Pick a cordless platform for my father.

[2ndGearRubber]

My father is looking for some outdoor power equipment, and thus going to be choosing a cordless platform.

He is retired, 3/4 acre yard with many trees. His main tools he is interested in are a leaf blower, weed whacker, and hedge trimmer. I also would like something with a good drill option, as his C3 craftsman is ready to be replaced.


What brands would you consider and why?


Black and Decker 18volt - Cheapest, homeowner stuff. My weed eater does fine, but I've only had it 6 months.


Ryobi - 2 power lines 18 and 40 volt, not sure as to the differences. 40 volt has a "gas-like power" logo, any truth to that? The seem to be committed to their platform. Seems cheaper than milwaukee, only by a bit though.

Milwaukee - M18 and lots of power, committed to platform. I'm all m12 and am very happy.



So, recommendations, ideas, thoughts, all appreciated. My gut says just go m18, but realistically is this the best option for his use?

 

[WWheeler]

You're going to get all kinds of opinions on this, but honestly there are many that I'm sure will suit the needs of you dad. Ridgid, Ryobi, etc. Might also take a look at Craftsman as Stanley just unveiled a new line of cordless tools under the brand name.

If you have the coin and want the best then by all means, get him going with Milwaukee or Dewalt. FWIW Dewalt has good options for a 'leaf blower, weed whacker, and hedge trimmer' and then some.

 

[jd_1138]

According to the HD website, the Ryobi outdoor starter kits are about $200 for a weedwhacker, blower, charger, battery in the 40 volt. While Milwaukee is like $450 for 18 volt blower and weedwhacker. Plus the Ryobi batteries are like half the price.

Ryobi gets good reviews. The Ryobi 18V cordless tools are a great value for the homeowner/DIYer.

Milwaukee and DeWalt are also great but they cost a lot more.

 

[zendriver]

For that much land, I'd want something with some balls and although I don't have personal experience with these, theses sold for big bucks at an estate auction that included the push mower.

I don't think they cross with any shop tools, but they looked pretty nice and solid, 56v.

https://egopowerplus.com/

 

[2ndGearRubber]

A friend of his was who mentioned Ryobi. Their website states all of their batteries are backwards compatible, which I like. Not sure if his friend has 18 or 40 volt, I'm mainly concerned that the 18volt leaf blower will not have the CFM needed.

M18/Dewalt are more for value comparison purpose. I'm generally a believer that if Milwaukee makes something, it's not junk and will generally work as advertised, same with dewalt.

 

[L5wolvesf]

Another vote for Ryobi. I was gifted some of the 18v (pre Lithium) tools about 10 years ago. I'm very happy with them and have picked up used items all of which work very well. They are tough I recently dropped a drill off of the roof on to concrete - it stayed together and has worked as if nothing happened for the last few weeks. I've bought used Li batteries via eBay and they've been very good.

 

[F150tech]

Take a look at th e STIHL cordless line, fri end has the weed whacked and loves it

 

[Tallpilot]

Let’s be serious, battery isn’t quite there yet for yard equipment. But if you really must get off Dino power.

https://egopowerplus.com/products

The right size battery for a weed wacker isn’t going to work well in a drill. Face that reality and get the right tool for each job.

 

[Tallpilot]

The reality of non commercial yard work is a $100 2 cycle weed wacker and $5 of ethanol free gas beats the heck out of any available lithium ion option by any remotely rational economic analysis.

With that stipulated a high demand, high duty cycle load like a leaf blower has a completely different power profile than a drill or impact driver. SBD had a decent idea of using your drill battery to power the starter on your gas powered lawn mower. Because the starter load and duty cycle matches well with the battery.

“But my lawn is small, I don’t care if the battery only lasts 20 minuets.” Battery chemistry dictates that full discharge cycles will significantly reduce the life of the battery. The ethanol free gasoline still runs circles around the battery expense all day long. Hybrid vehicles have the same issue, they don’t save enough to justify their cost. When gas hits $15 a gallon the economics might change.

