Nice write-up.

Thank you, ggoyeneche for the great review. I looked on Amazon and the McLane 801 with plastic wheels is out of stock and I don't think they have the one with steel wheels. Do you know how to differentiate the one with the steel wheels from the plastic one? I cannot seem to find it anywhere else. Do you know where it is sold online?

I found the plastic wheel one on amazon for $329. Seems as though it is sold out and was offered for $289. Darn it, missed it when it was on sale.

Bumping up so that I can have responses emailed directly to me.

Suggest you go to the McLane website to see what they offer. This will also give you an idea of suggested list price. Then you can scrape off the model numbers and do a Google search.

As for the steel wheel version, it appears that McLane uses an "S" at the end of the model number instead of a "P".

Lastly, I notice that Ace Hardware has the 801-3.5RP-CA for $339. Free delivery to one of their stores and you pick up. However, check it out carefully. The "CA" in the model number means CARB certified for California smog, yet Ace's description says not for sale in California. Go figure! Their website did allow me to purchase for delivery in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

Good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: McLane Factory Website

Thank you so much for your time. I ordered it from Amazon in hopes that it will come in soon.

I really like the edger attachment for my Mantis tiller.
Mike

I am not finding the McLane 801 edger anywhere close to amazons price. Amazon cannot tell me when they will get more in. I really need this and don't know what to do. No one at Ace knows if this is the California carb version or not. McLanes website price is much higher.

edited to add:
Hello, Amazon is out of the McLane edger 801. I called customer service and they do not know when it will come back in. They are offering me the Mclane Mfg 901-3.5RP-BLK-CA Gas Edger/Trimmer, 3.5-HP
for the same price. I don't know how to compare the two machines. Do you think I should go for it or not-customer service told me the 901 is an older version. Can you help me? Thank you

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H5WWBI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

This post was edited by donnaroe on Sat, May 10, 14 at 10:25

I read the reviews on the one Amazon wants to substitute for the 801 which is out of stock. I am not going to go with it. Ace Hardware ordered it for me and it will be in tuesday. Their model is the McLane 801-5.50 GT. Hopefully this is the same one. Does anyone know?

Not familiar with the McLane 901. Can't find it anywhere on the McLane website. As for being same as the 801, you'll have to trust Amazon. Personally, I think they have an agenda. After all if it was same, why would McLane have changed part number.

You don't say whether you are in California, but if not, you don't need the CARB engine, so you should be fine with the 801 from ACE Hardware. Main thing is to perform regular maintenance, and you should be many years good service from the edger. Change oil regularly, and as I mention earlier, get a grease gun and lube both the blade bearings and the swing arm fitting.

Thank you so very much.

Hi DH is having trouble starting his new MClane 801 edger. Does anyone have any ideas on what he could be doing wrong? Thanks in advance…..

DH looked at the edger again and it looks like he has oil in the gas tank and the spark plug has oil on it. He is going to drain the gas tank. Is there anything else he should do. Sheesh!

1) Make sure you have the proper amount and grade of oil in the crankcase.

2) Drain the gas tank of any oil, then add about a pint of gasoline to the tank and slosh it around. Then drain that oily gas.

3) Add new, fresh gasoline to about 1/2 tank.

4) Remove the spark plug and clean with fresh gasoline. Check the gap, which should be .025" to .028". Reinstall.

5) Try to start the machine. Expect a substantial about of smoke if it starts. Let it run at approximately 1/2 throttle until it smooths out and stops smoking.

6) Recheck oil level in crankcase, add as needed, and you should be good to go.

If you cannot get engine started with above procedure, you are going to have to take it to a shop, so they can tear apart and clean the carburetor. No offense intended, but I don't think you or your husband have the skill set to do carburetor repair.

Hi folks, also in the market for a good lawn edger. The Power Trim and Little Wonder models look amazing and are amazingly priced out of my budget :) Haven’t seen any used one in good shape in my area (Northern Delaware) recently. The McLane 801 model seems to be gone from their site. Only the Honda model and the 101s remain. And I have not been able to find a 101 with steel wheels available online except for McLane who currently want $473 for it. Is this still the best value currently? Any recommendations are most welcome.

Here is a link that might be useful: McLane 100-5.50GT-7-S Edger

I found Tru-Cut the best that money can buy. I've got both P/T & T/C. Tru-Cuts are made in USA, near LA. TC480H is lot cheaper with GX120 honda Engine ($600 range) than P/T. Tru-Cut is one pc. all welded frame, less vibration than P/t and it has got lot of greese fittings

How does Mclane compare to The Ariens Edger for the same price?

I don't have a lot of familiarity with the Ariens edger, but believe they have two models, the better one with a Subaru OHV engine is in the same class as the McLane 801/901 with Briggs OHV engine. Personally I wouldn't mess with the smaller 136cc "Ariens" engine, which is a private labelled Chinese engine.

I am female and 65. Can't afford the models recommended and haven't any mechanical skills so need an edger that is within my $300. budget that runs good. Is this possible?

The best for the money seems to be whatever the big box stores are clearing out to make room for their Halloween foofaraw. We have gotten several gardening and landscaping this way.

hi marla, have you ever used a motorized edger? do you have a weed wacker. are you doing straight cuts or are there curves. how many ft. of lawn. have the edges in your lawn been cut recently. if they haven't been cut in awhile, it's not easy to whip them into shape without a good/better edger. there a few options you have to maintain a nice edge. you could hire a landscaper to just do your edge and then you could maintain them with a line trimmer, stick edger, electric/battery unit. cheap edgers can wander and make things unsightly if your not careful, and the engines/frames are not designed to last.