Anyone using Ryobi's 40v Outdoor Tools?

[pauls_workshop]

Hey guys, many here know I like the Ryobi 18v cordless lineup. I even made a custom adaptor to use the 18v Ryobi batteries to power older Black and Decker 18v tools and posted that on GJ about a year and a half back.

I just got my first used 40v Ryobi tools in a deal. I got one battery, one charger, the hedge trimmer and a weedwhacker, but with a twist, it is an Expand-It tool compatible 40v head with an Expand-it type weedwhacker attachment. This is the main reason I got these: I have a bunch of Expand-It engine powered attachements already from garage sales over the years, like mini-tiller/cultivator, edger, blower, (and another weedwhacker attachment too). While gas powered is great for power, it isn't always convenient for quick use. The 40v so far seems about as powerful as at least the 26cc gas powered engines would be, maybe even the 30 cc ones. I'm thinking of making a 2x 18v (really 20v when fully charged) one plus = 1x 40v battery adaptor for the lineup as time allows to be able to use my 18 v batteries to power the system too, rather than buy a bunch of pricey 40v batteries.

What are your experiences with the 40v tools? Also, any Craftsman 40v tool users can join in too, as they are all very similar to the Ryobi (both made by TTI). - Paul

 

[FF_Chevy]

I would be interested to hear some responses as well. I seriously considered the Ryobi 40v weed eater but I just didn't trust any of the internet reviews I had found.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

I want to hear what people have to say too. I think this 40v system would be great for people like myself with a <1 acre yard and keep it halfway maintained and don't need crazy power from your yard tools.

Depending on how well my 2cycle weed wacker starts in the next couple weeks, I just might be the (happy?) owner of the 40v power head and expand it weed wacker. It looks like you can get them returned from CPO for $104 right now.

 

[pauls_workshop]

bump!

 

[woodstockva]

I like them.....the chainsaw works great! I have a review for their new 40v brushless mower coming up soon.

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[todd_fuller]

I picked up a refurb Ryobi 40V string trimmer recently. I also have a venerable Ryobi corded trimmer they no longer make but is a beast for electric. Wife didn't want to drag the cord out so I searched for cordless. Until recently, the cordless ones have been pretty gutless.

It's important to note model numbers here because it makes a big difference! Ryobi and a few other brands have some models that share the same battery and look very similar but performance is pretty different, not unlike Milwaukee non-Fuel vs Fuel.

I purchased the Ryobi RY40220 40V-X trimmer. I think the '-X' is their major motor improvement. This thing is pretty serious. It's completly adequate for the normal user with a normal lawn. Bonus is it takes the Expand-it accessories, although, I'm not sure how it might handle the edger since that bogs down my corded electric already.

For features, it's pretty nice. Variable speed trigger. Good battery life. I've used it several times for a combined 15 minutes and the indicator hasn't budged from full. I expect to charge it once in a while rather than every use.

I paid $109 from HD for a refurbed one. Looked new to me.

 

[gayler]

I used one all last summer on my 10,000 sq ft yard and it did very well!

 

[musgofasta]

I regularly use the 18v weed trimmer, blower, and hedge trimmers.

Plenty of power, good run time, and no problems to report. I have the 18v chain saw as well and it's fine for small tree trimming.

I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to the 40v series if I had the need.

 

[ybnormal70]

I have several of the 40v items and probably 90% of their 18v lineup as well. The 40v brushless chainsaw is AWESOME, the brushless mower is AWESOME and the Attachment Capable Cordless String Trimmer is AWESOME as well. I love using them and so does my wife who would never use a gas powered trimmer. If you are going to buy them, please check out https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/. They sell new and refurbished Ryobi and Rigid tools for a very very good price. We purchased the mower last year with 2 of the Large 40v batteries for the price of just 1 battery at Home Depot. They have very good deals throughout the year. Worth the drive if you don't have one local.

Kevin

 

[zhaddock]

I recently got the hedge trimmer. I used it for a good hour on some heavy foliage (1/2" branches). When I got done the battery still read full. I'm very please with it. I have the 24v weed wacker too but haven't used it yet.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Thanks for all the input guys after the bump! Looks like many happy users. For those who have the chainsaw and are also familiar with gas powered chainsaws, about how powerful is it? 32 cc? 42 cc? Equivalent? What would you say? - Paul

 

[kctyphoon]

dewalt is realsing their 40v line of home and garden stuff too this year.. also - check out the 58v Echo line Woodstockva did a review on..

 

[pauls_workshop]

It's important to note model numbers here because it makes a big difference! Ryobi and a few other brands have some models that share the same battery and look very similar but performance is pretty different, not unlike Milwaukee non-Fuel vs Fuel.

Hey Todd, what over brands are same as Ryobi 40v? Other than Craftsman, which ones? I didn't know of any others. thx- Paul

 

[rice rocket]

I think you're misinterpreting what he said. I read it as there are multiple 40v Ryobi tools that look similar but perform differently.


String trimmer is the first tool I want to replace this spring, but I'm having a hard time going cordless again. I have the Black and Decker 20v string trimmer and it's garbage. Seems so much easier to just pickup a 25-30cc+ trimmer and be done rather than guess if it'll be powerful enough. Ideally I'd use it as a brush cutter too, there's a big mass of weeds under my deck that I want to take down.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Rice, may be correct. I'll let Todd respond. Ryobi 18v cordless once was same as Homelite 18v cordless for instance. So there is a precedent for this sort of thing. There are a couple different 40v systems out there, so if one is same as Ryobi, I'd like to know that! I like the expand-it linup of tools, whether with a gas engine or this new 40v system. - Paul

 

[tinkerdad]

I'm thinking of making a 2x 18v (really 20v when fully charged) one plus = 1x 40v battery adaptor for the lineup as time allows to be able to use my 18 v batteries to power the system too, rather than buy a bunch of pricey 40v batteries.

Did you eve make the adapter? I would like to get an Expand-it attachment or two, but without investing in the 40v batteries. The adapter might end up costing more, but could be a lot more fun.

 

[Packard V8]

I've got a 40-volt hedge trimmer and it's a tradeoff of convenience of not dragging a cord versus the battery being heavier than the hubs of hell. It weighs half-again more than a similarly sized and powerful AC machine. It does work well, has plenty of power and time in it.

I've also got an 18-volt string trimmer and it's pretty much a toy. I'd never buy one of those again.

jack vines

 

[pauls_workshop]

Did you eve make the adapter? I would like to get an Expand-it attachment or two, but without investing in the 40v batteries. The adapter might end up costing more, but could be a lot more fun.

Hi I didn't get around to it yet. May wait till my 40v batteries die in a few years to do it vs. buying more then. I really love the 40v tools. Much much much better than any 18v equivalent by Ryobi, maybe 2x better in general. More power, much longer run time. Now they are ONLY yard tools, so I love the 18v Ryobi too but for the tools not covered in the 40v lineup now. Also, the 40v grass trimmer is very very good, much better than the 18v ones. I'd say the 40v is close to gas powered, perhaps 80-90% as good as gas powered, but much lighter, so that is why I like them, and no engine maintainence, which is a real bonus. I don't have the lawn mower, snow thrower, or the smaller 40v chainsaw, but have all the other tools in the lineup now if anyone has any questions. I got them all cheapo, like 25% retail. I would buy into it just alone for the 40v powerhead that drives any expand-it or trimmer plus formerly gas driven trimmer attachments. I have a bunch of those as well. Works super great with the expand-it chainsaw pole. - Paul