Cordless String Trimmers

[blujax01]

I tire of the alchemy involved with keeping a two-stroke gas powered trimmer up and running from season to season and decided to investigate battery operated (coal powered?) string trimmers.


Currently all of my battery ops are DeWalt 18V (drills, circular saw, sawzall, etc.) and of course, DeWalt does not make a trimmer.

What works and what doesn't?

Thanks in advance!

~ Alan

 

[arjay]

My gasser finally gave up too.Ive got a cobalt (lowes) lawnmower that does better than I had expected it to.I should check out their trimmer.

 

[sophie]

Cordless battery operated weed eaters don't have a very long life in the batteries for my usage. My neighbor bought one and wound up with 3 batteries and would use all 3 to do his fence lines and its not a large area. He went back to gas powered weed eater. I never changed from my old Ryan (forerunner to the Ryobi) and a Ryobi. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Badquaker]

I buy premixed fuel for mine. It can be started by use of a drill so I don't have to pull the rope starter. If I can keep my wife from running it wfo all the time, it might last a while.

 

[arjay]

After a lifetime of power tools and endless noise,I kind of like these quiet little tools [emoji4]

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

After the 20th pull one day, the old Sears gas trimmer went to it's final resting place.

I purchased a Toro 24V about a year ago. So far so good. I'm using heavier string than came with it which lasts longer without having to let more out. Unlike the gas trimmer that I could just bang on the ground to get more string, the Toro requires the unit to come to a stop and restart to ratchet out more string. That part I don't like. Trimming my yard takes about 20min. Battery will do it about twice but I typically charge it each time. The unit rotates 90 degrees for edging which works ok as long as I can walk straight. I paid about $125 for it at Home Depot on sale with discounts blah blah blah... and a three year warranty. If it lasts three years I'll be satisfied to do without the gas.

 

[kozmic]

The guy who maintains the area around my shop had a couple of cordless trimmers to help control the noise around his customers. Battery life sucked (24volts). So that was a very short-lived experiment. He's back to the straight-shafted gas Stihls. That's what I use too. I do have an old Tanaka that has an electric start. It's the coolest thing goin'. It's old, but still a beast. I keep a blade on it for hackin' on the nasty stuff.

 

[whataboutbob]

use non ethaonal gas and a stabilizer and your problems will be GREATLY reduced Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[NYlakesider]

I buy premixed fuel for mine. It can be started by use of a drill so I don't have to pull the rope starter. If I can keep my wife from running it wfo all the time, it might last a while.

I have 6 different two stoke tools at my house. They all take about the same mix, so I took the middle number and make 2 1/2 gallons at a time. It keeps my mixture fresh that way.

What I do is use Steihl synthetic 2 stroke oil for everything now. I also use non ethanol gas that helps out.

Yes it’s a bit more but everything seems to start easier/run better. I have a lawn boy mower from the late 60s and that old timer was a bear to start before I switched to the Steihl oil.

I live out a ways in the woods and need the noisy ones as the battery things go dead or slow down too fast for me. I have no close neighbors to be bothered.

 

[billwill]

Stihl with 93 octane mix. Works every time and the string system is NOT a problem. Previous string trimmers drove me nuts with the string. Stihl makes great stuff.

 

[Badquaker]

I have 6 different two stoke tools at my house. They all take about the same mix, so I took the middle number and make 2 1/2 gallons at a time. It keeps my mixture fresh that way.

I don't need that much anymore. When I was still riding dirt bikes, I always had a five gallon jug of mixed gas on hand. Now, a single quart can of premixed fuel lasts me 6 months of use. The premixed stuff in an airtight can is cleaner, and stays fresher than anything I could mix in a jug.

The ability to electric start (drill with a clutch bit) has been the greatest godsend. After sitting unused for 4 months, I primed (flooded) the carb, held the throttle open, and spun it over until it fired off. Easiest "first start of the season" I have ever had.

 

[zzzippper]

Our Toro rechargeable that we bought from Walmart works just fine on our small yard.

 

[smokindog]

Ya, the longer winters and cold up there can make it difficult! I forget because mine get maybe a 4-6 week break and then it's game time again.

If you've got more than the entry level 60x120 with the salt box in the center, gas is the only way to go. When I lived up there I also had a boat so when I winterized the boat, I winterized all the gas appliances. Dump out the tank, generously pour in some StaBil/gas mix, run until it quits and everything always started first or second pull in the spring. Don't forget to use the primer bulb when winterizing!!! I did "fogging" a couple winters (a little motor oil with the gas) but found the "heavy on the Stabil" to do the trick. I've got a corded that my wife insisted she have for when I'm out of town or don't trim the back patio area but, as I predicted when I bought it, there's only been one occasion that it got used.

I've had Toro, Echo, and Stihl. 5 to 7 years seems to be my rate of replace. I trim about 1/4 mile (no exaggeration)!

I tire of the alchemy involved with keeping a two-stroke gas powered trimmer up and running from season to season and decided to investigate battery operated (coal powered?) string trimmers.


Currently all of my battery ops are DeWalt 18V (drills, circular saw, sawzall, etc.) and of course, DeWalt does not make a trimmer.

What works and what doesn't?

Thanks in advance!

~ Alan

 

[cass]

I use two brands of gas trimmers : Echo and Stihl. Both are trouble-free, but my favorite is the Echo. I use only the pre-mix 50-1 fuel. I have a Ryobi battery powered unit that my wife likes because of it's weight, but it runs down very quickly.

 

[Tom K]

Mine is a four stroke, no mixing required. Toro, I think?

