got a new [electric, corded] trimmer today...

[tmc]

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=10597

saw only bad reviews on this product, but still I liked the specs:

- good power like a gas one
- motor is in the top (like gas trimmer), so weight is easily handled
- twin 0.080 heavy duty cutting

so, got it from lowes. if there is a problem with it, then it will definitely go back. basically, still wanted to try it, despite the bad reviews.

this is the first time doing such thing, hopefully this works good!!!

link and reviews at amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-GH1000-String-Trimmer/dp/B000E7WLD8

just wanted to share this info

any feedback is ofcourse welcome!!!

edit- ofcourse i will report back on its usage.


edit2- used it today morning. the weight feels good, the automatic feeding system works good and it did NOT eat/use up the wire like someone mentioned elsewhere. also, the cap did NOT fall off. looks like it has lots of power. i have all positive comments after 1st use. will keep tesing for 30 days or so (till return period). hopefully it lives upto my expectations and that i keep it. will post updates as needed.

 

[alien42]

go use it and report back

 

[creedog]

you must have a small yard

 

[tmc]

my lot size if 85x160.

i have plug points on 3 sides outside the house, and the 4th side is the garage (so it has plug point indise).

anyways, i figured i should happily be able to reach all corners with a 100' extension cord.

i didn't want to sacrifice power with the cordless ones.

it was late by the time i got homw, so will do my testing/trimming tomorrow.

 

[acemcmac]

I actually just bought that about 6 weeks ago. The cartridge that holds the trimmer line has just exploded off of the end of the trimmer about.... 6 times across three uses? Either I'm doing something wrong or this thing is a giant piece of sh!t. Either way, I've been very dissapointed so far, and I only have 300 sq feet of lawn (generous estimate).

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: tmc
my lot size if 85x160.

i have plug points on 3 sides outside the house, and the 4th side is the garage (so it has plug point indise).

anyways, i figured i should happily be able to reach all corners with a 100' extension cord.

i didn't want to sacrifice power with the cordless ones.

it was late by the time i got homw, so will do my testing/trimming tomorrow.

Should have got a gas one.

 

[NoShangriLa]

I got an older Grass Hog model about 1.5 year ago and the spool cover broke after 3-4 use (couldn't return because I lost the receipt). I lived with it by tying a string to the spool casing every time I use it, and that last a year befor the motor burnt out.

3 month ago I snatch a Poulan PP136E 32CC (similar to Poulan Pro PP125 25CC) straight shaft gas trimmer for $125 CAD at the local Walmart & it serve me very well (I'm still getting use to the power).

 

[tmc]

updated with 1st usage review. see first post.

 

[spacejamz]

Bought this one when we moved into the house back in 2003...

Text

our lot is pretty small, 105 x 60 IIRC...power is fine and the cap has never come off while I have been using it...

I do go through a spool a month a though (using it every weekend in the summer) and the spools are usually about $5 a pop (when you buy the 3 pack)...which seems like a lot since I don't use it for edging by the sidewalks...



been pretty happy with mine...

 

[arcas]

I have an electric Troy-Bilt trimmer similar to the one you bought and a gas-powered Stihl brushcutter. They each have advantages and disadvantages.

Stihl advantages:
* Powerful. No problem with chest-high weeds.
* Can mount a saw blade for saplings and brush.
* No cord
* Typical Stihl build quality. I abuse it on the farm and it's like "Yeah, whatever."

Stihl disadvantages:
* 2-cycle exhaust. Annoying if you're just using it around the house
* A little too much power around the house. Have to be careful with the throttle.
* Noisy. At full throttle, it sounds like a chainsaw. Have to wear hearing protection.
* 2-cycle engine maintenance. Need to properly winterize.

Troy-Bilt advantages:
* Electric so no worrying about mixing gas or starting problems. Just plug it in and go.
* Much quieter than the Stihl
* Basically maintenance-free
* In principle, you can replace the head with other attachments (blower, tiller, edger...)

Troy-Bilt disadvantages:
* Need to lug 125 feet of cord to reach the corners of my yard
* .80 line is kind of fragile
* Curved trimmer shaft is a little annoying