Battery powered trimmers - opinions (will this be like "oil type"?)

[Tx Bohemian]

What are y’alls opinions of “battery powered” trimmers/weedeaters?

I’m getting real tired of using my gas trimmers (if they start) for 15-20 mins and then they just stop!!
Then I fart with them (mess with the carb, fuel, plug, new/different gas, etc…) for an hour and maybe get them going for another 15-20 mins before I give up and go drink a beer or two!!  Thinking I’m gonna go buy an electric one!!

Saw Lowes has a 40V Greenworks (I think) which got me to thinking so I went online to see the opinions and, like most things the opinions vary greatly. Mostly good though.

Do these last long enough? Should you purchase extra batteries?
How strong are they? Will they cut actual WEEDS?

I’ve got a large variety of vegetation in my yard, some carpet grass, some Bermuda, and a lot of weeds of all kinds.

[Gavin_Sons]

Do you have any Milwaukee power tools? They make one that takes the same 18v battery as their tools. A couple guys at work bought them and say they are pretty awesome. I bought a stihl 36cc a few months ago because I had a bunch of tall heavy grass and brush to clear. Put a grass and brush blade on it and went to town. It made short work out of eberything it touched.

[Serk]

I've got 2, both Black and Decker cheapies relatively. A 20V with a cheesy pop on deckl and a 40V that's just a stand alone weed-whacker.

The 20V doesn't have a lot of oomph, we got it because we have a small strip that's up a flight of stairs, and lugging a gas mower up there got to be a pain, it handles this area well overall.

The 40V does great. I've got a rather large yard for a suburban area, and can do about half of it on a single charge. (Disclaimer, I do NOT keep my yard pretty, just at a "Keep code inspection off my back" level) so if you're persnippety about your yard, I'd go for the 40V, and get at least 2 extra batteries.

It's MUCH nicer than having to deal with gas, mixing oil, getting it started, etc. No desire to go back to a gas trimmer, I gave mine away within a month or two of buying our first electric one.

[hubcapsc]

I got the .095 Ego string trimmer (that's Home Depot instead of Lowes).

It is studly and well made.

My .130 Red Max gas trimmer kicks the Ego trimmer's a** when
it come to "working in the rough" where there's rocks and tough
or woody weeds, but I think that is more of a string size limitation,
and not a gas vs battery limitation.

I have several Ego tools that all use the same 56 volt battery... A chainsaw
that works GREAT and even a lawn mower that's OK. A friend who
just bought a house that requires a large riding mower gave me the
lawn mower and a couple of batteries. One Ego tool I never thought I wanted, I just got done using -
a leaf blower. I've spent an hour or so each of the last three weeks easily blowing out the leaves
around our house (we live down in the woods)  and after a few more weeks I hope most of them
will have fallen. In past years I've waited for them all to fall, lived with the mess, and
then worked my rear end off raking and hauling them down into the woods
on a tarp...

I've got four 2.5ah batteries and two 5.0ah batteries. I just worked an hour
straight with the blower (it sucks power) and used three 2.5 batteries and
part of one 5.0 battery. If I bought the tools and the batteries separately
(that is an option) I think I'd be good with about three of the 5.0 batteries,
but my tools mostly came with batteries and the "default" battery
that comes with the tools is generaly the 2.5...

I got a little Ego inverter too... if the power goes out now we can plug
up a lamp or two... maybe even the router, assuming the phone line
is OK... 150 watts or so only... I tested it on a couple of lamps today,
it can do a good job of firing up at least one 1500 lumen bulbs in this
lamp beside my chair, but fails to fire off all three of them... it makes
the ballast hum in my two-bulb  fluorescent fixture. It won't run
the fridge The Ego inverter also has USB ports.

DeWalt'$ new FlexVolt tool$ can run contractor-grade power tools like
grinders and cut-off saws and circle saws and even a sliding compound
miter saw. They have a four battery charger that is also an inverter...
if you have four charged batteries in it, I think you can plug in a regular
corded power tool and run that!

-Mike "soon... battery powered Valkyries  "

[Disco]

I wouldn't trade any of my Troy-Bilt gasoline-powered tools for battery-powered.

