How to Oil a Hedge Trimmer Like a Pro!

Tired of facing dull blade issues and poor performance of hedge trimmers? Well, you’re missing something! Yes, a good oiling process! 

If you want your machine to cut faster and sound quieter, no other process can beat oiling anyway. For longevity and maximum productivity, oiling and proper lubrication are super important.

The blades of the hedge trimmer should always be cleaned before you oil them. Generally, the dampness from organic material sticks to the blades and causes corrosion. Therefore, they need to be taken care of so that they can last longer.

Do you want to experience a smooth and silent operating experience, too? Opt for this outstanding and easy process to get your tasks done faster! 

The longer the trimmer lasts, the better off your hedges will be.

Before starting to oil your trimmer, you need to get familiar with some important factors about which oil is ideal for the machine, what its benefits are, how to oil a hedge trimmer, and more.

Without any further ado, let’s explore.

Effective Steps on How to Oil a Hedge Trimmer

The main parts of the trimmer you have to lubricate are the throat and blade surfaces. However, if there are any spots on any other part, go ahead and oil them too. 

Below are the steps involved in the oiling of the hedge trimmer:

Step 1. Select the Most Suitable Oil

If you have finally decided to oil your precious machine, you can never go wrong with the type of oil you should pick. And if you choose poor-quality oil, you’ll be in a never-ending battle. Yeah, that’s right! Most of the time, you can use any good oil for oiling the trimmer. As long as the oil you use is a penetrating lubricant & the applicator permits you to apply it to the major points of the device, the oil is suitable. 

Step 2. Clean Off Residue From Blades

For lubrication, clean the trimmer first before oiling the blades. Basically, the blades are notorious for collecting tree sap and residue on the machine. Therefore, you have to clean them with warm soapy water. And if that’s not sufficient to eliminate the resin, simply consider using a good resin solvent. Use a dry cloth to remove the maximum moisture and cleaning solvent before you apply the oil.

Step 3. Apply the Oil Appropriately

Use a hedge trimmer lubricant spray to apply the oil. This will ensure that the oil penetrates every single moving part of the trimmer. If you do not have a spray, apply some oil drops on the blades. Your trimmer’s throat also requires oil, as almost all the internal metal parts should be rubbed significantly. In addition, you can wipe off the extra oil with the help of a clean cloth.

Point to remember: Only a few drops of lubricant or oil will be enough to keep your machine running. Check the trimmer on a regular basis and spray a little oil or lube on its blade if necessary.

Related: Do You Oil Hedge Trimmer Blades

What Kind of Oil Should I Use on Hedge Trimmer?

Using the best possible oils to lubricate the trimmer makes trimming the hedges faster & easier, as well as keeps your machine more accurate and durable.

With so many choices of lubrication oils in the market, it’s super hard to find what oil to use on a hedge trimmer is worth it.

If you’re a beginner, you should avoid WD-40 oils because they are not “The Best” because of their inability to undergo or sustain themselves on different blades.

Tru looking for an oil that can sufficiently lubricate the blades of the trimmer against friction & protect them from corrosion or rust.

Some most effective and useful oils for the equipment are:

1. 3-in-1 oils
2. SAE 20
3. Stihl hedge trimmer oil
4. Quality Grade Oils

These oils will lubricate the blades of any trimmer to make them work well in all aspects. If you want this task to be done appropriately, never rely on any cheap or bad-quality oil.

Moreover, you need to pay attention to the below points to get the best possible results:

• Always clean & dry the equipment before oiling it.
• Avid using WD-40 oils unless there are no other options.
• Ensure that the oil you’re using is completely rust-proof.
• Lubricate the trimmer after and before every use.
• Store away from dampness or moisture when not in use.

Related:

Top-Notch Benefits Of Oiling Your Hedge Trimmer

Keeping the trimmer in nice working order can be a huge challenge. But on the other side, doing it correctly will make all your efforts worthwhile.

