Trimmer recommendation? Stihl? Echo? something else....

[newbury]

Post #13 - this thread

Dewalt 40V Lithium Ion Battery. No pulling, no priming, no gas to mess with, plus quieter. And it OUTPOWERS my Stihl. Goes several hours on a charge. My arms give out before the battery does. Will never go back to gas-powered.

Lady - you have some explainin' to do

I have the 60V Flexvolt Dewalt. Don't know about Kobalt.

THAT is a horse of another color!

Dewalt 40v is their "professional line", they came out with it prior to the Flexvolt. I expect it to go away.

And with Craftsman to be sold by Lowes I wonder how long Kobalt will continue to exist.

 

[ultrarunner]

This has always been a problem with batter tools...

The tools last longer than the battery and the battery is discontinued and often the only choice is a third party rebuilder...

It has happened to me even with name brand such as Bosch and others...

Stihl has commercial applications and offers even back pack batteries... so it may bode well long-term for a price.

 

[ArlyA]

I like the dependability of tools that have been around. Like a well built 2 stroke engine. No problem with fuels going bad either. I can't say the same for my battery powered tools. :-(

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Post #13 - this thread


Lady - you have some explainin' to do



THAT is a horse of another color!

Dewalt 40v is their "professional line", they came out with it prior to the Flexvolt. I expect it to go away.

And with Craftsman to be sold by Lowes I wonder how long Kobalt will continue to exist.

Note the Dewalt Flexvolt tools come in different voltages, but the Flexvolt system allows you to use the same battery in all of them. The batteries automatically change voltage to match the tool, as long as the tool is Flexvolt compatible.

So, I do get confused because I have a complete suite of Dewalt battery-powered tools, in all different voltages. My Flexvolt batteries fit them all.

Does that clear things up or make it worse?

 

[newbury]

Note the Dewalt Flexvolt tools come in different voltages, but the Flexvolt system allows you to use the same battery in all of them. The batteries automatically change voltage to match the tool, as long as the tool is Flexvolt compatible.

So, I do get confused because I have a complete suite of Dewalt battery-powered tools, in all different voltages. My Flexvolt batteries fit them all.

Does that clear things up or make it worse?

But just to clarify for the unaware -
DeWalt has 5 main lines of battery operated tools:
Flexvolt 60V MAX* & 120V MAX* CORDLESS TOOLS
20V max
DEWALTｮ 40V MAX* OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
Dewalt 18V cordless
DEWALTｮ 8V MAX*-14.4V CORDLESS TOOLS

The Flexvolt battery fits in most of the 20VMAX tools (I've read that the Flexvolt battery was too big for some of the 20v max line) and fits all the newer 60V/120V MAX
The 20V Max batteries only fit in 20V max tools, but you can get an adapter for the older DeWalt 18v tools to use the 20V max battery (don't know if this adapter works with the FlexVolt batteries) So far I've not seen an adapter to put 20V max batteries in Flexvolt equipment.
The 40V is a big hunkin battery, and only fits their 40V line.
Here's a couple of videos of the differences of the 3:
Dewalt Flexvolt 9.Ah 6.Ah vs 2 volt max 5.Ah 2.Ah vs 4 volt - How Dewalt Batteries Size Up - YouTube
DeWalt 2v 4v and 6v FLEXVOLT Battery Platforms - YouTube

The 18V tools are about gone and the 8V-14V tools are "specialty".

Now I've had some of my 20V max systems for 5 years and just had my first DeWalt 2AH battery fail

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

But just to clarify for the unaware -
DeWalt has 5 main lines of battery operated tools:
Flexvolt 60V MAX* & 120V MAX* CORDLESS TOOLS
20V max
DEWALTｮ 40V MAX* OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
Dewalt 18V cordless
DEWALTｮ 8V MAX*-14.4V CORDLESS TOOLS

The Flexvolt battery fits in most of the 20VMAX tools (I've read that the Flexvolt battery was too big for some of the 20v max line) and fits all the newer 60V/120V MAX
The 20V Max batteries only fit in 20V max tools, but you can get an adapter for the older DeWalt 18v tools to use the 20V max battery (don't know if this adapter works with the FlexVolt batteries) So far I've not seen an adapter to put 20V max batteries in Flexvolt equipment.
The 40V is a big hunkin battery, and only fits their 40V line.
Here's a couple of videos of the differences of the 3:
Dewalt Flexvolt 9.Ah 6.Ah vs 2 volt max 5.Ah 2.Ah vs 4 volt - How Dewalt Batteries Size Up - YouTube
DeWalt 2v 4v and 6v FLEXVOLT Battery Platforms - YouTube

The 18V tools are about gone and the 8V-14V tools are "specialty".

