Cordless/Rechargeable Weed Whackers & Edger Dealies

[roo_ster]

Howdy:

Anybody have experience with these critters, yet?  If so, what's the verdict?  I would use it on a relatively small lawn.  Rechargeable batteries would be more convenient than gas mix.  If it works worth a darn.  I won't use a corded model.

I'm in the market since my weed whacker / multi-tool engine pod just gave out and I need a new one(1).  It was the usual semi-disposable deal from HomeDepotLowes.

Three weeks / mows out of the month are done with my man-powered reel mower and once per month I drag out my 5.5HP mower for the super choppy powers when I trim my bushes and mulch the trimming into the lawn.  I'd like to have something I could use to trim up that did not require IC engine PITA for trimming/edging chores.




(1) Or, an interest in rebuilding 2-stroke engines.  Don't hold your breath.

[seeker_two]

I know it's not a rechargable...but I've got the Ryobi Expand-it....very dependable and powerful...and versatile as all-get-out.....

http://www.homedepot.com/Ryobi/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1aw/R-100663202/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[BryanP]

It depends on your needs.  I have an 18v Black & Decker wheed whacker.  I can't edge everything I have with the two batteries it came with, but it does a reasonable job.  You won't get anywhere near the power you do from even the lightest gas engine, so be prepared for that.  I'm going to supplement mine with a couple more batteries and an extra charger this year.

[p12]

We own two. The WorX and the Ryobi 18+1 version.

The WorX is better for edging. They just released a lithium version. Older style batteries sucked. Ryobi is more powerful but is difficult to use as an edger. The WorX has a dual guide wheel for edging. Works really good.

[griz]

I've got the B&D weed whacker too (not an edger).  I like it for it's convienence, not cords, no gas.  The battery charge last longer than I thought it would.  Just a rough estimate, but I think I use it about a half hour or maybe 45 minutes at a time, and the only time the charge ran out is when I forgot to charge it afer the last use.

[Stetson]

We had one when we lived in Dallas, a B&D.  Get the small gas engine one, you'll be happier.
It just doesnt have the power to edge around sidewalks and driveways and then
trim around this house. 

I would have to get up early, trim around the house and fence line.  Recharge the batteries
and mow while that was happening.  Then finish the job after the charging.  Took almost all day.

[Lee]

my cheapo 12V Black and Decker died this year.  With a reversible head, it was perfect for edging sidewalks, beds and such. I went with a Toro gas model this time, and kind of regret it.  You can cut a small tree down with it, but it's not that great for what I do....bad cutting angles for me.  I'm regretting not getting another B&D.

[Jim147]

I picked up a 4 stoke weed whacker last year. It sat all winter with Sta-Bil gas in it and started on the second pull.

Not much to rebuilding a 2 stroke. I rebuilt my Ryobi a couple of times. I think the piston and rings was about $25.00. If you can find the parts and you didn't hurt the bore, they are simple to work on.

Never had a cordless so I can't help there.

jim

[never_retreat]

Cordless drill good, cordless lawn equipment bad.
You would probably be better off dragging and extension cord around if you don't want gas.

[erictank]

Howdy:

Anybody have experience with these critters, yet?  If so, what's the verdict?  I would use it on a relatively small lawn.  Rechargeable batteries would be more convenient than gas mix.  If it works worth a darn.  I won't use a corded model.

I'm in the market since my weed whacker / multi-tool engine pod just gave out and I need a new one(1).  It was the usual semi-disposable deal from HomeDepotLowes.

Three weeks / mows out of the month are done with my man-powered reel mower and once per month I drag out my 5.5HP mower for the super choppy powers when I trim my bushes and mulch the trimming into the lawn.  I'd like to have something I could use to trim up that did not require IC engine PITA for trimming/edging chores.




(1) Or, an interest in rebuilding 2-stroke engines.  Don't hold your breath.

I used to have an 18V weedwhacker (Black & Decker model, can't remember the name), back when I lived in a townhouse.  We had a "lawn" about 10'x5' - and a battery charge would get me through "mowing" that lawn.

Concur with Never_Retreat - I like my corded weedeater much better.

[MechAg94]

Cordless drill good, cordless lawn equipment bad.
You would probably be better off dragging and extension cord around if you don't want gas.

Agreed.  I tried a cordless once and it was pretty under powered.  If you have any thing more than just a little grass, it won't cut it.  The power of a gas model is much greater.  
I have a Troy Built I believe.  I got the edger attachment which works adequately.  

IMO, you would be better off buying a 5 gallon container of grass and weed killer and soaking the area.  I have used it along the fence line and the house to keep the grass off and that works okay. 

[Declaration Day]

Get a gas powered one.  I don't see how recharging batteries is any less of a hassle than using 2-cycle gas mix.  Oh and skip the Home Depot junk.  Get a Shindaiwa or a Redmax.  You can have a nice one in either brand for $300-$350.  It will last you the rest of your life if you're just mowing your own yard, and it will save you tons of time.  They are also powerful enough to maintain a nice edge with the trimmer line.  Edging attachments are available if you insist on it though.

http://www.shindaiwa.com/

http://www.redmax.com/node3928.aspx

Oh, and it's a grass trimmer, not a weed whacker.  

I told my brother this years ago, and he asked "What's the difference?"

I asked him "When you go to work, do you call a CAD workstation a calculatin' picture box?"

"No.  I get it.  This is a grass trimmer."   

[Boomhauer]

We run Echo 2-stroke weedeaters at work and they are very reliable for us, even after sitting all winter...I use a black and decker corded one at home to get the stuff against the house and don't weedeat anywhere else.

I *expletive deleted*ing HATE weedeating...

[Jim147]

When I put the 80 tooth watch your toes blade on it is a weed whacker.

jim

[Declaration Day]

When I put the 80 tooth watch your toes blade on it is a weed whacker.

jim

Fair enough.  My condolences that your lawn is 100% weeds instead of grass. 

[Boomhauer]

Fair enough.  My condolences that your lawn is 100% weeds instead of grass. 

I consider grass to be weeds. If I had the money, I'd concrete my whole yard, install astroturf and get a big lawn vac to clean it. Or just leave the concrete bare.

[Declaration Day]

If I had the money, I'd concrete my whole yard, install astroturf and get a big lawn vac to clean it. Or just leave the concrete bare.

Agreed, but if everyone else agreed too, I would be out of business. 

[280plus]

Or just leave the concrete bare.

No class, paint it green... 

[erictank]

Fair enough.  My condolences that your lawn is 100% weeds instead of grass. 

My working definition of a weed is something that's growing where you don't want it.  I don't want grass growing out into the sidewalk, driveway, or "garden" beds.  Hence, the grass I trim in those locations is in fact a weed.

[RoadKingLarry]

41% Glyphosate concentrate.
3 gallon pump up tank sprayer.
All you really need.

[RevDisk]

I asked him "When you go to work, do you call a CAD workstation a calculatin' picture box?"

Yes.  But only because I don't want to confuse the engineers.