Amazon.com Review

Every homeowner needs a tool for those places on the lawn no mower can reach. Most string trimmers can do the job--if you don’t mind either hauling around an extension cord (for electric models) or fussing with a temperamental choke (for gas). A better option, however, is this powerful unit with EZ-Start choke technology. Simply flip, prime and give a slow, smooth, easy pull; the TB425CS comes to life with 55% less effort than most gas models. A rugged four-cycle engine uses less fuel and runs quieter and cleaner than 2-stroke models, and at 26 cc provides plenty of brawn to power through the most ragged, overgrown growth.The trimmer cuts in a 17-inch radius and features heavy-duty, 0.095-inch dual line and bumphead line release. The SpeedSpool line replacement system is exceptionally easy to load and rewind, all without removing the spool or taking it apart. The entire trimmer feels exceptionally balanced and comfortable in the hand, and the large, comfortably padded J-shaped handle adjusts for both righties and lefties. Best of all, the TB425CS can serve as the foundation for an entire suite of lawn and garden power tools. Just swap the lower portion of the aluminum shaft with various EZ-Link attachments (sold separately) to turn your trimmer into an edger, cultivator, hedge trimmer, blower, or pole saw. This unit comes with all necessary oil in the carton, and is covered by a two-year limited warranty. --Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty
• Gas-powered string trimmer with 17-inch cutting radius and EZ-Start technology
• 4-cycle, 26-cc engine is quieter, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient than 2-stroke models
• Speed-Spool loading system for quick line dispensing and replacement
• Accepts EZ-Link attachments (sold separately); includes all oil needed for operation

Features

• 1 piece bumper and side tine shields
• 7 HP Briggs and Stratton Intek OHV I/C engine
• Cast-iron gear-driven transmission with 1 forward speed and power reverse
• 16-inch width; 12-inch tine diameter; 8-inch tilling depth
• Rear-mounted standard bolo tines

Features

• Variable speeds for tricky terrain and reduced choking
• Easy Stride self-propel system for less operator fatigue
• Staggered wheel deck design allows for closer trimming in tight places
• Patented blade design for superior mulching without bagging
• 6.5 hp, 4-Cycle Tecumseh engine for longer life and powerful mowing

Reviews (3)

Read All Reviews For This Style of Deck
Before purchasing this style of lawnmower which is made by Lawnboy/Toro, I would suggest looking at all products that have the off set wheel deck... or staggered deck and read all reviews.

If you take the time to do this, you will see that this is a very poor design!

Please keep in mind that it does not matter if the machine is self propelled or push type. It also does not matter if it is a two stroke or a four stroke engine.

The problem I have experienced is the poor quality and very poorly designed deck.

Before buying this type of lawnmower, ask your self, "If it is so great... why do they offer a two year warranty?" My advice would be if a tool or machine has a two year warranty, do not buy it!

Also, please keep in mind that the Toro Company is based in Bloomington, MN! I would be very skeptical of any positive review from that part of the country.

Great mower-great value
The best purchase I have ever made value-wise. This mower delivers the best cut I have ever gotten from a walk-mower and I have owned the best brands available.

Keep in mind, the product description is not accurate-the mower deck is steel, not aluminum.

We love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We use it and love these lawn mover. Very easy to start and to move. The only problem was the bag but lawn boy sent us out a new one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This attachment for Ryobi’s 2- and 4-stroke gas TrimmerPlus units will extend your hedge-trimming reach--without making you teeter on a ladder. Because the attachment clicks onto the shaft of the gas-powered trimmer, you’re gaining at least an arm’s length in reach, with a powerful, precise hedge trimmer at the other end. The 16-inch replaceable blades run fast and smooth, and the unit is surprisingly well-balanced in hand. It’s superior, we think, to many of the cordless units on the market. The extra reach and secure control make this product a winner.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2 year warranty
• Add-on hedge trimmer for use with any Ryobi gas TrimmerPlus unit (2-cycle and 4-cycle)
• 16 inch replaceable blades that have dual action for super smooth operation
• Comfortable wrap-around assist hand for easy use
• Install and take off in seconds with Clink-Link shaft

Reviews (3)

Hedge trimmer Add-on
This is a very well made and durable product. It attaches easily to the major portion of the Ryobi and has a very smooth action. Trimming just became a breeze. This 4-stroke Ryobi engine continues to start easily and with assurance too. Love not having to mix oil and gas with this one.

trimmermania
I just purchased this little beauty to maintain my shrubbery. It would have helped if I had read the instructions before starting. I was having a little trouble keeping the motor running on the power head, and she didn't want to start too easily either. But after consulting the manual I realized I was trying to run it at half choke! OOPS! The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars is because of the frequent maintanence requiring the removal of an access plate to apply lubricant. Aside from this fault - I was impressed with the ease of operation and the height I could trim to.

Finally getting control of those hedges.
This is ANOTHER great add-on for my Ryobi trimmer! I hated using my old cordless trimmer, and the hedges in my driveway showed it! This new trimmer is making short work of that chore. Good power and well balanced. With all the TrimmerPlus attachments, my yard has never looked better! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Leave no hedge untrimmed: The 24-inch Hedge Hog eats up branches up to 3/4-inch thick without blinking. The dual-action blades work smoothly and quickly with less vibration, further dampened by the full-sized, three-sided soft-grip comfort handle. A lock-on switch prevents trigger-finger fatigue, and the lock-off eliminates accidental starting. Electric power is environmentally friendly and quieter, too, plus it’s always ready when you are. The super long reach of the 24-inch dual blades is a nice switch from shorter varieties, meaning less dangerous reaching for the user. No assembly is needed: Open the box, plug it in, and trim.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Pre-hardened, rust resistant steel blades stay sharp longer
• Exclusive blade design cuts branches up to 3/4"
• Dual action blades reduce vibration and improves cutting
• 24" blade for extended reach and even cutting
• Lock-on and lock-off buttons

Reviews (8)

Cuts thick woody bushes like they were butter!
I bought the B&D HS2400 electric hedge trimmer after a fiasco with B&D's CHT500 cordless trimmer. (See my review of it.) It's already assembled, so there's nothing more to do besides remove it from the box and plug it in.

The handle is comfortable and easy to hold both horizontally and vertically. Its good balance makes it very easy to handle. The trigger is large and easy to depress. The lock is a bit difficult to engage, and I find it easier to just hold the trigger down.

But, this trimmer really shines when it comes to cutting. I have about 100 feet of honeysuckle bushes that grow to be about eight feet tall every year. They're incredibly woody and difficult for smaller trimmers to cut. The first thing I did with the HS2400 was to sweep it across the honeysuckles about five feet off the ground. It cut through them like butter. The dual-action blades virtually eliminate vibration, and I easily guided the trimmer through the bushes. The 24" blade reduces the amount of time you spend trimming as well as helping you make a straighter cut. The trimmer worked equally well on the front sides. I cut through those bushes faster than my kids could stack the branches. My wife was cutting the front sides with our old B&D 16" trimmer and it was faster for me to just do the whole thing with the HS2400.

Black & Decker states that the trimmer can cut up to 3/4" branches, and it does that with ease. Most trimmers struggle when they reach their maximum capacity, but the HS2400 just lops them right off. If you don't hold the trimmer steady, a few branches might be a bit ragged at the ends, but it's easy to trim them again to clean up the edge.