Now I've had some of my 20V max systems for 5 years and just had my first DeWalt 2AH battery fail

I've had a series of battery operated (BO) over the years. Had a Craftsman 14V electric drill that I loved (stolen). Still have a 5-year-old B&D trimmer (18V I believe and cost around $80) that still works well for light trimming around the house. The reason I have finally gone whole hog for the suite of BO tools is.....I don't see how you would need any more power than these latest Dewalt tools have. IOW we may finally *be there* in terms of power and battery life. I mean, that string trimmer will dig a hole in my clay soil. It will throw a goose-egg-sized rock quite a ways. The chainsaw can buck smaller-sized trees all day.

And here's a story on the Dewalt BO Impact Driver: A couple weeks ago I discovered my HD box-blade had been assembled with the bolts in an adjustable position so that it was angled forward, and it would not go into my quick hitch. Fixing this required loosening a lot of the BIG bolts on the box blade. These were apparently tightened by a gorilla. I had TWO big strong men to help me and even with a short breaker bar, and a couple days of waiting for various sprays to work, they couldn't get them loose. So we got out the Dewalt Impact Driver. Had to be set all the way up (I think it was on the "3" setting) but it loosened them up with no problem. I specified for them to retighten the bolts on "2."

 

[Ritothebull]

Tanaka 2stroke- Hitachi's upper line. Get at least 25-30cc. Been running mine for 7 or 8 years cranks 2nd pull after choked on 1st. Sips gas, runs all day. Also have pole saw attachment and brush cutter head w/ blade. CANNOT beat the warranty for residential.. 7 years.

I'll second the Tanaka, as good as Echo but with better warranty and they can sit for months and still start quick.

 

[Tangoddess]

Thank you for all these replies!! If I am understanding correct:

1) "Dewalt 40v is their "professional line", they came out with it prior to the Flexvolt. I expect it to go away." - does this mean that the Dewalt 40v is being phased out? If so, it may be an issue for service?

2) "Craftsman to be sold by Lowes I wonder how long Kobalt will continue to exist." - I guess this means that Kobalt is being phased away!

So now I am back to confusion land...

If I want to opt for battery...then what is the way to go?

I looked into Tanaka 2 stroke...but they seem to seem to have a very limited number of retailers/service centers in the greater Houston area.

I am wondering if there are any good deals to be had on a trimmer over the labor day weekend?

So what would you buy if you were me!! Light weight is important to accommodate diversity in users...and if my dad is paying then we can stretch the budget....

 

[newbury]

Thank you for all these replies!! If I am understanding correct:

1) "Dewalt 40v is their "professional line", they came out with it prior to the Flexvolt. I expect it to go away." - does this mean that the Dewalt 40v is being phased out? If so, it may be an issue for service?

I would expect DeWalt to continue to support them for years. But for your purpose look at the Flexvolt ESPECIALLY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY GET ANOTHER FLEXVOLT TOOL.

Remember, with BO tools you are buying into a line, everything has to fit. I bought into the Dewalt 20V max line 5 years ago when I needed to run tools far from a plug.

<snip>
So what would you buy if you were me!! Light weight is important to accommodate diversity in users...and if my dad is paying then we can stretch the budget....

If Dad is paying look into Stihl.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

If Dad is paying look into Stihl.

Will sell you my top-of-the-line 2006 Stihl string trimmer, with blades and all attachments, that cost I believe well over $300. It is heavy, hard to start, and loud as heck.

 

[4570Man]

Will sell you my top-of-the-line 2006 Stihl string trimmer, with blades and all attachments, that cost I believe well over $300. It is heavy, hard to start, and loud as heck.

