Ryobi Lithium String Trimmer 18 V 10 Inch Review
To know is to love – at least that's how the saying goes – and I'chiliad getting to know the Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless String Trimmer. And you lot really do demand to go to know this tool in society to capeesh what you can practise and what you really shouldn't expect from it. With last year's cord trimmer shootout and plenty of other standalone cord trimmer reviews, it's hard non to compare this Ryobi string trimmer to all the other brands we tested.
Just the reality is, information technology's not in the aforementioned class and it would be an unfair comparison. The Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless String Trimmer is 100% targeting the homeowner who is already on the Ryobi One+ battery platform or looking to get into it. So let'due south step away from the commercial landscaping conversation for a bit and consider the weekend warrior who only needs to cutting the backyard before Saturday actually heats up.
Assembly
Unlike the 40-volt mower, the Ryobi I+ 18V Brushless String Trimmer requires some assembly. Like most string trimmers, you lot need to install the baby-sit. You as well need to connect the shaft, just you lot do get a smaller box to manage for your trouble. The guard is like shooting fish in a barrel plenty – just slip it over the metallic protrusion and use your winged bolt to tighten it down. No tools required.
You'll need the hex wrench to connect the shaft in the center. Although it may look like you're taking a shot in the dark on lining up the holes, information technology slips into position pretty naturally earlier you tighten it down.
Adjustments
The most obvious adjustment is to the back up handle. This pivots rather than sliding up and down the shaft. It is possible – but very difficult – to move the handle on the shaft, even with the bolt completely undone. Nonetheless, I didn't have an issue finding a comfortable position to use past pivoting and I have a fairly long attain.
You also need to decide if y'all want an 11-inch or 13-inch cutting swath. The cutter inside the guard comes preinstalled at 11 inches. Just take out the screws and plow information technology around to switch it to thirteen inches. At present, this is shorter than we would normally recommend for a string trimmer, but continue in mind who the target user is.
Other Cardinal Features
Speed Selection
Yous don't necessarily wait a cord trimmer at this price betoken to give you the option of high and low speed modes, but the Ryobi Ane+ 18V Brushless String Trimmer does. Nosotros're non told what the exact RPMs are at each speed.
Line Changes
At first glance, information technology looks like the Ryobi I+ 18V Brushless Cord Trimmer has you in for a typical dual line change and the frustrations that come with information technology. However, Ryobi adult a Reel-Easy line change similar to some of the Speed-Feed style systems out at that place. The large difference is that you demand to use a reel handle that's separate from the trimmer head.
When it'south time for a change, the terminal of the line will fly out when information technology gets to the finish. Simply thread a new line (three spare ones come with it) through the caput to the halfway point and utilize the reel handle to wind it up. The whole process takes less than a minute one time you lot've done it a couple of times.
Performance
The Ryobi Ane+ 18V String Trimmer is relatively lightweight compared to other battery-powered string trimmers. Operating the unit is very simple. The trigger safety is simple to defeat as you place your hand over the top of the handle to press down on information technology and pull up on the trigger to start it.
I realize Milwaukee is a bit of a lone wolf when it comes to an OPE line on an 18-volt battery system. For nigh anybody else, in that location's not enough power to make it worth the effort. However, the combination of a brushless motor and Ryobi's 18-volt bombardment does a very overnice job of maintaining plenty of power for trimming duties. It's not quite where Milwaukee's string trimmer is, merely it's more powerful than you might first expect.
When stands out to me during apply is that there is a lot of vibration in this trimmer. We noticed the aforementioned thing in the model we tested in our shootout concluding year. Compared to other bombardment-powered string trimmers, this is noticeable. Just I think you tin can get away with information technology since it's non dissimilar from the vibration y'all feel with a gas engine. So it's there, it'due south just not more excessive than gas.
The blade guard could stand to exist a bit wider. Y'all'll definitely desire to pay attention to the line's management of rotation to keep clippings pushing away from you instead of into you.
The Bottom Line
The lightweight Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless Cord Trimmer tin handle the bulk of a homeowner's lawn intendance trimming duties. It runs on the Ryobi One+ 18V bombardment system, giving it a big win for the tens of millions of users with tools on that platform.
While the performance exceeds my expectations for an xviii-volt model and the adjustments give me a comfy set up, the vibration makes me not want to volunteer to trim my neighbor'southward yards once I'chiliad done with mine. That said, this is even so a keen piffling string trimmer for homeowners. Information technology easily handles properties up to a half acre. I trimmed a quarter acre lot with landscaping and argue lines, using merely i bar on my 4 Ah battery.
Y'all can pick this upward for $159 with a 4.0 amp hour battery and charger at the Domicile Depot. It's also listed for $99 every bit a bare tool, but that i'southward currently non available. Either mode, it'due south a good price. However, you are not far away from moving into other systems like the EGO Powerload string trimmer that has a ameliorate fit, stop, and performance. At the finish of the day, this is a skilful bet for homeowners who are already in the Ryobi One+ bombardment organisation for those who want to become into it.
Ryobi Ane+ 18V Brushless String Trimmer Central Features
- Brushless motor
- Compatible with all Ryobi One+ 18V batteries
- Reel-Like shooting fish in a barrel bump feed head with speed winder
- Variable speed trigger and two speed modes
Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless Cord Trimmer Specifications
- Model: Ryobi P2090 (kit), Ryobi P2009 (bare)
- Power Source: Ryobi One+ 18V battery
- Line Bore: 0.080″
- Cut Swath: 11 or thirteen inches
- Speeds: 2
- Line Advancement: Bump feed
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Price: $160 (kit)
- Warranty: iii years
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Source: https://www.protoolreviews.com/ryobi-18v-brushless-string-trimmer-review/