The hook that holds the extension cord to prevent it from being yanked out of the pigtail is a bit small and the opening a bit tight. I'd like a slightly larger opening and a larger hook, but it holds the cord. In about three hours of use, it only fell out once. It would be easy enough to use a small PVC cable tie or rubber band to improvise a different way of securing it, but I don't think it's worth the effort.

Please keep the extension cord in mind when using an electric trimmer. Buy a bright orange or yellow cord. In my opinion, despite their neon color, the bright green ones are less noticeable in bushes and grass. Also, buy twice as much cord as you think you'll need. You want to have about fifteen feet of cord next to you, and patio furniture, trees, and other obstacles inevitably reduce the amount you have available. Spending an extra two dollars for another fifty feet will ensure that you don't have to worry about your extension cord. Plus, you'll be especially glad of the extra length if you have to trim the other side of a hedge. Trust me--my old fifty foot cord has two sets of electrical tape where my old trimmer bit through it because it was too difficult to manage a shorter cord.

Update: I finished the hedges today and, although I was careful not to hit my chain link fence, I didn't notice a bean plant holder. The trimmer doesn't cut through 1/8" steel rod. In fact, it torqued one of the teeth so badly that the blade is ruined. My fault. I'll see if it can be repaired cheaply enough, but if it can't, I'll buy another one. That's how much I like this trimmer.

HS2400 summary:
Cuts incredibly well, even 3/4" woody branches (but not steel)
You rarely need multiple passes.
Well-designed and balanced.
Easy to maneuver. No vibration.
Comfortable handles and easy to use horizontally and vertically.
No vinyl blade sheath (unlike the CHT500--why?).

The Best Electric Hedge Trimmer
Like the other reviewer, I am exclusive to electric garden tools. This Hedge Hog is the longest and most powerful hedge trimmer made and it is by far my favorite tool. It makes light work of most shrubs and really allows for precise sculpting of shrubs. I have even used it to chop up branches in my compost bin, which it was able to do with aplomb. The controls are safe, and I find that tying the extension cord a second time around the handle leaves it secure. (The danger with the extension cord becoming unplugged is if the tool is locked "on" when you plug it back in.)

My only complaints are that this Hedge Hog is slightly heavy and I wish that it were 36" long when I'm trimming bigger hedges. Nevertheless, this is so far the biggest size they make. I would buy it again and again.

Piece of garbage
This trimmer works great when you get it home. But after a few uses, the teeth wear down, get pitted and dinged. I keep my tools clean, and it was disheartening after each use of this trimmer to note the progressive wear on the supposedly hardened steel teeth. I probably wasted all that time cleaning it after each use because it ended up in the trash so quickly. This hedge trimmer is essentially disposable.

After 3 uses, you start to learn which teeth won't chew through a branch. After 6, it won't cut anything bigger than 3/8 inch. After 10 uses, it won't cut through 1/8 inch. A couple more uses, and it won't cut through tall grass.

Unlike other B&D models, you can not buy replacement blades for this model. Why not, you ask? I suspect it's the dual action design, which means it'd be tricky to tune the blades if you did replace them. And what's more, they're not really something you can sharpen yourself. The teeth have an odd spur on them, so a file won't do the trick.

But let's say you're like me. You sharpen your shovels, you sharpen your drill bits, you sharpen your saws, so you take a stab at sharpening the trimmer teeth. What you'll discover after the first few strokes of a file is that the steel is soft. The good news is, it won't take long to sharpen each tooth. The bad news is, there's 42 of them, and each one has two sides. But the deal killer is that the edge won't last more than a few uses.

Get a different model, even if it's a couple of inches shorter. You'll save time and money in the long run. And remember, a dull trimmer is a dangerous trimmer, especially if you're on a ladder.

Powerful and easy to use.
It seemed to me that this would be a big improvement over the manual hedge trimming I had done in the past. I was right. This machine is terrific. This is especially true because some of my shrubs are older and a bit overgrown with larger branches (I am NOT a master gardner). This machine goes through the small stuff like it isn't there. You caan sculpt your bushes quite easily and quickly with this great device.

I had no trouble with the trigger, buttons, or the cord. I like the safety features that help me keep my hands far away from the moving blades.

This is one of my favorite tools. It makes trimming your hedges a breeze.

Better than other electrics, but not ideal
This B&D Hedge trimmer does a far better job trimming hedges/shrubs than any other electric I have ever used. It's main feature is that it can handle branches much thicker than most competitors. (I find it very useful when trimming my out-of-control holly trees.) However, don't expect this to be a tool sturdy enough to pass down to your grandkids.

When doing trimming of twig-size branches, it does about as well as any electric; you just pass it over the branches, and they just fall away. However, that is work you could be doing quite easily with a good pair of manual trimmers.

Where this really shines is with the thicker stuff. Because of the way the blade is designed, it makes steady work of any branch that will fit in it's substantial blade. However, while you are cutting these thick, woody branches, it doesn't exactly cut them like a pair of scissors; instead, it shakes like crazy while sawing away at the branch. You just have to keep applying gentle pressure to the branch (you don't want to stall the motor), and hold on tight. It isn't going to wrench itself out of your hands, but it may wander off target unless you keep a firm grip.

Many other electrics cannot handle branches larger than about a 1/4". (They claim 3/8, but who are they kidding?) This one can handle branches up to a shade over 1/2" without too much trouble. If you expect to do a lot of large branches, you really need to get a gas trimmer. ... Read more

Features

• Four speed transaxle with reverse
• Predator - 24" self-propelled brush cuttter
• 11.5 HP Briggs & Stratton I/C engine
• Heavy-duty cutter designed to cut brush and stems up to 1.5" diameter.
• Single fixed rough cut blade

Amazon.com

Quiet, lightweight, convenient, clean: Black & Decker’s built a great mower for the homeowner. The electric 9-amp motor is plenty powerful for the average homeowner’s yard without the hassle of pull-cord starting, no mixing gas and oil, never running out of fuel, no smelly fumes and no pollution. Because it’s so light (just 39 pounds), even the least brawny homeowner can handle this cutter without trouble. Another nice feature is the one-touch lever that raises and lowers all four wheels at once from 1 inch to 3-1/2 inches, saving the trouble of adjusting each wheel’s height. Assembly is minimal. It’s a great mulcher, but if you prefer to bag, you can add the side bag attachment that’s sold separately.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Lightweight at only 39 pounds
• Electric 9-amp motor means no gas, no oil, no pull-starts
• Single lever height adjustment form 1" to 3-1/2"
• Mulch, side-discharge, or optional side bag (BA-075)
• 18-inch cutting deck, made of super tough polymer, is guaranteed for life

Reviews (11)

Great mower for the price
This mower mulches very well, and goes through the thicker parts of our lawn just fine. It's well-designed and solid-feeling. Mowing with a cord is a bit of a hassle, but our lawn is on the small side and it's worth it not to have to deal with gas, oil, filters, plugs, etc. Plus, if you use other electric tools on your lawn, you're going to be getting the cord out anyway.

Brand new yard gets 1st cut.
First of all, the mower was delivered faster than I had expected, especially since I used Super Saver Shipping. It was easy to assemble...took me about 10 minutes tops. I have an upward slope in my backyard, and even with tall unmown grass, the mower was up to the task. I figured it would be a good mower under regular conditions, but it exceeded expectations by handling the hill. In fact, its lack of a gas engine made it lighter and easier to maneuver. At the end of the afternoon, I was pleased with the look of my yard. Make sure you have an ample amount of extension cord and all is well!