All that said, if you drive a Tesla because you can afford it and think it’s cool then use battery powered lawn equipment for the same reasons.

 

[Tallpilot]

Ease of use trumps economic analysis
Every
Single
Time
Unless you're not of the financial ability to accept convenience over low operating cost.
And even then, the most convenience available is purchased.
Or you'd have a push mower(you didn't answer what you own of the recommended units so I'll go with the mower)
That's a fact.

Principles may get in the way of convenience. Decimal point logic and math might also blind...but not many people succumb to the stoic thought it takes to adhere to such staunch small truths.

I couldn't give the slightest concern about the slight vague economic difference.
Logic dictates that few people do.
It wasn't a criteria for the op, it won't be a criteria for the op.

You didn't say which you owned and which have failed you.

I don’t disagree with your logic. To answer your question I pay a reasonable fee each month and let others take care of my landscaping. They don’t do it with the diligence I would but it isn’t their lawn and they do it satisfactorily.

I may not have articulated my point clearly. The OP wanted a ‘one platform to rule them all’ solution for leaf blowers to drills. I was pointing out that a 8 lb 12 cell pack that would work reasonably well in a leaf blower would pretty much **** in a drill.

The main objective seems to be yard work. The Ego stuff is a good choice for that. My neighbor owns just about everything they make and speaks highly of it. For a cordless drill there are many serviceable options but that should be a separate decision.

 

[R_einan]

Not sure I’m sold on the battery powered yard equipment concept yet, but I love all the m18 Milwaukee pieces I have. Still wouldn’t trade my Still 94r for a Milwaukee trimmer. My still will take down saplings with a string head...

 

[MayerMR]

I absolutely love my Ryobi items and tout them any chance I get. I have the 18v system and use the weedwacker and a multitude of power tools from their line on a weekly basis. The 18v hedge trimmer was a game changer for me - I used to rarely trim my hedges because of the utter pain in the *** it was to pull around a cord, but that new hedge trimmer almost makes it a joy...almost.

That said, I have absolutely zero reservations recommending the Ryobi stuff. It's great, it's affordable, and it's reliable.

 

[jimreed2160]

I have used an EGO lawnmower for over five years. But my yard is flat and less than 1/2 acre. The battery lasts about 20 minutes with 20 minutes to charge. In this Florida heat, I am on the same cycle. During the break I drink lots of water and cool off with the AC. Two or three cycles and the yard is done. I also have the Ego blower. They share batteries but the blower battery is smaller. It is nice to have if I need a few minutes to finish up.

But I also have a Kobalt hedge trimmer and a DeWalt string trimmer. The Kobalt is a one off long handle trimmer that I use to cut brush. Yes, it is an orphan but I don't care because it is rarely used and sessions are short. As for the DeWalt, I have plenty of batteries.

If I had to upgrade my blower I would go with M18. I would be interested in looking at a Milwaukee mower but I doubt they could best the Ego line.

 

[Voi]

I went with Makita for my yard tools & regular tools.

I have an 18v string trimmer, 36v chainsaw & 36v blower. Happy with all of them, especially the 36v tools. I'll probably get another 36v trimmer for me to use or their 36v power head that can run a string trimmer, pole chainsaw & hedge trimmer. The 18v trimmer will be for my tiny wife & young boys to use.

I also have several other Makita 18v tools, including a drill, of course.

What I like about Makita is that their 36v tools use two of their 18v batteries in series instead of a separate battery system. This has been very convenient for us.

 

[Tallpilot]

I went with Makita for my yard tools & regular tools.

I have an 18v string trimmer, 36v chainsaw & 36v blower. Happy with all of them, especially the 36v tools. I'll probably get another 36v trimmer for me to use or their 36v power head that can run a string trimmer, pole chainsaw & hedge trimmer. The 18v trimmer will be for my tiny wife & young boys to use.

I also have several other Makita 18v tools, including a drill, of course.

What I like about Makita is that their 36v tools use two of their 18v batteries in series instead of a separate battery system. This has been very convenient for us.

