 | A BUYER'S GUIDE TO OBTAINING A SUITABLE CLIPPER or TRIMMER
If you have not clipped an animal before - do take professional instruction, not a few quick lessons from a friend - whether they have clipped for thirty years or not!
Clipping an animal is both an art and a skill! With proper professional instruction most people can achieve this craft. As with any skill there is a "learning curve." You owe it to your animal/s - whether the family pet, a horse, cow, goat, sheep, or alpaca - whatever - to learn the correct procedure!
Professional instruction - apart from teaching the correct way to handle and clip, will also teach the all important essential such as "tensioning" a clipper, so that it clips correctly. Learning the procedure for regular oiling of the machine and blades, along with routine maintenance of the machine, and an insight into correct selection of the right blade for the purpose in hand.
These essentials skills few "friends" are competent enough to teach!
With the exception of a few, PEASRIDGE stock virtually all the clippers and trimmers available. We have first hand experience of most. We test, trial, and advise for most of the manufacturers, We understand the frustration (from personal experience), which arises when a machine fails to perform correctly - especially when in the middle of clipping a difficult animal!
However, if one blames the machine without questioning why the situation has arisen then one may never find the answer to the problem. Until a positive cause has been established an "open mind" should always prevail! Often it is the operator and not the clipper, which is at fault!
There are many types of "clipping" machines, ranging from a few pounds up to several hundred pounds. The object should be to buy once! Always seek a clipper, which will adequately meet your needs. Whilst the cost is an important consideration, don't let it control your final decision. Far better to purchase the right machine even if it exceeds your planned expenditure, rather than end up with something inferior which at the end of the day you ditch in order to get the better model!
A "cheap" clipper is invariably what it is - "cheap - and usually ineffective for your needs"
WHAT TO LOOK FOR!
As a simple (hopefully), but brief (as possible) guide......... if you have a herd of cattle (beef or dairy) or own a yard full of horses you need a "heavy duty" >machine. A good choice is the !!< Premier 3000c. Black and white dairy cattle owners and clipping contractors usually favour the "Aesculap Econom Plus" with its excellent range of blades. Dairy cattle owners will find both the Wahl/Moser "Avalon" or the Lister "Liberty" cordless machines highly suitable for parlour work.
Owners of a few horses or small cattle herds should contemplate a "light duty" machine. For very nervous horses , or those, which hate clippers, you can often perform "miracles" using any one of several of the machines found in the sections "Cordless or Mains clippers for nervous horses " Moser Artiko" - mains powered especially good, or the popular favourite with many owners of nervous horses - the cordless Wahl/Moser "Avalon." Both are supplied with a detachable wide blade - which removed the task of blade tensioning
Commercial cattle being cleaned up for slaughter or husbandry purposes are often best clipped out with a sheep-shearing machine using a cutter and comb. These blades are totally different to traditional horse/cattle blades and will not fit such machines. The "Lister Laser" (heavy-duty machine) is the exception, it can be used for sheep as well as horse/cattle using the same blade. This blade is known as a "wizard" blade . Also able to operate with the Wizard blades are the slim and light Premier 3000c and 4000c - both are heavy-duty machines.
Those involved in the business of dog grooming need a "professional mains or cordless dog clipper" You need the type of machine which accepts the "detachable" "A5" type blade range, so that you can cope with each and every breed.
Pet owners with, dog or cat breeds which require a fair degree of clipping (Terriers/Spaniels/Poodles/Persian cats) should ensure that they buy clippers which are at least "semi-professional" (typical example is the Andis "MBG") or if you have several dogs/cats go for a"professional machine." See the section "Dog clippers - professional" Select either "single" or "two speed." Two speed offers the opportunity to clip at a slower speed - useful if you are a novice, nervous about clipping, or have an animal which is "uncomfortable" with being clipped.
The cheaper "Multi" Pet clippers are invariably a poor choice for this sort of work, despite the appearance of an attractive price, and packaging which suggest they will clip anything from a mouse to an elephant!
Persian and long haired cat breeds are often prone to mattes (nasty balls of matted fur), which as a rule can only be removed by clipping. The use of a comb or type of de-matt tool can be painful to the cat, which is less than likely to enjoy repeat sessions!
To effectively remove mattes you may need in the most severe cases to resort to a blade size #40 blade - surgical, otherwise sizes #30,or #15 are possibilities. In less severe cases, blade sizes #10 or 7f will perform satisfactorily (Such blades are best selected from the detachable A5 blade type. Suitable clippers either "semi-professional" type (typical example is the Andis "MBG") or a machine selected from the section - "Dog clippers - professional" The Andis range and the German made Moser Max 45 are popular selections.
