What "platform" for outdoor cordless tools do people recommend?

[Mark]

I just placed an order for Dewalt's new 20v Li-Ion string trimmer for my Dad which gets great reviews on Amazon. I thought about the 40v but lighter is better as he's 86 Greenworks, Ego, Ryobi ... all seem to fall into the same class, I'm more partial to Ryobi as they've been around the longest and for cheap tools actually do a decent job and have some clever features. Greenworks is even touting an 80v line of "pro" tools with chainsaw, trimmer and blower.

I wish Milwaukee would offer a line of garden tools that aligns with the Fuel line... I'm tempted by their brushless technology.

I'm also trying to move away from gas as we just don't fire the tools up enough to keep them running. Stale gas, not sure if the tool will fire when you want it to... all the more to move towards corded or cordless...

Advice? Thanks!

 

[Kevin McConville]

I'm looking for the same feedback as my needs are similar to yours.

Shout out to your Dad at 86! Mine's 84 and like yours tries to keep doing as much as he can - use it or lose it!

 

[WastedP]

Core.  I haven't spent any real amount of time with them other than a store demo, so I can't speak to the lifespan of the batteries.  But the motor power and technology is pretty amazing.  When my $20 used Tanaka finally gives up (probably never), I might take a closer look. 

It looks like they are still manufacturing them in the US.  I know at one point in the past, Stihl was trying to license their technology. The way I heard it, Core offered only to sell complete motors.  I can't find anything online that backs that story up. 

Popular Mechanics write-up on the tech.

 

[elfick]

I have the Ryobi 40v stuff... the 14" brushless chainsaw and the Expand-It String trimmer with brush cutter attachment. They have all exceeded my expectations, though since I previously had the 18v stuff, maybe that isn't saying much.

 

[johnleve]

I have some of the Ryobi 40v tools, mower, string trimmer, and blower.  I have been very happy with them and they have plenty of power and the battery life works for me.  I have a total of 3 batteries and can cut my city lawn on a single battery.  Then I use a second for the string trimmer and blower, at times I get two uses from that battery charge.

They do make two different blowers, at least they used to, and I believe one was referred to as a sweeper.  That is not the one you would want, you want the jet blower in my opinion- it is simply fantastic.

 

[Cheese]

I just placed an order for Dewalt's new 20v Li-Ion string trimmer for my Dad which gets great reviews on Amazon. I thought about the 40v but lighter is better as he's 86 Greenworks, Ego, Ryobi ... all seem to fall into the same class, I'm more partial to Ryobi as they've been around the longest and for cheap tools actually do a decent job and have some clever features. Greenworks is even touting an 80v line of "pro" tools with chainsaw, trimmer and blower.

I wish Milwaukee would offer a line of garden tools that aligns with the Fuel line... I'm tempted by their brushless technology.

I'm also trying to move away from gas as we just don't fire the tools up enough to keep them running. Stale gas, not sure if the tool will fire when you want it to... all the more to move towards corded or cordless...

Advice? Thanks!

For a long term investment, take a look at the 36 volt line from Stihl. Grass trimmers, hedge trimmer, pole pruner, chainsaw, blowers, lawnmower & cement cut-off saw. 
I have a lot of their gas equipment and I couldn't be happier. They just work forever & ever.
If the battery stuff is built anything like the gas stuff, a homeowner will have a difficult time in wearing the equipment out.

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/battery/

 

[Ed Bray]

I have a lot of the Ryobi One+ 18V tools and am very happy with the majority of them. None of them are garden tools though.

The non-airstrike stapler is a bit of a lemon though and the older jigsaw could be prone to wandering (new one is great), all the other One+ tools I have are good to great.

 

[bkharman]

I have an Ego blower that I got last spring and it works really well. I have thought about getting the string trimmer but haven't had a need to as of yet.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[Shane Holland]

For what it's worth, there's a mail-in rebate for a free battery on the 40v Dewalt Outdoor Power Equipment through June 15th. 90-day money back guarantee, so no-risk.

I got to check out the blower, which was impressive. Haven't tried the trimmers.



Shane

 

[jbasen]

I have the Ego 56v mower and it works great.  No shortage of power, battery life is pretty reasonable, recharge time is fast, and the mower folds up for easy storage.  I tried the Ego string trimmer but the first time I used it smoke started coming from the motor.  I returned it to Home Depot.  I'm sticking with a gas powered string trimmer for now. 

 

[Kev]

I was taking a serious look at the Ryobi outdoor stuff - typically not a brand I'd stop to look at in a store, but they seem to have taken a lead in the outdoor battery powered tools. Haven't pulled the trigger though, so I can't speak from experience.