If Milwaukee did that they could excel in the yard space, especially with the HO 12A/hr batteries. I did not know that about Makita. That is the type of engineering that makes sense. Otherwise you just need different platforms because there are too many compromises.

 

[Cheepbeer]

I bought a Milwaukee trimmer, when ya got the blower with it. Haven't fired my gassers since. It's not as strong as my stihl stuff, but close. I've cut some pretty thick stuff with it. I want to try a blade on it, but I need a left hand course nut. My stihl are fine thread.

The blower works really well.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Ease of use trumps economic analysis
Every
Single
Time
Unless you're not of the financial ability to accept convenience over low operating cost.
And even then, the most convenience available is purchased.
Or you'd have a push mower(you didn't answer what you own of your recommended units so I'll go with the mower)
That's a fact.

Principles may get in the way of convenience. Decimal point logic and math might also blind...but not many people succumb to the stoic thought it takes to adhere to such staunch small truths.

I couldn't give the slightest concern about the slight vague economic difference.
Logic dictates that few people do.
It wasn't a criteria for the op, it won't be a criteria for the op.

You didn't say which you owned and which have failed you.

Ease is the main concern here. A 2 stroke weed whacker is obviously going to be superior to electric in any high demand situation. My father currently uses shears to manually trim everything. Carbs sitting over the winter, extra gas cans, all of that doesn't seem to meet his needs. All about easy. My little black and decker can edge everything on my property 2-3 times before it dies, and I only use it on high power mode. With 4/6 amp hour batteries my little m12 hacksaw can trim several trees the previous owner neglected. Battery power seems ideal for homeowner workloads.



We would likely buy a smaller A/H battery exclusively for the drill. He's going to use the thing a few times a year for small jobs.

 

[Voi]

If Milwaukee did that they could excel in the yard space, especially with the HO 12A/hr batteries. I did not know that about Makita. That is the type of engineering that makes sense. Otherwise you just need different platforms because there are too many compromises.

If Milwaukee came out with a two battery, 36V system I'd be disappointed. I really like my Makita tools but I wish they had a more affordable impact driver with multiple speed settings and a self tapping mode like Milwaukee has in many of the 18V and 12V models. I also like many of the M12 tools that Makita just doesn't make a version of in any platform.

Dewalt came out with a 2X 20V mower this summer. As I recall in a promotional email from Acme the batteries were in series like Makita for a doubling of voltage. Maybe more companies will follow.

 

[Voi]

Ease is the main concern here. A 2 stroke weed whacker is obviously going to be superior to electric in any high demand situation. My father currently uses shears to manually trim everything. Carbs sitting over the winter, extra gas cans, all of that doesn't seem to meet his needs. All about easy.

This was my rationale for going all electric. I have a 1.5 acre lot plus a cabin. I was tired of hauling tools plus two-stroke and regular gas plus a tool battery system between the two properties. I was a bit skeptical but it has proven to be a good decision for us.

I still have a gas mower but I currently don't have a lawn at cabin. I just use the string trimmer there.

 

[CR888]

If the increased cost of battery OPE tools is not of concern I thing they are OK for light duty homeowner type work. They are not suitable yet for commercial guys but that's not what the op has in mind, he wants a reliable hassle free solution for his fathers yard needs. I think the current tools/batteries are up to that job.

 

[AreYaSerious]

Milwaukee out of the 3.

Ridgid is also a good option and its cheaper. Just as powerful as the m18 series.

 

[CNGsaves]

Sounds like main concern is yard-work tools, I'd change the order of GJer's above then as Stihl is leader in that segment.

1 . . . . Stihl
2 . . . . Milwaukee
3 . . . . Ryobi

* * * P.S. * * * What Craftsman stuff will your dad be getting rid of ?? I'm sticking with 19.2v C3 platform and would be interested.

 

[hsvtoolfool]

I have the EGO system and love it. I'm not an obsessive lawn
geek. I just want my yard looking okay with the least effort. So
having owned and used the EGO mower for over 2 years, some of
the reviews I see on YouTube just made me roll my eyes due
to how nit-picky they can be. Whatever. It's just a lawn mower.
So here's a review from a non-lawn-geek standpoint...

