I am contemplating buying a new string trimmer/weedeater. My current one is a Homelite from the early/mid 1980's which is beginning to be less than reliable and unfortunately if it needs much fixing $$ it makes more sense to start over. I am considering a cordless Ryobi 18v which would use the same li-ion battery as most of my cordless tools, or another gas engine machine. Prices are pretty close , so I am just wondering what insight anyone here can add to the cordless vs. gas choice. I did use a cheaper B&D cordless trimmer my dad had which seemed to work fine when the battery was fully charged.
- Thread starter JK-NY
- Start date
grandpa Love
Well-known Member
Our DeWalt 20 volt works great. Bought it because it fit all our batteries.....
timcasbolt
Well-known Member
switched to a 20V Dewalt 2 years ago, and am very satisfied. Satisfied enough to buy adapters for my other cordless tools, and have added the 20V hedge trimmer and leaf blower. I now have one tool (rototiller) with a rope starter.
Super H Mike
Member
I had 3 trimmers, Craftsman, Stihl and Homelite, last year I couldn't get any of them to run so I got mad and put them at the driveway end for free and bought an Echo at the local hardware, really a good machine so far.
I have a 36V Makita. It is as good as any gas trimmer I have ever owned. I can no longer use gas powered hand tools,the vibration just kills my wrists,and I spend the evening after use in pain. Battery no such problem.
I trim around more than a hundred trees on my property and the Makita batteries last for the whole session. I also have a B&D 20v, much lighter weight and it takes 4 or 5 batteries to accomplish the same work.
My Gas Stihl fS110 hangs on the wall in my shed used only when I am doing heavy brush.
I trim around more than a hundred trees on my property and the Makita batteries last for the whole session. I also have a B&D 20v, much lighter weight and it takes 4 or 5 batteries to accomplish the same work.
My Gas Stihl fS110 hangs on the wall in my shed used only when I am doing heavy brush.
Bob Bancroft
Well-known Member
- Location
- Aurora NY
I was working in lawn and garden when the original 'Weed Eater' came out. Electric motor, with a cord, of course. We were a Homelite dealer, but also sold 'Weed Eater'. It wasn't long before everyone started putting a gas engine on them. I thought working on chainsaws for the general public was a pain, but string trimmers topped that. It's kind of ironic, that, here we are now seeing them going back to electric. It certainly makes sense, after seeing the construction guys running their power tools hard all day long on battery power any more. No cords!
M-MAN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bostic, NC
Mine is a Milwaukee and works good. Since you are already invested in the Ryobi and are satisfied with it I would stick with the same brand.
Determined
Well-known Member
If you are considering another gas one read the box first.
We bought one a few years back and even though it is a 4 stroke engine on it you still have to mix oil with the fuel for it.
Some are like this and some are not, you don't want to fire it up and wreck it the first time out of the box.
We bought one a few years back and even though it is a 4 stroke engine on it you still have to mix oil with the fuel for it.
Some are like this and some are not, you don't want to fire it up and wreck it the first time out of the box.
Richard G.
Well-known Member
I have the 18 volt Ryobi and am very happy with it.
It is light and does not hurt my back to use it.
One 6AH battery does all my trimming on one charge.
Richard in NW SC
It is light and does not hurt my back to use it.
One 6AH battery does all my trimming on one charge.
Richard in NW SC
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
I just bought a 48v Echo.
While shopping, I compared it with Ryobi, since I have Ryobi batteries.
Also looked at Stihl.
The Ryobi felt and sounded cheaply made, especially comparing it to the Echo.
The Stihl was so ridiculously priced I passed, even though it was a good tool, just wasn't justifiable.
The Echo works very well, very controllable speed. I can do my whole yard 4-5 times on a single charge. More of a commercial trimmer than the Ryobi. My only complaint, it hurts my back, can't get the balance right, think I need to rig up a shoulder strap.
While shopping, I compared it with Ryobi, since I have Ryobi batteries.
Also looked at Stihl.
The Ryobi felt and sounded cheaply made, especially comparing it to the Echo.
The Stihl was so ridiculously priced I passed, even though it was a good tool, just wasn't justifiable.
The Echo works very well, very controllable speed. I can do my whole yard 4-5 times on a single charge. More of a commercial trimmer than the Ryobi. My only complaint, it hurts my back, can't get the balance right, think I need to rig up a shoulder strap.
Hay hay hay
Well-known Member
I have the 18v Ryobi. It works fine for trimming sidewalks around the house and the battery will handle doing all around the house. But, it has light weight line, so it does not do big weeds very well. It is great for it's intended job. I too have a bunch of 18v Ryobi tools and use the 18v blower on the house walkways.
