Battery powered trimmers

last year

last modified: last year

I have a gas 4 cycle Cub Cadet string trimmer, that I can put a brush blade for when the going gets tough. After 11 years it is needing a lot of attention. (right now it is in parts on my work bench).

Assuming this time I can not fix it, will a battery string trimmer take a brush blade so that I can cut large weeds, tree sprouts, Virginia creeper, poison ivy and such?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

loger_gw
last year
last modified: last year
I would suggest renting one or purchase on “A Satisfaction Guaranteed Plan”. The Cordless Tool Technology Is Very Impressive! Technology Can Be Expensive If The Tools Are Not Making More Money Versus An Occasional Use.

I Know The Challenge with a Closet full of Basic 1970 Electric Hand Tools (Serviced and Working). Naturally I have a few 1st and 2nd Generations of 2-3 Cordless Tools. Sideline Work away from Home Dictated Some Changes…

Good Luck On Your Choices!!!
zen_man
last year
last modified: last year
" Assuming this time I can not fix it, will a battery string trimmer take a brush blade so that I can cut large weeds, tree sprouts, Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and such? "

You would need to shop for specific electric trimmers to determine that. As a preliminary guide, look at electric trimmers that have a similar horsepower to your 4-cycle Cub Cadet string trimmer. Higher-powered electric trimmers tend to run on higher voltage batteries. Some of them may have available brush blades.

I notice you mentioned tree sprouts. When I lived in Maine, tree sprouts were an ongoing problem, so I purchased the Extractigator tool for pulling tree sprouts up by the roots. I assumed when we moved to Kansas that pulling tree sprouts would no longer be a problem. I couldn't have been more wrong about that. Here we have more than one tree that propagates from wind-blown seed (Elms are the worst offender). We have weed trees everywhere, including in my garden.

If you cut a weed tree off with a trimmer, it just comes back up from the root. Actually, that applies to a lot of pest weeds. I think you will find that both Virginia Creeper and Poison Ivy will come back from the root.. So, to truly control those weeds you need to pull them out by the root. And a tool like the Extractigator is what you need. (I will take a pass on the Poison Ivy--there are chemicals that can by applied without getting too close.)

I had purchased the basic Extractigator model in Maine, and it did the trick for me, but here in Kansas with weed trees and other come-back-from-the-root weeds in great abundance, I have purchased the entire Extractigator product line, from the Baby Gator (handy for pulling "regular" weeds) to the Junior to the Big Daddy. And I am using them all. Some weeds seem to enjoy having their tops trimmed off, and you need to pull them out by the roots.

ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)
Related Discussions
Cordless bladed lawn edger?
Q
Comments (1)
I doubt a battery operated unit would be much of an improvement.Those things require a lot of power which translates into a heavy motor and battery. Have you tried walking backwards pulling the unit toward you? It might be a lot easier to control.
...See More
I'm looking for a battery-powered tiller
Q
Comments (4)
PG, The SunPony solar-powered tiller is actually battery powered. It runs off of a battery that could be charged by a roof-mounted solar panel. Maybe you could just use the optional battery charger to recharge the battery without resorting to the sun. The price list shows that the basic battery powered tiller would be $450, and an extra quick-change battery pack would be another $120. Their whole electric powered farming system is ridiculously expensive, and I agree with CanGuy that a battery powered tiller is probably impractical. I notice that you can't see how big the tines are on the "Lil Sun" tiller , which makes me think the tines aren't very big. The electric powered Tilther, designed by Eliot Coleman, might be a less expensive approach to electric tilling. It only tills about 3 inches deep, but that is half as deep as many expensive rear-tined tillers actually till. Like CanGuy, I suggest the electric powered Mantis. There are other lesser electric tillers that also require an electric cord. MM
...See More
18V batteries over winter
Q
Comments (6)
I agree, rcmoser. The problem is that inside those plastic shells are a whole bunch of little batteries, (mostly sub-c cells), and all it takes is just one of the cells to go bad and others soon follow, (sort of like one bad apple in a bushel). I have a 12volt Dewalt drill that one of the batteries would not charge. So, I just had to tear it apart. Inside are 10 sub-c nicads in series. Only 2 of the 10 were bad, but one of the two had actually reversed its voltage, and the other one was totally dead. And like you say, they can go bad in a week, or last many years, but eventually they will go bad. And what really iritates me is the price they command for new batteries. They gotcha by the short ones, (if you bought their drill, then you gotta buy their batteries, no matter how expensive). The Gillette Principle.
...See More
Help with finding the right electric trimmer
Q
Comments (5)
I have a Poulan Chain saw with a 14" bar. I think it was the 12amp model. I have had it since the mid 1970's. I bought it because my father had one that I used until I moved away from the area and could no longer borrow it. (To far away) The biggest job that it ever did was to cut up 30 trees that were knocked down on our lot in Hurricane Fran. The largest tree was about 30" diameter about a foot from the ground. I just finished cutting up a Maple that was about 10" about 3' feet from the ground. It starts immediately when you pull the trigger, and needs no special gas. The down side is the cord, but 200' of cord reaches all parts of our lot, The prep time is stretching the cord through the yard, and then rolling up the cord when finished. Obviously it is no good for going out in the woods on the back of your farm and cutting down trees.
...See More

Related Stories

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Power to the People: Outlets Right Where You Want Them

By Mitchell Parker

No more crawling and craning. With outlets in furniture, drawers and cabinets, access to power has never been easier

Full Story

115

GREEN BUILDING Off the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?

By Jen Dalley //

What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home

Full Story

145

LIFE How to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage

By Lisa Frederick

When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible

Full Story

121

HOME TECH Unlock Your Smart Phone's Front-Door Powers

By Mike Elgan

Take your locks and keys into the digital age with 3 solutions that put convenience and new capabilities on your doorstep

Full Story

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY More Power to You: How to Pick the Right Generator

By Marianne Lipanovich

If your home's electricity goes, don't let it take your necessities with it — keep systems running with this guide to backup power

Full Story

TRADITIONAL STYLE Farmhouse Style: Windmill Power Comes Around Again

By Mary Jo Bowling

Windmills helped win the West. Today these hardworking features are still winning our hearts

Full Story

DIY PROJECTS 14 Power Tools for the Home Shop

By Susan Stieglitz

Want the thrill of building it yourself? These "big guns" help the handy homeowner tackle just about any job

Full Story

WINDOW TREATMENTS The Art of the Window: Power Up With Motorized Treatments

By Jess McBride

We look at 11 spots in your home where automatic shades, screens, curtains and more make sense

Full Story

HOME TECH Plug Into Home Power Monitors That Pay for Themselves

By Mike Elgan

Stop throwing away money on wasted electricity with help from new monitors that work with your phone or computer

Full Story

GREEN BUILDING Sunlight Used Right: Modern Home Designs That Harness Solar Power

By John Hill

Embracing passive heating principles through their architecture, siting and more, these homes save energy without skimping on warmth

Full Story

Battery powered trimmers

Comments (2)

loger_gw

zen_man

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US