Mitox 650DX Hedge Trimmer

In a nutshell. A well-balanced but heavy petrol hedge trimmer with a handy rotating handle and a long blade. It cuts well and is ideal for large, mature hedges and more able gardeners. It comes with a lengthy five-year warranty.

After much investigation online I bought a Mitox 675D Hedgetrimmer from Elmers Hardware of Ipswich,. It seemed a good machine with a long blade, which I particularly needed.

It arrived quickly, well packed and apparently in good condition. On inspection the cap for the petrol tank was cracked. I contacted the supplier asking for a replacement. One turned up in the post, but there was no acknowledgement of my email or confirmation that it had been sent prior to delivery. I had difficulty contacting them - they only responded to telephone calls.

I then found that this cap was also un-servicable as it leaked and a third one was arranged - through the main Mitox UK agents, who happen to be 30 mins down the road from me in Somerset. This arrived quickly and was satisfactory.

On initial use it proved to cut well, is well balanced and powerful. However, on second use it would not rev at anything approaching full throttle. Fuel starvation seemed likely. After an email conversation with Mitox, I took it in and they found 2 bolts on the carb needed tightening. At this point it seemed fine again. However, when I used it next the same problem occurred. So back it went. This time they cleaned and reset the carb and it was delivered back to me. When the trimmer was returned I tried it briefly and it seemed fine.

When I needed it for a proper job it started, ran fine and cut well. It started easily initially and again at a couple of intermediate points where I had to stop it and then restart. Overall it had about an hour use. The next day it started fine and cut well for about the first ½ hour. Then I stopped it for a short period (5 .mins) and then it wouldn’t start. I tried checking the plug for flooding and the plug was set correctly, looked a good colour but was dry (!). Now it still won’t start at all. It seems to be starved of any fuel.

I must stress that the staff at Mitox have been most helpful and are doing all they can to sort things out. But that doesn’t alter the fact that a new machine, costing over £200 isn’t reliable. If this is anything to go by, don’t buy one.

I will update as things progress.