McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer Reviews
Latest Reviews
“Trash product - do not touch it!”
Written on: 18/05/2013 by SouthHawk (1 review written)
Even when first bought this hedge trimmer was troublesome to start. After two seasons of only occasional use it became very hard to start and impossible to keep going, stalling frequently. A local specialist in garden and agri-equipment refused to touch it, saying that they are rubbish and that it would fail again leaving them with a bad reputation. When I found a dealer willing to look at it he could not get it to run either. Better to rent a professional machine [from Jewson, say], buy a... (read more)
“Do not touch their tools”
Written on: 22/08/2012 by Hedgetrimless (1 review written)
My gladiator 550 ran for less than 3 hours before it failed due to a defective flywheel. This was replaced under warranty but the replacement flywheel developed the same fault in only a few hours more. I have contacted Mcculloch through their limited contact system and Mcculloch refuse to respond to me. Most reputable dealers and maintenance/repair people to whom I have spoken will not touch them with a barge pole. Be warned!!!!!!! I believe that Mcculloch, Flymo and Electrolux are one... (read more)
“cheap but chearful??”
Written on: 06/07/2012
Owned for four years. Very cheap to purchase and starts easily and reliably. However, drive gears stripped after two seasons use. Repaired it but no manual available and parts very expensive compared with purchase of machine. Also, as far as I can see, the blades can not be replaced in isolation so it looks like £60plus for a new blade module. I find it heavy to use for long periods. Would spend far more on buying a more upmarket replacement. (read more)
“heap of shiyit”
Written on: 10/06/2012
wont start. depsite carfeully following instructions (read more)
“McCuoolch Gladiator 550”
Written on: 30/10/2011
Have used the Gladiator for about 3 years. But it's a bit of a (read more)
“Absolute rubbish, never starts, gets heavy after a...”
Written on: 19/05/2011
Absolute rubbish, never starts, gets heavy after a while. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.
No support rubbish design horrible startup.
(read more)
“Very good price and cuts well when working, but an...”
Written on: 03/04/2011
Very good price and cuts well when working, but an ignition problem developed after a couple of hours use and mine has proved difficult to restart or start at all; personally I would not recommend it. (read more)
“The reason the engine stopped working was because the...”
Written on: 09/12/2010
The reason the engine stopped working was because the timing wheel is secured to the crankshaft using the clutch mechanism as a bolt - and it simply comes undone spins around and then the timing goes out of sync and it wont start! I have repaired it several times but its a bad design and the problem wont go away! You have to take the engine apart and re seat the timing wheel at top dead centre and tighten it up! It will then work again - but not for long!
Other than that its a good machine!
(read more)
“I ran a new McCulloch Tivoli 65 petrol hedge trimmer...”
Written on: 20/07/2010
I ran a new McCulloch Tivoli 65 petrol hedge trimmer for approx 3 hours and all was well. However, on starting up the machine 3 months later, after approx 5 mins, the machine backfired and the engine stopped working. No attempt to restart the hedge trimmer succeeded. I then took it to an authorised McCulloch servicing agent who on seeing it stated 'Oh no, not another McCulloch that the engine has stopped working and will not restart'. We have several in the workshop at the moment and are... (read more)
“Used it one season, cutting the hedge twice. It...”
Written on: 25/06/2010
Used it one season, cutting the hedge twice. It wasn't strained and fuel mix was bang accurate. It then cut out repeatedly and refused to start. Occasionally it splutters into life and then dies just as quickly. It is the second McCulloch I have bought thinking that the same experience of the last one. It too was junk with bolts falling off faster than I could find and replace them and the engine cutting outuseless in the same way. I thought lightening wouldn't strike twice but...... ... (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 20 Reviews
“after second season .scrap.carried out little work.not...”
Written on: 11/06/2010
after second season .scrap.carried out little work.not worth fixing,do not buy. (read more)
“Used it for 1 season and it stopped working and wont...”
Written on: 15/10/2009 by culpitt (2 reviews written)
Used it for 1 season and it stopped working and wont start. Almost impossible to find anyone who can fix it and the parts are well night impossible to find
these people do have some information
http://www.4mcculloch.co.uk/cgi-bin/search.pl?parts_search=s&model=gladiator+550&part=gladiator+550
Junk
Do Not BUY
(read more)
“The machine is OK but what is the point in bying a...”
Written on: 05/10/2009 by Raygp (1 review written)
The machine is OK but what is the point in bying a machine, that when it breaks down, you cannot get spare parts nor can you get a workshop manual to identify the parts you think need changing or repairing,
Only answer is to buy a new one!! then I would buy another make with a workshop manual or at least one you can have repaired or mend yourself.
