Review: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Pole Articulating Hedge Trimmer

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Articulating Hedge Trimmer Delivers Gas-Replacement Power On Demand

Earlier this year, Milwaukee once again expanded its M18 OPE lineup, which now includes most of the core tools that landscaping Pros rely on. Among them is the all-new Milwaukee M18 Fuel Articulating Hedge Trimmer (model 3012). This trimmer offers Pro-grade trimming power and helpful features to make your next landscaping job a little easier. Today, I’m diving into what I learned while using it that sets the 3012 apart from the competition so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Pros

• Rotating grip
• Large cut capacity
• Sturdy articulating lock positions
• Tether ready
• Well-balanced design

Cons

• A little expensive

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Articulating Hedge Trimmer Performance

• No-Load Speed: 3,500 SPM
• Cut Capacity: 1 in.
• Articulating Range: 270°
• Blade Length: 24 in.
• Dual-sided blades

Cutting Power

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Pole Articulating Hedge Trimmer gives landscaping Pros a big advantage when trimming taller bushes and trees. This trimmer sports a 24-inch bar with double-sided blades and 12 head positions that span 270 degrees and a 1-inch max cut capacity. The brushless motor also has a top speed of 3,500 SPM, which is noticeably faster than comparable 24cc gas-powered models.

Milwaukee tells us that you can expect up to 50 minutes of runtime using the kitted 8.0Ah Forge battery, but that number jumps to 75 minutes if you use a 12.0Ah Forge pack. On top of that, the noise level and vibration are incredibly low compared to comparable gas-powered trimmers.

Hands-On Testing

During our testing, this Milwaukee 3012 displayed true Pro-grade performance and didn’t skip a beat when we encountered dense patches. The articulating action is smooth and easy to manipulate, and combined with the rotating grip, it only takes a matter of seconds to get this trimmer into position.

Moreover, the lack of vibration made a huge difference for our hands, and the quiet operation allowed us to speak at a normal conversational level. All in, this is a solid upgrade if you’re considering replacing your old corded or gas trimmer.

The real beauty of this design is that it provides you with immense control over the blade angle and grip orientation. This is especially helpful as you shape decorative hedges and other landscaping features.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Articulating Hedge Trimmer Design Notes

• Model: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3012
• Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
• Weight: 12.5 lbs (bare tool), 14.9 lbs (with 8.0Ah Forge battery)
• Total Length: 62.5 in. (folded), 84 in. (fully extended)

Ergonomics

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3012 weighs 12.5 pounds as a bare tool, 14.9 pounds with the kitted 8.0Ah Forge battery, and has a total length of 84 inches. The total weight is nearly identical to the battery-powered Stihl HLA 135, but there are lighter models, such as the Makita 40V max XGT GNU01, if lower weight is one of your priorities.

Nailing the weight and balance on a tool like this can be a little tricky, but I think Milwaukee made some smart design choices that truly benefit you in the long run. Most notably, this trimmer features two grips—one D-handle like a string trimmer, and a textured rubber fore grip area near the middle of the shaft. These grip areas provide you with plenty of options while you work.

Second, the Milwaukee 3012 comes with an adjustable shoulder strap and sturdy tether point. Obviously, this isn’t a major innovation in the OPE industry, but including these accessories takes some of the weight off your arms and provides an amazingly well-positioned pivot point for manipulating this trimmer.

Milwaukee pairs this trimmer with an 8.0Ah Forge battery, weighing around 2.5 pounds. This battery does a great job of offsetting the weight of the 24-inch bar; however, this might be the one exception when I’d recommend a heavier battery. More weight on the tail end provides even more ballast for the bar, making it even easier to maneuver the tool. However, if a lower weight is a high priority for you, the kitted battery is perfectly suitable.

Rotating Handle

One innovative feature the design team built in is the 5-position rotating handle, which allows you to maintain better control of the trimmer when working at odd angles. This is a feature we’ve seen on handheld hedge trimmers for years now, but it’s great that Milwaukee is applying it to their larger pole trimmer!

Quick Model Comparison: M18 Fuel Pole Hedge Trimmers

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Articulating Hedge Trimmer Price

This articulating hedge trimmer retails for $499 as a bare tool and $679 as a kit. The kit includes an 8.0Ah Forge battery and charger. Milwaukee backs it with a 3-year tool and battery warranty.

There’s also an extended pole model (3035) that sells for $529 as a bare tool and $699 as a kit that includes a Forge XC8.0Ah battery and charger.

The Bottom Line

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3012 Articulating Hedge Trimmer stands out as a powerful, well-balanced, and thoughtfully designed tool for Professional landscapers. It delivers impressive cutting speed, long runtime, and smart ergonomic features like the rotating handle and dual grips, blending performance and comfort into one package.

While the 3012 does have some sleek bells and whistles, it is a little pricey, but that’s what we expect for a tool like this that has a truly commercial-grade build quality. At $679 for the kit, this is clearly not targeting weekend warrior budgets, even those who look for entry-level Pro gear.

For Pros, this articulating hedge trimmer is designed to make the transition away from gas-powered equipment quick and easy, with very little retraining. On top of that, there’s virtually no maintenance and certainly less noise and vibration to deal with. With the lack of fuel, oil, and maintenance speeding up your equipment ROI, plus legit gas-replacement performance, it’s a compelling upgrade.