If you have a family pet dog or hairy cat , which just requires to be cleaned up now and then, the "Multi Pet clipper type machine" is a reasonable choice. For those with rabbits and other hair-coated pets these machines can also work well. However when more serious clipping is required it pays to use a professional machine, Select a suitable blade from the range offered.
In the case of sheep you need to forget all about cattle/horse type machines. You need a "sheep shearing machine" These shearing machines have a different "clipper head" design and use different types of blades, which are also sharpened in a different way to cattle/horse/dog blades. Those with flocks upwards of 250 head should consider Suspended mains powered shearing units
Flock owners with Small flocks under 100 sheep or Show flocks > will find their needs adequately catered for amongst the !!<Mains power motor in the handpiece shearing units at The powerful slim and lightweight Hauptner 2000 and Premier 3000c/4000c - all three are excellent heavy-duty machines, and by design are a delight to use.
Those with show sheep who want to do show facial tidying up and cleaning legs, should look at the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" One should be clear from the start however, you are using the wrong type of clipping machine - but you have no other choice - other than a shearing machine - which is far to large for the intricate type of work to be undertaken.
You will invariably be best advised to us a size#40 detachable blade for this type of work. Also when using this type of clippers remember to take your time! Do not push the machine - all you will achieve is a clogged blade, which will not cut. Allow you hand to guide, allow the clipper to cut!
Whilst certainly not recommended, some of the Rare Breeds of Sheep can be successfully clipped or dagged in very small numbers with several of the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" Choice of blade is very important! Seek advice before you go further!
If you are a Veterinary Surgeon you should consider "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" certainly for mobile or surgery work, which involves large animals, or dog clipping. Vets requiring a clipper for small animal work either surgery or mobile might consider some of the "cordless trimmers" (Wahl/Moser Arco, Wahl Pro Series and Laube "Speed" are all very good choices) For large animal work two excellent machine recommended are the Premier 3000c and the Aesculap Ecom Plus (excellent blade range for varied work!) - both machines can be found under Mains powered clippers - Heavy duty
Owners of a "few" (two or three animals only) Alpaca, Lamas, or Camels can find excellent machines within the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" sector at reasonable prices. The clippers need to be fitted with detachable Moser wide 2.3mm blades for the best results. With large number you definitely need a traditional "sheep shearing machine." One of the best for the job is the Premier 3000s. Select either mains or in situations involving clipping in desert conditions, a 12-volt machine especially if you do not have access to a generator. The manufacturer Heiniger produces special "Camelid" blades for such breeds. Heiniger have an excellent range of specialist cutter and combs For a variety of species and breeds.
Special blades are also available for breeds of sheep such as Merino, for Mohair clipping, and for the clipping of Angora and other goat breeds. If you want to leave added length of wool for "winter shearing" you can fit a "Comb Lifter" under most comb blades and this has the effect of increasing the distance between the cutting edge of the blade and the animal skin.
Angora Goats can be clipped using machines from within the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers " range with selected blades. (Aesculap Favorita ll) or by using one of the "motor in the handpiece" sheep shearing machines (Premier 3000s) with selected blades.
Lastly, several of the"Heavy-duty" machines are suitable for industrial and Media purposes, such as Carpet repairs and renovations, Clothing modifications, and Broom length trimming and Film Industry.
We supply clippers world wide for a variety of non-animal use including shaping mascara brushes, trimming oriental rugs and carpets, to shaving box hedges!
Most of the blades used need to be modified to make the required operation successful. You will need to consult with us on both the types of blade and the modifications necessary.
IMPORTANT - Please note:
The electrical machines we offer for sale are principally for use with the electrical supply system operation in the UK namely 240volt.
All the machines referred to are there equipped with a 240 motor and component parts and will have a supporting identification plate on the casing. In addition to working on the UK electrical system most can be used on any European 220/240 volt system.
However ithey are supplied with a UK 3-pin plug and therefore will need an appropriate "adaptor" plug into which the UK 3-pin will fit. Whilst these are not readily available to us they can be easily obtained at your local electrical outlet.
Customers out side of the UK and European Countries should check their electrical supply rating and seek professional advice from a qualified electrician.
USA Customer should note that with a national 110-volt electrical supply system 240-volt products will need specialist converter equipment and may still not work. You should seek professional advice from a qualified electrician before making a purchase.
IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO DISCUSS YOUR CLIPPER REQUIREMENTS OR WANT FURTHER ADVICE
please contact us on Tel: 01424 882900 during our normal business hours.
|