However, for farm jobs...trimming fence lines etc, I have Stihl straight shaft gas trimmers.
However, for farm jobs...trimming fence lines etc, I have Stihl straight shaft gas trimmers.
I have used two Husqvarna #125C mixed gas trimmers for several years now.
One for home and one I kept for use around the warehouse.
The warehouse one always went with me to the lake and other properties. It has seen a LOT of use.
I have been impressed with their performance.
Easy to crank, great head speed when needed, easy to
work around obstacles and carries well.
My opinion, yes, they are serving me well.
Also have two of their model #125B mixed fuel blowers.
Have received good service from these units as well.
One for home and one I kept for use around the warehouse.
The warehouse one always went with me to the lake and other properties. It has seen a LOT of use.
I have been impressed with their performance.
Easy to crank, great head speed when needed, easy to
work around obstacles and carries well.
My opinion, yes, they are serving me well.
Also have two of their model #125B mixed fuel blowers.
Have received good service from these units as well.
Tim in New York
Member
When my old Stihl went belly up I replaced it with one of the Stihl Kombi units. The power head can handle all kinds of attachments. I started with the string trimmer, then bought the mini rototiller, and just this year the hedge trimmer attachment. They also have a similar set up in battery powered units. For my size yard and trimming christmas trees, I would stick with the 2 cycle version.
Very happy with it. Probably 15 years old and no issues with it so far.
Tim
Very happy with it. Probably 15 years old and no issues with it so far.
Tim
Usedtobeiowadave
Member
I bought a high-end Echo many moons ago and have been very satisfied with it. Never gave it much love, just lots of work and it always just started and ran. Fast forward to this Spring, was leaking fuel. Got to looking on Amazon for fuel lines, only way I could buy them was in a kit with a new carb, carb gasket, fuel lines, fuel filter, primer bulb, air filter, spark plug, and I don't remember what all else...for $17. Put it all on and found that I only thought it was running well prior to that. Wow! Runs fantastic. I had replaced the trimmer head once, it's about ready for another, think I'll go with one of the easy fill kind they have out now. You might see if they don't make such a kit for yours before you give up on it. If my story had come out different I'd be looking at cordless, but I'd start by looking at Echo if they make one. They've earned my business.
RobCons
Well-known Member
- Location
- Central Alabama
I do yard work for hire and use Echo gas powered equipment. No problems with a large back pack blower, trimmer, edger, or chainsaw. The blower and trimmer get used everyday.
Maple Springs
New User
Would you be willing to name the make and size of the electric one you like??
Ive tried a (small) number of electric chainsaws and none of them could cut anything bigger than a 1 branch.
So how big do I have to go with electric? And the corresponding price?
Thanks.
Mark
Ive tried a (small) number of electric chainsaws and none of them could cut anything bigger than a 1 branch.
So how big do I have to go with electric? And the corresponding price?
Thanks.
Mark
I have the Ryobi string trimmer with the HD 18v battery. I consider it light duty but for light duty jobs it's really handy. My Stihl gas is the best cutter I ever had and with the extra long shaft, the easiest for me to use. Starting is a walk in the park and like my Stihl chain saw (which has the easy start feature), it will ilde for as long as you leave it sitting running.
timcasbolt
Well-known Member
have this one: https://www.external_link.com/tsc/product/worx-16-in-electric-chain-saw-35-hp-145a-1238128?cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-1238128&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxJqHBhC4ARIsAChq4avtBob0bcmz7MxLVD-tGqlw3VkcW78ew3zK4EoDi0ZRNuRTQ7UXL60aAjlLEALw_wcB
It's got lots of power and very easy to adjust tension. No problem cutting up a 24" log.
timcasbolt
Well-known Member
ust have goofed something up. I'll try again. I have a Worx 3.5hp, 16" corded electric that works well, has plenty of power and is easy to adjust. No problem cutting up a 24" log.
It's an Atlas from Harbor Freight. 80 volt with an 18 inch bar. I've cut right through 8 inch dead ash with it like nobody's business. I finally had to recharge the battery a few weeks ago when I was cutting a tree off a fence after a wind storm. First time I'd charged it since Christmas.
go with the Ryobi 40 volt. It cuts like a gas trimmer, and if you get the 5.0 AH battery it will last longer than your back. Then you can move up to 40 volt chainsaw and leaf blower. HD is about the only place to get them. Be sure to sava ALL your receipts. don't ask me why.
Maple Springs
New User
Thank you for the very helpful response.
I have seen you specialize in those
.
Mark
I have seen you specialize in those
. Mark
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