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A hand-held copse cutter may look like a string trimmer , but its calling add-in is index . The best coppice cutter pack a punch in terms of the torque and gyration per arcminute ( rpm ) , allowing them to seethe through tall grass , harsh mourning band , vines , and woody halt . These automobile can be equip with either heavy - duty trimmer lines or sword blades , depending on the vegetation at helping hand . As a choice example , I recently tested Makita ’s XRU16PT , one of themost pop stamp battery - powered brush cutterson the market .
Makita has been at the top of the barrage fire - power instrument industry for a longsighted prison term , so I had in high spirits anticipation from the jump . I spend an good afternoon realize a discussion section of power product line right of way with the Makita 36 - volt ( V ) brush cutting tool , and I have to say I was impressed . It displayed an excellent compounding of everything most people look for in a battery - power clash tender : full-bodied power ; a lightweight yet durable construction ; and a politic , quiet performance . Read on for my observations from trying it out — this might help you find out if it ’s the correct brush stonecutter for your needs .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Makita XRU16PT 36V LXT Brushless Brush Cutter Kit: At a Glance
Rating:4.6/5
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Makita skirmish cutter at :
What is the Makita XRU16 36V brush cutter?
There are only a smattering of battery - power brushwood cutters on the market place that put up comparable performance to gas - powered brush carver , and the Makita 36V brushless light touch pinnace is one of them . TheMakita XRU16PTfeatures an effective brushless motor that the company claims can bring forth power tantamount to a 30cc throttle brush cutter . The motor runs on two 18V 5 - ampere - hour rechargeable battery .
This electric brush cutter comes equipped with wheel - vogue handlebars and shaped grip , a varying trigger gun , a durable blade drive calamus , a 9 - inch steel brush blade , and a cushiony harness arrangement . The kit also include two batteries and a duple charger . The variable - speed cut head can move at velocity of 4,600 ; 5,500 ; and 7,000 rpm . It also offers inverse gyration to quickly clear entangled rubble from the cut head .
This tool is packed with intelligent plan and software feature that serve substance abuser get the most out of the available battery spirit . The brushless motor surrender high major power and stronger torsion than brushed galvanising motors . Its Automatic Torque Drive Technology automatically adjusts the ability output to increase power and/or extend runtime . The company ’s proprietary STAR Protection Computer Controls technology protects the batteries against overloading , overheating , and overdischarging , while its Extreme Protection Technology seal out dust and water for added strength in tough cutting weather condition .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
I tested the Makita 36V brush cutter on 15,000 solid base , in a power product line right of elbow room traverse with shoulder - high grass and weeds , blackberry thickets , and tree saplings . After two battery life sentence cycles/second and an hour of thinning , I believe this is not only one of the estimable battery brush cutters around but also one of the right brush - cut options of any kind — battery or gas - power — for many midsize attribute owner .
Assembly: 5/5
With the exception of the handlebar and the blade , the tool arrived mostly assemble . First , I placed the batteries on the battery charger to insure that they would be ready to go as before long as potential . Then , I followed the tool assemblage instructions that come with the kit . It only took about 10 minutes to put together and another minute or two to adjust the harness arrangement . cleared didactics and no missing parting meant no problems .
The included dual bombardment battery charger maintain charging meter to a lower limit . Because the batteries arrived with a one-half bearing , they were ready to solve 20 minutes after I assembled the machine . later on , after I had run away the shelling down completely , they accept about 40 minutes to fully recharge . For those who own other Makita LXT cordless puppet , those 18V batteries are compatible with this unit , so they could power the 36V brush tender for add runtime while the depleted stamp battery reload .
Operation: 5/5
TheMakita XRU16PT brush cutterwas well-fixed and sluttish to use thanks to its thoughtfully rate controls , powerful motor , and long runtime per charge . I tested it through two complete complaint cps , first edit out about 10,000 straight foot of magniloquent grass and coarse mourning band , then thin out about 5,000 square feet of tougher vines , invasive shrubs , and tree saplings . The difference in runtime between those two areas was negligible , but I was able to cover about twice as much ground in the Mary Jane / skunk test because the terrain allowed for a unfaltering sweeping movement and easy footing .
The harness organisation was great . It break down on like a backpack and features well - padded adjustable shoulder straps , a breastbone resolution , an adjustable waist shoulder strap , and a meridian - registration strap . I was able to make all fitting and go the tool clip with one hand . The time grommet on the carver shaft was absolutely direct to maintain correspondence when the battery and leaf blade were instal . Since the cutter only weigh 15 lb and felt dead balanced , I experienced no muscle strain or fatigue at all .
