Technical > Home Improvement > Cordless Lawn String Trimmer

Cordless Lawn String Trimmer

I know cordless is said to be much improved but they still have battery deterioration issues affecting performance. Expect 10% less power per year as the batteries age.

reply to Red Green
I bout my FIL a cordless B&D 18V. He passed away recently and we "inherited" it. My son uses it to trim the yard. It will do an average suburban lawn without issues. Usually on 1 battery (it has 2).
Although, the way my son weed-eats I end up going back and doing it again.
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reply to Red Green
I used a B&D cordless for many, many years. It had a heavy lead acid battery. I replaced it with the new Toro 24v lithium ion a couple weekends ago. So far I am quite satisfied. You sound like you have a similar yard as me. I trim all mine in about the same time, and then go over and do it again at my grandmother's house, and I have never had a problem with battery life. And the machine is very light weight.

Toro is one of the models I'm looking at. I'm a big fan of Toro, especially since I've been using my Super Recycler mower this year. But for about the same money B&D has there 36V model. Both have got great reviews. I can get the B&D locally, but would have to mail order the Toro.
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Don't let my reality hinder your imagination!

You don't have a Toro dealer nearby? Where you got the mower should be able to get you the trimmer. That's where I got mine (and using one of the Toro coupons I got with the mower). They are sold at Home Depot as well.

reply to nunya
i have one of these - its two years old (2nd summer right now) i went through my first reel of line and bought a 4 pack of replacement line on spool. Very happy with no cord and utility of this item.

reply to Lurch77

reply to Red Green
I have the B&D 18v model (use them for various tools I have)...I used to have a Troy 4 stroke that was heavy and a complete pain in the ass. None of the attachments worked as they were supposed to, either...but my biggest gripe is that it went through line like it was going out of style, and I tried multiple widths, as well as using the "speed" feed (ha ha) and other crap...anyway, long story short, it was heavy, hard to use and wasted more time replacing line than actual trimming.

So, my wife said she wanted to get the B&D from Home Depot, as it was on sale, and then she said she could help on the yard...I thought this was a bad idea, as I'd heard so much negative about the cordless trimmers. We went and picked it up and I gave it a test run to see if it was worth a crap.

Best.

Trimmer.

Ever.

Its waaaay lighter than the Troy, doesn't hurt your back or arms anywhere near as bad, nor do you get the "shakes" after you're done, but it also works like a champ. Not sure if its the thinner line or what, but it just works. Works great for getting the weeds out of cracks and in between pavers as well, edging, etc.

I have a total of 3/4 acre lot, nothing huge up front, but large backyard (fenced) so I have to hit the borders all the way around...It usually takes about 2 batteries to get through (1 if I'm in a hurry a push it, though its noticeably tired...and 3 if it's thick) but it works great....just make sure to keep them charged up. I don't have any huge underbrush I'm cutting, though...just grass, weeds, briers, etc...it won't bush hog anything, but it'll handle whatever a normal suburbanite should throw at it.

It really surprised me, I didn't think it would be able to handle it at all, but it works like a champ.
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I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.- Edward Everett Hale

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reply to Red Green
I have been using a Ryobi 18v for a little over a year. It uses the same batteries and chargers as all of my other cordless tools. It isn't as powerful as a gas model, but it gets the job done nicely. When I am finished, I pop the same battery in the blower. (you can order the blower without a battery off the homedepot website, and save about $60)

I know they just came out with a higher volt version, but I have no experience with it.
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reply to Red Green
I'm kinda curious if anyone has used/owned one of those WorxGT trimmers that they're pushing on TV all the time. They seem kinda pricey but being able to conveniently use it as an edger is pretty neat.
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Keep your eye on the ball, your shoulder to the wheel, your nose to the grindstone, and your ear to the ground. Now, try to work in that position!!!

Most of the cordless unit on the market can be used as an edger these days. My old B&D had a swivel head for this, as does my new Toro. The Toro even has a guide wheel to roll along on when in edger mode, like the Worx.

reply to Camelot One

reply to Pacrat

reply to Red Green
I think I might end up with one of these after what a PITA my gas version as been (»string trimmer won't start...)

Is there any particular model that is better or worse if used for edging? Do any support other types of cutting heads? (for example my Echo can have a metal mower-type blade put on, or even something that looks like a circular saw... and this is not like a powerhead thing, it's just a replacement for the string part).

I'm partial to Ryobi because I already have ~5 NiCad batteries, a couple of chargers, and all my cordless power tools are Ryobi. Adding the Lithium Ion into mix would be nice, particular to use on my little chainsaw (which is remarkable in what it can eat through on a single charge BTW).

Yes, the Ryobi has the different attachments. Blower, metal blade, hedge trimmer, etc.

I went with the B&D 36 volt model LST136 for four reasons...

36 Volts (more is better...right???).
It has a power adjustment that can save battery life with settings from 1 - 6.
The store I bought it from also included a 2nd battery FREE!!! as part of a Memorial Day sale.
3 Year warrenty

»www.blackanddecker.com/outdoor/LST136.aspx
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Don't let my reality hinder your imagination!

Please say you didn't actually spend $170 on it......