skip to main content

McLane 4G-7-P 9-Inch Honda Gas Powered Lawn Edger (CARB Compliant

John near Toledo

12 years ago

I would like to know what the Pro's and Con's are on the McLane 4G-7-P 9-Inch Honda Gas Powered Lawn Edger (CARB Compliant)?

How does it compare with the Little Wonder 6232 Commerical with the Honda?

I am looking to buy one of these lawn edgers and it will be for home use only.

I understand that these two are very will built and will give years of service.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Greg Goyeneche
12 years ago
Both machines have the Honda GX120 OHV engine, which is one of the best in the marketplace. So that's a wash.

McLane is a consumer product and tries to get into the low end of the commercial market. The Little Wonder 6232 and the Power Trim 3008H/308H are both high end commercial products. For example, McLane uses plastic wheels where as both Little Wonder and Power Trim are all steel. Swing arm construction and mandrel bearing are superior on the Power Trim, and the Little Wonder is arguably even more stout with double belts to the mandrel, although L-W will not rotate blade for bevel cutting.

On the other hand, this model McLane is in the $600 bracket where-as the Little Wonder and Power Trim are in the high $700 price range. I'm sure the McLane would more than satisfactory for your "home only" usage, but you're not comparing apples-to-apples with the other two.

I've owned all three, and currently have a Little Wonder 6232 with GX120 Honda. I'm equally fond of the Power Trim, especially the 308 with the large front wheel, but Power Trim is not widely distributed in the Northeast. Frankly, the same models with Briggs engines are very capable, and will provide 10+ years of homeowner service if properly maintained.

In summary, you won't go wrong with McLane, but understand there is a reason and demand for the more expensive and better constructed Little Wonders and Power Trims.
John near Toledo
Original Author
12 years ago
What do you think of the Power Trim Model 200-4 for $259.95? Would this compare with the McLane 4G-7-P 9-Inch Honda Gas Powered Lawn Edger (CARB Compliant)?

What are the Pro's and Con's of the Power Trim Model 200-4?
Related Discussions
Dad's old lawn mower....or confessions of a mower abuser
Q
Comments (27)
I guess I'm the Dad in this case! I do remember having an el cheapo power mower (person propelled) when I was a kid (red and perhaps Western Auto) and using it for everything - a field at the rear of the house comes to mind... one day it was 3 feet high, the next it was "lawn". Anyway, everyone is always dumping on Craftsman tools and power equipment. I'm still using my Craftsman Eager One, 5HP, Tecumseh engine, that I purchased in 1984. I don't recall it ever failing to start except when the switch I installed to replace the dead-man handle died. It smokes, uses oil, but still cuts better than my $500 Troy-Bilt. At the beginning of the summer, I ran over a rock and bent the blade so that it was actually digging into the ground. Had to replace the blade plate and blade, but didn't faze the crankshaft or the upper crankshaft shear pins. The only maintenance I've ever done is occasionally replace the air filter, less occasionally replace the spark plug (do clean it annually), and change the oil. I think it is coming to the end of its long life and really hate the thought of getting rid of it. It really needs a total engine rebuild (chassis, etc. is still fine - no rust but lots of scrapes), but I just don't have the abilities. JimC
...See More
Mowers vs. Cars
Q
Comments (120)
Personally I think this is a really interesting discussion. I am an engineer at Honda R&D near Columbus, OH. At my location, there are over a thousand white collar workers, mostly technical. Within a hundred mile radius of me, there are a 4 Honda assembly plants, employing around 10,000 people. At other sites in the US and Canada, there are probably another 15,000 workers. Each of these plants is turning out thousands of new Hondas per day. Nearly every Honda/Acura sold in the US (by volume) is made in the US. The engines, transmissions, every major component. Furthermore, Honda actually *exports* cars from the US, something that the Big 3 can barely talk about. Sure, there are niche cars like the S2000 roadster that are 100% Japanese, but that is a tiny part of our market. I think these are pretty impressive numbers, especially if you consider that Honda is only something like the 7th largest market share in the US. Its been here since 1979, I'd wager that in those 27 years Honda has contributed significantly to Americans and their way of life. There are a lot of secure $25/hr plus full benefits jobs available in Ohio because of Honda. The US auto industry lost their way in the oil crises. They haven't been able to turn it around since then. They concentrate too much on short-sighted markets like giant fuel-guzzling SUVs. Its not that the Big 3 makes bad cars, its that they make cars that aren't in demand. Compare a Focus to a Civic. A Taurus to an Accord. Sure, those Fords might last 200k miles, but I'd much rather spend that time in a nice Accord than a hard plastic Taurus. I would rather support the thousands of American workers who build Hondas than support a few suits in Detroit and drive a Mexican Dodge. That said, my garage: 1980 Lawn Boy 7229 1996 Stihl trimmer 1997 Honda Accord (shocking, right?) 2002 Triumph Speed Triple (mc) 1976 Honda CB400F (mc) 1976 Suzuki GT550 2-stroke (mc) 1948 Johnson Sea Horse (outboard) 1949 Evinrude Zephyr (outboard)
...See More
Mclane 20" mower at Sears... why so inexpensive?
Q
Comments (11)
I am surprised at the pricing differential as well. Whether 7 blade or 10 blade, a price from $550 to $600 is very good given that McLane wants $950 to $1000 on their website. The Amazon price of $730 sounds about right, which would be a $200 discount from McLane list price. Keep in mind that the Sears mower is some kind of "Sears Only" model, which has probably been "dumbed-down" to lower the price point. The Sears engine has the older "Pulsa-Jet" carburetor with tank below the carb. The Amazon, as well as current Mclane production, now uses a Briggs with a float-feed carb, and the gas tank is above (gravity feed) the carb. That may result in the difference in torque ratings, although torque and horsepower ratings are subject to all kinds of manufacturer's manipulation. I suspect the $599 Home Depot model is also the older pulsa-jet as it is rated 3.5hp vs. 4hp with the Walbro float carb. Internet pricing can be crazy, so it pays to shop around. On the Tool Shed Forum a few days ago, a post had questions about McLane Edger pricing. Amazon had a 101 for $300 ($430 list) and an 801 for $330 ($525 list), yet wanted $650 for the 4G7P Honda Engine, which is full list price. Go figure.
...See More
What's in your shed?
Q
Comments (29)
Where to start? 1997 Yardman snowblower 9 horsepower Tecumseh engine. 2008 Toro Single stage snowblower 2-cycle R-tek. 2007 Sears Craftsman Lawn Tractor 18 horse B&S engine. 6 speed manual. 42 inch deck. Soon to be 1986 John Deere Lawn Tractor. 12.5 horsepower Kawasaki engine. Hydrostatic transmission. 38 inch deck. 1988 Lawn Boy walk behind 4.5 horse 2-cycle engine. The first personal pace model number 8480. 1996 White walk behind mower 3.75 B&S engine. 18 inch cut. A late 1950s Jacobson walk behind. 2.5 horsepoweer 2-cycle engine. Runs like brand new. 2004 Echo GT 2000 gas trimmer. 2000 Echo gas blower. 2008 Troy Bilt walk behind edger. 2 Weed Eater electric blowers.
...See More
Greg Goyeneche
12 years ago
Power Trim 200-4 with Briggs would be a great machine for homeowner use, but you're comparing apples to oranges with the Honda powered McLane. Whether McLane, Power-Trim or Little Wonder, the Honda GX120 is about a $200 bump over the Briggs base engine.

