weed eater

normaldave

GON Weatherman
This may not help, but here's where I ended up. My wife wanted to try a battery weed eater so she didn't have to fool with the gas engine Husky and the weight.

I've read and studied reviews and in part, due to this thread, pulled the trigger on the Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless, attachment capable weed eater. I tend to trail behind the curve on the hottest newest technology. I bought DeWalt 18V drill driver on a big closeout sale right after the 20V models were released. I still use them for light work on the job and at home frequently. Perfectly satisfied.

We bought my father in law a Ryobi bundle to replace his older model Ryobi drill, (had to be that exact one), and the only way was to buy the bundle kit. He gave me the circular saw, and reciprocating saw, along with the old charger, and two batteries, so now I have Ryobi 18V, along with DeWalt 18V. I added a Ryobi 18V vehicle buffer later which works quite well.

So I had lots of questions about the newer 40V Ryobi, vs. the 18V. I saw a Ryobi tent at the local Home Depot, and stopped by to see if the techs had any knowledge. I ended up talking with TTi Regional rep, area rep, and local rep. Very sharp folks. So the 40V system is the new hot ticket, and provides more power to run bigger equipment, (mower for example), and potentially a little better run time. Marketing goes along with that, so everybody thinks they need the newer higher voltage. In the process of reading up on Ryobi's parent company, TTi, I discovered they own several other brands including the famed Milwaukee brand (Fuel 18V). That was encouraging, I also learned Ryobi has nearly 75% market penetration.
TTi Techtronic Industries

I stayed with the boring 18V system, but did opt for the brushless motor. more power, longer motor life, more efficient but remember more power means less run time. I also have attachments which will transfer to the Ryobi system. I got a new 18V brushless weed eater, 4AH Lithium battery, and charger for $ 149.00. The battery itself is $ 68.00 so that means the weed eater itself is only $ 81.00. If we like it well enough, we'll order the 2 pack of 9AH batteries to get the run time we want. The Ryobi rep said that's the key regardless of voltage. Bite the bullet, get the 9AH batteries. The smaller AH batteries don't have the reserve to offer acceptable performance. I also am running the shorter cut length of 13" and low power setting to gain run time. They are also about to release a dual charger that will handle 18V and 40V batteries for customers who want to run the old 18V tools while transitioning to the 40V system.

Ryobi P20110 18V One+ Brushless attachment capable

I'm happy with the Ryobi weed eater so far, well balanced, light, seems to have the power, bump feed works well. Pull the trigger and it goes. They have three tiers of quality and this one is the top of the 18V system, and much less than the top tier 40V system. It's not stocked in stores anymore, I guess since they want folks to buy the new 40V attachment/brushless system, which is currently $ 229.00.

BTW, my beloved DeWalt is now owned by Stanley/Black and Decker and the baseline offering weed eater is a 20V system, which would require yet another battery and charger system.
 

NCHillbilly

Administrator
Staff member
Does nobody run a Red Max???

Over the years, I've run about every maker's offerings, starting with the Green Machine. I've run Echo, Homelite, Ryobi, Makita, Husky, Stihl, and probably some I can't recall right now. The absolute best of the best has been Red Max.
Yeah, RedMax is good. I like the Stihl better, but nothing wrong with a RedMax. Robin used to make a good one too, but I haven't seen one in years.
 

Jim Thompson

Live From The Tree
Thinking about an EGO trimmer myself. Already have a blower and chainsaw, 2 batteries and chargers.

My Echo gas trimmer needs a carburetor rebuild, not that much more for the EGO (tool only). Homeowner use, nothing heavy duty.

This one I bought has been around the yard several times now without issue. Much better than messing with a motor. I got the one that has some type of special lime feed. Watched a video on it and it looks simple enough, but I haven't used that feature yet. Got it on sale for 199 I think.
 

bnew17

Senior Member
Get a Stihl. Make sure to get the model that you can change out. One of the best decisions i have made.
 

TomC

Senior Member
In need of a pretty stout one. Down to a Shindaiwa T262 or Husqvarna 525LST. Not the die hard Stihl fan I use to be.
 

NE GA Pappy

Mr. Pappy
Stihl FS91R

4mix engine with more torque than you will ever need, and tuffer than the callouses on a goats knees.
 

4HAND

Cuffem & Stuffem Moderator
Staff member
View attachment 1076043Never thought I would ever own anything electric, but I have slowly added to my collection of Ryobi 40 volt lithium devices including a blower, pole saw, golf cart fan and weed eater. That weed eater I believe would grind up concrete. And the battery lasts for as long as I need to do all the weed eating in my yard plus as an edger with power to spare. It also fully recharges in less than an hour. Never another gas weed eater for me
I've got a Stihl. It's 3 years old & has never fed the line correctly.
I have several Ryobi tools including a pole saw & love the interchangeable batteries!
When my Stihl quits I'll be buying a Ryobi weekender.
Thinking about trying the chainsaw too.
 

gma1320

I like a Useles Billy Thread
I have the 4 stroke ryobi with the attachments. I love it. I'll never go back 2 stroke again
 

Buckhead

Senior Member
I bought the Ego trimmer with the carbon shaft. Very pleased with my purchase. Using the big battery that came with the chainsaw, got over 2 hours of continuous use. Has plenty of power, about like my gas Echo. I really like how easy it is to refill the cord. Don’t have to remove the head, just feed it through the head while pressing the wind button. Doubt I will use my gas trimmer any time soon.
 

NE GA Pappy

Mr. Pappy
I've got a Stihl. It's 3 years old & has never fed the line correctly.
I have several Ryobi tools including a pole saw & love the interchangeable batteries!
When my Stihl quits I'll be buying a Ryobi weekender.
Thinking about trying the chainsaw too.

you have a simple problem to fix probably, but not seeing the trim head, it is hard to say what it is. Has the local Stihl dealer looked at it?

My first guess is that the spool is wound incorrectly, but I would have to see it to tell
 

Crakajak

Daily Driveler News Team
you have a simple problem to fix probably, but not seeing the trim head, it is hard to say what it is. Has the local Stihl dealer looked at it?

My first guess is that the spool is wound incorrectly, but I would have to see it to tell
I found the improper way to line a spool the hard way.Got a pro landscape guy to show me and hasn,t been a problem since 1999.
 

4HAND

Cuffem & Stuffem Moderator
Staff member
you have a simple problem to fix probably, but not seeing the trim head, it is hard to say what it is. Has the local Stihl dealer looked at it?

My first guess is that the spool is wound incorrectly, but I would have to see it to tell
I did take it back. Dealer said wrong size line. He spooled it & I took it back home & tried it. Same thing.
 

NE GA Pappy

Mr. Pappy
I did take it back. Dealer said wrong size line. He spooled it & I took it back home & tried it. Same thing.

the way those thing work, it can only be a couple of minor issues. They pay out line because of centrifugal force, and the laws of nature haven't stopped working. Yet. anyway, if it is spooled correctly and the line isn't to big, then there has to be a burr or something holding the spool from paying out line.
 

Hillbilly stalker

Senior Member
Dried grass and crud on the inside of the spool housing will keep one from feeding right. Clean the inside real well, the guy at the dealer should have seen that and taken care of that tho.
 

Ruger#3

RAMBLIN ADMIN
Staff member
This one I bought has been around the yard several times now without issue. Much better than messing with a motor. I got the one that has some type of special lime feed. Watched a video on it and it looks simple enough, but I haven't used that feature yet. Got it on sale for 199 I think.

I bought that 56 volt electric as well, it has done good so far.
Thinking I’ll invest in a couple other tools in the system.
 
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