Because I like my ARS hand pruners so much I decided to splurge on two rather expensive ARS loppers to compare them to the Bahco ultra-light 32 inch handle orchard lopper that is my standard.
The ARS LPA-30 is not really a comparative tool because it is a blade and anvil type with a compound lever system. This was the expensive one and is a great tool for reducing brush to sticks. It is extremely light for the power it possesses in easily cutting through up to 2" material. Actually it might go wider- I don’t have the specs with me, but it is the most aggressive hand lopper I’ve ever used. It is much better than the Bahco extra heavy pruners, that, as I recall, cost almost as much.
The ARS LPB 30 is a typical bypass blade and hook type that one uses when pruning trees. It is not as precise as the Bahco because the hook is much wider at the tip which makes it a bit bulky. It cuts smoothly and I’m sure it will hold its edge a long time because ARS tends to use the hardest steel. I ended up grinding the hook to make it as thin as a Bahco which seems to have helped alleviate the issue. After I use it for a season I will report what I think. Sometimes I prefer using a 30" handled lopper because it reduces the strain if I’m pruning a lot of peaches- with them I use loppers a lot. Still, if I’m only packing one lopper in my truck I always run with a 32" for reach and more leverage when cutting. ARS doesn’t make one with handles that long.
Incidentally, when I was at OESCO, a very well supplied source of orchard tools, I tried the feel of every quality lopper there and Bahco was my still my favorite of what they carried.