I wonder if there are any weed eaters that are gas-powered, but have electric starts? Some lawn equipment is like that these days. My gasoline mower starts with the turn of a key--SO easy.

It's just that gasoline powered stuff is SO much better. More power, more mobility, and the rechargeable batteries rarely hold a charge long enough to complete the job you're trying to do.

I use: lawn mower, tiller, leaf blower, and snow blower--they're all gas powered. The mower has an electric start, the rest are rope-started. I'm getting up there, myself (60's), and have no problem starting any of them. Interestingly, the ONLY gas-powered appliance I cannot start? Is our gasoline-powered blender! For some reason, I always have to get DH to start that one--LOL.

Oh, just asked DH about this--he said he thinks there are gas powered WE's that have electric starts, but that they might be a little harder to find. He generally knows his stuff--his hobby is small engine repair, he's been involved in that for the past 20+ years.

I would really appreciate it if he could let me know the brands of electric start WE's. As for the gas powered blender, I would find a way! lol!!!

MonaRae

Check QVC webpage they've had some super looking ones on lately

I try and run my husbands gas powered one, and find it so frustrating, that I won't use it.
Has he worked with you at showing you exactly how to start it? Are you setting the choke correctly and giving it the gas (throttle) when you are supposed to? Do you then change the choke setting once it 'fires'. Does it have a primer bulb?

When I start my weedeater, or gas blower, I place it on the ground, and I'm on bended knee. Maybe you just need to find the best technique that is comfortable for you. I see men hold the weedeater in the left hand and pull the rope with the right hand, and there is no way that I can do that.

Maybe you just need some good instructions and to practice on your technique. Have you referenced the weedeater manual for proper starting instructions?

I have always had electric weed eaters. Gas powered are heavier because of the gas tank. My neighbor and another friend have battery powered lawn mowers and have no trouble with them staying charged while they mow their entire lawns.

We;ve got a Black n Decker battery powered one, I love it! Has heavy duty battery w/charger, gets the job done. you'd love it.

i don't know if they still make then but i have a DR brand adjustable position, push along, battery weedeater. i worked wonderfully for me while i was able to use it. they have a website.

Here's the link to the one we have. It works so great, that when we wore one out we promptly bought the same one. DS bought one too and so did our next door neighbor!
Got it from Home Depot, and it came with 2 batteries!
Kathy G in MI

Here is a link that might be useful: Black & Decker

My 83 yr old Mother has a 3 acre yard which she insists on taking care of by herself. She had a gas string trimmer but as is common to many ppl, she just could no longer exert enough pull to start the motor so she bought a rather expensive cord type electric model from one of those infomercials on TV. They advertised that it had a multi position handle and a swiveling head with a little wheel so it could be used as either a string trimmer or an edger, and to their credit, it did do what they said it would do, BUT, I am a 6' 250lb male and I found it heavy and awkward to work with, never mind my frail mother trying to get anything done with it.

She then bought a Black & Decker cord type which works very well, but Mother was always cussing and fussing as she was laying out two 100ft extension cords to reach where she wanted to work, not to mention how much the voltage drop is across 200ft of extension cord. (Its a wonder there was enough voltage to even run the motor).

Finally I decided to get her a new cordless so it was off to Wally world.

I got her a Ryobi cordless that has an adjustable shaft so you can set the length to whatever is comfortable for you and it has Lithium Ion Batteries instead of Ni-Cads. (Nickel Cadmium). The lithium ion batteries are only about 1/2 the size and weight of the Nicads but they put out about twice as much power.

The Lithium Ion batteries have a couple other features that I like.

If you recharge Ni-Cads before they are fully run down they will form what is known in the industry as a memory, which means if you repeatedly recharge them when they are only 1/2 used, they will only take a 1/2charge.

Lithium Ion batteries can be recharged at any time, whether only partially used or completely dead and they always take a full charge.

Lithium Ion batteries produce much more power than Ni-cads at a fraction of the weight.

Lithium Ion batteries charge faster

There is a strong concern about discarded NI-cads putting heavy metals in the landfills, while Lithium Ion batteries are considered more enviromentally friendly.

I have had and LOVE the B&D rechargeable weedwhacker for 7 years and it is still going pretty strong. The charge lasts as long as I do ;-) It and I are slowing down, but it still does a great job. Easy to put in a new line, also.

Mona, the battery operated ones are lots heavier. Go to your nearest Home Depot, or Lowes, and see about getting one of the displays down, and carry it around the store.