You HAVE to get this!!!
WOW!!! After a QUICK assembly (no tools needed) I was off to the races! My much neglected yard was no match for this little work horse. When I got into the REALLY thick stuff I was thrilled to reach down and VERY EASILY move the deck up.. and back to work. Now, it will be a pleasure to mow as needed before it gets so bad!!! It's light & quiet and pure pleasure to use.
And OH!!! I didn't even put the chute on, It mulches BEAUTIFULLY! No clumps of grass or "tracks" on the lawn. Buy This!! Bravo Black & Decker!!!

Good mower unless you have an uneven lawn
One of the problems we've found with this mower is that the height adjustment lever will rachet down to the lowest setting half way through cutting the lawn. This happens in a faster timeframe if you have an uneven back lawn that's slightly hilly. Unless you like your grass closely cropped if may be worth checking out other mowers that have better height adjustment levers (for example something that is easy to lock in and not slide out, as what happens with this model). Apart from that its easy to clean although I thought the diagrams in the manual were pretty misleading on the first glance at them.

Simple Solution
After my husband's death, I moved into a small house, but there was still minimal yard to keep mowed. I had to rely on family or pay to have my yard mowed. I am still able to walk and get around and felt I could still mow. My biggest problem was starting the mower. When I saw this mower I felt it was the answer. Sure enough when it arrived I took it out of the box , read the directions and in a short time I was mowing the mower is light and easy to push. No more gas cans or oil etc. I mow at my pace and can stop at anytime to rest or move something and then with a simple squeeze of the handle I am off again. The electric cord is not a problem I followed the suggestion in the guide and found it is simple to mow and not get tangled up in the cord. Another feature I love is the adjusting wheels some of my lawn is heavier than others. With a simple flip of the leaver and I can adjust the height of the blade. I am saving at least $25.00 a week , and no longer have to depend on others to mow, Not to mention getting some much needed excercise. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every home enthusiast needs a reliable trimmer. When it comes to performance in the front yard or back, the Black & Decker GH600 14-inch Grass Hog lives up to its name. The unit is powered by a 4.8 amp electric motor that spins the line at 9,500 rpm. An automatic line feed system eliminates the need to bump the trimmer against the ground every time the line breaks. And the 30-foot, factory-wound spool is easy to install and replace. Head adjustment is quick and easy, too. Just press the button, rotate the handle and wait for it to lock in place. The Grass Hog comes equipped with an auxiliary handle for added comfort and control. The handle rotates a full 360 degrees and can be moved up and down the handle to ensure the perfect fit, whatever size the operator may be. A flip-down edge guide ensures precise trimming and edging work. And, at just 5.2 pounds, the Grass Hog is easy for just about anyone to use.--Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Soft grips for maximum comfort
• Automatic line advancement -- no bumping required
• Powerful, 4.8 amp motor
• Groom 'N Edge head rotates 180 degrees for edging work
• Patented cord lock secures extension cord during use

Reviews (18)

Better stock up on string
I have a small yard so I got a lightweight model. Everything about the Grass Hog works just fine except one thing, the automatic string feed mechanism. I thought that automatic string feed was a great convenience when I bought it, but after just one use, it spent the entire spindle. I'm going to return this so I can get one a trimmer that requires bumping. At least that way I won't have to buy a new spindle each time I do some trimming.

Everyone should be like this
Excellent product. Much easier to use than the bump kind.

Autofeed plastic mechanism melted.
The white autofeed plastic part melted on the first day and the GH600 stopped feeding string. Useless. I had to return it immediately. Now I'm looking for a reliable electric trimmer.

I would definitely recommend this
I have a small lot (8500 sq. ft.) and the rear portion had a fair amount of tall grass growing in a non-landscaped area. This thing chopped that stuff down no problem. I had a McCullough gas trimmer that couldn't take that stuff down.

I haven't had it long enough to comment on the line use issues, but i think for ~$50 this is a great value. It does a lot better edging my bermuda lawn than the dedicated Craftsman edger that I had (used a blade).

So basically this outperforms 2 units that had a combined cost of around $200 for me. So far I am thrilled with it. Don't worry about it not having the power to do basic trimming. This has converted me to electric trimmers for the foreseeable future.

Trimmer knife breaks.
I've had the trimmer knife break off twice. The trimmer knife is used to automatically cut the string to the desired length. Without the knife, the trimmer cannot be used. The first time the knife broke off Home Depot reluctantly accepted the exchange. The second time I riveted a sheet of sharpened metal to where the knife used to be. I'm looking around for a better model. This model eats line like crazy, particularly the non-round kind, leaving pieces of trimmer line everywhere. On the plus side, it is light and easily adjusted. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The portability of gas power without the mixing and pull-cord, the ease and reliability of AC power without being tethered by an extension cord, Toro's 12-volt trimmer is a first-rate unit for homeowners. A 12-volt battery offers a run time of at least 45 minutes, more than enough for the average yard. The D-shaped handle’s curve balances the trimmer’s 10 pounds nicely in hand, and we especially like the wide-grip trigger. It comes out of the box fully assembled, needing only a 12-hour charge to be ready to run. The spool holds 10 feet of .065 line, and spool replacement is a snap--literally—-because no tools are needed. Just bump the head to advance more line. We like this trimmer for its light weight, ease of handling, impressive run time, and great price.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Battery provides up to 45 minutes of run time
• Cordless 12-volt unit - user is not constrained by an extension cord
• Bump and feed line advance for continuous cutting
• Tool-free spool replacement
• Exclusive extension cord-lock prevents disconnects

Reviews (10)

Easy to assemble
Either Toro changed the design, or some of the other reviewers are mechnically challenged. Either way, the the trimmer snaps together in 2 seconds and is ready to charge. Couldn't have been easier.

A detachable battery would have been nice for those who don't have outlets easily available where we store our lawn equipment.

Excellent little trimmer
I don't understand the complaints about this product. It came in three parts and was very easy to assemble. The bottom snaps to the middle section, no tools or bolts... it's angled so you can't really put it together wrong (well, I suppose you could, but not if you make sure the cord is straight like the instructions say to). The top attaches with 2 nuts and bolts (included), also very easy to do. Five minute assembly I would say for the average person who doesn't read directions...

Very handy to not have to unplug my mower to trim. I like it.

Oh, I should mention that you don't need to push in the little button on top once you start it (someone was saying it made them tired), it's a safety interlock to keep the big trigger from being accidentally activated.. once you have the big trigger in, you don't need to hold the smaller interlock button on top to run the trimmer. Now I've used it multiple times and am still very happy with it.

Does the job, but you get what you pay for.
First, I'll say I'm satisfied with this trimmer, given what I paid for it (not much). But... if you have a large yard, or are concerned about long-term quality, I recommend a higher-end unit. Although the trimmer arrived in only three pieces, for the life of me I could NOT assemble it - the top two pieces would not "click" together; I had to duct-tape them. The trimmer works well, but it's heavy for its size. You'll find your hands and arms getting fatigued after about 10 minutes from vibration and holding the on switch.

