Weed whacker - go manly or logical?

[Sukhoi]

So I bought a house that has a moderately steep hill that's going to need trimmed during the growing season (California). A weed whacker seems like the correct tool for the job. But do I go gas or cordless? I already have a number of Makita 18 V tools and they make an 18 V weed whacker. It's only 6.4 lbs and lasts 20-25 minutes on a 3 Ah battery (which take ~30 min to charge) according to reviews. Seems like the low weight would be easier to maneuver on the hill. I shouldn't be trimming anything too intense as long as I keep on top of it. Right now I have http://www.homedepot.com/p/Homelite-13-in-4-Amp-Straight-Electric-String-Trimmer-UT41112B/203737870 at a different house and I want more power. It gets bogged down easily. Any guess how the power of an 18 V cordless would compare to that? Do I need to go gas?

Clearly the more power (and weight) route is gas. Think it's worth it over the convenience and light weight of the cordless? Recommended brands? Preferably ones that Home Depot carries in-store as I have both a coupon and gift card to use soon. If I get a gas one I also want to be able to put a blower attachment on it.

Oh, and this would be my only gas tool. No need for chainsaws, lawnmowers, or snowblowers. I might feel lacking without any gas tools, but I also wouldn't have to deal with keeping extra gas in the garage and the associated tool maintenance.

 

[NetWareHead]

So I bought a house that has a moderately steep hill that's going to need trimmed during the growing season (California). A weed whacker seems like the correct tool for the job. But do I go gas or cordless? I already have a number of Makita 18 V tools and they make an 18 V weed whacker. It's only 6.4 lbs and lasts 20-25 minutes on a 3 Ah battery (which take ~30 min to charge) according to reviews. Seems like the low weight would be easier to maneuver on the hill. I shouldn't be trimming anything too intense as long as I keep on top of it. Right now I have http://www.homedepot.com/p/Homelite-13-in-4-Amp-Straight-Electric-String-Trimmer-UT41112B/203737870 at a different house and I want more power. It gets bogged down easily. Any guess how the power of an 18 V cordless would compare to that? Do I need to go gas?

Clearly the more power (and weight) route is gas. Think it's worth it over the convenience and light weight of the cordless? Recommended brands? Preferably ones that Home Depot carries in-store as I have both a coupon and gift card to use soon. If I get a gas one I also want to be able to put a blower attachment on it.

Oh, and this would be my only gas tool. No need for chainsaws, lawnmowers, or snowblowers. I might feel lacking without any gas tools, but I also wouldn't have to deal with keeping extra gas in the garage and the associated tool maintenance.

Gas will surely be more powerful. You can now opt for a 4 stroke string trimmer. No more mixing of 2 stroke gas/oil mix an you don't smell as bad after using one. The two stroke ones are torquey and very powerful but you might not need such a tool.

I'm partial to Stihl and got one of the Kombi series which allows you to swap out the trimmer head for other attachments. It's 4 stroke and works great. I spent close to $500 (I got the 130 which is the biggest one sold, which you maybe don't need) but Stihl is commercial quality and a great product AFAIK.

 

[Aikouka]

I use a Kobalt 80v electric trimmer, and it works alright. It also has the ability to swap out attachments, which I do when I want to use my edger attachment.

 

[Sukhoi]

Hmm, good points. At least with 4-stroke I can dump the old gas in my car periodically.

Any way to compare power output between corded and battery? I guess doing rough math the corded is 4 A @ 110 V = 440 W. Then 440 W @ 18 V = 24.5 A. From a 3 Ah battery that would only last 7 minutes. Compared to a stated duration of ~25 minutes from the battery, the battery trimmer must be significantly less than 440 W. So, I need gas.

With a 4-stroke should I worry about oil sloshing in the sump and away from the pick-up if I'm operating at an angle on a hill?

 

[Greenman]

I had a Riobi 4 stroke trimmer, it was worse than useless. Hard to start, heavy, weak, three things you don't want in a trimmer. I've had an echo for five years now and it's been rock solid. If I needed a new trimmer tomorrow I could live with another echo, but my first choice would be a Stihl.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I personally prefer electric, push the trigger, it goes. No messing with mixing gas properly and what not... and it's better for the environment.