[old2soon]

        I have a Weed Eater-brand name-weed whacker that has a 2 stroke engine. Been retired 9 years + and had it since I retired. Use Briggs and Stratton 2 stroke oil in alky enriched 87 octane fuel from Casey's handi mart. And a gallon of the premix lasts me a LONG time. So in addition to the oil it gits some Marine Stabil and some B-12 Chem Tool mixed in. Even after sittin all winter pump the primer full choke-2 pulls-half choke 1 or 2 more pulls and it be runnin. I replaced the ORIGIAL spark plug mid summer this year and the old one got cleaned up and is on stand by should it be needed. I got my Weed Eater at wally wurld on sale and I believe it was right at 50 bucks. You could say I HAVE gotten my moneys worth out of it til this point but I WILL be usin it again later this week. RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

How long is your yard?  If say under 50 feet in back and 50 feet in front of your house,  I would go electric plug in is all you need if in a city lot or even in country but close to the house like said 50 feet away to run an extension cord.

I have no trouble going to town in my about 5 amp electric plug in with cord trimmer.  I only use it say 4-5 times per summer season, but when I do,  I use it for over 1 hour to scalp the weeds/grass can do pretty much everything a gas trimmer can do except tall thick weeds/branches.  I may use more trimmer line since is thinner diameter, but they are only like 40 bucks for a decent one and am only on my 2nd one in 25 years.

Now, if your yard is over say 100 feet from a plug in,  forget about an electric plug in weed eater,  too much hastle with longer cords.  It will take you more time to do electric vs. gas (assuming your gas trimmer runs well), but those battery operated ones are pretty pricey IMO.   PLus,  my guess is the cost of an extra battery (should get 2) is  pushing price of a decent gas trimmer.  I have seen a few stihl (best brand in small engines IMO)  gas trimmers USED on craigslist for say 100 bucks like new condition vs. paying new say 150 bucks for the cheapest curved shaft one.  I have a stihl gas roto tiller for my garden (only 12 inches wide) for the past 12 years or more and use it 2-3 times per summer, and is fine starts right up no issues with it is same engine as the stihl gas weed eaters.   It has enough power but like said, not very wide so takes me about 1 hour to rototill my garden vs. a much pricier and bigger rototiller taking say 30 minutes.  

[cookiedough]

        I have a Weed Eater-brand name-weed whacker that has a 2 stroke engine. Been retired 9 years + and had it since I retired. Use Briggs and Stratton 2 stroke oil in alky enriched 87 octane fuel from Casey's handi mart. And a gallon of the premix lasts me a LONG time. So in addition to the oil it gits some Marine Stabil and some B-12 Chem Tool mixed in. Even after sittin all winter pump the primer full choke-2 pulls-half choke 1 or 2 more pulls and it be runnin. I replaced the ORIGIAL spark plug mid summer this year and the old one got cleaned up and is on stand by should it be needed. I got my Weed Eater at wally wurld on sale and I believe it was right at 50 bucks. You could say I HAVE gotten my moneys worth out of it til this point but I WILL be usin it again later this week. RIDE SAFE.

you are lucky with using E10 ethanol 87 octane gas in that and keeps running for so long.  It is recommended to use 91 octane NON ethanol in engines like this, but I guess if you use it regularly not likely to be many issues since I use 87 octane E10 gas in my lawn mower for 30+ years but use it regularly every week or two.

[Robert]

My son in law has an electric and likes it but I would never give up my Echo SRM-280T. Didn't know how it was going to be since I really liked my Stihl before that, but I tell you its just great. I edge, cut small branches, weed wack, and it tackles it all without going to full throttle. It also has a easy load for the string that makes refilling the spool a 2 minute job and nothing has to be taken apart. You just thread the line through the head and turn it until the desired length. Starts are easy, its light, quiet and has a 3 year warranty. Controllable enough to be around flowers, yet powerful enough to do anything you would expect of a weed whacker with ease.

The new generation of synthetic 2 cycle oils are pretty darn good at protecting the engine and keeping the inside clean. They also are good at protecting the fuel and equipment at off times. Echo Red Armor is really good and with some mfgs they extend the warranty if you use it.