Disasterous Product
I'm a 57-year-old woman and I have assembled tons of stuff. But whew! I have had a miserable experience with this 7" cordless trimmer. Please read this to the end before buying ANY Toro product. I am dismayed at the trimmer, and more dismayed at the company's attitude.
On the box, Toro states that their trimmer is EASY to assemble and assembles in minutes. It was horrendously not easy and took a long time! Furthermore, in spite of great time-consuming frustrations and attempts to be careful, when I finally had it assembled, the seams along the casing began to crack open.
Now, there are parts on this trimmer that, once connected, lock permanently, although the manual doesn't tell you about this.
I tried to fix the problem (following instructions about opening the trimmer handle in the manual), and ended up with some pieces that I was nervous about putting back together.
In disgust, I finally took the thing back to the store.

The manager had me call Toro from his telephone. I explained my dilemma calmly and politely asked Toro simply to refund my money. Understand, this catastrophe had already cost me several hours and plus an afternoon of driving back to the store.
The Toro people with whom I spoke were completely inflexible, humorless and very hard-hearted. Wow, could they use a course in customer relations!
They refused to back up their product, and couldn't care less about the fact that the box said "easy" to assemble, implying that I was some kind of idiot (but read on!). They recommended I take my brand new trimmer to a place where I would have to pay to have it repaired, IF it could be repaired! I was startled and dismayed by their "too bad--tough" response. They completely shrugged me off.
The store, as shocked as I at Toro's attitude, graciously decided to replace the trimmer with a new one. (I don't know if they had to swallow this one or not.)
This time, the store manager assembled the new trimmer for me. Now, he was a big guy who is used to mechanical things.
It took him a LONG time to assemble, the manual was as confusing to him as to me, and as he struggled with some cables that wouldn't budge, grunting and groaning, he kept saying, "This is NOT easy! This just won't go together!" Finally he was able to assemble it, using brute strength, but he was really disgusted and completely saw my point by the time he was done.

Okay, here's the icing on my complaint. Today I used the trimmer for only the third time, and suddenly the entire cap holding the trimming mechanism just flew off the bottom, nearly missing my ankles! I couldn't get it back on. There was nothing whatsoever in the manual about how to re-attach this, nor was the Toro website even remotely helpful.
In summary: Toro has a lousy product, including false advertising on the box, and refuses to take responsibility. If they had refunded my money as requested in the beginning, eventually I might buy more of their products.

But not backing up what they say about this trimmer ("Easy to assemble; assembles in minutes"), plus its dangerous performance has convinced me that I will never buy another Toro product in my life.
Now, I am in business, too. Today a customer returned a product which she claimed was defective. It wasn't, but I replaced it at no cost cheerfully.
Buyer, beware of Toro. Purchase products from companies that back up what they sell, and who don't sell things that fall apart dangerously

Good so far
This product has been great so far. I have had this trimmer for about two weeks. The first time I used it the battery ran low after about 30 min. The second time I used it (after charging all week) the battery must have been more completely charged since it didn't become low after over 30 min. of use. Its a whole lot more convenient to use than my old gas trimmer and it doesn't sound like an airplane flying over. The trimmer line that was on it when new did break quite often and I replaced it with line from a bulk reel of 0.065 line. This line is more durable and I have not had to add more line yet. The unit is somewhat heavy and can get tiring if you have a lot of trimming to do. It would be nice if there were places on the trimmer to add a support strap. The bump feed mechanism works flawlessly. I have never had the line to become tangled or fail to dispense as it should. For the price and convenience, I don't think you can find a better trimmer. ... Read more

Features

• Carrying Case
• 4.5 HP Electrice Motor
• 16" bar with sprocket tip bar for reduced wear
• Tool-less tensioning, automatic chain oiler
• Vibration neutralizing techonlogy

Amazon.com Review

Remember when snow days meant snowball fights, building forts, and a day off from school? Now, they just mean having to shovel the driveway and walkway. Lucky for us, the Toro 1800 Power Curve snow thrower can make that job a lot less arduous and time-consuming. Powered by a 12 amp electric motor, the Power Curve can clear 4 inches of snow off a 50-by-20-foot driveway in 10 minutes flat. The thrower cuts to a depth of 10 inches and width of 18 inches per pass. A patented two-blade curved rotor scrapes the snow all the way to the pavement and throws it up to 30 feet. The chute rotates 160 degrees, too, for better snow control. Best of all, the Power Curve is lightweight, compact, and maneuverable. Startups are easy. Just squeeze the trigger on the control bar, then release it when you want to stop. A key lock helps prevent unauthorized use, so you don't have to worry about kids, or even the neighbor borrowing it without permission. With the Power Curve, snow removal is quick and easy, so you can spend your time on more important things, like having snowball fights. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Lightweight (24 lbs.) and easy to handle
• Maintenance-free: no gas and oil to mix; no parts to lubricate; and no recoil to pull
• 10-inch depth of cut and 18-inch clearing width
• Throws snow up to 30 feet
• Clears 700 lbs. of snow per minute and scrapes it down to the pavement

Reviews (42)

Man! I am so happy
I live in Northern Va. We had our first two snows of the year. One of those heavy wet snows that Doctors tell us 63 year olds to avoid. Total snowfall 10 inches. I live in a townhouse, but with a lot of sidewalk (40 feet X 8 feet wide) plus two parking spaces and a patio. Now, with this machine (It dosent look like much when it's delivered.) I did the entire thing in 30mins which includes a little break. It did'nt throw slushy snow 30 feet but it threw it a heck of a lot farther than I could with a shovel. I believe it would throw fluffy snow 30 feet. Cord is a hassle, but something has to be( but no rope to pull or carburators to fool with or gasoline to store. I don't have a garage.) It weighs about 25 lbs, easy to carry and store. A job that used to take all morning ( with numerous rests now is over in 30mins. When I was 40 I would have laughed at a snow blower, but now, at 63 I am delighted.

Great value
Great value and it did what it promised. Compact, light weight, no maintenance, and always started. After last President's Day snow, I decided never to break my back again. Looked around for a snow thrower. Most everything was expensive gas-powered lawn-mower size machines. In this part of Maryland we don't get that many snow storms and I have only a 30 feet 2-car drive-way. So, I wasn't willing to spend that much for using 5 or 6 times a year. This is under $300 and has sufficient power to get me out of the house in 15 minutes, including few extra minutes for untangling the extension chord (not included), clearing about 4-5 inches this morning. Good job Toro.

The Greatest Invention since the George Foreman Grill
I live in NYC and I just used this snow thrower during the last nor'easter, in which we received 6 inches of snow. I just got home from work and there were my three neighbors: Mr. Nosey and Mr. and Mrs. Know-it-all half way done shoveling their driveways. "A lot of snow we got, eh, Crab. You got your work cut out for you!" With that the three of them started to smirk. Little did they know I had a secret weapon: The Toro 38025 1800 Power Curve Snow Thrower which I had sent to me under the cover of darkness away from their prying eyes. Tired, cold, hungry and scared, I plugged that bad boy in and off I went. Within 30 minutes, I plowed my driveway to concrete while my snoopy neighbors were still digging away. I guess I got the last laugh. There was no hassle,no fuss, no gas, no oil, no spark plugs. It's also light weight and I was able to lift it and plow a snow drift. It's so small and compact that it takes little space inside my house. Just a caveat: you should spend the 10 extra bucks for the 100' cord. My only regret is that I should have bought the Toro last year!

WE LOVE THIS THING!
No more shoveling for us! Using this easy to use snowblower is like pushing a vaccumm cleaner! We whrrrr down our sidewalks in half an hour - compared to what used to take us an hour and a half! We even do the neighbors' walks now - it goes so fast! Handles a pretty heavy snowfall with two passes sometimes - but its still very fast, and easier on us than the old shovel.