(read more)
“have had this mculloch hedgetrimmer for about a year,...”
Written on: 08/09/2009
have had this mculloch hedgetrimmer for about a year, have only used it a few time but guess what?..yes, you have guessed, the damn thing wont start. I have had this problem of it struggling since day one..I realise I should have sent it back or get it repaired, but after reading these reviews I have decided to ditch the thing and to by another ...maybe ryobi or some decent brand name (read more)
“After two sessions of cutting the McCulloch Gladiator...”
Written on: 22/08/2009
After two sessions of cutting the McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer 55o would not start (had for 9 months) after about six weeks finally returned form agent with carb fitted = but would not extend warranty beyond the 3 months left.
Now used for about 2 hours and stopped again and sure same problem - now out warranty and not worth spending money on it = very poor = not reliabl leave well alome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???
(read more)
“The McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer is a great...”
Written on: 16/06/2009
The McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer is a great tool, light to use, easy to start, not too noisy. But beware:
* petrol mix is critical, if its smoking more than normal you have the mix wrong!
* Spare parts are almost impossible to get.
* I couldn't find anyone willing to try to repair mine, and was told it would be cheaper to buy another one!
(read more)
“I bought one of these McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge...”
Written on: 14/06/2009 by wild1234 (1 review written)
I bought one of these McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmers and all seemed well - for the price. But, taking it out of the shed for its second seaon of trimming, I found that both fuel pipes had perished and split. The machine is now useless as the pipes are part of the fuel tank and I don't think they can be replaced.
More telling, perhaps, is that the same thing happened to a strimmer by the same firm. Really poor.
(read more)
“This McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer is worth...”
Written on: 23/08/2008
This McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer is worth buying. It is light and has reasonably good power. Can be difficult to start. Do not let it run low on petrol. (read more)
“I found this Mcculloch Hedge Trimmer Gladiator 550 an...”
Written on: 15/10/2006 by Red Sky (5 reviews written)
I found this Mcculloch Hedge Trimmer Gladiator 550 an efficient, easy to use tool for home use. The blade is a little short but it starts easy and has low vibration. (read more)
“The Mcculloch Hedge Trimmer Gladiator 550 is a good...”
Written on: 17/07/2005 by parchwba (1 review written)
The Mcculloch Hedge Trimmer Gladiator 550 is a good petrol hedge trimmer. Cheap from Focus or B&Q at £119.99. I have used this on all types of hedge and it has no problems. Its easy to start and the motor ticked away lovely. It's quite a quiet engine, which is on springs to avoid too much vibration. There is a cheaper petrol hedge trimmer from both these stores at around £80. Don't get it. It is very heavy. Spend the extra pounds and get the McCulloch, its nice and light for a petrol hedge... (read more)
Red Sky's Response to parchwba's Review
Written on: 25/08/2007
I purchased a McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer after reading your review. I am very pleased with its performance. Also, after I managed to damage the blade mechanism on a concealed gate catch, B&Q replaced it immediately with no fuss.
Reply to this comment
overview
Top 5 Hedge Trimmers
To calculate the top 5's we take the following factors into account:
• All the star ratings the company/product has received,
• The number of reviews
• How recent the reviews are
As rated by real users
-
1. Stihl HS 45 Petrol Hedge Trimmer
6 reviews read latest review -
2. Titan-pro 24 inch Double Sided Hedge Cutter
3 reviews read latest review -
3. Bosch AHS 7000 Pro T Electric Hedge Cutter
14 reviews read latest review -
4. Bosch AHS 52 LI 18v Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer
2 reviews read latest review -
5. Black & Decker GT524 520w Electric Hedge Trimmer
9 reviews read latest review
Hot Stuff in
Latest Reviews in Hedge Trimmers
-
Eckman Long-Reach Electric Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
"Cumbersome equipment " Read More
-
McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer
"Trash product - do not touch it!" Read More
-
Black & Decker GT510
"Excellent buy" Read More
-
Garden Groom
"Christmas Present" Read More
-
Bosch AHS 7000 Pro T Electric Hedge Cutter
"If you cut the cable you face ..." Read More
Latest items in Hedge Trimmers
See more ▼
- You are here:
- Review Centre
- Garden Tools
- Hedge Trimmers
- McCulloch Gladiator 550 Hedge Trimmer
- Overview
Guest's Comment
Written on: 29/10/2011
Thanks for finding out the mistake! My Gladiator stopped running after two hours of use and I couldn't find out the reason. With your hint I was able to fix it. It is running again but not well because I got no information about the right ignition point.