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Cordless Grass Trimmers
Tested and reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed Updated
3rd January 2012
Breaking News - New Generation of
Cordless Grass Trimmers using Lithium Ion Batteries
Cordless grass trimmers are
great tools and far more convenient to use than mains powered trimmers.
until now cordless
grass-trimmers suffered from poor battery life which is not helped by
seasonal use and long periods of no use.
Due to the high price of a
replacement battery, many of these tools ended up at the tip.
The new Lithium Ion Battery
technology now makes these handy power tools far more viable since the
batteries are lighter and can take long periods of not being used.
At the moment there are only a
few models with these batteries but more will follow and my advice is to
hold off buying models with Nicad batteries.
Latest model cordless grass trimmers
-currently being tested
Gtech ST04 & ST05 , Bosch ART23
Li, CEL Power LT 18v, Flymo Sabre 24v
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Bosch and Gtech both launched new grass trimmers in 2008 using Li-in
technology and I tested and compared both.. The Gtech ST05
has a small blade but long handle. Initial
results are very impressive as the tool is so light yet cuts very well. The
14.4v battery is built in and recharges in about 30 minutes, ( a long tea
break). The ST05 is a more advanced version of my much
loved Gtech ST01 that used a separate battery that you keep on your
belt. The ST01 is still available (now with an improved
battery) and is a tried and tested product at extremely good value.
The lightest cordless grass trimmer
Gtech ST05 with Lithium Ion battery
The Gtech ST05 is British designed and the lightest cordless trimmer I
can find. It is the upgraded version of the excellent ST05 that used a
separate 12v battery that you wear on a belt.
As with the ST04 it has a telescopic handle, rotating head, and uses plastic blades but they are larger and
thicker than the Bosch ones, which improves cutting performance.
The in-built 14.4v Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery can be recharged in
about 30 minutes and gives a run time of up to 40 minutes
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This is the latest model with Li-ion battery
Buy Gtech ST05 from a fredshed partner site
use the link below for a bargain model with the normal battery
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Bosch Grass Trimmer Range
Pictured right is the Bosch ART 26 cordless trimmer.
This is a well balanced and easy to use trimmer and has the all
important swivelling head to enable you to trim the top and side edge
of your lawn. This battery powered trimmer also has the advantage of
using small plastic blades instead of a nylon spool.
Some people dislike the plastic blades as they tend to break easily on
concrete but many prefer them as they are so easy to change. unlike
most nylon line spools that are great when new but seize up with age
as they gather crud.
The Bosch range of trimmers has been improved for 2009 and are now
available with the lighter and more powerful Lithium Ion batteries
that are set to change the whole cordless powertool market.
I am generally a fan of Bosch but I dont like the standard Nicad
batteries they use in grass trimmers and hedge cutters.
Therefore I do not recommend buying a bosch cordless
trimmer with the old nicad battery - get the new Li-ion version
The 2 Bosch Cordless trimmers are called Accutrim whilst the 3 corded
models are called Combitrim as they have a normal tap and go spool and
an extra strong spool as well.
I really like the idea of plastic blades on grass trimmers and found
that they perform well and are VERY easy to change when worn. A pack
of 24 for the ART23 and ART 26 Accutrim grass trimmers costs around
£4.99.
If you find your trimmer a bit heavy to use Bosch offer an attachment
wheel as an accessory.
Wolf was the first company to use these wheels and whilst they are
useful they do take a bit of getting used to and need to be moved
out of the way if you want to trim side edges.
One reason I recommend the Bosch trimmers and not Black & Decker so
much is that the model range is stable and the spools and blades are
easy to obtain and simpler to understand. I have given up trying to
work out which spool fits which model with B&D.
As a footnote I would also like to say that generally I dislike all
electric nylon spool grass trimmers. I much prefer metal bladed
grass trimmers or if you have long grass and are fit enough a scythe
or swaphook.
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The old version with heavier battery (not recommended)
Click here to see the prices and spec of all the Bosch grass
trimmers |
click here for more details on the latest and best cordless electric
hedge trimmers
Small Battery Powered Electric Grass
Shears Metal Bladed -
"Clipper Type" Wolf Accu
verses Bosch Isio
 Alternative to Nylon Grass Trimmers
Personally I don't like electric trimmers that cut
with Nylon cord or blade. I find that the cord is likely to become
brittle over time and break, fail to self feed and can be hard to
replace or find replacement cord.
The plastic blades are easier to replace but are
even worse than cord for breaking when they hit something hard like
a path or edging material.
For small jobs I prefer an electric version of the
sheep shear that has long lasting metal blades and a 7.2volt
lithium ion battery that can run for up to 125 minutes.
This type of tool has been around a long time and
is well tested. The Wolf tools version is the most versatile as it
can be fitted to a telescopic handle and have wheels attached.
You can also turn your Wolf grass trimmer into a
hedge shear
With a few simple clicks you can remove the grass
shear blades and replace them with a small hedge trimming blade!
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Bosch Isio
 The Bosch ISIO
is similar to the Award winning Wolf trimmer but it is smaller, lighter and
cheaper.
The Isio is available in the standard hand version for about £38 but can also be
converted to a shrub cutter and or be extended with a telescopic handle.
The latest version of this tool has a anti-jam electronics that stop and reverse
the blades the instant it detects too much force.
This new feature makes a lot of difference with the shrub attachment ,
especially when the battery is running low as this is when any trimmer is more
likely to get stuck on a thick stem.
In fact the anti stall technology makes this small tool better at cutting hard
shrubby stems than some of its later and more powerful rivals!
Replacement blades are available for the Bosch Isio and I believe this
tool and it's spares will be available for many years, unlike the cheaper
copies from discount chains and mail order catalogues.
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The Wolf ACCU has been in production many years and improved with
new batteries.
Like the Bosch Isio the handle is an optional extra.
The Bosch Isio is smaller, lighter and cheaper
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Grass AND shrub
trimming!
The Bosch ISIO can be converted from a grass shear
to a small shrub trimmer in seconds and is surprisingly efficient.
I also like the drop in charger base and metal tin that the tool
comes in. Running time is very good thanks to the Li-ion batteries
and I get 20 minutes use which included some woody shrub material.
The softer the material you cut the longer the battery will last
between re-charges.
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2 Tools in 1
The Isio can be a grass or
Shrub trimmer!
Just swap over the blades!
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The Wolf BS 80 metal bladed grass and shrub
shear
Personally I don't like electric trimmers that cut
with Nylon cord. I find that the cord is likely to become brittle over
time and break, fail to self feed and can be hard to replace or find
replacement cord.
For small jobs I prefer an electric version of the
sheep shear that has long lasting metal blades and a
7.2volt lithium ion battery that can run for up to 125 minutes.
This type of tool has been around a long time and is
well tested. The Wolf tools version is the most versatile as it can be
fitted to a telescopic handle and have wheels attached.
You can also turn your Wolf grass trimmer into a
hedge shear
With a few simple clicks you can remove the grass shear blades
and replace them with a small hedge trimming blade!
The complete kit , including 2 blades, telescopic handle and wheels
cost approx £100 and all spares and parts are available.
2011 update - some models have been discontinued , spare parts remain
available.
or use the link below to compare price -
check
recommended site for prices and info for Wolf Accu shear range
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Top Tips This Month
Be prepared
for more snow- buy a shovel for car and home now!
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AS WELL AS TESTING EVERYTHING
I HAVE ALSO CAREFULLY SELECTED THE BEST SUPPLIERS SO YOU WON'T GET FOBBED OFF
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THANKS
FRED-IN-THE-SHED
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