Ok then, I've long been a proponent for electric anything so I'll be replacing my truck with an EV as soon as it's a bit more available and in the mean time decided to jump into the EV lawn equipment arena for another try. Last time I tried a battery powered weed whacker left me with a less than ideal thought of chucking it thru the store window where I bought it.

Fast forward 10 years and having gone thru 3 gas weed eaters I decided to give the Milwaukee M18 FUEL string trimmer a try and am impressed with it's performance. Cut right thru everything expected of it and then some and still had 1 bar out of 5 on the battery meter. Bonus battery and the batteries also work with my M18 FUEL 1/2" impact.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...1850/320166797



I also took a leap of faith when I purchased a Ryobi 48v riding lawnmower.


That thing left me more than impressed. Not just because it had options my 1st car didn't lol, but the fact that it not only allowed me to cut my entire yard twice and still had 9 of 10 bars on the battery strength meter left over, it also didn't stink me out with exhaust fumes when I'd get close to the house

I do believe I will see an end to gas station visits in my lifetime with the performance I'm seeing now with electric machines of all type.

 

I've been using a corded B&D lawn mower for my small yard or decades now. I also have a battery operated Ryobi trimmer for the last 10 years or so. Very happy with both. I'm not sure I'll ever be in the market for an electric car as my car should last at least another 10 years without serious issues. I'm not so sure I'll last the same 10 years.

 

I have a Ryobi weed wacker and blower, I'm quite happy with both of them.
I too took a leap of faith buying them, because after I used my land lord's Worx weed wacker, I was less than impressed with the battery life and quality of work.
But the Ryobi made me a believer, at least in that brand.

 

I know it's good to try new technology & new things. I just can't go that route, maybe one day. I'm 55 & 100% a fossil fuel guy, everything I enjoy runs on gas or diesel. I'll stick it out as long as I can.

 

I have the Milwaukee trimmer as well. Absolutely love it.

Interesting, a battery powered riding lawn mower. Will have to look it up.

 

Heh. I'm 56 and any where electric can replace fumes and works, wins!

 

They have several ev models to choose from including z turn. I chose this one because it fit's thru my gate.

 

I'm a ripe old 71 and for the past 20+ years have used Milwaukee tools, corded and cordless with great success. I'm still using a 12 VDC cordless caulking gun that's been out of production since the early 2010's. The part I love so much is repair parts are still available although growing tougher to find.

You're find the M12 and M18 batteries will work with any tool in that series the biggest difference being how long the charge stays useful between charging. Every one I've recommended Milwaukee (and bought) are surprised how well they work, how well they're built too.

Battery powered tools and vehicles are coming as we see in this very thread. Resist, deny and denounce all you like but even in this thread we see the future. I don't think I'll see EV's completely replacing gasoline/diesel vehicles but we can be assured to some degree or another its undergoing development.

 

I was a little skeptical about the string trimmer due to my last experience several years ago with a Black and Decker model, what a POS that was, complete waste of $$. However knowing how well Milwaukee tools are made and operate I decided to take it on faith it would perform as expected and it did not fail in that, my biggest fear was the semi expensive riding mower was going to be like the last Ryobi cordless I had that didn't last 2 charges, was a hedge trimmer so I tossed it in favor of a corded Toro hedge trimmer, still have it, still works.

The riding mower not only eased my mind but completely surpassed my highest expectations in performance. The time for electric to take over the field of transportation is well under way. When I said not visiting a gas station in my lifetime, I meant that in every way including my next vehicle. Well next two vehicles as I do wish to replace my motorcycle with electric as well.

Just being able to replace lawn equipment with electric so far has been a complete success. I'll try to remember that several years after warranty expires and I have to replace those expensive batteries. Current cost for them is about $160 each and there are 4 of them. They are however lead acid AGM sealed batteries and perhaps when it's time to replace them there will be a better alternative or at least a little easier on the wallet.

I replaced my motorcycle battery when the original gave up the ghost almost exactly 1 yr after purchase so I replaced it with a Li-ion battery that's still cranking the bike after 11 years. It was 3x the cost of the lead acid counter part but has lasted 11 times longer and still working.

 

Picked up the edger attachment for the Milwaukee and it works better than the gas Echo I have, hot damn!

 

Enjoy all that, but when your wife wants to replace you with an electric model you might think again.😳🤣

 

Speaking from experience???

 

Correct BUT there's absolutely no evidence she's not YET already began or completed that transition! DO NOT look into her nightstand drawer!!

I saw a landscaping crew detailing public property recently, most of them carrying the gasoline powered backpacks with leaf blowers, trimmers etc etc. I chuckled thinking as those older units fail they'll be replaced with something electric. The noise reduction alone would be incentive enough for me.

I'm okay going "old school" for quite a few things but as I look back to see how my own tool use has been changed and often times improved by going cordless I can't see the wisdom in clinging to something due nostalgia alone. I get the cost of changing over can be daunting and to many unnecessary if their current tools are still working well.At some point they'll need repaired (at times learning) there's no one left doing that or eventually they'll fail and replacing them is the only option.

I've been using cordless for so long its become "old school" to me now!

 

Ha! More power to her. 😁

 

I'm on my third set of cordless tools in the last 20+ years. The first two were marked by cheap plastic, low power, poor battery life, and tools not up to the rigors of real life. I bought the new line of Milwaukee cordless tools a couple of years ago and they're "real tools". I fully expect them to outlive me.