That said, I still think the Power Trim is a better machine than the McLane. The 200-4 matches up more closely with the McLane 100-4.75GT-7, which has similar Briggs engine and steel wheels. At list price the McLane is about $120 cheaper.

However, something seems wrong about the $259.95 price for the 200-4. List price is $559.95 and Power Trim is pretty tough with their distributors and dealers. They won't sell mass market or box stores, and 10% or so off is generally the best you'll see.

If the $259 price is legitimate and for a new machine, I'd jump all over it.
John near Toledo
Original Author
12 years ago
What do you think of the Power trim Model 300-IC

*
Briggs & Stratton I/C Engine- 148cc
*
10" Cutting Blade
*
4-7" Wheels (Adjustable Front)
*
Edges & Trims

For $513.00? Is this a over kill for me?

I am looking at Norwalk Power Equipment Company.

I am a big Honda man. But is B & S as good as Honda motors? Would a Briggs gave me the service over the years as the Honda? Seeing that you would not be using it as much as a lawn mower, is it really worth buying a Honda? I know I am talking quality with Honda. But where does Briggs fit in Best, Better or Poor?

You have been very helpful so far.

Related Stories

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Make Your Garage a Storage Powerhouse

By Mary Jo Bowling

New project for a new year: Add shelving and containers to get your stuff off the garage floor — and still have room for the car

ARCHITECTURE 15 Smart Design Choices for Cold Climates

By Laura Gaskill

Keep your home safe and comfortable in winter by choosing the right home features and systems

GARAGES Houzz Call: How Do You Put Your Garage to Work for Your Home?

By Mitchell Parker

Cars, storage, crafts, relaxing ... all of the above? Upload a photo of your garage and tell us how it performs as a workhorse

FUN HOUZZ 10 Things People Really Don’t Want in Their Homes

By Mitchell Parker

No love lost over fluorescent lights? No shocker there. But some of these other hated items may surprise you

Sponsored

Dream Baths by Kitchen Kraft

12 Reviews

Your Custom Bath Designers & Remodelers in Columbus I 10X Best Houzz

More Discussions

How long to grind each chainsaw link while sharpening?

12

drain valve for fuel

1

Question about TraxGarden hoe..........

2

chipper not starting

2

Storage shed foundation question

3