Best Ryobi Battery Whipper Snippers

My Ryobi Expandit petrol trimmer for which I have a brush cutter and hedge trimmer recently started failing me after about 15 years. I decided to… Read more

buy the 36V brush cutter which is quite expensive when you add the battery and charger.

I have reservations about the 18V cutters and some of the reviews of the 36V model suggested they struggle in thick bush. Firstly, knowing how to use it properly helps and secondly yes it can stop in long waist high grass and weeds but one needs to realise this is a safety feature and not that the cutter does not have enough power. Simply cutting down at different levels prevent grass and weeds from clogging.

Compared to my old petrol trimmer this is absolutely brilliant and had no issued cutting down waist high grass and weeds over a large area. Being on a steep slope the lightness of the cutter made it so easy and I was pleasantly surprised how long the 4Ah battery lasted.

The added bonus is that my old trimmer and hedge trimmer attachments fit.

I would never go back to a petrol model.

36V Ryobi Whisper Line Trimmer: Cordless compared to Petrol: Using an electric line-trimmer is more akin to the constant power of a 4-stroke,… Read more

rather than the easily variable speed of a 2-stroke. One just needs to get used to this. Furthermore, do you need to pause or take a rest? Need to move something, or speak to someone? Release the trigger and unlike petrol machines, the machine stops (saving ears and battery) - and then it restarts just as easily! But it’s heavy with the battery, heavier than my Stihl 2-stroke, or feels it (see notes on weight below). Battery power does not decline as battery gets lower, simply keeps going until it just stops when drained. Alternative cutting accessories, plus flexible size and types of feed-line are better for petrol machines. Obviously, no buying, mixing (or mis-mixing 2-stroke) or storing flammable fuel with cordless machines.

Positives: Not “whisper” quiet, but definitely a major improvement on 2 and 4 stroke line-trimmers/brushcutters. If this is important, and it probably should be for everyone, it may be worth the extra $200-300. Its 36V power is serious, noticably stronger cutting power than my 25cc Stihl 2-stroke at full throttle. Power promises on box are genuine. “Hi” power is not much different to “lo”, so might as well save the battery! - Also “lo” power is plenty powerful enough for tough long grass and weeds, smaller sticks, bark and blackberries. (Hi 5500 rpm, lo 5000 rpm).

Not so great: Weight and weight distribution require getting used to. 50% at each end! Unfortunately, this line-trimmer is only available with a D-handle, which is a strange flaw in a machine with its considerable weight, power and 430mm cutting swathe. Nobody is going to seriously use one or two full batteries (add $300) without better support than D-handle and maybe a biting shoulder strap (not provided). Save your back and arms - Get a shoulder harness (Ryobi $51) - a must if you intend using it for a full battery (35-45 min at 6.0ah). Don’t be fooled by the title “line trimmer”. This is not a mini back yard toy for granny. It is so named because, you cannot change the bump-line feeder with a blade. In fact, unlike other Ryobi non-Whisper 36v brushcutters, you can’t even buy an inter-changeable stem blade attachment. For the high “Whisper” price, this limitation is a pretty poor show. Note also line trimmer line diameter is limited by the bump feeder to 2.4mm.

Poor - No Bike handles (or “U-handle”) option - this machine needs this option if you have serious work for this seriously capable machine. Ryobi should either produce this as an alternative model, or, more simply, produce a conversion kit, which would be pretty simple to design to fit on the existing machine.