After and before every use, you must lubricate the trimmer if you want it to run for many years to come. It also ensures smooth and hassle-free operation.

Here are some high-end benefits of oiling your hedge trimmer:

1. Oiling your machine makes it more efficient and easy to use.
2. Prevents dulling of blades and guarantees the sharpness of blades.
3. Prevents friction and wear and tear that can occur as a result of rubbing of irons in the trimmer.
4. Avoids stiffening and rusting, as these two elements make the trimmer inefficient and dull.
5. Lubrication makes the gardening experience less stressful and more balanced.
6. Since oiling is a great way of boosting the trimmer’s life, it also saves so much cost of getting brand new tools because of mismanagement.

No matter how smooth and polished these surfaces appear, they will generally have rough surfaces (at microscopic levels). That is why experts always shed light on the importance of oiling.

If left carelessly, a lack of oiling can lead to excessive heat, equipment failure, and highly increased surface wear.

Proper lubrication makes a strong layer of film between different moving parts in order to thwart friction and promote longer equipment life and smoother operation.

Related: How To Maintain Hedge Trimmer

When To Oil Your Hedge Trimmer?

Oiling is something so important that you can never have enough of it when it comes to maintaining the machines. If you are using an electric trimmer and seeing oil come out of the device, then you have gone really far.

However, if you will be working for a prolonged period, you need to oil it before starting. Make sure that you oil it sufficiently – so that your job does not falter against rusty metals and stiff joints. It’ll keep your blades clean and rust-free.

Plus, you should oil the trimmer as often as possible! However, you do not necessarily have to do it every time you use it. Some people oil the trimmer whenever they notice that it is getting too stiff, while some also prefer to do it twice per week or month.

In a nutshell, it all comes down to how long it takes for the trimmer in order to get back into shape after utilizing it, how frequently you use the trimmer, as well as the major challenges the trimmer faces while monitoring the hedges.  

Note: If you aren’t sure about the oiling needs of your trimmer, it’s good to give it some extra attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can you put oil on a trimmer blade?

If you own a manual trimmer, you might be able to dip the blade into the oil pan safely. Similarly, if you have a battery or an electric battery, you should rub the oil onto its blade with a clean cloth or simply spray the oil on them. 

2) Are you supposed to oil hedge trimmers?

Hedge trimmers require proper lubrication in order to decrease the friction between the blades and prevent excessive heat. Unlike chainsaws, trimmers don’t contain oil reservoirs. Therefore, the oil is directly applied to the blades of the trimmer.

3) Should you lubricate hedge trimmer blades?

Whenever you use the hedge trimmer, you should lubricate its blades. The more you care about the machine, the longer it can be used. Lubrication of blades keeps them highly safe from any kind of residue and moisture and also assists you in keeping them in good condition.

4) Can I Use WD-40 to Lubricate Hedge Trimmer?

Some experts, including Tanaka, suggest using WD-40 on the hedge trimmers. Generally, any sort of oil can be utilized to lubricate it. Although there are different ways to complete the task, you always need to find the most appropriate method that’s suitable for the trimmer.

5) What happens if you don’t have an oil trimmer?

When in use, the clippers produce so much friction. This heat can damage them if you do not use good oil to keep them properly lubricated. You’ll most probably hear them rattle & the blades will not cut as smoothly as they need to. They can be eventually seized up.

Bottom Line

Maintaining the hedge trimmer is quite important in all aspects. Aside from sharpening and cleaning the blades, another fundamental key to maintaining these machines is lubrication.

No one can over-emphasize the lubrication importance. They are super crucial to get rid of corrosion, rust, friction, and dull blades. Knowing the type of oil that is suitable for the trimmer is also necessary.

To clear all your doubts, I’ve clearly explained all the important factors you need to know about how to oil a hedge trimmer, what type of oil is suitable, the benefits of oiling, and more!