That’s because it’s the wrong color. My Shindiawa was lighter than any battery trimmer I’ve laid hands on always started on the second pull and ran the best of any trimmer I’ve ever had. Someone stole that one and I haven’t found as good of a trimmer yet.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

That痴 because it痴 the wrong color. My Shindiawa was lighter than any battery trimmer I致e laid hands on always started on the second pull and ran the best of any trimmer I致e ever had. Someone stole that one and I haven稚 found as good of a trimmer yet.

Agree with everything you wrote. The gassers can be lighter. And the older ones (before 2005 or so) were SO much better. I had a 2000 Husqv that I loved so much I didn't mind maintaining the gas engine. The handlebar harness made it effortless. In spite of my new love for battery-operated, if I found one at a garage sale I'd buy it in a New York minute.

Got an after-market harness for my BO Dewalt. Helps a lot.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

This is one of my pet peeves, how long has ethanol fuel been at the pumps 25+ years, why we put up with that lame excuse is beyond me. They should be building the equipment to handle current realities, imagine if your new audio system stopped working and your were told you wouldn't have that problem if you would only play albums.

Ethanol is an alcohol. It attracts water. Water oxidizes metal.

Go get you a shindaiwa and enjoy it for years.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My shindaiwa is 16 years old. A new fuel line, bulb, and spark plug is all it's had done. I use it for weed eating and pole sawing.

 

[newbury]

Agree with everything you wrote. The gassers can be lighter. And the older ones (before 2005 or so) were SO much better. I had a 2000 Husqv that I loved so much I didn't mind maintaining the gas engine. The handlebar harness made it effortless. In spite of my new love for battery-operated, if I found one at a garage sale I'd buy it in a New York minute.

Got an after-market harness for my BO Dewalt. Helps a lot.

Restarting this thread because GWWT's fondness for a DeWalt 40V trimmer renewed my wants for a DeWalt battery operated trimmer.
GWWT (or anyone) do you have a link for the harness?

I just bought the DeWalt Flexvolt trimmer w/battery & charger from Amazon (delivery next Wednesday, onsale for $239) and am pretty sure I'll want a harness and if possible a bicycle handlebar adaptation.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Restarting this thread because GWWT's fondness for a DeWalt 40V trimmer renewed my wants for a DeWalt battery operated trimmer.
GWWT (or anyone) do you have a link for the harness?

I just bought the DeWalt Flexvolt trimmer w/battery & charger from Amazon (delivery next Wednesday, onsale for $239) and am pretty sure I'll want a harness and if possible a bicycle handlebar adaptation.

I just bought a cheap harness that I'm not that thrilled with. If you find a handlebar-style or other good harness that FITS, would appreciate a link.

 

[RalphVa]

I've a shoulder harness with a clip on it so I can switch back and forth between my 18v B&D trimmer and 40v Kobalt. All I had to do was put a ring on each of them with key ring and worm clamp. Cannot use motored ones any more due to having an ICD. The battery ones never have starting issues.

Well, my B&D one may have a starting issue. I ran over it a 2nd time with my tractor. Pretty much mangled it.

Ralph

 

[QRTRHRS]

I just bought a cheap harness that I'm not that thrilled with. If you find a handlebar-style or other good harness that FITS, would appreciate a link.

My Stihl harness has outlasted the Stihl handlebar trimmer that I bought to use it for. Works just fine with my Redmax.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Well, my B&D one may have a starting issue. I ran over it a 2nd time with my tractor. Pretty much mangled it.

Ralph

 

[Tangoddess]

Quick update, just to try it out, since it was on sale, we purchased a Black and Decker 40v trimmer and blower combo. The trimmer model is LST140 40V MAX* String Trimmer/Edger. It is a very basic trimmer, 40v battery, 1.5 amp, 13 inch cutting swath, line diameter 0.065in and 6.4lbs.

Sadly it stopped working after a few tries (it just clicks when we pull the trigger, so it will go for a refund or replacement).

We like the battery powered option because it is easy to start, especially for the older or less strong family members.

We want to purchase a 'real' battery operated which is stronger and can cut through the thicker weeds we have.

Which in your opinion, especially @girlwhowantstractor is a great strong battery operated trimmer, with a good warranty?? Please please please

Thank you!