Hedge-cutting will begin in earnest in the coming weeks. The existing ban, which prohibits this activity between the start of March and the end of August, will shortly be lifted - albeit for just six months before being re-instated once again.

To find out more about the business of hedge-cutting, Farming Independent spoke to Maurice Kavanagh, a contractor based close to Cashel, Co Tipperary.

Maurice runs five hedge-cutters, all of which are permanently attached to Ford tractors. The most modern of these is a '94-reg 7840 SLE. The other four are an assortment of 7710s. Three are Super Q (Force II) models, dating from the late 1980s. The remaining tractor is an earlier Force I model, recognisable by its dome-topped Q cab.

All five of Maurice's hedge-cutters are Arbo-Cut 2000s. Supplied by AR Engineering, a well-known Irish manufacturer situated on the Kilkenny/Waterford border, they vary in age. The oldest is an eight-year-old machine; the newest was delivered just last year.

Interestingly, the later machines differ from their predecessors in several ways. Most of these differences centre on the design of the oil tank and the associated cooling system.

Whereas the older models have a larger tank with a series of pipes running through it that carry cool air, the newer machines have a separate, radiator-type cooler.

On earlier models, the fan's function was to suck cool air through the pipes running through the tank. On current versions, the fan draws air through the external cooler -- past the radiator fins.

The cooling system on current versions is now controlled via a thermostat. So, whenever the oil temperature exceeds 45° the cooler is activated automatically.

Thanks to all of this, and a more vibrant oil circulation system, the latest Arbo-Cut 2000 can manage with a much smaller reservoir of oil. This is evident from the smaller tank, which is half the size of that found on earlier models.

To help speed up the machine's operation, AR Engineering has also swapped the previous double-pump system for a triple-unit assembly on current hedge-cutters.

The extra pump's sole duty is to tilt the head. As a result, the operator can now adjust the head while simultaneously working the boom -- without any loss of performance.

Previously, one function would operate at the expense of the other -- ultimately slowing everything down.

According to the machine's manufacturer, an Arbo-Cut 2000 can be configured with an 18, 20 or a 23-foot reach. Prices start at €21,000 (excl VAT) for a brand new machine equipped with a flail head (a saw attachment is optional). Expect to pay €30,000 (excl VAT) for a telescopic version (23-foot reach).

AR Engineering manufactures between 20 and 30 machines each year -- and handles a similar number of second-hand and re-conditioned hedge-cutters. Demand is strongest for the 20-foot version. In fact, less than one in seven buyers chooses the smaller 18-foot model.

I asked Maurice why he chose Arbo-Cut. Why not opt for a longer-established brand such as McConnel or Bomford? He replied: "When I started hedge-cutting in the mid 1980s I had McConnels. I had few complaints with the machines themselves. However, at that time, the parts depot was in Dublin and I felt that the back-up service was only OK.

"In contrast, when I switched to Arbo-Cut, I could travel to AR Engineering and back in less than an hour and a half. And, because they fabricate and assemble hedge-cutters on site, there's nothing they don't know about the machines. When you're a contractor trying to make a living from machinery, this sort of back-up service is nearly essential!"

Maurice opted for a variety of 20 and 23-foot reach models. He explained: "There's no point going out to do hire work with a machine that can't do the job. If there are bits that you can't get to because the machine can't stretch far enough, the farmer might have to call in somebody else to finish the job. And if that happens, you won't be called back again"

He added: "While you don't need much horsepower to drive a hedge-cutter, you do need tractors with enough weight to provide ample stability. That's where the 7710 proves its worth. It's a relatively big tractor despite having just a four-cylinder engine.

"And thanks to the high-set cab and driver's seat, visibility is very good for this type of work."

According to Maurice, the tractors typically burn no more than 12-15 gallons of diesel per day when hedge-cutting-- that's over the course of eight or nine hours. That's because the engine only needs to run at 1400rpm when tackling lighter growth.

The six-cylinder, 100hp 7840 does tend to use a bit more, typically two or three gallons. But, because these tractors are never detached from their hedge-cutters, he can't say how much they would use doing heavier work.

Asked if he has ever been tempted to replace his older tractors with brand new equivalents, Maurice replied: "I spend about €8,500 in total repairing and maintaining the five Fords each year -- so that's an average of €1,700 per tractor. The biggest items on the bill include tyres, new clutches, Dual Power units and so on.

"I wouldn't have to spend as much on maintenance if I was running new tractors, but I'd have massive repayments to contend with. This way, I can pay for tractors over a short period, because they're bought for reasonably small money.

For example, the last 7710 I bought was an '88-reg model. It cost €9,500 (incl VAT) two years ago. Admittedly, it does have over 7,500 hours on the clock, but it'll still work a hedge-cutter without any fuss."

According to Maurice, the going rate for flail work in the area is €34-38/hr (excl VAT). Saw work typically attracts a charge-out rate of €46-48.

Nowadays, his biggest customer is Coolmore Stud, though council work also helps to keep him busy. So too, does private work -- with surrounding farmers calling on his services with varying degrees of regularity.