Something we first time snowblowers learned pretty fast: just be careful to make sure the chute is pointed downwind of you. :D

Save your back!
I had back surgery a couple of years ago and find it impossible to shovel snow without my back hurting. I bought this lightweight Toro and it is great; no more back pain after removing snow.The cord can be in the way sometimes, but it is a minor inconvenience considering how well it removes the snow. ... Read more

Features

• Tecumseh LV 195 engine
• 3-in-1 system: side-discharge, mulch, or rear bag
• Easy Stow Knobs

Amazon.com Review

The Tuffy is the tiller to choose when planting a smaller-scale backyard garden or vegetable patch (up to 750 square feet). Its four-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine provides plenty of power for even tough groundbreaking tasks, all without sacrificing light weight or maneuverability. Counter-rotating tines means the wheels and tires work against one another, digging hard into firm, compacted ground to turn it into workable garden soil. With single-handed operation and just one forward speed, running the Tuffy couldn’t be easier--and the large, ten-inch pneumatic ag tires can handle almost any terrain with ease. This unit fits easily between garden rows for season-long cultivating and weeding. It tills to a width of 14 inches and adjustable depths up to 6 inches; the tines are 10 inches in diameter. The handle can be modified to several different heights for improved user comfort. The cast-iron gear-driven transmission has a limited lifetime warranty. --Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• 14-inch tilling width; tilling depth adjusts up to 6 inches; limited lifetime warranty
• Gas-powered, rear-tine tiller; lightweight and maneuverable
• Cast-iron gear-driven transmission with 1 forward speed
• 4-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine
• Counter-rotating tines dig harder and deeper into soil

Reviews (1)

lose bolts
I got my tiller later than amazon said. When I got the tiller
it had a broke gas tank it must of got broke in shippingand most of the bolts was lose and one wasmissing that went to the carb. I tried to get help but only got the run around no help after 5 pm and the help you get was no good. The tiller did run and works good after I spent 3 hours putting it together and finding A bolt to replace the one that was missing. Then the next day I had to buy a repair kit for the gas tank I hope it will hold.good luckif you buy one ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Dislodge hard-packed dirt for enhanced irrigation and pliability with this effective plug aerator from Illinois-based Agri-Fab. Ideal for use with compact soil, clay, drought-damaged plots, and surfaces prone to heavy traffic like a soccer field, the aerator extracts plugs of dirt from the earth in 40-inch wide swathes. By pulling out these small plugs, water and oxygen gain more immediate access to plant roots and soil and creates a healthier environment for growing without disease and pest dilemmas. The disposed plugs can be broken up and added to compose for later use. A tractor tows the aerator, allowing users to cover large spans of land in little time.

The plug aerator cores with twenty-four heavy gauge galvanized points, heat-treated for greater durability. Six rustproof spools hold the points, with four points on each spool. The points reach 3 inches into the earth, removing 3/4-inch diameter plugs. Spools are affixed to a heavy-duty, 48-inch wide steel tray. Users engage the aerator with an upright lever on top of the tray. The long lever is easily accessible from the tractor seat. Two 10-by-4-inch pneumatic wheels transport the aerator most any terrain. A hitch pin accompanies the aerator for easy tractor hook-up. For the best results, aerate in the spring and late fall. The aerator was manufactured in the USA. A limited one-year warranty may be available for this item. Upon shipping, the aerator measures 42 by 13 by 10-1/2 inches and weighs 81 pounds. --Jessica Reuling ... Read more

Features

• Upon shipping, the aerator measures 42 by 13 by 10-1/2 inches and weighs 81 pounds; made in the USA
• Cores hard-packed earth to allow greater irrigation and oxygen access in 40-inch wide swathes
• Steel tray holds 6 spools with 4 galvanized heat-treated points per spool for penetration
• For towing behind a tractor; hitch pin is included
• Travels on 2 10-by-4-inch pneumatic wheels; upright handle for easy activation

Amazon.com

Fear not: Your Trimmer Plus engine will have no trouble powering this add-on. Just click it onto the shaft and let the heat-treated, 8-inch steel tines do the work in the garden. The eight-spoke design bites into even the hardest-packed dirt and churns it up. We think women especially will love this attachment, because standard garden cultivators are impossibly heavy, a bear to start, and ridiculously difficult to control. It’s lighter, smaller and much easier to maneuver, but just as powerful, and the results are even better. When you’re done, detach the cultivator head with a click, hang it on the wall, and move on the next project. Superb product.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Can be used with any Ryobi TrimmerPlus unit
• Add-on cultivator turns soil in home garden beds effortlessly
• Tine width adjusts from 6 inches to 9 inches
• Heavy-duty gearbox and heat-treated 8-inch steel tines deliver superior, long-lasting performance
• Attach and take off in seconds with Clink-Link shaft

Reviews (14)

Hidden Treasure
Our neighbor worked our garden with a disc and field cultivator, but we still needed to work in our compost. I stopped at the hardware store and bought the tiller attachment. I had a 31cc 2 cycle trimmer that I bought 3 years ago and had never used. I took it out of the box and attached my tiller. It started on the 3rd pull. The tiller tore through our soil with no problem. It mixed in our composte with ease. I then used it to tear right through our grass around some trees I planted. It took time, but eventually got through the sod with little effort.
I was pleasantly surprised. Now, how can I get that wheel frame from the old all-in-1 model...

Works with the electric trimmer too
I own the electric Ryobi TrimmerPlus 132r and wanted to go with all non-gas for the power tools in my small yard. I planted a vegetable garden two years ago and rented a 5hp tiller to chew through the grass that was in place then. I decided to buy the cultivator attachment for the trimmer and have been extremely pleased.

I was concerned the electric motor would not be adequate for even minimal tasks but I was shocked (sorry) to find I could till through heavy dirt -- I even had to push on the back of the cultivator with my foot to get it to labor and eventually stall in the soil. I even tilled some moist but hard packed dirt without any trouble.

As other people have mentioned, the head on the unit was small enough to effectively turn over the dirt in a 30-inch wide planter.

If you're looking for a cultivator to handle a small garden, I would be surprised if you were disappointed by this product.

Borrow one and test drive on YOUR soil first
When I first borrowed a friend's mini cultivator a few years ago, I was in heaven. Finally, something I could use to till my soil that was light enough for me to handle and easy enough for me to start, yet tough enough to really churn up the dirt. Unfortunately, when I got around to buying one of my own, I didn't buy the same brand. Instead, I bought a Ryobi. Since I also needed a weed eater, I figured that going with the attachment plan would save me money.

Although I like the trimmer very much, I'm not as impressed as the other reviewers with the cultivator attachment. It just doesn't feel very powerful. I attempted to use the Ryobi cultivator to work an established herb garden, and am about to give up and rent a more powerful cultivator. Perhaps my soil was too hard and compacted to work well with a mini cultivator. The Ryobi barely dug into the ground, turning up only the surface soil. I was extremely disappointed.

I do think that once I work up the soil with something stronger, the Ryobi cultivator will work well for maintenance tilling. I was impressed with how maneuverable the cultivator was. I could work around fairly densely planted herbs and perennials without destroying any desirable plants.

Based on my initial use, the blades seem quite durable and don't seem to get tangled with weeds very easily. Switching the attachments works well, too.

One design aspect that I expect to remain a drawback is the handle style. I found the handle bars on the other cultivator (unfortunately, the brand name escapes me--Stihl, I think) much easier to handle than the one-long-handle arrangement on the Ryobi.