You will see, which one is not as heavy, as well as which one you would rather haul around. :)

Just walk about the same distance as a walk around your house is, holding it about like you would when you use it.

Moni

Thanks for the suggestions. I had a battery powered one before, but it only lasted about a year. I am sure that they have improved since then. I will take a look at the B&D model. I like the idea of 2 batteries, since my other one would give out before I was done.
Chemocurl - my hubby and my son have problems with the unit also. It has always started extremely hard. My husband is a mechanic, so I would assume he knows what he is doing...lol! Again, it's really not the weight, it's that I cannot get the dang thing to start and stay running.
Again, thanks! I think a shopping trip is in order this weekend.

MonaRae (who is excited about getting a new weed eater. Kinda pathetic huh....)

I hope you find what you need soon...I know it can be very frustrating!! I don't find it pathetic at all...I'm a tomboy at heart and I love my hubsters powertools or anything that makes the job easier!

We have a gas WeedEater brand from Walmart.. the cheapest one they make.. It is very light and easy to use. My husband loves it also because it is so light weight. It starts on the second pull and has worked like a champ for over 2 years without any problems. One thing I hate is a cantakerous weed-eater when it's 100+ degress outside... The string is very easy to re-load also.

did you find what you were looking for? i just saw that sears has an electric push type weed eater for $75. my DR wasn't heavy at all.

I also have the Black and Decker battery operated WE, my aunt gave it to me because she no longer does her own yard work. It was hardly used. For me, it's perfect for trimming weeds and grass around the house foundation or sheds, tiny small hard to mow areas, ect. No, it doesn't last an hour but it always lasts long enough for me to complete the job(s). Come to think of it, I don't know how long the charge lasts for that very reason.

The line advances automatically, too, so no pulling it out or banging it on the ground. However, I have yet to replace the cord so I don't know how much of a job that entails. I've had it two summers now and so far have never had to do it.

I gave up on the gas powered ones after they kept breaking on me. They were so frustrating to use, the string wouldn't come out right, etc....

I love my new Black and Decker battery powered weed eater. I also bought a battery powered hedge trimmer. I have three batteries between the two and when one battery dies out I feel like I need to take a break anyway, drink some water, sit a minute and change out the battery. The line feeds automatically too, which is the best feature.

It's too bad there's always so much misinformation floated. (sigh) Let's clear up a few things. The battery ones of today are not like yesterday's. They've improved dramatically. Batteries have improved. Have you noticed how phone batteries last longer? Computer batteries? Watches? I had one of the first Toro battery trimmers and the best thing that happened was that was stolen during a break-in. I got a gas Weedeater brand to replace it and it worked great for a long time but got hard to start and as I got more crippled, harder for me to work on it to get it working right and to pay $50-$100 to have it serviced isn't fiscally responsible so I bought a cheap corded one, but again, cord issues. Then a GF told me about hers, a battery one she uses at work and just said to be sure to get a second battery. I bought a B&D and it came with the second battery. I don't recall if it's 18v or 24v (I think it's 18v - similar to the link above) but 18v is the minimum you should get IMO. The battery will last easily for a standard size lawn, don't be fooled. I have an 80x160 foot lot with a lot of trees, fenced on 1/2, shed, garden (so there's a lot of trimming) and I get 2 trimmings plus from it on one battery. But I keep the second battery charged if needed or have an unusually big project. Normally I'll just switch and put the fresh battery in when I'm going to use it, then charge the other. I've had it a couple years now or more and have *never* had the battery die before I finished using it. Frankly I don't think I could keep going nonstop long enough to wear out the battery! These are using LiON, not NiCads which often confuses people and why they say the battery units are inferior - they don't understand the difference. I don't regret my purchase at all and frankly would not go back to a gas unit, even though I like gas toys. If I were a commercial operator, that'd be different, but for residential use, no comparison for a number of reasons. Much quieter, no smoke, no smell, no mixing gas, no spilling gas. No running out of gas and having to run to the station. No contest for me anymore. And BTW, this seems to confuse some and I hate to burst their bubble (well, maybe not! LOL) but electric start does *not* mean it'll necessarily start! LOL

Weight wise, the battery one is lighter than my gas unit. It's not much heavier than the corded one for that matter. One tip on using them is to be sure they're balanced or it'll be more work and harder on your back if you're sensitive in that area.

Look around. See what's out there. Whether you go with gas or electric I'm sure you'll find one you like. Let us know what you decide.