 

[Mr Heavy]

My ol' man's 88. He recently got a felling axe, a log splitter and a chainsaw. My sister, who lives close by him has gone ballistic and is trying to persuade him to stop driving.. he won't.

I think I might buy him a scythe for his birthday - better for him than a strimmer- cheaper to run, too.

Just after he hit 80 he packed his girlfriend in. She was nearly 50 and a gym bunny. He says it's 'cos she wanted to tie him down so she returned the Rolex she'd bought him. I've learned things that sound like they're out of a ridiculous Hollywood rom-com. He's determined to kick his gift horse in the mouth but he values his freedom more than the prospect of marrying the woman who is besotted about him and I have no right to an opinion.  [wink]

I was going to say recommending tools that eventually might come back my way would be a wonderfully cynical, mercenary move - "Dad, you need a Kapex for cutting firewood."

Absolutely pointless.
He's obviously going to outlive me and everyone I know.

Testament to the power of hard work though. He hates everything but working so doesn't read or like cinema or theatre. Anyone want a labourer, cheap?

We both recently went down with pneumonia. He 'phoned me up most days because he was worried about me...
:

 

[darko789]

I have the 20v Black and Decker trimmer and I think it works great for what I do.  I am mostly trimming just grass with it, but it does just fine.  The battery last a long time.  It came with two batteries so when one dies I just swap and charge and I am always ready to go. 

 

[SittingElf]

I've been very happy with Ryobi garden tools. I have the simple blower that I LOVE, as well as a hedge trimmer and 40v trimmer. All have exceeded my expectations... and cheaper than other brand names.

I DO wish Festool made some 18v garden tools though. Hmmm...how bout a track trimmer for a perfect hedge! [big grin]

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Kev]

I've been very happy with Ryobi garden tools. I have the simple blower that I LOVE, as well as a hedge trimmer and 40v trimmer. All have exceeded my expectations... and cheaper than other brand names.

I DO wish Festool made some 18v garden tools though. Hmmm...how bout a track trimmer for a perfect hedge! [big grin]

Cheers,
Frank

Here I was thinking you'd just have some amazing chopper acrobatics to do the hedges ...

I'm SO disappointed  [big grin]

 

[SittingElf]

Too low.  I only use the chopper to trim Palm and oak trees!

 

[sae]

I have the 20v Black and Decker trimmer and I think it works great for what I do.  I am mostly trimming just grass with it, but it does just fine.  The battery last a long time.  It came with two batteries so when one dies I just swap and charge and I am always ready to go.

I had the B&D 20v combo kit w/ the blower and trimmer.

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who lived outside of a city and had nothing more than a postage stamp to trim. It will barely do anything thicker than grass; it'll give thicker weeds a good lashing, but they will continue to stand. Battery charger takes near overnight.

I went back to gas because of it. Not to say that there isn't cordless that's worthy of considering (I was really considering the Echo 58v trimmer), but at a low price point, cordless isn't even worth considering.

And if you need more than 600 cfm in your blower, cordless isn't even an option yet.

 

[bkharman]

My eGo blower is rated 480 cfm. It moves things around very well and is variable speed which is nice to not blow mulch out with the leafs!

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[SittingElf]

I've been very happy with Ryobi garden tools. I have the simple blower that I LOVE, as well as a hedge trimmer and 40v trimmer. All have exceeded my expectations... and cheaper than other brand names.

I DO wish Festool made some 18v garden tools though. Hmmm...how bout a track trimmer for a perfect hedge! [big grin]

Cheers,
Frank

Here I was thinking you'd just have some amazing chopper acrobatics to do the hedges ...

I'm SO disappointed  [big grin]

[member=13058]Kev[/member]

Just in case you "thought" you were joking!!! [big grin] [scared] [eek]

This operation is done by a friend of mine.....



Now THAT is a garden tool!! [tongue]

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Kev]

I've been very happy with Ryobi garden tools. I have the simple blower that I LOVE, as well as a hedge trimmer and 40v trimmer. All have exceeded my expectations... and cheaper than other brand names.

I DO wish Festool made some 18v garden tools though. Hmmm...how bout a track trimmer for a perfect hedge! [big grin]

Cheers,
Frank

Here I was thinking you'd just have some amazing chopper acrobatics to do the hedges ...

I'm SO disappointed  [big grin]

[member=13058]Kev[/member]

Just in case you "thought" you were joking!!! [big grin] [scared] [eek]

This operation is done by a friend of mine.....



Now THAT is a garden tool!! [tongue]

Cheers,
Frank

Don't think I'd want to be doing that in high winds near those HT power lines [eek] [scared]

Nothing would surprise me with a chopper these days ... a friend of mine had a pool installed in an awkward backyard by chopper - it really ticked of his neighbours [big grin]