For looser soil, the Ryobi should work fine for you, but unfortunately, my yard just isn't as cooperative as the other reviewers.

New homeowner, old unkempt yard
I've never touched a lawnmower, weedeater, or any other garden tool up until 2 months ago when I bought my first home. The landscaping needs a complete overhaul, and thanks to this cultivator, I think I'll be able to do it myself. I've already redone the rock-hard old raised beds in the front of the house. Now if only I could buy an Add-On Handyperson attachment!

Tough as nails, and worth every penny!
You can't hurt this thing. It tears through ANY soil, roots etc and does so as well as the big tillers that don't fit in a household garden. This is useful for small vegetable gardens, but the best use is refreshing the soil around shrubs in your foundation beds. Its litle head gets in tight spaces, and you can drop it straight down into a spot you couldn't wheel a big tiller into. It gets roots tangled around it, but clears easily. The tines are indestructible, as is all the rest. I'm glad I got the 4-cycle 875R trimmer, because this thing uses all the torque it puts out. A very good investment. Saves a whale of a lot of storage in the garage, too!!! ... Read more

Features

• 15 x 6" front and 20 x 8" rear wheels provide added traction when taking on big jobs
• 20 hp Briggs and Stratton V-Twin engine
• Foot-pedal AutoDrive with reverse transmission
• 6-position fender-mounted deck adjustment offers easy, convenient operation
• Cutting deck height can be adjusted from 1-1/4 to 4 inches

Reviews (12)

Great Little Tractor
Great little tractor for not a lot of money. Recieved the tractor with no problems, free shipping to boot! Starts and drives every bit as well as the John Deere I've been using, yet significantly cheaper.

The "fast attach" accessory system, appears easy to use.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the purchase.

Very pleased with my new Lawn man tractor
I live in Richmond Va. Picked up my Lawn Man tractor yesterday and cut my grass last night. It is superior to the Craftsman of simular specs I just returned to Sears. Which was very unsatisfactory. As for the man that that said there was a hidden shipping fee. Thats incorrect. It ships for free. But if you want it sooner than regular delevery. There is a 9.99 extra charge. I didn't mind paying it to get my tractor sooner. And he doesn't know much about trucking company's and shipping etc. Its always the person receiving freight responsibility to unload. The trucking company's responsibility ends at the end of the trailer. A twienty five dollar extra charge for unloading. Was probably for two men to unload. [650 lbs]. And as for the lady that said she wouldn't own another Lawn Man product. Well Lawn Man is made by MTD which makes about 80 percent of all brands made and marketed in the US.

Good product but lousy customer service from Amazon
Amazon states that any item over 25.00 is free shipping so I selected that option. Then was informed by the shipping company that I would have to unload it off of the truck myself. Then they stated that if I wanted a lift gate to get it off the truck I would have to pay 25.00 extra. What choice did I have but to do this as I cannot get it off of the truck by myself. Amazon misleads us by not making it a point to let the buyer know "before" checkout by using at a minimum a pop up that informs us of the issue that the buyer (us) would have to unload a 600lb+ mower off of a truck. Amazon states that the tiny link that is listed on the website informs the consumer of this but as I said it is a tiny link, almost hidden, because I am sure that if most read this link they would not purchase this item from Amazon. The irony is I was told by the Amazon customer service department that I did not choose to pay for the lift gate truck. Well guess what! There is no option in the checkout whereas you can choose this option. We are extremely disappointed with Amazon and their lack of ethics and concern for their customers for selling equipment that they should not be selling unless they have a better way of delivering heavy items to the customer. Even Walmart.com at a minimum takes it off of the truck for you! Shame on Amazon.com for conducting business in such a poor fashion.

Shipping problems and unhappy with performance
Received my tractor 3 days ago. Was supposed to get it Monday but had the same shipping problems the others had as far as needing a lift gate which took an day. I guess I got off easy (at first) as I didn't get charged the $25. Got the call from my wife "The tractor is here!" I couldn't wait for the 5:00 bell to ring. Raced home, threw on my shorts, then went outside only to see the crate was half crushed, tractor was uneven, and looked like it was literally thrown off the back of a truck. Have a few nasty scratches on it too. Of course they weren't the ones that cause any $$ damage, just the ones that make you mad you never even saw your $1,300 tractor on your front lawn without being torn up on the side!

Well, I got it started easily enough and took off to mow. Ran nicely, turned well, but not a very good cut. I wasn't moving very quickly but had to practically crawl as to not have an half-cut line up the middle. Thicker areas I had to go over twice. Mind you, I have been cutting my lawn for a couple of years with a 5 HP push mower and it did just fine. Lawn was no higher than any other time I cut it. Three areas for concern..... 1. When you turn around a tree or bush you get a very poor cut. 2. Any slight dip in the yard and it scalps the lawn. 3. Anything over about the pace of walking will not give a nice cut. I shaved about an hour off of walking but for $1,309, and a 20 HP motor, I expected more. I really need to do it twice to make it look as nice as a push mower. So, other than the ease of my fat [back]not having to get a little exercise....it didn't take any less time.

ALSO....WHERE IS MY DRINK HOLDER? Before I bought it I looked at Wal-Mart at the same model, it had a drink holder. I guess I'll crazy glue a "coolie" to the bump in the fender. Not sure I made the right decision. Certainly the wrong shipping company!!!!

Excited, at First
Ordering was a snap. Looked around for tractors for quite a while and believed this was not a bad buy. Free delivery,and right to your door, not bad. 8 or 9 days after placing the order the tractor was in my driveway, and boy was I excited. It came on a large pallet / crate. Got one side off the crate and had dillusions of driving my new Porsche. I wondered why it was so hard to roll out of the crate, the flat front tire would explain it. The tire was totally off of the rim on one side, could not just put air in it. Oh well, no biggie. Lets connect the battery and start it to see how it sounds. Turn the key and all I hear is click, click, click. Checked and re-checked the battery terminal connections. Now what, dead battery?? Got the battery charger out and charged the battery for a couple of hours. Again try to start and click, click, click. Oh well, lets charge the battery overnight and see in the morning. Meanwhile that night I decided to take the front tire off and bring to the garage and see if they can fix the flat. No problem tipped the guy a 10 and he seated the tire on the rim and filled with air. Driving back to my house I thought to myself the battery should well have been charged by now, must be something else. Took the battery out and followed the cable to the starter solenoid, tightened them up, put the battery in cranked over and to my surprise it started. Put the front wheel back on and was all ready to go for the next morning. Got up bright and early ready to mow, so excited. Looked at the front tire, flat as a pancake (only on one side!). Took the tire off again did the gas station again and had re-repaired. Put tire on again and was finally all set. Finally mowing.
The loose connections bother me quality wise, one has to wonder what else is loose. As for the flat tire, what could I do return it? The tractor does have some rattles in it (does not run like a deere). Not a big deal but no cup holder as advertised (unless I missed the cup holder operating instructions in the owners manual).
On the positive side, the engine is strong and the optional bagger is excellent. The automatic drive and turning radius are both good. We will see how this stands up to the test of time. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Don't think you're man or woman enough to handle a piece of power equipment? Fear no more. Black & Decker's bump feed string trimmer is a great buy for even the beginning gardener who needs to whack weeds regularly. Its 3-1/2 amp motor munches medium-to-thick weeds with precision and ease, even when weeds are a tangled web. The 12-inch cutting path and 10,000 rpm get the job done fast. This Black & Decker is easy to maneuver and can be used to trim weeds in some hard-to-reach places where other trimmers fail. It will also challenge thicker weeds, but watch out for vines, which can get tangled up above the cutting spool. To feed the spool, simply tap the trimmer against the ground.

