I like Echo’s speed load – other companies use a version of it too – namely husquvarna and stihl. Similar to how you describe the other system – you run in the string 1/2 way and the head sun joe lawn mower has a ratchet mechanism that you can crank back. Yes it takes all of 1 minute maybe 2 but very simple. Meanwhile overall I like the idea of the CF shafting I don’t like the foldable bit.
It cut as fast as we could swing the trimmer head. Other trimmers bound themselves up in the tall grass or pushed the grass over rather than cutting it. On thick Japanese knotweed, the Ego blazed right through 1-inch-thick stalks like they weren’t even there. Other trimmers either took much longer Ego Powerload String to do this or couldn’t make the cut at all. With a press of the trigger, the 56 Volt 2.5Ah ARC Lithium™ battery and the high-efficiency brushless motor spring to life delivering 45 minutes of continuous cut time on a single charge. Recharge in just 50 minutes, and then get back to work.
To advance the line, simply bump the head against the ground. In addition to convenience, the bump line feed offers more control over the amount of line used. For this guide, we focused on rechargeable cordless trimmers with enough power to cut everything from simple lawn grass to thick overgrown weeds. Over years, our testing has proved that the best cordless tools have the run time and cutting ability for everything but the most extreme clearing jobs.
The 15-inch EGO Power+ PowerLoad string trimmer features a telescoping aluminum shaft that keeps the weight down while ergonomically matching your height. This feature automatically winds your trimmer line with the push of a button. Nathan, yes the auto winder, Ego calls it “PowerLoad”, does use the motor to load the string via a ratchet mechanism much like what you described. There is a large green button where the head attaches to the carbon shaft, that you hold down to wind the string into the head after you feed a 15 foot piece of string halfway through the head.
The quick handle adjust also makes it easy to change the grip, if you use the trimmer as an edger. Along with my now shelved Stihl gas trimmer, I have an older corded electric trimmer that I’ve almost never used for one main reason—and it’s not the cord. There is no variable speed trigger like gas models have. Chalk up another win for EGO, because the POWERLOAD String Trimmer has a variable speed control that works just like a gas trimmer.
So it’s nothing more than a whirrr followed by a quick little pop as the line is cut. The other trimmers we looked at all had slower motors, which resulted in a loud smacking noise as the string slapped against the cutter, until it reached cutting speed. This really sounds awful, and in one case, we actually thought the trimmer was broken. Trimming is such a start-stop activity that having to deal with a less-than-perfect auto-feed system got old really quickly. The Worx is powered by a 20-volt battery and has no problem with grass, but it struggled with thicker, stalkier weeds. It comes with a 2.0 Ah battery, which gave us a bit over 20 minutes of cutting time.
We apologize for the inconvenience and are working to get this product back in stock. You can still receive delivery on qualifying items for a fee. Delivery is limited to the member’s residence, which must be within the local Participating Beta Test Program Retailer’s delivery service area. Not all merchandise is eligible for delivery from all Participating Beta Test Program Retailers.
With the included charger, the 2.5ah battery can be ready for another 30-minute job after about 50 minutes of charging. Cumbersome is the word that comes to mind after working with this string trimmer throughout the yard. Since we had to hold it at various awkward angles when trimming thinner brush, it’s not the model we want to use for bigger jobs, despite its power.