The self-propelled EGO mower is very well designed. I think it's
a perfect match for my Tifton bermuda. The mower's near-silence
and lack of vibration are my favorite "features". My hands and ears
aren't numb after a 45 minute mow. Of course, those factors are the
same for any electric mower. The EGO mower is relatively light, but
not too light. It's built solid to meet its 5 year warranty. If I get
5 maintenance-free years out of this mower, then I will call this
purchase a big "Win". Anything after that is gravy.

The mower never bogs. The blade just spins faster on deep, wet
grass, fire-ant mounds, or when scalping. The rear drive wheels
have so much torque that the mower electronically "eases in" the
power so the wheels won't spin when you engage the self-drive.
Very thoughtful. The variable speed control near your left hand
is perfect. So I can mow fast on the straightaways and slow to
a crawl on the curves as needed.

The battery is large and outlasts me at about 45 to 60 minutes
at my best walking pace on flat terrain and a typical 1/3 height
mow. I cut my 100 x 40 front yard in one afternoon, charge the
battery in the evening, and cut my 100 x 80 back yard the next
afternoon. I'm just too fat and out of shape to mow more in one
day during typical Alabama Summers.

I keep the blade sharp which extends battery life and produces
the best cut. I once let the blade get dull with a heavier cut and
the battery only lasted 2/3 of my back yard. So there's that.

I recently realized that I now tend to mow more frequently with
the EGO than I did with my Snapper. It's just so darn effortless
to pull the EGO out of it's vertical storage spot in the corner for
a quick mow in the early evening. Mowing more often certainly
reduces the mower's workload, but mostly it keeps the grass
height constant and my lawn is healthier than when I was cutting
less often and hogging too much per cut.

I recently got the EGO self-winding string trimmer. I have always
loathed string trimmers with a passion. All of them, of every type.
I hated them so much I actually paid a lawn guy $20 just edge
and trim my property every few weeks.

So to me, the latest EGO string trimmer is worth the slightly
higher cost just for the "Powerload" self-winding line feature.
Spooling the dang line is the main thing I've always hated about
string trimmers. That and keeping a finicky two-stroke engine
running. Spooling is now super-easy with the EGO. One battery
charge does my entire property in about 30 minutes. Otherwise,
it's just a string trimmer. They're pretty much the same.

I may get another EGO as a dedicated blade-edger next year.
I can do my driveway and curbing with a string trimmer, but you
get much better results with a solid metal blade. For now, I'll just
get by with what I have.

Hope this helps!

 

[timbitca]

I bought a Milwaukee trimmer, when ya got the blower with it. Haven't fired my gassers since. It's not as strong as my stihl stuff, but close. I've cut some pretty thick stuff with it. I want to try a blade on it, but I need a left hand course nut. My stihl are fine thread.

The blower works really well.

I bought a nearly-new Stihl blower and Echo trimmer this spring/late winter. When the time comes to replace them, I think I'm going to go with Milwaukee.

I've always been a big Dino juice proponent for OPE but I'm starting to see the light with all the positive reviews the Milwaukee M18 yard gear is getting.

 

[powertrip]

I have the Ryobi 40volt weed whacker. Been using it going on 4 years now, with the same original battery. Plenty of power and run time. I recently picked up 2 more batteries, a brushless chainsaw, leaf blower and hedge trimmer. They have work perfectly for me. The warranty is one of the best in cordless tools as well. If all my stuff was stolen tomorrow, I'd buy Ryobi again.

 

[engineer2]

I went with Makita for my yard tools & regular tools.

Same here. 2x18V Makita platform works great and they have a boatload of yard tools.
OP said this was 3/4 acre with lots of trees.
The Makita 36V trimmer would be in order for this size area.
If money is no object, I'd look at the Makita XUX power head system.
I believe I read here Stihl makes a similar system in 2-cycle for a lot less.
If he is blowing leaves in addition to raking, a gas backpack blower might make sense for that large of a yard. All depends on how neat he expects his lawn to be and if the noise will annoy neighbors.

