Husqvarna 322HD60 Reviewed: A 24-Inch Gas Hedge Trimmer at 11 Pounds

Who this trimmer is for

Gas hedge trimmers earn their place on long runs of established hedge, where a battery would need swapping and a cord would be a liability. The usual cost is weight. The Husqvarna 322HD60 is built to answer that: a 24-inch dual-action stainless blade on a 21.7cc two-stroke that the maker lists at 11 pounds, with a rear handle that rotates so the sides of a hedge are cut with the wrists straight. It is for the homeowner with a lot of hedge or the part-time landscaper who wants a light professional-grade tool.

This review is based on the maker’s published specifications and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run this product ourselves.

What you get

The trimmer with its 24-inch stainless steel dual-action knife blades, a 21.7cc 2-cycle engine, an adjustable rear handle and a gearbox Husqvarna describes as built for demanding residential or part-time professional use. The maker rates the cut capacity at 4/5 of an inch, roughly 20 millimeters, and the weight at 11 pounds. Fuel tank capacity, the number of handle positions and the blade gap are not stated in the listing. A two-stroke needs premixed fuel, which is not included.

Cutting performance

Dual-action blades move in opposite directions, and because both edges cut, you can sweep left or right without turning the tool. Husqvarna specifies professional-grade knife blades that keep their edge, and the stainless material resists the sap corrosion that pits plain steel. A 24-inch bar flattens a hedge top quickly and reaches across a wide hedge from one side. The 4/5-inch capacity covers the yearly growth on privet, laurel, photinia and most conifers; thicker old wood still wants loppers, as it does with any hedge trimmer. The 21.7cc engine is modest on paper and that is the point: it keeps the weight down while the gearing provides the blade force.

Engine and runtime

A 2-cycle engine of this size sips fuel, and a tank is typically enough for a long session on a hedge run before refueling. Expect the usual gas trade-offs: mixing oil at the ratio in the manual, a spark plug and air filter to check, and noise that calls for hearing protection. Owners of Husqvarna’s 300-series hedge trimmers describe them as easy starters when fuel is fresh and as predictably cranky after winter storage with old mix, which is true of every small two-stroke and is cured by draining or stabilizing fuel.

Build, handling and ergonomics

Eleven pounds is light for a 24-inch gas trimmer, and that is the number that matters most if you trim for more than twenty minutes at a time. The adjustable rear handle lets you rotate the grip so that the trigger hand stays in a natural position when the blade is turned vertical for the hedge face, which cuts wrist fatigue on long sides. The gearbox is the part that fails on cheap gas trimmers, and Husqvarna’s claim of part-time professional duty is credible given the brand’s landscaper following; recurring owner feedback is that these trimmers age well when the blades are kept clean and the gearbox is greased per the manual.

Living with it

Clean and lightly oil the blades after every use, grease the gearbox on the schedule in the manual, and run the carburetor dry or use stabilized ethanol-free fuel before storage. Blades can be professionally sharpened several times before replacement. The listing does not quote the warranty; Husqvarna publishes terms on the product page and may extend them for using its own premixed fuel, so check before you buy oil.

Alternatives to Consider

The Husqvarna 522iHD60 is the battery version with a similar blade for anyone who wants quiet and no fuel mixing and already has or wants Husqvarna 40V packs. The Echo HC-2420 is the closest gas competitor with a 24-inch bar and a strong dealer network. For tall hedges beyond ground reach, the Husqvarna 122LKH puts a 21-inch hedge head on a combi pole instead.

Verdict

Buy the Husqvarna 322HD60 if you have a long run of hedge, want gas for unlimited runtime, and value a light tool with a rotating rear handle and a gearbox built to last. Skip it if your hedges are small enough for a battery or corded trimmer to finish on one charge or one cord, or if you do not want the fuel mixing and winter storage routine that comes with any two-stroke.