American Gardener YS24 YardStick 10-Inch 24-Volt Cordless String Trimmer
by American Gardener
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List Price: Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of American Gardener YS24 YardStick 10-Inch 24-Volt Cordless String Trimmer
Customer Review: A great, no hassle trimmer.....if you take certain steps
Summary: 4 Stars
After years of putting up with a cantankerous, maintenance-intensive gas trimmer I purchased a YS24 trimmer and have not regretted the decision at all. I have used the YS24 for approximately a year and have had experienced no reliability problems. I should add that I use this unit as a trimmer only so I cannot comment on its edging capability. The pros and cons of the YS24 are as follows:
Pros:
Virtually no maintenance hassles - no gas & oil to mix, no spark plug to clean & gap, no air filter to clean, no carburetor to adjust.
No starting problems - enjoy expletive-free trimming sessions.
Clean and quiet - you won't smell like a potpourri of gasoline and exhaust fumes after trimming.
Good run times - I'd estimate run times of between 30 and 45 minutes of nearly continuous use.
Adequate power - OK, so you won't be laying waste to a thicket of saplings with this trimmer, but there is enough power for what the typical yard has to offer. If you're used to a more powerful gas trimmer you have to remember to be patient and take smaller "bites" when encountering thick grass and weeds.
Cons:
Weight and balance - this is my biggest gripe with this trimmer. The heft and balance are such that after about 20 minutes of use I have to put the unit down for several minutes to give my back a rest.
Cheesy line advance - I skirt this problem by laying the trimmer down, pressing the line release button with one hand and pulling out line with the other hand. Note that this is a common complaint for many makes and models of trimmers.
In summary, I feel that the good points outweigh the bad and I would highly recommend this trimmer for use by the average homeowner.
Customer Review: Everyone with a lawn should have this product; period!
Summary: 5 Stars
law degree; "some math" background, but how can I (1) verbalize the pleasure I have from purchasing this item and (2) how can I, how can "one" quantify the worth and utility of this truly wonderful product? I admittedly never heard of this company until less than a week ago! That is my loss, you can be sure! I always purchased Toro products and once stupidly bought a "Ryobi" weed-whacker: threw it out after I believe 3 uses! anyhow, Toro is "good", but my cordless Toro weed-whackers were unreliable and I frankly got "fed-up" replacing the 12 volt trimmer! Lo and behold I searched under amazon and discovered this incredible product. Hoping not to sound "dogmatic", simply put, if you want an incredible product, if you want what is likely the all-time best value in a weed-whacker (and I suspect their other products are the same way!), get this product! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity to have access to a product of this quality and utility. It is just wonderful; wonderful. We have "tortured" ourselves with 12 volt cordless Toro trimmers; tortured ourselves dragging cords along the lot, be they attached to that Ryobi or even our Toro corded trimmer: I have "died and gone to heaven" with this product. (I gave my Toro "Super" recycler Monster mower to my brother-in-law last week and bought a Honda "Hydro" (whatever they call it)...: another great product, but truthfully the trimmer I comment on here brings an even greater smile to our faces than even that (incredible!) new Honda mower!).
Buy this product; dont beat the decision to death! You will love it, love it. (And we will be buying more of their products--wish they had a lawn mower w/at least 6.5 HP because I'd buy that also!)
Have a fine day folks.
John
Customer Review: GREAT EDGER
Summary: 4 Stars
IVE HAD THIS FOR ALMOST 6 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT FROM SEARS WHEN THEY WERE THE ONLY SELLER. THEY USE LEAKPROOF LEAD ACID BATTERIES (2) THAT ADD TO THE WEIGHT, BUT IT BALANCES PRETTY WELL WITH THE ADJUST FOREHANDLE. THEY ARE POWERFUL RECHARGE FULLY OVERNIGHT. LEAD ACID BATTERIES DONT HAVE MEMORIES EITHER, SO IF YOU DONT RUN IT DOWN, BATTERIES DONT CARE. IVE NEVER RUN IT LESS THAN 30 MINUTES AND CHARGE NEVER DIMINISHES. AFTER THE 3RD YEAR, TRIED TO USE IT AND IT HAD VERY LITTLE CHARGE. LIKE YOUR CAR BATTERY, TIME TO CHANGE. I THINK I PAID 60 FOR THE TWO BATTERIES. AFTER AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE, IT WAS LIKE NEW AGAIN. VERY EASY TO CLEAN; JUST HOSE OFF THE CUTTER AREA USING CAUTION NOT TO SPLASH ONTO BATTERY CONTROL END. STRING IS EASY TO ADVANCE.