 

[hsvtoolfool]

I'm Checking on the ryobi rider as well.

You're welcome. I know my "review" was a kinda off topic,
but it's really about the company's quality. EGO was one of
the first companies to really get the e-mower right. But it's
a given that they also have string-trimmers, edgers, blowers,
pole saws, hedge cutters, and whatever else with batteries
that are all interchangeable.

Man, I lust after that Ryobi riding electric big time. I just
can't justify the cost. I don't have enough lawn to mow and
I need more exercise...so I walk. But the video reviews on
YouTube for the Ryobi rider seem to be very positive. If they
had an electric zero-turn model, I'd probably be unable
to resist it just due to the geekiness factor.

 

[MrSurly]

I've been waiting for those hybrid, Lowes recalled units, to get it right. They're back on the market I think....I can't begin to think of their name.

Raven

 

[lugnut71]

I am a big Milwaukee fan, that being said I tried their leaf blower, it works ok, however I returned it , bought the ego to try. I am amazed with it, I use it weekly if not daily, I also bought the hedge trimmer. I highly recommend them, and a ego string trimmer is on my radar and possibly a mower down the road.

 

[Packard V8]

I've got the Ryobi 18-volt hand tool system. The drills are great. The circular saw is a toy. The recipt saw is OK for small jobs, but not for real use. The flashlight is an embarrassment. As mentioned, used older blue Ryobi are thick on the ground just for the picking, due to the shock of $100 replacement batteries.

Not a fan of 18-volt lawn tools, especially not the Ryobi. None of the other brands I tried did it for me, either. High constant demand, such as leaf blowers just ate the batteries.

The Ryobi 40-volt leaf blower works well. That it's instantly available without the hassle of an extension cord means the patio gets blown more often.

The 40-volt hedge trimmer is powerful, but heavy. The arms will tire before the battery does.

Since the two-stroke Toro string trimmer just continues to answer the call, I haven't tried a 40-volt.

jack vines

 

[johnnyradiant]

3/4 of an acre isn't 5 ac but you do say with many trees. That has me very leary about a battery blower being the right tool for the job. Maybe as a quick go over / touch-up tool but as a one and only I think I would be looking at a residential sized gas blower that is stored correctly and maintained correctly.

 

[tymbo]

I went with Makita for my yard tools & regular tools.

I have an 18v string trimmer, 36v chainsaw & 36v blower. Happy with all of them, especially the 36v tools. I'll probably get another 36v trimmer for me to use or their 36v power head that can run a string trimmer, pole chainsaw & hedge trimmer. The 18v trimmer will be for my tiny wife & young boys to use.

I also have several other Makita 18v tools, including a drill, of course.

What I like about Makita is that their 36v tools use two of their 18v batteries in series instead of a separate battery system. This has been very convenient for us.

I just got the 36v pole saw delivered today! (already have the 36v chain saw) Can't wait to get home and try it out!

 

[dwasifar]

The title of this thread "Pick a cordless platform for my father" makes it sound like you're modifying him to run on batteries.

 

[Barnabas]

For me it's M18 indoors, but Greenworks 80v for outdoor tools. To me, they are just as good as the gas-powered tools.

Greenworks make similar tools for Lowes under the Kobalt name, but the are not the same. Get the real Greenworks Tools 80v.

 

[Voi]

I just got the 36v pole saw delivered today! (already have the 36v chain saw) Can't wait to get home and try it out!

Which chainsaw do you have? The 14" brushless? Or the top handled one?

I have the 14" brushless and am surprised at how much I like it.

Please post back with your thoughts on the pole saw or start a separate thread. I have a decent manual pole saw but am in need of a second string trimmer so that power head is tempting.

 

[fowldarr]

Given your description of the property, it sounds like it might be time to pay someone else to do the yard work. If you need a platform, for the average DIYer that takes care of their stuff it's hard to beat Ryobi. I don't have a 'single platform' and it's annoying at times, but I do have a Ryobi jigsaw, nail gun, and sander as well as a weedeater and they work great. The weedeater is #2. I also have 3/4ac, but I have three teenagers. So I have two weedeaters so they can split the work. The other is a cheap gas powered. They go for the Ryobi every chance they get.

