String trimmers

[Doofy]

The Wife received her new Worx 40 volt cordless lawn mower today and absolutely loves it. Quiet and lightweight. No more gas and oil and stink and noise!

 

[Buggs67]

My wife got a new 54" cut Hustler Raptor SDX ZTM. SHe lets me use it all the time. Literally. All. The. Time.

 

[Ram4x4]

Bought a Hustler Raptor SD 4 years ago. Love it! Had one issue last year though. The bracket under the rear bottom between the hydro motors was the old flimsy style. It broke. Hustler gave me a little run around about covering the part, but a local dealer was able to get the part on warranty and it cost me $52 in labor to have it replaced. Since then, not one problem.

Anyway, since people are talking about string trimmers...I literally just sat down from using my Ego 56v trimmer for the first time (I bought the kit with the carbon fiber shaft model, 2.5AH battery and charger for $229 from HomeDespot). I'm quite impressed so far. The power is amazing, puts my gasser to shame. The battery life isn't as long as I thought it would be based on reviews, but it is only the 2.5AH battery. Admittedly, this is the first trim of the year and the grass was extra thick. I think if I buy the 5AH battery then I'll have enough juice to do everything in one go. One feature it has that I absolutely love is the power string loading feature. Just cut a 13 foot length of string, push it through the eyelets until it's even on both sides, then press the button down by the head and it power winds the string onto the spool. No more hand cranking it or removing the head and spool to manually wind the string on and then get it all snapped back together. It works extremely well. It's also nice not having a 2-stroke engine screaming in your ear either.

 

[deserteagle71]

It's also nice not having a 2-stroke engine screaming in your ear either.

That's why, 25 years ago, I bought a Honda 4-stroke trimmer. No mixing gas/oil, starts on the first tug, set it on high idle and it will cut anything in its way. One of my better investments.

 

[ArlyA]

That's why, 25 years ago, I bought a Honda 4-stroke trimmer. No mixing gas/oil, starts on the first tug, set it on high idle and it will cut anything in its way. One of my better investments.

We've extensively used both 4 and 2 stroke powered trimmers. We used 2 strokes today. More HP per pound.

 

[Ram4x4]

We have a 4-stroke trimmer too, wife hates it, it's hard as heck to get started and warmed up. Giving it to my son to use at his place, he said he doesn't mind using it.

I have a Cub Cadet walk behind line trimmer that I use for the heavy stuff along the ditch out by the road.

I think I'll invest in that extra battery for the Ego and life will be good. If I had even more area to trim, I'd probably rethink the electric approach, but as it is I have the house, the sidewalk, a stone fire pit, about 15 trees/bushes, a detached 3-car garage, a stone wall (have to do both sides), a 10,000 sq ft barn, 4 telephone poles, and a mailbox post. The electric today did about half of it before the battery ran out. Fortunately, it doesn't take too long to charge the battery (enough time to take a break!). So far, pretty happy with it.

 

[ArlyA]

We would try a battery power unit since everyone is raving about theirs but,,,, we work in the field for normally 2 days are a time where there is no power supply. We have worked 10 hours days and we hike to where the work area is. We also run big strings which are power hungry..

 

[buck12]

Bought a Hustler Raptor SD 4 years ago. Love it! Had one issue last year though. The bracket under the rear bottom between the hydro motors was the old flimsy style. It broke. Hustler gave me a little run around about covering the part, but a local dealer was able to get the part on warranty and it cost me $52 in labor to have it replaced. Since then, not one problem.

Anyway, since people are talking about string trimmers...I literally just sat down from using my Ego 56v trimmer for the first time (I bought the kit with the carbon fiber shaft model, 2.5AH battery and charger for $229 from HomeDespot). I'm quite impressed so far. The power is amazing, puts my gasser to shame. The battery life isn't as long as I thought it would be based on reviews, but it is only the 2.5AH battery. Admittedly, this is the first trim of the year and the grass was extra thick. I think if I buy the 5AH battery then I'll have enough juice to do everything in one go. One feature it has that I absolutely love is the power string loading feature. Just cut a 13 foot length of string, push it through the eyelets until it's even on both sides, then press the button down by the head and it power winds the string onto the spool. No more hand cranking it or removing the head and spool to manually wind the string on and then get it all snapped back together. It works extremely well. It's also nice not having a 2-stroke engine screaming in your ear either.

I bought the 56v Ego hedge trimmer about three years ago and have been very impressed.

I have Kawasaki string trimmer that I bought 10 or so years ago that has been great. I have a ton of trimming with our pond and the only parts I have replaced on the Kawasaki are the string spool and a fitting in the gas tank. It still has the original spark plug. It always starts easy.

