The reel only holds about 15 feet of line and you don’t want to try loading more or it may jam. But that limit is offset by the fact it’s super-easy to load new line on the reel. Just watch the YouTube videos to see how cool it is. I don’t need another string trimmer, but I’m still very tempted to get the Ego Carbon…. I’ve never heard of an “auto feed” string trimmer.
Kyle Selph is behind both major pieces of innovation, but that’s particularly important on the carbon fiber shaft. Kyle is a high-level cyclist in his free time and understands how the strength to weight benefits of the carbon fiber frame on his road bike extends to a string trimmer shaft. We’ve used a lot of string trimmer heads, and this system is, by far, the easiest to use. You just feed a length of trimmer line into the tool’s head—bringing it up to the halfway point. Next, you press the top-side button just behind the head. With a ratcheting motion, it quickly pulls the string into the trimmer “automagically” and you can quickly get back to trimming your lawn.
All of this cutting ability is harnessed with a smooth, variable-speed trigger, which makes delicate work just as easy as brute-force clear-cutting. Though none of the trimmers we tested were quiet, the Ego ST1511T had the nicest sound, emitting a low-pitched hum, rather than the high, squealing whine of some of the others. This Ego completes the package with great balance, comfortable grips, and a simple bump-feed line advance. The Ego ST1511T is just as powerful and affordable as a gas tool, but without the messy fuel, smelly exhaust, or time-consuming maintenance. It was also the most capable cordless trimmer we found, with enough run time to cut a 1-foot-wide strip of grass almost two-thirds of a mile long on a single battery charge.
This small guard is used on other DeWalts we didn’t test, including the DCST925M1 and the DCST970X1S. At 11½ pounds, it’s about a pound and a half more than our pick, a weight that takes its toll after a while. On the Ego ST1511T, the motor is located down at the cutting head, in effect counterbalancing the weight of the battery. With this configuration, the balance felt slightly off, and it took a little more effort to swing the machine around.
We’ll be sure to update this article when we complete our run-time and other comparative testing. With proper care/maintenance I expect 10 years out of a trimmer. I don’t expect the current iterations of battery operated tools will last 10 years, without factoring for the batteries which probably won’t make it that long either. There’s not really a mower designed to cut that kind of land, and I’d have to have more trimmer/blower batteries than I’d like to pay for. I’d prefer to have the attachment system and a split boom.
This model replaces our previous pick, the Ego ST1521S, which is almost identical except that it lacks the telescoping shaft and the easy handle adjustment. The Ego ST1511T’s power and run time stand far above those of the other trimmers we looked at. We did a battery test on an earlier model, and the Ego, on a single battery charge, cut down about 3,400 square feet of dense field grass, weeds, and stalky shrubs . At the time, the next-best trimmer cut about only 2,100 square feet (almost 40% less); beyond that, the others cut 1,600 square feet or less (less than 50% of what the Ego accomplished). Putting the Ego’s performance in perspective, it could trim a 1-foot-wide swath of grass that was two-thirds of a mile long on a single battery charge.
I have the ego carbon shaft one that I got on sale last year, not sure if the current model is same or not. Anyway, I’ve only had to reload the string once so greenworks pro far. If it were me I would probably save the money and put that $60 to something else. You can cut up to 15 inches—perfect for residential trimming needs.
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The adjustable shaft length and adjustable handle make it easy to change users and positions very quickly. You can get the EGO ST1623 as a kit with the 4Ah battery, and the charger for $299. This includes a 5-year tool warranty and a 3-year battery warranty. The new thing is the Ego Carbon’s auto-wind feature.
The lower the total weight, but particularly the weight as it extends from the body, the happier your back will be. EGO is also moved away from a traditional shaft and moving to carbon fiber, starting a trend that others have followed. We don’t always name names when it comes to project managers, but this time I’m going to.