Black & Decker definitely keeps the consumer in mind by providing comfort with an adjustable, textured top handle for firm gripping and maximum control. This string trimmer is not too heavy, either; weighing about 5 pounds, it's a good fit, even for smaller gardeners. You may start to feel a light vibration in your hands after a long trimming job, but it's minimal. This Black & Decker model can be used regularly and doubles as an edger. The Groom 'n' Edge button rotates the trimmer head 180 degrees to convert the trimmer to an edger and back again. In seconds, you can turn the head, and you'll hear the snap when it's in place. An edge guide provides precise trimming and edging around sidewalks and driveways and does a good job of keeping you at a safe distance from rocks or even the side of your deck or house.

This string trimmer, as well as most other electric trimmers, is best suited for small yards that are accessible with extension cords. Because electric trimmers are generally lighter and more comfortable, they are easy to handle. If you're looking to whack unruly weeds on your otherwise well-maintained yard, this electric trimmer is a less-powerful yet long-lasting alternative to more expensive gas-powered trimmers. Be sure to wear hand, eye, and foot protection when operating any trimmer. A 30-day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty are included. ... Read more

Features

• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty
• Groom'N'Edge button rotates 180-degrees for convert from trimming to edging
• Edge guide assists for precise trimming and edging
• Textured and adjustable top handle assits for maximum control
• Cord retention prevents accidental disconnection

Reviews (11)

Very Reliable
I've used the Black and Decker ST4000 string trimmer for several years; I have been quite pleased with it except that it doesn't seem to hold up to frequent use. I do only my own yard, so I don't think I've been abusive to it.

B&D in for the sale...not for customer service
B&D will not provide instructions on-line for rewinding the spool. They will only tell you how to buy new spools. Their own spools have a "REWIND LINE" directional arrow...but this is a single line spool and they don't tell you which of the four holes or two anchor notches to use, or the manner in which to secure the line.

Can't call them...they work bankers hours Mon-Fri...useless for the average weekend warrior. I certainly don't do yardwork in the middle of the workday. Nor would my employer appreciate my use of the phone for weed whacking advice.

I am forced to go to the local hardware store and buy a new spool and do the detective work myself. This seems a bit selfish of B&D. ..withholding the information just so they can sell new spools.

Also, after three uses, the string guard broke off. Now, there is nothing to keep the proper distance from walls, shrubs, trees, etc. So the string breaks faster. But at least B&D will sell you a new spool!

Recommendation: tell B&D to post a manual on-line, and give honest information to customers. Otherwise, I'll spend the extra money to buy a brand that cares about customer service more than the upsell.

Bad Plastic
Just about everthing on this item that is plastic has cracked and broken. I do not mistreat my tools and am disappointed with the quality of this item

B%D TRIMMER
Buyers should be aware this trimmer requires a cord. You will need to buy a long extention cord for this. Has no battery. Once you buy the cord at your local hardware store and try it, the trimmer does work fairly well for light work.

gift
this was a gift so i cannot say one way or another how this product is. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What sets this trimmer apart from the pack is its clever AFS line-feed system. It automatically senses when more line is needed and feeds it in fractional increments without bumping through centrifugal force. The spool is surprisingly easy to replace, too. When you’re done trimming, convert the unit to an edger by rotating the Groom 'N' Edge head 180 degrees in just a few seconds.Unlike other trimmers, this one has an auxiliary handle that adjusts to the user’s height. A sturdy guard protects you from flying debris, a good thing because the motor keeps the string moving at 11,800 rpm. The flip-down edge guide makes edging a snap. The 12-volt battery will charge overnight in the wall-mount stand. Relatively light at 10 pounds, it’s a great dual-purpose tool for the homeowner.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes 12V 9" trimmer/edger, charger, battery, and wall mount bracket
• Automatic Feed System, no bumping required
• Groom N' Edge head converts from trimming to edging
• Cordless trimmer eliminates the hassle of extension cords
• Adjustable auxiliary handle adjusts to user's height

Reviews (5)

Great Value
I recently purchased this grass trimmer from Amazon.com. I wanted a cordless model so I did not have to bother with gas or lugging a plug around the yard. I received it very quickly and was able to pull it out of the box and have it ready for it's first charge in about 10 minutes.

I used it last night for the first time and was very happy with it. I needed it primarily to remove the grass/weed growth (that that our mower can't reach), that was climbing up the fence separating my and my neighbor's yards as well as the weeds that grow around our garage. It worked perfectly. I had some grass/weeds near the fences that was at least 12 inches in height and it blasted right through it. It never got stuck or jammed. I probably cleared about 150 -200 feet of fence that had grass and weeds climbing up.

I did try to use it on a section of dense pulpy weeds near a corner of our yard where the grass meets concrete. The weeds are very low to the ground and have very thick stems. It did not work so great on these but I think it is due to the thickness and density of the weed growth. I wound up just pulling them up out of the ground (this was even hard to do). But, since I bought it for purposes of removing the grass/growth along the fences on my property, it works wonderfully.

The only drawback is it does get heavy after using for a while, but the helper handle is a great plus. Since I don't need to use it for excessive lengths of time, that is something I can live with. I would recommend this trimmer.

Don't do it!
I would like to update my last review of this machine...

After less than a full season using this "toy" I now realize how cheap this thing is. I have spent more time "re-threading" the spool after the string wears down to nothing or more often than not, breaks off, than I have trimming. You only end up with about 3" of string during the lightest of trimming. And now the lower bearing in the motor is worn out. I guess I'll strip the battery out of it and trash the rest.
If you need to trim anything but the LIGHTEST of grasses, this machine is not of any value to you.
And, customer support from Black &Decker is nothing more than a bunch of form letters... and they are automatic and have nothing to do with your queries.
I was poised and ready to purchase their cordless mower, but with the experience I have had (or lack of) with their "customer support" and the quality of this product, I have purchased another brand.

AFS is a disappointment..
I really like going cordless and gasless with this trimmer, but the "auto feed" system is very poor. Most of the time the user actually only gets about three inches of trimming cord to use. Too bad they don't offer a "bump-feed" system, that would make it a great machine!

I'll keep it ...
I like this trimmer. It's a little heavy on the fore arm if you have 10 minutes or more of trimming to do. It does a very good job of taking care of lighter trimming.

I was hoping it would power through 6 to 8 inch high wet grass that accummulates under the 5 spruces I have - no such luck. It seems to have too much build up of grass on the guard, lack power and trim line strength to do that job. I have been using a 10" with the electric cord and heavier trim line and hope I wouldn't need to use it.

However, the cordless trimmer makes it a lot faster to do the trimming and easier to keep up with the 1/2 acre yard work. So maybe the dense grass problem won't occur.

The verdit is out on the auto feed as it seemed to chew up the .065 trim line very easily especially around tree bases. This makes the operator haver to exercise more care. However, the auto feeder seems to work flawlessly.

I haven't used the edger feature, nor would I as I have a lot of edging to do.

For normal trimming the CST1000 powers its way through. It sure beats lugging 100 to 150 feet of cord around.

