A handy power pruner, just in time for the pruning season.

The Black & Decker Alligator is a lopper with a small built-in chainsaw blade. You use it like a hand lopper: close the jaws around the branch, and then squeeze the two triggers and it's cut - just like that! The triggers on each handle act as a safety interlock so you can't cut off your hand.

We tested the cordless version, though there is also a slightly lighter (3kg) corded model. Cordless is way more sensible. No long trailing leads to trip over or accidentally cut in half. No need for an RCD (residual current device) or isolating transformer. The battery pack on the end of the lower handle balances out some of the motor weight compared with the corded version. The cordless is no lightweight at 3.5kg, but once it's gripped a branch some of the weight is relieved.

Cutting ability

Even at the maximum claimed limit of 100mm it cuts rapidly. It chopped up tougher gum branches like ... well ... an alligator. It's not easy to use on smaller (under 20mm) branches as they wobble about and leave ragged cuts - but you should cut these with a decent pair of secateurs or hand loppers anyway.

We cut up a bonfire of pine branches to check battery life. On branches from 45mm to 75mm in diameter we made 77 cuts before the battery flagged. That's a decent pile.

Some cautions

A branch with a 100mm base is quite heavy, so watch for "kickback" as it breaks off. Trim outer sections first to relieve the load. The Alligator isn't a chainsaw, so don't use it to fell small trees. It can't cut a wedge out of the trunk on the side you want it to fall towards, so that the tree falls in a predictable direction. For tree felling, there's a companion cordless chainsaw.

Our verdict

We found it easy to use and convenient. The one-hour battery charge means you don't have to wait long if you forget to pre-charge it. You're advised to stop every 10 minutes to oil the chain and check chain tension, but both are easy to do.

Black & Decker Alligator Cordless Lopper GKC-1000XE

• Price: $219 at Mitre 10
• Tech bits: Battery is 18volts (interchangeable with similar Black & Decker tools). Recharge time is one hour. Weight is 3.5kg.

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