How to Choose the Right ARS Lopper Length: 480, 620 or 780 mm
When choosing Japanese loppers, it is important to consider not only blade quality and maximum cutting diameter but also the overall length of the tool. Length affects working comfort, cutting force, and the ability to reach branches inside the canopy.
Loppers that are too short may force you to stretch toward a branch or apply more effort. Longer loppers are not always convenient either: in dense shrubs, the handles can restrict maneuverability, while the tool itself takes up more space and weighs more.
The Kenzan Kiev catalog includes three ARS lopper models that illustrate the differences in length:
ARS LPB-30S, 482 mm, a compact model.
ARS LPB-30M, 627 mm, an intermediate option.
ARS LPB-20L, 778 mm, a long model offering greater leverage and reach.
The difference between them is not simply a matter of a few centimeters. Length affects how the loppers feel in use and which working conditions they are best suited for.
Why Lopper Length Matters
The main advantage of loppers over ordinary pruning shears is their long handles. They create mechanical leverage, allowing you to apply more force to the cutting blades.
Under comparable conditions, longer handles provide greater potential leverage. However, the actual force required also depends on the mechanism's design, the position of the branch, and how easily you can position the blades.
Length also affects reach. Shorter loppers are more convenient when working close to your body, while longer loppers make it easier to reach branches farther away or deeper inside the canopy.
However, length alone does not determine the maximum cutting diameter. Two models may differ not only in size but also in blade design, so it is important to check the specifications of the particular tool before buying.
480 mm Loppers: When to Choose a Compact Model
ARS LPB-30S, 482 mm
Compact loppers are suitable for gardeners who value control, maneuverability, and a relatively low tool weight.
The ARS LPB-30S has an overall length of 482 mm and weighs approximately 860 g. The manufacturer specifies a maximum cutting diameter of up to 34 mm when working with medium-hard wood and using the tool correctly.
The model features a fully forged blade with precision sharpening, oval handles, and dual shock absorbers that cushion the impact at the end of the cutting movement.
What Tasks Is a Length of 480 mm Suitable For?
Compact loppers are particularly convenient when you need to:
Prune branches on smaller shrubs.
Work in tight spaces between plants.
Make precise cuts inside the canopy.
Trim branches at a reachable height without using a very long tool.
Carry the loppers around the garden and store them in a limited space.
Shorter handles are easier to control close to your body. They are also less likely to catch on neighboring branches in dense shrubs.
What Are the Limitations?
Compared with longer models, compact loppers provide less leverage. If you regularly work with thick branches or need to reach deep into the canopy, longer handles may be more convenient.
Best suited for: owners of smaller gardens, gardeners who value maneuverability, and anyone who does not need the longest possible tool for everyday pruning.
620 mm Loppers: A Versatile Compromise
ARS LPB-30M, 627 mm
Medium-length loppers offer a good compromise between the maneuverability of a compact model and the extra leverage of a longer one.
The design includes a forged blade with precision sharpening, oval metal handles, and dual shock absorbers to reduce impact.
Compared with the 482 mm model, these loppers allow you to keep your hands farther from the cutting point and make it easier to reach branches located slightly deeper inside the canopy.
What Tasks Is a Length of 620 mm Suitable For?
Consider this medium-length format if you:
Regularly prune fruit trees and shrubs.
Work with branches that are difficult to reach using shorter tools.
Want more leverage but do not need the longest possible handles.
Use loppers for a variety of tasks throughout the season.
Need one tool for most everyday branch-cutting jobs that do not require a garden saw.
A length of approximately 620 mm provides greater reach while maintaining relatively good control.
Why Medium Length Is Often Practical
Not every branch in a garden is in an open, easily accessible position. Sometimes you need to work between neighboring branches, change the cutting angle, and position the blades carefully.
A medium-sized model provides additional leverage without some of the restrictions that very long loppers can create in a crowded canopy.
Keep in mind that the suitable cutting diameter is not determined by length alone. Check the specifications of the exact model before purchasing.
Best suited for: gardeners with trees and shrubs of different sizes who need versatile loppers for regular pruning.
780 mm Loppers: When Leverage and Extra Reach Matter
ARS LPB-20L, 778 mm
Long loppers are designed for situations where greater reach and additional leverage are needed.
The overall length of the ARS LPB-20L listed in the Kenzan Kiev product information is 778 mm, and the tool weighs approximately 1,090 g. The model features a forged blade with precision sharpening, oval handles, and dual shock absorbers.
Compared with a shorter tool, the long handles allow you to keep your hands farther from the cutting point and reach branches deeper inside the canopy.
