Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 204mm Edger R18XEDG20

Two weeks ago I received a Ryobi edger model R18XEDG20 as a warranty replacement for my old model Ryobi edger (OED1850) that had a motor failure after about 3 years. The new edger had no starting torque so I had to hold up in the air until it got up to speed then I could plunge into the edge, hoping I was on target. The old edger would start with heaps of torque while in the edging. I always cut at minimum depth and use a Ryobi 5Ah battery.

I felt this new edger was faulty so I've had it replaced under warranty with the same newer model. I just tried this replacement and it also has no starting torque. It seems that Ryobi have built in a soft start for the new 'more powerful' motor.

I've spoken to the Ryobi help centre and all they can say is that I have to hold the edger up in the air to allow it to get up to working speed. The old OED1850 would start in the groove and if I wasn't careful it would drive itself across concrete. I can sit the new on the grass and the motor makes a pathetic effort to start then stops.

Ryobi said they have some old model OED1850s in their warehouse so I'll try to get one of those. I've found that the older edgers to be easy to use and do a neat job.

I've got a heap of Ryobi tools but this is the only one that I found to be a disappointment. At this stage I cannot recommend the new model edger.