 

[fowldarr]

I should also say, that if I needed to really clear brush, I would not use the either of my weedeaters, but would get or borrow a real gas powered weedeater. (as others have said, battery is good, but not quite there yet)

 

[braidmeister]

Stihl is really nice...but...REALLY expensive. Electric chainsaw + mini sickle bar cutter was like $900 No...I didn't buy it. Mrs wanted to 'help trim the woods' - it's still sitting in the box. Meanwhile I do everything with gas since I have a big property...and I think that is the yardstick here. Yeah, you can get a 12Ah (maybe even 16Ah soon?) with Milwaukee for runtime, but that negates the tool's light weight compared to a well balanced 2-stroke trimmer.

I've had really good luck with Husqvarna (except the high-wheel trimmer mower...what a POS) - Weed whacker, backpack blower and chainsaw have all been uber reliable. Never a problem starting any one of them or problem during runtime. Plenty of power. Gas + Startron + 2 stroke oil and no fuel problems. I've been running these for like 6 years now.

Ryobi? They're pretty much Harbor Freight in my book. I'll never buy or recommend another Ryobi 'anything'. I bought them when I was first starting out in business and everything Ryobi either broke or let me down...and I am not hard on tools. Dewalt replacements from same era still going strong after 20 years.

Pick something middle of the road and shop on value. If you need to do a lot of yard work, the electric stuff just isn't going to give you a lot of run time. If you arm yourself with a bandoleer of extra batteries that might work...but they just run out so quick.

 

[jd_1138]

Ryobi? They're pretty much Harbor Freight in my book. I'll never buy or recommend another Ryobi 'anything'. I bought them when I was first starting out in BUSINESS and everything Ryobi either broke or let me down...and I am not hard on tools. Dewalt replacements from same era still going strong after 20 years.

Pick something middle of the road and shop on value. If you need to do a lot of yard work, the electric stuff just isn't going to give you a lot of run time. If you arm yourself with a bandoleer of extra batteries that might work...but they just run out so quick.

Ryobi is homeowner/DIY grade -- not business/commercial grade. Every tradesperson I know has Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Festool, or Hilti. For the occasional light duty use, Ryobi is fine.

Makita is usually favored by electricians I know, and the carpenters use DeWalt or Milwaukee stuff.

Trying to use Ryobi professionally is like trying to enter the wife's Subaru Forester in the Jeep Jamboree because hey it's AWD. Though some people do use Ryobi professionally.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

For outdoor lawn/yard care, take a good, hard look at the new Stihl cordless products.

By now the Li-Ion batteries have moved to a point on the cost/benefit curve that you should be able to get decent performance for a reasonable cost.

Last summer my neighbor bought a cordless (Li-Ion) chainsaw on long pole. He saw a pitch on TV in the middle of the night and paid I think less than $150 for the unit, TWO Li-Ion batteries, and a charger. I used it on a project a few weeks ago. I was cutting pretty steady and after what I thought was an acceptable length of time the first battery went dead. I swapped out batteries, put the dead one in the charger. I went back to steady cutting. After what I thought was an acceptable amount of time again, the second battery went dead. I walked to the charger expecting to see that the first battery was still charging, but to my amazement it was fully charged! I spent the better part of an afternoon cutting and trimming and never had to wait for a battery to charge. Its a Tornado Cordless Pole Saw, which my neighbor describes as a "no-name Chinese deal".

IMHO you need to look at three things. (1) Volts do the work. I have all Craftsman C3 19.2 volt cordless tools and I'm very, very happy with them. (2) Amp-Hours of the batteries is what gets you time using the tool between charges. What's reasonable for what you need. (3) The variety of available tools. I like having only ONE battery type to worry about, carry around, have charger available for. If you're using the cordless tool in the yard, weight of the tools and batteries is probably another consideration.