 

[Sukhoi]

Ended up getting a 2-stroke Echo SRM-225 today. It seems pretty nice, though is made in China. There was one made in USA model left, but it appeared to be an old run-once return. Gas tank definitely smelled different, and I didn't want to deal with a gummed up carb. So I get to support the commies. Splurged on the $24/gal 50:1 premix fuel w/ stabilizer since I'm only going to be running this thing a half dozen times a year and it's my only gas tool. The gas is supposed to be good for 2 yr after opening too.

 

[cardiac]

Sukhoi, you can dump your 2-stroke fuel into your car. There isn't nearly enough oil there to make a difference. I used to dump my 2-stroke boat fuel in to my truck (2-3 gals) before I got an injected outboard. It's not going to hurt anything....

 

[Sukhoi]

Ah, good to know. Maybe I'll start mixing my own after I use this can up, depending how much the mowing actually uses.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I used to use 2 stroke trimmer when I had a few acres to maintain. Now my lot is less than 1/2 acre and I use an 18v ryobi. As long as I dont let the weeds get to big the little electric works fine.

 

[Mandres]

That Echo 225 is a nice trimmer. Should last you years and years if you keep good gas in it.

I have a corded electric model that did a pretty good job for trimming around flower beds and the fence line. I finally got tired of hauling around the extension cord so went and got a tanaka 2-stroke. The power is nice I guess but it's really overkill for my needs. I haven't tried any of the new battery powered models but I'm curious about them.

 

[slightlyhuman]

I debated on an echo and 18V. Went with the 18v and it does the job although gas-powered I could do the job a little quicker.

In summary: I'm buying an echo this spring.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Having had both, I prefer electric.

I currently have a basic B&D 18v weed whacker, and it's really 'not that great'.

However, since it's so easy to use, I find myself actually using it more often, which helps keep things in check. Basically, since it's easy to use, I don't need something more powerful because I don't let things get bad.

In this case, I think ease of use wins over power.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Way late to the party on this one, but I have the EGO 15in. 56 volt string trimmer from home depot. Have used it now for about a year. Works great. Nice and powerful and plenty light.
I'd recommend to anyone in the market for one.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I have a small hill I have to weed wack. I've found the gas versions are more of a pain for a small area. Corded plug in ones are lighter & simpler

 

[LegendKiller]

I have B&D 36V string trimmer and blower. I am starting to get annoyed with it. Battery isn't enough to do ~200' of sidewalk + driveway + mulch edging, even 2 batteries isn't. Blower isn't powerful enough to blow grass off the sidewalk into the grass, just blow it down the sidewalk. String trimmer line is weak since it is thin. I am probably going to get a Stihl Kombi.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I have B&D 36V string trimmer and blower. I am starting to get annoyed with it. Battery isn't enough to do ~200' of sidewalk + driveway + mulch edging, even 2 batteries isn't. Blower isn't powerful enough to blow grass off the sidewalk into the grass, just blow it down the sidewalk. String trimmer line is weak since it is thin. I am probably going to get a Stihl Kombi.

This is something you want gas for

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Having had both, I prefer electric.

I currently have a basic B&D 18v weed whacker, and it's really 'not that great'.

However, since it's so easy to use, I find myself actually using it more often, which helps keep things in check. Basically, since it's easy to use, I don't need something more powerful because I don't let things get bad.

In this case, I think ease of use wins over power.

I absolutely agree with this. I also have the B&D 18v that I agree is "not that great" but it's good enough and since it's so effortless to grab and use I'll actually do so. It also doesn't get the tendons in my arm screaming after a few minutes vs. the vibration of a gas trimmer.

Also, refurb units pop up from time to time on B&D's ebay store. The last one I got had 2 batteries for $40.

 

[mindless1]

Contractor grade gas timmers (commercial engine, dual line feed on the head) vibrate a lot less than the $80 homeowner specials, as well as starting easier and generally running far more hours till carb cleaning or rebuild is needed. Some might dread a carb rebuild but I see it as fun, a $10 puzzle for adults that I would rather do than that new craze of coloring books for adults.

What I really don't understand is the aversion to mixing fuel and oil once or twice a season. Do none of you cook or do laundry? Measuring a quantity of a thing (if you don't buy the 1 gallon gas ratio sized micro-jugs) and pouring it into a bigger thing is not so different. 1 minute to do, is a lot less time than you spent reading this topic.

BTW, Royal Purple 2 cycle oil works a treat, less smoke and smell than generic oil and reduces deposits.
https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-Performance-Synthetic-2-Cycle/dp/B000BPZ824