 

[loutent]

I got fed up with the 2 cycle fuel mixing routine and finally went with a battery operated Black & Decker. I did a lot of research first because of previous experience with rechargeable lawn tools - the new lithium 36 volt (now 40) are impressive. I have quite a bit of trimming each week and it has never run down. I was so impressed that I also bought a B&D hedge trimmer which is equally fantastic plus I have 2 interchangeable batteries.

Amazon.com : Black & Decker LST136W 40V Max Lithium String Trimmer : Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ABIEdoWwL.@@AMEPARAM@@31ABIEdoWwL

 

[deadin]

I've had a Ryobi 18 v for last couple of years and am satisfied with it. The battery and I both run down at about the same time, so we work well together.......
I recently bought (on sale) a Ryobi 18v drill and circular saw. They all take the Plus 1 battery system so now I have a couple of batteries to use.

 

[wilkoi]

I have a Ryobi 40 volt. It will go 50 minutes and not miss a beat. Recharges in 90 minutes. Excellent product.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[old bear]

I've used a Black and Decker electric trimmer for sometime now. Other than dragging a 100 foot extinction cord out, I've been very pleases with it. But I don't run out of battery before I'm done trimming.

 

[BigBill]

Battery operated B&D gets my vote buy it on clearance online I think there 18volt.

I just purchased a B&D 20volt chainsaw & drill great tools. The drill has awesome power drills steel like butter.

 

[walkin jack]

I just bought a new 18 amp Black and Decker cordless trimmer it came with 2 rechargeable batteries and charger + a cordless leaf blower. I had the exact same trimmer batteries and charger for 6 years before the the trimmer went belly up. As cheap as they are and as long as they last and as well as they perform until they do wear out I think they are a good value.

Now I have a new trimmer and leaf blower and 4 batteries. all 18 amp and inner changeable. the old batteries don't hold quite the charge they used to but I'd say about 80% or so. still plenty for power for a while.

I have a typical size front yard with a double wide driveway and sidewalks and one big tree in the front. The back yard is huge with lots of trees and shrubs and fence line. 2 new batteries fully charged will get it done if I don't dawdle so it's nice to have some spares just in case.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I just got a 19.2 v Craftsman string trimmer with the new style batteries, Lithium-ion and they seem to work very well. It used to take three of the Works batteries to do what one of these do. Good luck.

 

[bgrone]

String trimmers

I have (inherited) a Stihl gas trimmer I had purchased for my late FIL. It has the ratcheting start mechanism, he liked it, we can trim most of our yard with wife's battery Worx mower after I do the open areas with the John Deere. After seeing how well her battery mower works I checked on battery trimmers. My local Stihl dealer recommends Core battery trimmer; he just started carrying them. Says battery life seems good; quality good; made in Montana by an established manufacturer of other electric products. Fairly expensive but like everything else you get what you pay for. If I get the the point where I feel the need to use a trimmer I will try it.

Jim in Iowa

 

[Stonecove]

use non ethaonal gas and a stabilizer and your problems will be GREATLY reduced Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

Agree once I realized the issue with ethanol and started to use a stabilizer I have has no issues. I also use synthetic 2 cycle oil. Stihl will give a 5 year warranty if you use synthetic oil.
Battery technology is not developed far enough to run a trimmer the way I want to use it.
Stonecove

 

[brucev]

Bought a Craftsman straight shaft trimmer w/ 32cc motor in 1983. It lasted till 1998 which along with some other equipment it was destroyed in a fire. Bought a Echo a few months later. Still running it. Starts easily. Pull the cord one time... pull again and it fires up. Runs extremely well. Very nice piece of equipment. If I were now in the market for another string trimmer, I'd look at Echo, Huskvarna, Stihl. Mix the gas/oil according to the manufacturer's directions or buy mixed gas at the store. Do not use ethanol gas. Some folks use an additive to stabilize the fuel which you have to have with the ethanol. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Rule3]

You must not have grass or weeds!. Just wait until it's spaghetti night and go wing some of that around, Just as good.

It's all year around here, I have the Echo and attachments, hedge, edger, chain saw, Sucker rips! 5 year warranty. I have had all the other cheap arse brands they end up in the canal or under a truck!

Ba Humbug, battery operated trimmers what a waste.!

If you need to go electric, drag a cord around. Some of those have enough power to work and don't get the kind that uses pies of string you put on ever 2 minutes, Bump and feed is better.

Get a gas Stihl or Echo and take care of it and it will last forever. (fuel additive, synthetic oil higher octane gas) drain in the off season,

I had a 4 stroke and it had no torque at all weighed a ton also

 

[rock doc]

I too gave up on the 2 cycle trimmers. After much research on battery life, weight, and customer complaints, I decided on this:

WORX 32-volt Lithium MAX Cordless Grass Trimmer Edger W/ Wheel Set - WG175

It's available on Amazon and on the bay for around $150.

 

[Tom Beavert]

I have a Ryobi 40 volt. It will go 50 minutes and not miss a beat. Recharges in 90 minutes. Excellent product.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

^^^^^^^
What he said, ours works fine.
+1 on the wife will use it
tb

 

[CoronaDan]

When my Echo gas trimmer bit the dust a couple of years ago, I went with the 18v Ryobi string trimmer. Not as powerful but it gets the job done.

Best part was getting the Lithium battery which works in my drill, crosscut saw and reciprocal saw. The original NiCad batteries that came with these tools wore out in about a year. The one Li battery has made these tools relevant again!

The way I look at it is that I got the string trimmer for free for the purchase of a first class battery and charger.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

use non ethaonal gas and a stabilizer and your problems will be GREATLY reduced Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

I'll second that. I also use a small funnel with a very fine mesh filter. I use this combo in my small (4 stroke Honda) tiller as well as my lawn mowers. I have a Ariens snow blower I bought in 94 and a Sears push mower dating to 93. Regular servicing, clean fuel and stabilizer makes all the difference.