Skil 22 In. Hedge Trimmer Attachment

Why I reached for this attachment

Shrubs that were behaving all spring can turn rowdy by mid-summer. For the tall laurels and mixed hedging along my fence line, I put the Skil hedge trimmer attachment on a 40V multi‑head power base and worked through a couple of overgrowth cycles. After multiple sessions—topping, face-trimming, and squaring edges—this attachment found a reliable spot in my yard-care kit. It’s not trying to be a do‑everything trimmer, but it nails reach, cut quality, and angle control in a way that makes tall or deep hedges much less of a chore.

Setup and compatibility

The attachment clicks onto a 40V power head with a standard coupler and locking pin. Skil bills it as universal for multi‑head pole systems; that typically means it fits the common shaft diameter and drive interface a lot of brands use. I ran it exclusively on Skil’s PWRCore 40 power head, where it latched solidly with no play. I can’t speak to every other brand’s coupler tolerances, so if you’re mixing systems, confirm the drive shape and lock mechanism before you commit. On its home platform, the connection is quick, positive, and confidence‑inspiring.

Articulation that actually matters

Angle adjustment is the defining feature here. The head gives you 12 positive stops from -80° to 90°. In practice, that lets you:

• Level the blades for clean tops on tall hedges without standing on a ladder.
• Set a shallow downward angle for face work that sheds clippings away from you.
• Flip past horizontal to get under eaves or trim the underside of hedges.

The detents are firm, and the head holds its position without creeping. The collar is large enough to manipulate with gloved hands. I found myself changing angles more than I expected—especially when alternating between the near and far sides of a deep hedge—because it genuinely saves fatigue and gives a better finish.

Blade length, speed, and cut quality

The 22‑inch dual‑action blade is the right call for a pole‑mounted attachment. It gives meaningful reach into hedges and cuts a wide swath per pass, yet it’s not so long that it becomes unruly at the end of a pole. Dual‑action hardened steel blades help in two ways: reduced vibration and cleaner shearing of tender growth.

Skil lists a 0.75‑inch cutting capacity, and that aligns with what I experienced as a realistic maximum for occasional cuts. On privet and photinia, anything up to about 5/8 inch was effortless. At 3/4 inch, it still gets through, but you need to let the blades do the work and avoid torquing the head mid‑cut. If you regularly confront woody growth thicker than that, a pruning saw or pole saw will be faster and kinder to the blades.

Cutting speed is spec’d at 2,500/3,000 SPM, which depends on the power head’s speed settings. On my power base, low speed handled shaping passes and new growth cleanly. High speed made quick work of denser sections and left fewer torn tips on softer shrubs. The end result across a variety of plants was a tidy, even finish with minimal “white tips,” which is what you want if appearance matters.

Reach and balance

The attachment excels at jobs where a handheld hedge trimmer makes you climb or contort. With the head at 90° and the pole extended, I comfortably topped hedges around 8–10 feet tall from the ground. For the face of tall hedges, the 22‑inch blade length lets you square the profile in fewer strokes, reducing the temptation to lean the pole into the work (which helps protect the plants and your shoulders).

Like all pole‑mount trimmers, it’s nose‑heavy. The mass out at the head is unavoidable, and you’ll feel it most when you’re reaching out horizontally at shoulder height. A shoulder strap helps, as does keeping your lead hand farther forward on the shaft to steer. I found a smooth, sweeping cadence works better than short, jabby motions; it keeps the blades engaged and reduces wrist and forearm fatigue over longer sessions.

Vibration, noise, and user fatigue

Dual‑action blades pay dividends in vibration control. Compared to single‑action pole trimmers, this one runs noticeably smoother. Over a 30‑minute trim on high speed, my hands weren’t buzzing afterward, and the lack of engine vibration (and fumes) is a clear benefit over gas. Noise is conversation‑level on low and still backyard‑friendly on high. Ear protection is always smart, but I appreciate not announcing to the neighborhood that I’m trimming hedges.

Runtime and power

As an attachment, runtime depends on your battery and how aggressively you cut. With a 4.0Ah 40V pack on the power head, I averaged around 35 minutes of intermittent cutting on high, stretching closer to 45 minutes on low while shaping softer growth. That covered a typical suburban perimeter hedge for me without swapping batteries. Power never felt lacking; the head maintained blade speed through thicker clumps, only slowing when I buried the full bar into dense, woody sections—exactly where you should back off and make a few lighter passes anyway.

Durability and maintenance

The hardened steel blades held a crisp edge over a few weekends of work. I inevitably tapped a fence wire; that left a minor nick but didn’t bind the stroke or create noticeable tearing afterward. The gear housing stayed cool, and there was no oil seepage. After each session, I brush off clippings, wipe the blades, and mist them with a light lubricant to keep sap from building. A periodic check of fasteners and the coupler clamp is wise; everything stayed tight in my use.

If you’re new to hedge trimmers: avoid twisting the head mid‑cut and don’t pry branches sideways with the tips. Let the full blade length do the work, and you’ll keep the teeth sharp much longer.

What I liked

• Twelve solid articulation stops from -80° to 90° that hold position under load.
• 22‑inch dual‑action blade provides reach and low vibration with a clean finish.
• Genuine 3/4‑inch capacity for occasional thick cuts; excellent speed through typical hedge growth.
• Simple, positive connection to the 40V power head; no slop at the coupler.
• Manageable noise and very little vibration fatigue for a pole‑mounted tool.

What could be better

• It’s understandably nose‑heavy; a lighter head or included strap would help on long, horizontal reaches.
• A tip guard would be useful when working near siding or fencing.
• “Universal” claims are common across attachments, but cross‑brand compatibility is never guaranteed; clearer published fit specs would help those mixing systems.

Who it’s for (and who it’s not)

If you already run a 40V multi‑head system and need to maintain tall or deep hedges, this attachment makes a lot of sense. It’s especially good for homeowners who want ladder‑free topping and for grounds crews doing regular maintenance passes where speed and finish matter. If your shrubs are knee‑high boxwoods or you’re mostly shaping low ornamentals, a compact handheld trimmer will be lighter and easier to maneuver. And if you frequently tackle branches over 3/4 inch, plan on pairing this with a pruning tool.

Final recommendation

I recommend this hedge trimmer attachment for anyone invested in a 40V multi‑head platform who needs reliable reach and precise angle control. The combination of a 22‑inch dual‑action blade, 12‑position articulating head, and steady cutting speed delivers clean results with less fatigue than many pole trimmers I’ve used. It’s not the lightest head out there and it won’t replace a saw for thick woody growth, but for routine hedge maintenance—especially on taller runs—it’s a well‑executed, dependable attachment that earns its spot in the shed.