crew staple for shrub work, small-tree pruning and clean-up around the job.

Where a lopper earns its place

Loppers sit between hand pruners and a saw. They make quick work of branches on shrubs, small trees and sucker growth, and they are faster than a saw for a lot of small cuts. The 32 in length gives good leverage and a bit of reach into a shrub without bending over.

For smaller stems use hand pruners, and for bigger wood reach for a saw. Compare options in pruners and loppers.

On tree jobs, loppers are mostly a ground tool. They speed up processing brush for the chipper, trimming small limbs off logs and clearing access around the work area. A lopper is also handy for landscape crews working shrubs and hedges between tree work.

Cutting well and keeping it sharp

Get the branch deep into the jaws, close to the pivot, for the most cutting power. Do not twist the lopper to finish a cut; that springs the blades and dulls the edge. If a branch will not cut cleanly, switch to a saw.

Clean sap off the blades after use and keep the pivot lightly oiled. Touch up the cutting edge with a file or stone as it dulls, and keep the bolt adjusted so the blades pass cleanly.

Keep the lopper with the hand tools in the truck so it does not end up under the logs or brush pile.