Looking for a line trimmer for my garden (approximately 40-60m of edging) that has buffalo and also some thick, rope-like wild grass. Looking to spend around $200.
I'm currently on petrol with my 4-stroke lawnmower and 2-stroke blower/vacuum so getting a petrol line trimmer is easiest.
I wonder though if I should instead invest in a battery unit (likely a 18V considering my budget). What do you think and, if so/not, can you recommend me a unit?
Cheers!
I noticed the gardener that a few of the neighbors use has now moved to an Ego battery line trimmer and mower… The noise reduction for the odd hours he seemed to turn up has been nice
Ego is definitely out of OP budget. I tried the EGo blower and it definitely lives up to expectations for the dosh
I have both a Stihl petrol and Ego electric (line trimmer and blower) and find I’m reaching for the electric most often. Don’t have to worry about fuel and it’s quieter and just as powerful and minimal maintenance compared to the petrol.
For the budget you’ve suggested, a petrol unit would be the way to go. If you up the budget, Ego is amazing and well worth it.
I agree with petrol, but there will always be a first battery tool. Unlikely that someone will go all in with a whole eco system at once
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Just get a Husqvarna 2T trimmer.
Thank me later.
40-60m doesn’t sound like much. An 18v line trimmer is likely to be a little less powerful than petrol, but will do the job. Maybe 240v would be OK (and cheaper) if your edges are within a reasonable length of extension cord.
My yard has 257m of edging (measured). I can do it on one 4ah 18v battery with a basic ryobi line trimmer. Keep the edges under control and it’s fine, including buffalo and kikuyu. Let them get a bit unruly and it’s a bit slow.
I upgraded to a 36v ryobi (got it cheap) to match the mower and it’s more powerful and does the job fine.
If you’ve got the option I’d go battery. It’s so much more convenient, starts without drama and is much quieter. I haven’t used petrol garden equipment at home for years and will never go back.
Same, I’ve given away my petrol garden tools.
With a spare battery there is no downside for a home user.
Maybe a little slower due to absolute power, but happier skip the noise and fumes, not mess around with fuel and have lighter tools.
likely a 18V considering my budget
18v and even 36v are meh…..
Go Ego if you can :)
Won’t be going Ego for $200. 18 and 36v are adequate for many. If you are not patient and expect them to perform as well as petrol versions they probably aren’t for you. Personally I’ll take the compromise of a little slower edging for the convenience, reduced noise, no fumes of battery power.
for all that edging, i recommend an edger attachment. makes it much easier and quicker
I’ve been changing my garden tools to 240 volt corded ones. So much easier…quiet, powerful and no need to worry about batteries or petrol.
I've used both petrol and battery line trimmers extensively and I can strongly, strongly recommend battery. Three key reasons:
(i) Convenience - especially if you have other tools in the ecosystem, no more trying to mix oil and petrol, no more rip cords, just charge and go.
(ii) No more fumes - just from a comfort point of view, this is so much better
(iii) Most importantly - no more vibrations, and noise, electric motors are quiet, smooth and hardly generate any heat. Petrol motors vibrate too much causing joint pain when used for long periods, are too loud (i.e. require hearing protection for long periods), and are just unpleasant and hot
You can get a good Makita trimmer for around $200 (which I have), does my front and back lawn edges easily. You'll have to buy into the batteries and ecosystem, but just think of all the tools you'll need - drill, impact driver are probably ones everyone will need, maybe a circular saw and orbital sander if you're into woodwork, hedge trimmers, blowers…etc. if you're into gardening and you'll find yourself better off the more things you can move over to the ecosystem.
Convenience - especially if you have other tools in the ecosystem, no more trying to mix oil and petrol, no more rip cords, just charge and go.
I prefer go, then charge. Modern lithium batteries have very low self discharge so charging after use means they’ll be ready at short notice for next time you want to use them. Best practice to let them cool a bit if they’ve been heavily used or are warm, but effectively chuck it on the charger once you are done so it’s ready for next time.