MY ONLY PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FEEDER. IF YOU BUY THEIR BRAND, SPOOL AND LINE, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I BOUGHT AN EMPTY SPOOL AND WOULD REWIND MY OWN FROM A BULK SPOOL OF LINE. IF I USED THE SPOOL IMMEDIATELY, THE LINE WOULD BREAK CONTINUOUSLY. I WAS SO FRUSTRATED, I ALMOST JUNKED IT. I LEARNED THAT YOU NEED TO WIND SEVERAL EMPTY SPOOLS, THEN LET THEM REST FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THE SUN TO LET THE PLASTIC STRING "SET" OR CURL TO THE SPOOL. AFTER DISCOVERING THIS, I NEVER HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM.
IM READING WHERE BLACK AND DECKER AND OTHERS ARE BOOSTING THEIR RECHARGEABLE UNITS TO 24 AND 36 VOLTS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE CONTINUING TO USE THE NICD BATTERIES. THEY DONT LAST, AND THEY'RE TWICE AS MUCH COST TO REPLACE AS THESE LEAD BATTERIES.
THIS IS A GREAT TOOL. I JUST WISH AMERICAN GARDNER WOULD DESIGN A UNIT THAT COULD INCORPORATE OTHER TOOL ATTACHMENTS (HEDGE TRIMMER, SAW BLADE FOR CUTTING BRANCHES, BLOWER). MAYBE SOME DAY.
Customer Review: Excellent Trimmer For the Cost and Convenience
Summary: 5 Stars
I had a small gas trimmer which I used up until losing it in a flood. Before then, it was hard to start, unwieldy and belched smoke. Needing a replacement, I opted for the cordless trimmer, expecting to compromise the convenience of no gas/electric cord for power and length of running time.
It turns out there was no compromise. I have about 3/4 acre of yard to care for and this trimmer lasts for all my trimming needs for the whole area on one charge.
It is extremely convenient to change between trimmer and edger, thus negtating my replacing the edger which was also lost in the flood. It does a good job of both for medium to light work trimming. It is lightweight, has a nice balance to it and is very safe to operate, with the double safety of on switch and power trigger, with a safety release that is set when you release the power trigger.
The 24 volt battery is a plus for keeping it running longer on one charge. Plug it into the wall mounted battery charger and forget it until you need it, then it will work for you for about an hour's worth of medium to light level trimming and edging. The AC adapter has a light that changes to red when it is charging, and changes to green when it is fully charged, which is helpful.
This trimmer got better reviews than Black and Decker models, so I tried it and am very happy with the performance and ease of use. It cost less than other brands of cordless trimmers with less battery power and less handy features.
Overall, I would highly recommend this trimmer and and very happy with my purchase.
Customer Review: Runs Well, but Won't Hold Up
Summary: 1 Stars
This trimmer cuts like a champ. The 24-volt system holds a charge for a long time, and the trimmer will do all the trimming on my small lot on one charge. It is also the most powerful rechargeable trimmer I've ever used. Its power rivals that of a very good Sears trimmer we have that plugs into the wall.
The trouble is, while this tool is well designed, American Gardener seems to have neglected to buy and install high-quality components when they made it. I've had two of these trimmers. I was delighted with the first, until it quit on me while I was using it for the second time. It probably had 45 minutes run time on it. I gave it to a young man who was running a yardcare business, but I never asked whether or not he got it running.
To prove that dumb really does run in my family, I bought a second 24-V Yardstick. We put it into service in the spring of 2007, and it has died already. It probably has 10 hours of use on it, maximum. The battery won't take or hold a charge. I don't know or care whether the problem is in the battery or the charger. I have plans for this trimmer and charger; they involve a trip to the shooting range and a couple large caliber revolvers.
I'm not trying to go back to American Gardener for repairs, as they were not the least bit interested in helping me on my first unit when it died. Don't count on their guarantee. It may well be worse than their trimmer.
I don't think I would buy another American Gardener Yardstick if they were on sale for three bucks each.