I had my last Stihl FS80 weed whacker for 8 years and never had a problem, in fact I still have it but this Echo is light years ahead of it in weight, Controllability and ease of use. I use the .95 Rino-Tuff line and it will go through anything and leaves a nice clean edge to the lawn.

I did replace the carb on my Stihl since it was getting a bit harder to start and running was a bit erratic. That is the reason I bought the Echo but after I put a new carb on it for 35.00 it was like brand new.

[F6Dave]

The tool companies have figured out how to get you hooked on their brand:  make sure the batteries only fit their tools!  Isn't that similar to the business model drug pushers use?

Luckily, most of the modern battery powered tools are great, thanks to lithium-ion battery technology.  So I would buy whatever brand you already own, so you always have a few spare, interchangeable batteries.

FYI, I have a Ryobi trimmer from Home Depot and it works great.  I can easily trim my 8,000 sq. ft. lawn with one or two batteries.  I also have a Ryobi chain saw that is far easier to use than a gas powered saw.

[NewValker]

I got the Ryobi 40 volt weed wacker and love it! It’ll go solid for 45-55 minutes.
Also got the blower that uses the same battery, goes the same time.
Never thought I’d give up the gas tools, but i ain’t missing the bad gas & clogged carb problems at all.
Craig

[..]

Having to buy all new tools I bought electric Ryobi.

Simply because all the gas powered Ryobis I'd bought previously gave stellar serve.

Bought the name

Drill/screwdriver
Circular saw
Chain saw
Strimmer

[Kidd]

First , fine out what a  battery cost  , sometimes   the battery type are not worth it

Buy from a place that  accepts turns  easily  with no questions asked  , that's if you do not like it .

Echo makes the  best  as I worked in landscape maintenance  for 7 years   , I know  the equipment .
Echo  , as Robert stated , is the best , you will not have to fart with 'em  , unless you are not mechanically inclined , even then , you'll not have a problem  with  Echo

[Hook#3287]

My honda 4 stroker starts every time and runs like my Valks.

[Jersey mike]

I’ve been using Black and Decker for a few years now and it works well enough for my yard...80x125.

It came with 2 batteries but 1 gets me through with what I need to do with life still in the battery.

[carolinarider09]

I have never used a battery powered weed eater/trimmer.  My experience with battery operated tools is limited to drills and saws.  I have several battery operated drills, used for multiple purposes but generally drilling small holes and screwing things together. 

My opinion is that, in general, the battery operated devices don't have the same power as "powered" devices. 

My battery operated saw (DeWalt) is no match for my Rigid powered saw.  My best battery powered drill, again a Rigid, is no match for my Rigid 120 VAC drill.  But it depends on the work you are doing.

I have selected Husqvarna as my go to chainsaw, a Rancher model.  I am on my second one.

I have selected Stihl for my weed eater and  branch trimmer (chain saw like attachment).  I don't use them daily but I try to keep them maintained and occasionally take them into the shop for a good going over.  The problem is finding a good shop that actually does real work. 

I have no plans to get a battery operated weed eater or chain saw, but will keep my battery operated drills due their ease of use for small tasks. and portability. 

[Jess from VA]

I also prefer gas lawn tools for their power.

However, using my Stihl 22" bar hedge trimmer (at nearly 10lbs) rapidly makes me arm and shoulder weary, especially since things that used to be 4' tall are now 6-15' tall.  And using it to round up 15 boxwoods is like using a double headed axe to cut twigs.

So I went out and bought an electric cord trimmer at about a third the weight which is so much easier to use, even dragging around a long extension cord.  And the cord never runs out of power (unless you cut it with your electric hedge trimmer).

It really depends on how much lawn and scape you have to deal with.  If you can make do with batteries, then go for it.  I had a neighbor with a battery lawn mower (third acre), and they had to stop and recharge several times each mowing.  It would have helped if they got out more often; by the time they got to it, they needed a gas mower to cut that tall grass. 

 

[hubcapsc]

My battery operated saw (DeWalt) is no match for my Rigid powered saw.

My 10 year old 36 volt DeWalt is. I built a barn bigger than my house with it.