All controls are located on the veracious - side handgrip . A safety switch is located in the palm sphere , and the trigger accelerator is positioned beneath the index and halfway finger area of the adhesive friction . The on / off / rpm picker button and the reverse rotation push button were both lay within easy reach above the quarter round area . Everything felt comfortable and intuitive to operate .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Cutting Power: 4/5
As far as torque and blade speed are concerned , the Makita 36V brush tender proved to be extremely capable . It pitch muckle of cutting power to bombinate through everything from forage to woody stems up to a half - inch thick . Because the cutter worked so expeditiously , I rarely used the reverse mode to detangle flora from the blade — there was virtually nothing to detangle . It felt like it could ignore through anything .
Aside from torque and speed , the other variable that must be see is the blade itself . Unlike some of the other kit I ’ve try that came with multiple carving choice , this one only included a 9 - inch , 4 - tooth steel brush blade . The blade functioned well as an all - use brush cutter , but it was less than idealistic for areas that were covered mostly with grassy , fibrous growth , as well as for area with thick woody stems . I could have moved more quickly through the grass with a weighed down - dutystring trimmer head . If I needed to edit out thicker woody stems , abrush saw bladewould have been necessary . The dear news is that this auto pack the power required for these job .
Quality: 5/5
The Makita XRU16PT brush cutter proved to be easy , capable , and quiet in testing , but how did it measure up in terms of overall caliber ? As noted above , the cutting power and runtime per assault and battery direction were both up there with the offering from other premium stain . I can also demonstrate to the subdued disturbance level of the motor and the closely vibration - innocent operation .
The only way I was able to evaluate the electronics was through observation while operating the brush tender . The canonic selection functionality worked flawlessly , as did the automatic torque adjustment system . The assault and battery consistently lasted for about 30 transactions per charge , which was enough time to clear from 5,000 to just over 10,000 solid invertebrate foot of brushing , calculate on the denseness and toughness of flora .
From an useable point of view , the harness ’s blueprint detail were extremely authoritative . A well - padded and in full adjustable harness can essentially excrete strain and weariness that otherwise comes with add together a brush cutter all day . This one was more than up to the task . Everything about theMakita XRU16PTpoints to calibre and lastingness .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Is the Makita 36V brush cutter worth the money?
sell for just under $ 700 at the time of this writing , the Makita XRU16PT is one of the more expensive shelling - power light touch cutters on the market . However , it ’s loaded with premium features that make it one of the good performing artist as well . To price workshop , stay aside from the budget out-of-door power equipment brands and ascertain out premium - tier rival .
By comparison , theHusqvarna 535iFRsells for about $ 650 , plus about $ 175 for theBLi200 electric battery , and comes with a string trimmer joist fountainhead , 3 - tooth grass blade , and 22 - tooth see steel . It has a maximum output of 8,200 rpm , and the 80 A - burden decibel haphazardness paygrade is a bit eminent than the restrained motor on the Makita . On paper , it ’s a more comprehensive outfit and a slightly more sinewy machine for a few more dollar bill , but it ’s on backorder for most retailers .
Meanwhile , theStihl FSA 135brush cutter retail for about $ 500 as a bare tool , before adding theAP 300 S batteryfor an additional price ( about $ 300 ) , plus a brush cutting tool blade . Designed for more torsion at lower blade speeds , it has a maximum output of 5,900 rpm . The Makita copse cutter offers a near mix of power and functioning for a liberal reach of cutting capabilities . Of these three insurance premium bombardment - power clash cutters , the Makita XRU16PT offer the unspoiled blending of performance for the price , and you wo n’t need to grease one’s palms anything else to get it work .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Is the Makita 36V brush cutter right for you?
If you ’re shopping for a durable yet lightweight hand-held skirmish stonecutter that can take on a wide range of dilute conditions , then the Makita 36V brushless brush cutter could be a smart buy . It ’s not the trashy tool around , but it packs the cutting mogul and versatility to work for anything from fencing line upkeep to overgrown fields . The cosmopolitan - purpose brush sword that come up with it will do an first-class caper bring down coarse pot , vines , bramble , and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree seedling , and by adding another blade or a string trimmer forefront , the tool ’s potential is almost limitless .
But this is not the correct machine for everyone . For example , those who frequently take a brush cutter for all - day work might be disappoint . trade out batteries every half hour could get tedious , so they might choose a gas - powered role model . Also , those who only do episodic thicket - clearing projection could probably get by with a less costly brush stonecutter . But anyone in need of aBest Brush Cutter Review clean , quiet , and capable shaft for everyday belongings care can gestate to get just what they ’re looking for .
Where to Buy the Makita 36V Brush Cutter
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author and product tester with an encompassing backcloth in the greenhouse and landscape gardening industry . For more than 20 years he cut down , butt against , planted , pruned , cultivated , irrigate , and renovated beautiful landscape painting . Now he tests and writes revue about the latest out-of-door power equipment , hand creature , lawn tutelage products , and other outdoor life goods .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
Keeping your green goddess green and your plant thriving does n’t just take a gullible thumb — it starts with the correct tools and provision .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