What Tasks Is a Length of 780 mm Suitable For?
Consider long loppers if you:
Regularly work with large shrubs and trees.
Prune branches located deeper inside the canopy.
Want additional reach without using a telescopic tool.
Often encounter situations where shorter handles are not long enough.
Value the additional mechanical advantage when cutting.
Greater length increases leverage, but you still need to position the blades correctly and respect the tool's working limits.
Disadvantages of Long Loppers
Greater length is not always an advantage.
In dense shrubs, long handles are harder to maneuver. They may catch on neighboring branches, and frequent changes of position require more space.
The 778 mm model is also noticeably heavier than the compact option. During extended work, this can cause greater fatigue in the hands and shoulders.
Best suited for: owners of larger gardens, gardeners who regularly prune branches deep inside the canopy, and users who need extra leverage and reach.
Comparing Three ARS Lopper Lengths
Parameter | ARS LPB-30S | ARS LPB-30M | ARS LPB-20L |
Overall length | 482 mm | 627 mm | 778 mm |
Approximate weight | 860 g | 940 g | 1,090 g |
Main advantage | Maneuverability | Balance of leverage and control | Length and extra reach |
Working in a dense canopy | Particularly convenient in tight spaces | Versatile option | Requires more space |
Carrying and storage | Most compact | Medium size | Largest |
Best suited for | Small gardens and precise pruning | General-purpose tasks | Large shrubs and branches deep inside the canopy |
Weights are based on the Kenzan Kiev product information. Before purchasing the medium or long model, check the current specifications in the corresponding product listing.
What Matters More: Lopper Length or Maximum Cutting Diameter?
These specifications answer different questions.
Length indicates how far you can reach and how much leverage the tool can provide.
Maximum cutting diameter indicates the thickness of branch the model can cut under the conditions specified by the manufacturer.
Do not assume that long loppers can automatically handle every thick branch. Blade design, wood hardness, branch position, cutting-edge sharpness, and the user's technique also matter.
For example, the manufacturer specifies a cutting diameter of up to 34 mm for ARS LPB-30S when working with medium-hard wood and using the tool correctly. For the other models, check the corresponding specifications in their product listings.
If you are primarily choosing a tool for thick branches, read How to Choose Loppers for Thick Branches.
How to Choose the Right Lopper Length for Your Garden
To avoid paying for more length than you need, ask yourself three practical questions.
1. Where Are the Branches Located?
If most of your work is close to you, inside small shrubs, and in confined spaces, a shorter model is often more convenient.
If you regularly need to reach branches deeper inside the canopy, consider a medium or long model.
2. How Much Force Does Cutting Require?
If you frequently work with thicker branches, the additional leverage may make the job easier.
However, do not choose loppers based on maximum length alone. If branches are close together and space is limited, long handles may make it harder to position the blades accurately.
3. How Long Do You Work Without a Break?
For extended pruning sessions, consider both leverage and tool weight. Lighter loppers are easier to carry and move around, while longer models can be more convenient when working with distant branches.
The best option is the one that allows you to make the necessary cuts without excessive effort or constantly struggling with the length of the handles.
Can Long Loppers Replace Short Loppers?
In some gardens, a single pair of medium-length loppers may be enough. However, short and long tools are not always completely interchangeable.
The 482 mm model is more convenient in tight spaces and for precise pruning.
The 627 mm model is often the most versatile option for an ordinary garden.
The 778 mm model provides additional leverage and reach but requires more space and weighs more.
If you perform different types of pruning, choose according to your most common tasks. For most users, comfortable handling of the branches they encounter most often matters more than maximum tool length.
Which Lopper Length Should You Choose: 480, 620 or 780 mm?
ARS LPB-30S, 482 mm is a good choice if you want a compact tool with excellent maneuverability. It is suitable for confined spaces and routine shrub maintenance.
ARS LPB-30M, 627 mm suits those who need a balance of leverage, reach, and control. It is a sensible option for regular pruning of trees and shrubs.
ARS LPB-20L, 778 mm is worth considering if you often work with branches farther away or deeper inside the canopy and can make practical use of the additional length.
View the models in the Kenzan Kiev catalog:
When choosing lopper length, focus on the actual conditions in which you work.
A short model offers maneuverability and convenience in tight spaces. A medium model combines leverage and control. A long model provides extra reach and leverage but requires more space and more effort to move around.
The best loppers are not necessarily the longest ones. They are the ones that suit the size of your garden, the location of the branches, and the type of pruning you do.
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