The state of California (population 40M) intends to phase out petrol-powered garden equipment by 2024, with increased volumes likely to drive lower prices and greater competition. For 60m of edges you'll only need one low-capacity battery.
The state of Clownifornia
ftfy.
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Ooh….& the woke mind virus!
They've already banned 2 stroke leaf blowers and trimmers. Those leaf blowers are an abomination in the burbs so well done to that.
i wish ego would bring out small outboard motor to fit the batteries mow the lawn then go fishing!
They just need a short prop attachment for the power head and a bracket to mount them on the boat…
You have probably the toughest lawn to edge. I have a worx edger and it takes a while if I leave it a couple of weeks. Also restricted to line size. Ryobi do an actual battery edger that looks great as neighbour uses it.
Recommend you stick with petrol.
A good friend gave me his battery unit Oregon ST250 36V, which works fine but not as powerful as my trusty 25c Homelite unit. (Bunnings around $145)
Trimming seems to take three times longer with the battery unit, whereas the petrol unit keeps the pressure on.
I'm lucky having both but would never buy battery!
EGO 56V - I've got the 18" chainsaw (cut down & cut up 6 trees with), line trimmer with brush cutter blade, blower, polesaw, cultivator, lawn mower, hedge trimmer.
Does everything petrol does without the maintenance, noise & smell
Thanks everyone for your response. So it's either petrol at my budget or stretch it a lot for real decent-powered battery (EGO). Need to have a think about this.
I had a petrol Homelite and McCulloch previously. I used to take 30-40 minutes to trim the garden (and more when I have to re-spool -a beef of mine-). So are battery units going to take even longer? Any recent units that make re-spooling less of a hassle?
Cheers!
So are battery units going to take even longer?
Why would a battery unit take longer? DC motors generally have better torque than similarly sized combustion engines because they are so much more efficient. So for a trimmer of a similar size/weight, you'll get better performance from a battery powered unit.
30-40mm? That’s gotta be a lot more than 40-60m of edges. As stated above, my edges are 257m and it takes me less time with a battery unit. Can do the whole lawn and edges in 90min.
re-spooling:
The older bump style line feed was always a challenge for me, whereas the system of replacing line now is a breeze, once it is mastered, I just carry a spare piece of line & a small screw driver on the belt to eject the worn piece, it is not necessary to remove the head.
So I'm weighing between:
1. Stihl FS38 ($219) - Seems like a decent petrol unit that is also light weight
2. Ozito PXC 36V + 2x18V 4Ah batteries + 2x fast chargers ($300) - very cheap for a 36V and the batteries can be used with their 18V tools. Seem to suffer more regularly from failures but I live close to a Bunnings for warranty purpose.
Bunnings also has a Makita 18V brushless line trimmer kit for $300. Seems to be a good unit but I'm admittedly leaning towards the Ozito simply for the 36V.
Appreciate your input as always!
Comparing 36v ozito vs 18v makita isn’t as simple as it would seem. I’ve used a couple of ozito, ryobi and makita cordless 18v tools and without doubt makita is ahead on power with ‘the same power’. Makita > Ryobi > Ozito.
If you go battery consider what else you might like to purchase to run with the batteries. Makita is more expensive, but typically better quality and more power. Ozito you could get a bunch of gear for a lot less $ - but with less power and poorer build quality. Makita can also be purchased at other than Bunnings. Ozito and ryobi are exclusive to Bunnings and therefore less likely to be on sale.
Can vouch for this Ryobi.
Brushless
Feed your own trimmer cord, rather than have to buy cartridges.
Whatever you do don’t get the cheaper snipper, it’s rubbish.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-one-18v-33-38cm-4-0ah-hp-b…
If you don’t already have a battery, a $200 kit may leave you a bit unimpressed coming from petrol tools. Especially if the grass is quite thick.