[memphislawyer]

Time for suggestions. My Black & Decker corded electric weed eater crapped out last night. I have about a 3/4 of an acre yard and I used a corded weed eater to trim around the sidewalk and the flower beds and the curb. Gas powered, the downside is the engine repairs are more expensive and then you have to put a stabilizing gas additive over the winter or else it'll gum up. The corded is always a problem with having to drag that electric cord however it has unlimited run time. I'm thinking about a battery-powered weed eater and I've read that you want to get a lithium ion battery and perhaps even a backup. Anybody got suggestions or experiences good or bad with battery-powered weed eaters? Also should I get a battery powered blower or continue to use my electric corded one? I'm wondering if a battery powered blower would have enough strength for wind force to move hedge clippings down the yard

 

[Clintotron]

I’ve never come across a problem that Chemtool B-12 (carburetor cleaner spray) couldn’t obliterate. I vote gasoline. Also, use non-ethanol if at all possible.


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[irish95]

I encountered the same issue this spring. I got sick and tired of dragging a cord around for my edger and blower, plus the edger was on it's last legs. I asked around and did a little reading and was surprised that many people found the new battery powered tools to be very good. I went and purchased the Ryobi edger, blower and hedge trimmer. I think they work great. I love not having to use a cord anymore. I must add that my son does a majority of the yard work, so he is the main beneficiary of the new battery operated tools. I would definitely get a couple extra batteries, as you will never be left stranded with a 1/2 finished job.

In regards to the gas powered edger, I had one of those many years ago. It scared the hell out of me and after 3 weeks of use, it would take forever to start. I got tired of trying to get it to start, so it went up on the wall in the garage and never moved. Get the battery powered tools and my guess is you will be happy with the results.

 

[memphislawyer]

Irish, 24, 40 or what voltage. Lowe's has a Cobalt weed eater and blower combo with one battery, 24 volts, for $159 combined and I could buy two extra batteries

 

[Oldsarge]

I admit that my yard tools come on the trailer with my yard guy and that upkeep is minimal because, like many others in my neighborhood, my entire lot is natives. That being said, my power tools (drill motors, routers, etc.) are all lithium ion powered with extra batteries. It's the only way to work.

 

[FJW]

I purchased a Stihl electric trimmer 3 years ago. I would go through at least one Home Depot/Toro type trimmer a year and one of the reason I did (I think) is that the motor was at the trimming end and would accumulate dirt and after awhile, the motor would konk out. This Stihl model has the motor on the switch end and I haven't had any trouble with it. And btw, I cut and trim my grass twice a week beginning in late March through the end of November.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/electric-trimmers/

But if you're looking for a battery powered trimmer best to have at least a 60 volt min battery.

 

[Clintotron]

I purchased a Stihl electric trimmer 3 years ago. I would go through at least one Home Depot/Toro type trimmer a year and one of the reason I did (I think) is that the motor was at the trimming end and would accumulate dirt and after awhile, the motor would konk out. This Stihl model has the motor on the switch end and I haven't had any trouble with it. And btw, I cut and trim my grass twice a week beginning in late March through the end of November.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/electric-trimmers/

But if you're looking for a battery powered trimmer best to have at least a 60 volt min battery.

My Stihl straight shaft is a beast of fabled ability. I quickly learned that flip flops are a bad choice for trimming. And no, it won't trim toenails the way it would seem.

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[Big T]

Another vote for Stihl, though my preference is gas motor.

 

[memphislawyer]

Used a 24volt, 4amp battery Kobalt. Not enough power. Fine for cutting but edging, no way. Yes 40 volt or more would be minimum. Though most rated over 60 volts get lower ratings than 40 volt ones!

Was looking at a Ryobi 25cc for $119 at Home Depot and the $199 Echo 225. They have a Stihl 56 and the guy at the hardware store said that the spool/head on the Echo was the best on the market and the starting was easy. Home Depot sells it too. The HD rep said try the Ryobi this weekend and I have 30 days to bring it back to get the Echo if I change my mind. If I was using it more than once a week, he said get Echo. As far as battery, he said most guys tell him that edging with a battery does not do the trench work great up against a sidewalk and if it does, it eats up trimmer line so fast

 

[eagle2250]

Another vote for Stihl, though my preference is gas motor.

A Stihl with a gasoline motor...that's my weapon of choice for trimming, as well.

 

[irish95]

I agree that the gas does the best job for edging, even my electric did a good job of getting the "trenches" on the edging, but I still prefer the ease of the battery. It takes more time and line to get the "trench", but it is just so much easier to use. You just have to stay with a consistent program on your edging.

 

[Oldsarge]

Meh, I just decided to completely forego lawn.

 

[16412]

Still, gasoline motor, are very nice. Battery is not there yet, I don't believe.

 

[Big T]

Goats....herd of goats. Get 3 per acre of lawn. Each spring, pick the fattest, slaughter and roast, replace with new goat.

Be prepared to have no green anywhere, lower than six feet from ground level.

 

[Oldsarge]

No, no! Sheep, not goats. Goats don't even like grass much but bushes? Look out!

 

[16412]

As a boy we had fresh goats milk.
We'd give visitors a glass of each, goat and cows milk, and ask them which is which. They never could tell.

 

[Clintotron]

No, no! Sheep, not goats. Goats don't even like grass much but bushes? Look out!

How do sheep fair in singularity? I recently just purchased a house with a LOT less to mow (still more than I want to mow).

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[Big T]

Word of caution: if you buy a weedeater, with a head that rotates for edging (or even if you hold the weedeater in a fashion to edge), wear safety glasses! Weedeaters spin much faster than a dedicated edging tool, and you can potentially have debris flying in all directions at rocket speed.

For that reason, I bought a dedicated, gas powered edger. Wheeled, turns at a much slower speed. Doesn't do anywhere near as good a job as my weedeater and for that reason, I don't use it! But I do use my weedeater, with safety glasses on!

 

[Oldsarge]

How do sheep fair in singularity? I recently just purchased a house with a LOT less to mow (still more than I want to mow).

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According to my Homestead contacts, you can keep one sheep if you have something else for it to 'bond' with (dog, horse, small children, llama) because being flock animals, they need company. However, sheep don't need a whole lot of room. The normal ratio, depending on soil fertility, is 6-10/acre so if you have a quarter acre you could keep two-three sheep and, I calculate, they would be happy together. I have .4 acre but no grass (deliberately!) and don't like sheep much anyway.

 

[Big T]

Even though we live in town, our problem are whitetail deer that do not understand the meaning of the "deer resistant" tags on shrubs we've had planted.