Pick a cordless platform for my father.

[braidmeister]

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.

That's a cute analogy...but when you are starting out and need a tool the $99 vs $39 orbital sander - that $60 can buy a lot of sandpaper, food or heat. This was 20 years ago...before they had a track record long enough to know their position in the market.

I agree - homeowner grade...and that is being generous.

 

[jd_1138]

That's a cute analogy...but when you are starting out and need a tool the $99 vs $39 orbital sander - that $60 can buy a lot of sandpaper, food or heat. This was 20 years ago...before they had a track record long enough to know their position in the market.

I agree - homeowner grade...and that is being generous.

Yeah it was the wild west days of cordless tools back then. I didn't even buy a cordless tool until like 2002. It was a Craftsman 14 volt drill kit.

 

[Nero]

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.

Makita impact driver's do have self-tapping, and multiple speed settings. They had an Impact driver, a battery, a charger, and a bag at HD for $139 awhile back, might be worth checking into.

 

[MayerMR]

That's a cute analogy...but when you are starting out and need a tool the $99 vs $39 orbital sander - that $60 can buy a lot of sandpaper, food or heat. This was 20 years ago...before they had a track record long enough to know their position in the market.

I agree - homeowner grade...and that is being generous.

Yeah it was the wild west days of cordless tools back then. I didn't even buy a cordless tool until like 2002. It was a Craftsman 14 volt drill kit.

Yeah I kinda have to agree with jd on this one...it's not really fair to compare the tools of 20 years ago of a brand just establishing itself in the market vs their product today. A KIA of 20 years ago is not the KIA of today. Both brands have grown both in market share and in quality.

 

[Voi]

Makita impact driver's do have self-tapping, and multiple speed settings. They had an Impact driver, a battery, a charger, and a bag at HD for $139 awhile back, might be worth checking into.

I doubt I'd add another driver at this point unless it were an oil pulse driver or something really light & compact like the new M12.

Makita had a couple of drivers listed as having multiple speeds but in reality they only had speed control at the trigger. Maybe the one for $139 is the same, I don't know.

I like my impact driver well enough. It's only 5" long which is compact enough I've actually had to put longer bits on in some cases (a good problem) It's also more powerful than it needs to be, IMO, especially since I have a couple of cordless impact wrenches.

 

[Hybridss]

I have just over 3/4 of an acre that is completely landscaped. I went with the Ryobi 40 volt. I still have many gas powered tools but most of the time the ryobi stuff work well and is WAY more convenient.. I do need 2 of the large 40 volt batteries to get through the weedwacking since I have a ton of fence line and curbing and probably 20 trees. I got a 40 Volt Ryobi weedwacker that is Expand It compatable. So I use a hedge trimmer attachment. The 40 volt chain saw is fantastic for a homeowner. The only time I reach for one of my Stihl saws is the HT101 pole saw wne I have a ton of trimming on the Oaks. But if its just to trim a few branches I just grab the expand it pole saw and put it on the Ryobi weed wacker.

My advice would be to NOT mix your drill and hand tools with your lawn tools. 18 or 20 volt batteries IMO just dont cut it for lawn equipment with a yard that size. Step up to something in the 40+ range for your yard tools.

FYI I own many commercial pieces of equipment and many homeowner items as well.
For weekly trimming the Ryobi 40V will last many years. And they have great battery specials around Christmas time.

 

[rpcraft]

I think if i were starting from scratch and had nothing I'd go with a combo of Milwauke 12 volt stuff for any light duty tools and for a HD impact and drill I'd go with the Milwauke 18V simply because they seem to have the biggest variety of tool heads for the batteries. I've seen a few great tools from Ridgid as well but I have seen some things that no one else seems to be making from the Milwauke bunch.

 

[JJ99SS]

Stihl. I'd consider gas though. Cordless is ok for some stuff, but 3/4 acre...I don't know. Stihl service is great, so I'd go there too first for cordless.

I have 1/3 acre lot and went with the Kombi System. Blower attachment is awesome, weed eater is excellent. I have an edging attachment for driveway, sidewalks and curbing and it too is great.

I think they have a few other attachments as well. For the price it is great. Reliable as hell.

 

[thinman]

I own and operate a small landscaping business focused on aesthetic gardens and the like. Have been using Black & Decker tools, both 18/20 volt and 40 volt, for several years. They have worked well.
However, for any significant leaf blower work, especially if not on a hard surface, your father might be disappointed in the battery tools. Gas engine blowers are worth the trouble for the added horsepower they offer. Carb issues are avoidable by using the rather pricey fuel that is specifically
made for lawn & garden equipment. It doesn't take that much fuel for a homeowner to do their lawn. I use the Echo brand fuel and have been satisfied.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Thank you guys for all the info, great to hear from end users.




Current plan is to go and handle the 40volt Ryobi "gas like power" models, looks like whacker/trimmer/blower 2 batteries and chargers will run $350 + tax. Drill being put on hold, for his use an m12 sized option may be better, and primary concern right now is power of the blower.

 

[mpsmith60]

I picked the Greenworks GMax 40V line of tools, starting with the chainsaw and I have really been happy with the so far. I started with the 16" chainsaw and to 4 Ah batteries and was so impressed by it that I bought several more Greenworks G-Max tools, including the pole saw, pole hedge trimmer, string trimer and leaf blower.

If you are interested in the chainsaw, I have a thorough video review on YouTube, including disassembly, and field testing.

 

[IndyGarage]

Makita.

I have the Makita 18x2 or 36 volt Chainsaw and Leaf blower. The leaf blower blows as good as my Stihl handheld leaf blower. The Chainsaw cuts as good as my small gas chainsaw. The only downside is battery life. I get about 15-20 minutes from the blower at highest speed, and I don't know about the Chainsaw - I suspect similar, maybe a little less.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Older thread guys, might have already got some at this point.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Older thread but I imagine people are checking it out. When my landscape crew wanted cordless tools I went with the dewalt 40v (which seems to be being phased out now) but I tell you with 2 4ah batteries a trimmer or chainsaw will last all day, and we avoid problems like vapor lock on hot days. For myself I bought Makita, just because I already have the hand tool platform for it. All have performed beyond expectations. In talking with the Makita rep last year, they are going to expand the 36volt and they have a plan for a 4 battery back pack blower to directly compete with Stihl this year.