The new DeWalt Flexvolt tools are even more awesome... same power as
plugged in and also the same quality "feel" as high-end traditional tools...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnFYvIwkf_A

-Mike

[Michvalk]

I have almost every battery powered tool that Ryobi One makes, including the trimmer. It does everything I need it to do on my country lot. It's not as fast and powerful as my Steil was, but it's ready to go when I am. The batteries last for a while, and they recharge in less than an hour. Two batteries will do everything in my 3 acre yard. but, I'm not looking for perfection, just hate the gas powered stuff.

[F6Dave]

For those who only have experience with older, NiCd powered tools, you might be surprised.  The more recent, higher voltage Li-ion powered tools are light years ahead.

[vanavyman]

Love my 40V Worx yard tools. Batteries are great. Owned several other brands but would not switch again. 40V is powerful enough for my half acre.

[..]

Don't forget to UNPLUG the batteries once charged !!!

[Alpha Dog]

For those who only have experience with older, NiCd powered tools, you might be surprised.  The more recent, higher voltage Li-ion powered tools are light years ahead.

Totally agree with this statement.  Have been using a 40v B And D for 4 years now.  It has dial speed and automatic feed that always works.  2 years ago I bought an Ego 56v blower.  The thing is a beast with dial speed up to 530 cfm.  I am thinking about a supplemental Ego snowblower this winter that should easily handle snows up to 6 inches, maybe more, which 90 percent of our snows are.  I think Greenworks that Lowe's carriers are pretty good also.  The technology will only get better.  I just wish someone would come out with a house vacuum that had great power, I tend to step on the electric cord a lot. 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I have many Milwaukee 12 and 18 volt tools, and one of my tool suppliers ended up with a trimmer and hedge trimmer set that he wanted to get out of his inventory (automotive tool truck). He gave me a good deal on it, and I needed a hedge trimmer anyway. I ended up giving my Stihl gas trimmer to my brother. I haven't used it since I started using the Milwaukee. It has two speeds and is perfectly balanced (for me, anyway) with the large battery in it. Oh, and it's quiet, too. Between firearms, loud music, working in a shop, and working on racecars, I'm going too deaf, too fast as it is. A little less wailing 2 stroke probably isn't the worst thing these days.

[Atl-Jerry]

I bought the Lowes Kobalt brand Lithium Ion battery powered yard tools about 5 years ago, they are outstanding.  Have the string trimmer,  chain saw, pole saw, hedger and blower, one batery and charger fits them all.  You can add tools and buy the tool only without the battery and charger.  The string trimmer will trim about 250' of fence inside and out, 500' total on a charge.  I also have my echo gas trimmer I use for the perimeter fence which is 2000' of PVC ranch fence.  I think these battery operated tools will suit the needs of 98% of homeowners.  They also offer 8 volt units which seems a lot heavier.

[cookiedough]

For those who only have experience with older, NiCd powered tools, you might be surprised.  The more recent, higher voltage Li-ion powered tools are light years ahead.

I agree my old NiCD sucks if you do not use it often the memory in the battery gets weak in short order and will not hold a charge unlike Li-ion batteries that do not puke out as quickly over limited use, or so I am told...

[..]

Just used my Ryobi chainsaw to remove a tree leaning across my drive at about 50 degrees.

My word of caution is that one needs to remember even thought the machine is a lot quieter IT WILL STILL HARM YOU!

Mine has a pull switch and trigger that need to be operated together to make the motor work.

A LOT lighter than a gas engine chain saw.

Cut through the tree just as a gas powered would.

[RainMaker]

I was told by a repair shop that the ethanol gas kills the power tool motors to a greater extent than any other type of motor.  Stihl now sells a premixed oil/gas fuel that is really nasty expensive.  But the repair shop said to use pure non-ethanol gas and mix it myself and I would have no problems. 

[F6Dave]

I was told by a repair shop that the ethanol gas kills the power tool motors to a greater extent than any other type of motor.  Stihl now sells a premixed oil/gas fuel that is really nasty expensive.  But the repair shop said to use pure non-ethanol gas and mix it myself and I would have no problems. 

I noticed that the Stihl website has a warning about ethanol fuels, especially E15.

I was very happy to see a Murphy Express gas station open nearby recently.  It sells 87 octane pure gas for not much more than the ethanol version.  It's the only fuel I use in my 2 mowers, and I fill my motorcycles with it whenever possible.