Electric string trimmer reccomendations?

[Sarah K.]

Hi everyone,

We have a small rechargeable electric string trimmer that I really like for its light weight, ease of starting and lack of gas fumes. It's great for trimming around the yard after we mow, but can't keep up with the ditchbanks up by the road due to its short battery life. Can anyone reccomend a rechargeable electric trimmer with a long battery life? The one we have now only lasts for 10-15 minutes depending on how thick the weeds are. Or would I be better off with a gas trimmer?

Thanks,
Sarah

[VOR.]

I would go with a grass trimmer.

[Wisconsin Ann]

The rechargeable batteries just don't have a long enough life for the trimmers to be very effective. If you really want to use one, perhaps getting the black & decker 18V one, and a matching saw or cultivator. That way you have 2 tools and 2 batteries. Or just buy a second battery on Ebay or elsewhere.

For the ditchbanks, a small gas trimmer will give you the freedom to move, and power to trim. You can also get the heavier blades instead of strings and go through tougher grasses/weeds.

That being said, I use a corded electric trimmer for the house yard. 150' of cord gets me around my yard easily (120x120 only...so it's not like I'm going to the back 40! ) I did take it out to the farm a couple times...used it with the Honda Generator and took the generator in a cart out to the areas I needed to trim along an electric fence line.

[pheasantplucker]

I do so much trimming, a rechargable or battery powered model would never "cut it" on my place. I have a Husqvarna straight shaft that I replaced the string with three metal blades. Works great.

[cfabe]

I have a black and decker cordless 18V trimmer which works fine around the house & yard. Battery lasts 20-30 minutes. I wouldn't try to use it to trim ditches or fencelines. You need something heavier duty for that. I've not used one but I would look into one of the wheeled gas string trimmers, those look like they'd do a good job at ditches and the like.

[Sarah K.]

Thanks for your responses, everyone! It looks like the Black and Decker 18v trimmer comes with an extra battery, so you could get more like 40- 60 min if both batteries are charged? I see there is also a B & D 36v trimmer, has anyone used that?
The thing is, we're trying to plant the ditchbanks with daylilies and other kinds of ground cover so we don't need to do so much trimming in the long run, but I'm sure it will be a couple of years until we get things planted and well established enough. So I hate to go out and buy a gas trimmer that I don't like and won't need in the long term... but I don't want to spend money on another electric trimmer that won't cut it, so to speak. Maybe I should borrow a gas trimmer and see if I dislike it as much as I think I will?