One more thing. The unit handle was damaged in shipping. Two plastic mounting posts broke off inside the handle. The handle halfs, while not showing damage, would easily separate. The exterior screws that fasten the two halfs could not hold the halfs together. It appears that the problem is in the Black and Decker box as it does not seem to protect the handle from the weight of the battery.

A very nice product.
I have been using this trimmer for about six weeks and I'm happy with it. I had an inexpensive electric trimmer, but I wanted freedom from cords. At first I considered buying a gas trimmer until I realized that was ridiculous since I'd be using it to trim a property less than one-quarter acre. I also didn't like the fact that the gas trimmers all had wide cutting paths. That is an advantage only if you are cutting grass rather than just trimming grass around a wall, shrub, flower bed, pole etc. A comparably powered trimmer with a larger cutting path isn't going to trim grass any faster since you're really only using the tip of the line to cut the grass. This trimmer has a smaller cut path so you can trim in and around tight areas, and do so without accidentally cutting something you don't want cut (like flowers). I think the power of this model is very good but according to Consumer Report, some cordless trimmers aren't as powerful as electric models. If you are a power freak you probably will want a gas trimmer.

Black and Decker makes another cordless model (Grass Hog) with a 12" cutting path. Frankly, I think this (9-inch) model is a better choice because it operates at a higher rpm. That means the tip of the line is moving at a higher speed. Taking into account the circumference of a 12" and 9" circle as well as the rpm of both models (6,800 for the 12" and 11,800 for the 9"), I calculated the "tip speed" of this model at 316 mph while the 12" cordless model is only 243mph. Although I haven't used the 12" model I assume this one cuts better for that reason.

It also performs nicely as a light edger. Switching from trimming to edging takes just seconds. It's really a great feature. It's so convenient having an edger at hand that I edge much more than I used to.

One thing I don't like about the trimmer is the auto feed system. I don't like not being able to feed new line whenever I want. New line is fed only when the existing line has been considerably shortened from use. Also, when the line frays and splits (as it often does) you either have to wait until the auto feed kicks in or trim the line with scissors. I carry a small pair with me and occasionally cut the line when it gets frayed. You can probably also use nail clippers.

Cordless trimmers are heavier than electric models and some of the lighter gas models. They are better balanced (than electrics) though and more comfortable to use in that respect. The weight is near your hands as opposed to being at the front. I find it more comfortable to hold this trimmer than some of the lighter electric models I picked up in the stores.

Most of all, what makes this trimmer great is the fact that it's cordless. You just can't beat the convenience.

Shop no further, Amazon's price is excellent. I didn't get it any cheaper and I bought mine at a huge retailer who is known for great prices (you know who they are).

Pros

- cordless!
- well balanced
- smaller cutting path
is advantageous for trimming tight areas
- switches quickly to an edger

Cons

- Auto feed system
- weight ... Read more

Product Description

A light weight, hand-powered lawn mower. Continuous height adjustment from .5 to 1.8 inches. The long life blade will go for 8 to 10 years without sharpening. This mower weighs ony 15 pounds and cuts a 13 inch wide strip.It features a ball bearing mounted reel, and a segmented rear roller.No-tool assembly in less than 5 minutes.An optional grass catcher (sku 4202) is available.This extremely quiet mower is suggested for lawns up to 2500 square foot. ... Read more

Features

• 15 pounds, quiet, easy to push
• flame-hardened no sharpen blades
• Full control rigid handle
• Large top cover to protect overhanging flowers and shrubs

Features

• 6" lockable caster front wheels with 10" x 4" pneumatic rear wheels
• 6.5HP B&S OHV Engine
• 3" diameter chipper capapcity 10:1 reduction with 2 hardened steel blades and 9 hardened cast steel flail knives
• 24" vacuum capacity with 1/4" to 4.75" adjustment height
• 3-bushel bag capacity

Reviews (3)

Once Started, Good Tool for the Money
I have now been using the 6.5 HP Troy Built C/S/V for three months. To make this simple, I'll get straight to the pro's and cons...

Pro's...
1) The factory did an excellent job of packaging and crating the unit for shipment
2) The unit feels substantial and this was reinforced for me as I went through the very simple set-up process (takes about an hour to unbox and set-up)
3) Directions for set-up were flawless
4) Once started, the unit does an excellent job of picking up dry leaves and twigs through the vaccuum nozzle -- it cleared my 1/3 acre yard in about 2 hours (including the time it took me to get the refuse to the street for pick-up)
5) When the suction power of the nozzle is overhwelmed by leaves, it is very easy to unclog the nozzle -- I just use a twig
6) I found that the unit hungrily accepted branches up to 2.5 inches in diameter (I measured) -- the unit does start to bog down on branches larger than this
7) Does a fantastic job of mulching yard waste -- I can't say it does this to a 10:1 ratio like the company claims (how do they measure this?), but I am very please with how few lawn bags I am using this season

Cons...
1) This unit is EXTREMELY difficult to start. For context, I am 6' 2" and before that third helping of Christmas dinner, I weighed in around 235 lbs. My wife, 5' 3" and around 120 (if she reads this I'm a dead man!), was never able to start the unit. I would guess that the pull weight on the starter cord exceeds 60 lbs. Exascerbating the issue is the rather awkward position in which the pull starter is located.
2) Branches can get jammed in the feeder shoot, and the plunger is never quit long enough to drive a lot of branches to the grinding teeth. Freeing these items from the feeder tube can be a frustrating process.
3) Awkward position of zipper on the catch bag makes it difficult to transfer mulched waste into garbage bags

Net/net: If you have a lot of trees and want to save time and think you're man enough to start it ; ) -- BUY IT!

It worked great until...
I bought this product and I used it to do a heavily wooded property. It handled the wet leaves but the twiggs and leaves clogged the inlet. I was able to unclog it with a stick. Plenty of power, for the propulsion and the chipping / vacuum. It worked great until the transmission fell off. I bought it assembled. The bolts just loosened and fell out. Somebody didn't use lock nuts. 2 yr warranty is nice. It's a week now waiting for the parts.

Not bad for the money
I just received this item by freight yesterday so take this review for what it's worth. I was pleasantly surprised the truck driver unloaded it and put it in my garage. It would have been impossible for me to have unloaded it by myself.(see shipping restrictions). This is my second troy-bilt chipper/vac so I can compare them. The first was the 8 hp model purchased about 8 years ago. It only lasted 3 years and then the motor seized. It cost over twice as much and I definitely did not get my moneys worth. So I'm taking a chance on this one. I have about 1 acre with about 30 mature trees, many of them black walnuts so my yard is pretty harsh on equipment.
The shredder/vac portion is fantastic. If I were to rate this product just on that portion it would get five stars. The chipper part is a little disappointing. It seems to have a little trouble with 1 inch twigs. I stopped it once thinking it had finished chipping only to find out I couldn't restart until I took off the nozzle and worked the twig out of the blade.
Other things that drop it from five stars are the seemingly flimsy plastic parts, the bag design and the troy-bilt customer service. Some parts didn't fit together causing me not to be able to start it. I called customer service and had to wait about ten minutes for the guy to tell me to call my local dealer. I don't think it was a toll-free call but I could be wrong. Fortunately I was able to fix it myself. It had shipped from the factor with the safety button assembly upside down.
All said, if it last, I will probably be happy with the purchase. The general design is much better than the 8 hp and the nozzle doesn't seem to get clogged as much. Perhaps the added 1.5 hp made the former a better chippper. ... Read more