 

[Ram4x4]

We would try a battery power unit since everyone is raving about theirs but,,,, we work in the field for normally 2 days are a time where there is no power supply. We have worked 10 hours days and we hike to where the work area is. We also run big strings which are power hungry..

Agreed, electric would be no good in that case.

 

[def38]

I've got two Craftsman 4 stroke trimmers. The starter on the 31CC unit is broken and not repairable. Good engine but the recoil starter is junk. The 29CC unit is better design but, the high speed jet needs adjustment. I cannot find the adjustment. Anybody?

 

[aczlan]

We would try a battery power unit since everyone is raving about theirs but,,,, we work in the field for normally 2 days are a time where there is no power supply. We have worked 10 hours days and we hike to where the work area is. We also run big strings which are power hungry..

It's really hard to beat the energy density of a can of gasoline.

Aaron Z

 

[California]

we work in the field for normally 2 days are a time where there is no power supply. We have worked 10 hours days and we hike to where the work area is.

What's your application - powerline maintenance, national park hiking trails, ??? That's beautiful country shown in your earlier posts!

 

[ArlyA]

What's your application - powerline maintenance, national park hiking trails, ??? That's beautiful country shown in your earlier posts!

Gee, I don't think anyone could do power-line maintenance with hand tools.... We do some trail clearing on National Forest within the Ottawa as volunteers which I may have posted photos of earlier. Doing this, my spouse will not run 4 strokes any more. I did for years clear trails a paid employee. Here is a thread of winter photos taken in the lake Superior snow belt where we reside. It seems to have gone dead but do let me know if you'd like to see more.....

 

[California]

It's really hard to beat the energy density of a can of gasoline.

Aaron Z

Really. We mostly used Coleman gas stoves up at the remote mining claim where we cooked gourmet meals for several days per trip. It is more concentrated and easier to transport compared to numerous little propane bottles or BBQ bottles and related hoses. Does anybody still use Coleman fuel today?


Back on-topic: I found a Ryobi 18v string trimmer, $10 at Goodwill. Donated in new condition probably because its useless against foot-tall weeds. No power and it eats string. Not suitable for farm use. I need something better. Are any of the HF battery string tools as good as the Ego etc that people in this thread like? What are other alternatives?

 

[ArlyA]

It's really hard to beat the energy density of a can of gasoline.

:thumbsup: This may be the reason why some folks can't swtich to battery tools

 

[aczlan]

Back on-topic: I found a Ryobi 18v string trimmer, $10 at Goodwill. Donated in new condition probably because its useless against foot-tall weeds. No power and it eats string. Not suitable for farm use. I need something better. Are any of the HF battery string tools as good as the Ego etc that people in this thread like? What are other alternatives?

We have a Kobalt 80 volt weed eater that my father-in-law picked up from Lowe's and it will keep up with the Stihl FS 110 that we use for brush (at least as long as the battery holds out, it's usually good for 15 to 20 minutes of hard fenceline use), we also have a pole saw attachment from a different brand that fits on there and had no problem limbing an 80-foot tree that we took down, we took off anything smaller than 4" with the pole saw and it cut it all off in one charge.


Aaron Z

 

[California]

Here is a thread of winter photos taken in the lake Superior snow belt where we reside.

Wow gorgeous pix, gorgeous country.

 

[3gunr]

My husky trimmer is at least 15 yrs old and runs great, i bought a 40 volt wen chainsaw polesaw and blower last yr and all 3 are awsome. the polesaw is telescopic out to ten ft and cuts great. the chainsaw came with a more powerful battery and lasts twice as long. My brother just bought the 80 volt lowes brand saw and trimmer and seems to like them.

 

[MultiMow]

That's why, 25 years ago, I bought a Honda 4-stroke trimmer. No mixing gas/oil, starts on the first tug, set it on high idle and it will cut anything in its way. One of my better investments.

I'm not sure what model trimmer you bought... but unless you are running a premixed fuel, they still require lubricant mixed in the fuel... it's just a different blend. How many hours have you put on it without premix?

 

[MultiMow]

We would try a battery power unit since everyone is raving about theirs but,,,, we work in the field for normally 2 days are a time where there is no power supply. We have worked 10 hours days and we hike to where the work area is. We also run big strings which are power hungry..

You need a commercial unit. I know Mean Green has a high capacity backpack battery. It's a great unit with cooling fans built into it, and I think it even has a USB port. Greenworks Commercial line has a waist belt battery pack with a 6amp hour capacity as well. As for gas units, I like Shindaiwa. They're two stroke, strong, usually start on the first pull, not as finicky or fragile or heavy as Stihl, and sip fuel when operated properly.