Export thread

Recently, I had to throw out a very old Sears line trimmer, that lasted for over 20 years (and it was given to me used) - the spool and cap came apart and Super Glue would not hold And, I had to pay a neighbors' yard service to trim - it went over a year without trimming!
So, I'm in the market for another electric with great ratings. I don't mind winding a spool, in fact, I prefer it to paying for pre-wound. I want to use .080 line.
I would much rather buy another 100' extension cord than try to learn how to operate/start a gas-powered model.
Any suggestions for this older female?
Thank you.

Just get one of the many new battery models, they hold a charge for a real long time these days, and are quite impressive.

The lithium battery cordless available nowadays are quite good. I don't know that I've seen one that swings .080 line - there may be some. I'd recommend you avoid any NiCd, if still on the shelf.

As for brands, maybe cruise through Amazon to read the reviews. I have no major complaints about my Greenworks. It doesn't have the ergonomic feel of my old B&D but I'm accustomed to it now. I think Lowes (Kobalt) has a new line of 40V lithium tools.

No battery. No gas. Electric. Thanks.

Here you go: Stihl FSE60

Ok I did a lot of research on these electric trimmers and this looks like the best one. None of them say they can use .085 line but if any can this one will. Everyone I looked at has the auto spool. Crap in my opinion.
Amazon.com : Black & Decker GH900 14-Inch String Trimmer and Edger, 6.5 Amp : Patio, Lawn & Garden

I think this meets your needs. It takes 0.080 line and is very easy to reload.

Greenworks 18 inch 10amp Corded Garden String Trimmer - Greenworks

MowerMike -

I ordered the Greenworks 21142, from Sears mail-order. There was a deal w/o S&H, but I still will have to pay the very high sales tax in TN. It should arrive at my front door in less than a week. And, it has a 3-year warranty.

The Black & Decker, recommended by BlazNT, seemed to not be well rated by everyone. Some had it fail right out of the box.

Thanks, to everyone, for their help.

Not discounting your purchase because after I read about the Greenworks I would have purchased it to. Make sure you power cord is rated to pull that much power. It needs to be a big fat one. Most of the reviews I read could have been because of the same thing I am telling you about. When people go to the store and buy the cheep 100' cord and expect it to run large amounts of power, it will burn up an electric motor fast. I used to build houses and still have some of those heavy extension cords. I can run almost anything on them.

BlazNT -

I checked the extension cord that I use. It is 100' and 300 v. I've been using it with a 7.5amp blower, and a 300 v. 10' extension cord.
Is this a proper rating for the Greenworks trimmer? It is rated at 10 amps. What other numbers/characters should I be looking for on the extension cord?
Thank you.

hikerpat said:

BlazNT -

I checked the extension cord that I use. It is 100' and 300 v. I've been using it with a 7.5amp blower, and a 300 v. 10' extension cord.
Is this a proper rating for the Greenworks trimmer? It is rated at 10 amps. What other numbers/characters should I be looking for on the extension cord?
Thank you.

Click to expand...

Power cords are rated based on amps, not volts. You need at least a 14 gage medium duty 100' cord to handle a 10 amp motor. Look for 14AWG stamped on the cord. The longer the cord, the larger the wire gage that you will need.

It will also look like 14/3 or 12/3. Most cheep ones are 16/3. the way to check if you cant find it on the cord is to plug weedeater in with short cord only and run it full blast. Listen closely to how it sounds and how fast it is going. Plug in the 100' cord by its self and check again. If it does not run as fast or sound as powerful. Go get a new cord. Do not use the 100' cord for very long if things don't sound right. It will burn it up quickly.

MowerMike said:

Power cords are rated based on amps, not volts. You need at least a 14 gage medium duty 100' cord to handle a 10 amp motor. Look for 14AWG stamped on the cord. The longer the cord, the larger the wire gage that you will need.

Click to expand...

I suspect I may have the wrong gauge. Here are the numbers: c(UL) SJTW 3x1.31mm [squared] (16AWG) FT2.
I'm trying to remember - the lower the number, the thicker the wire?
From what I can recall, when shopping for the current cord, the really thick ones did not come in 100' and were extremely expensive.
You guys have been really helpful. Thanks.

Yes, lower AWG number means thicker wire with greater current (amps) capacity, and your 16AWG 100' cord is too small for your new 10 amp trimmer. It is easy to find 100' 14AWG power cords, but they are a bit pricey like you said. Go to a local Home Depot store and look for their Husky house brand, which is less expensive than other name brands. You want a 14/3 indoor/outdoor medium duty cord.

MowerMike said:

Yes, lower AWG number means thicker wire with greater current (amps) capacity, and your 16AWG 100' cord is too small for your new 10 amp trimmer. It is easy to find 100' 14AWG power cords, but they are a bit pricey like you said. Go to a local Home Depot store and look for their Husky house brand, which is less expensive than other name brands. You want a 14/3 indoor/outdoor medium duty cord.

Click to expand...

I am watching an item on Ebay - a 14 gauge, 100' cord, for around $30, plus $14** S&H. I am waiting for the listing person to give me the weight on the cord. I'm not a tall/heavy person, and I don't want to have to try to lug around 30# of cord.

One more question: Since I have a 10' 16 gauge, that is really necessary to reach what needs to be trimmed - can that piece be used at all with the 14 gauge?

I'll keep you posted. Thank you, MowerMike!

hikerpat said:

One more question: Since I have a 10' 16 gauge, that is really necessary to reach what needs to be trimmed - can that piece be used at all with the 14 gauge?

Click to expand...

Yes, you should be able to safely add the 10' section of 16AWG cord to the 100' 14AWG cord.

hikerpat said:

I am watching an item on Ebay - a 14 gauge, 100' cord, for around $30, plus $14** S&H. I am waiting for the listing person to give me the weight on the cord. I'm not a tall/heavy person, and I don't want to have to try to lug around 30# of cord.

Click to expand...

If it's anything like my 100' 14AWG cord, it will weigh less than 10#.

Also, you can get the same cord at your local Home Depot for $39.97 + tax, which is about the same amount you will pay to buy it on ebay.

MowerMike said:

Yes, you should be able to safely add the 10' section of 16AWG cord to the 100' 14AWG cord.

Click to expand...

Should I put the 10' 16 gauge on the trimmer, or in the wall receptacle? Or, does it even matter? I asked b/c I ran into this problem a few years ago, when I was mowing for friends and had been using their trimmer and extension cord. One particular day, their extension cord had gone missing and I used mine and burned up their trimmer.
Thank you.

hikerpat said:

Should I put the 10' 16 gauge on the trimmer, or in the wall receptacle? Or, does it even matter? I asked b/c I ran into this problem a few years ago, when I was mowing for friends and had been using their trimmer and extension cord. One particular day, their extension cord had gone missing and I used mine and burned up their trimmer.

Click to expand...

No, it doesn't matter electrically at which end you use the short 10' 16AWG cord, however, it may be more convenient to use it at the trimmer end since it is lighter and more flexible.