If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all my years in gardening, it’s that weeds are the most annoying aspect of lawn care.
Not only do they encroach upon the grass, but they also destroy the aesthetics of flower beds and other garden decorations. I’ve been struggling with the task of finding a suitable weed wacker for a long time.
Thankfully, last week, my son suggested the Makita XRU15PT1 weed wacker to me. Intrigued, I did some research and got the device. And now my weed worries are nothing but a thing of the past.
Hi! I’m Stacy Smith, your friendly neighborhood lawn care expert. And today, I’m going to take you through my Makita weed wacker review.
Let’s get started.
What Is Makita XRU15PT1 Weed Wacker?
The Makita XRU15PT1 weed wacker is a string trimmer that’s lightweight, portable, and runs on battery power. It’s extremely quiet and works well even under adverse lawn conditions such as heavy weed cover.
I’ve been using it for about four days now and am already a fan! It’s designed to provide a well-balanced performance and is suitable for commercial as well as residential lawns. Its enhanced torque and power make weeding a task that I look forward to.
How Does Makita XRU15PT1 Weed Wacker Work?
The Makita XRU15PT1 works using an automatic torque drive technology that shifts seamlessly between three speeds. This adds a greater amount of power to the device’s operation and also helps to increase the operating time.
At the heart of the device is an outer rotor brushless motor that has been designed and built by Makita in-house. The unique design takes much of the weight from the tool’s rear portion. This is a boon for me, as I don’t find it easy to handle heavy tools due to my age.
Makita XRU15PT1 Weed Wacker Features
Now that you know what the Makita weed wacker is and how it works, allow me to take you deeper into its feature set. This will help you gain a better understanding of why you should opt for this device.
1. Excellent Power
As far as power is concerned, this product doesn’t pull any punches. It runs on dual 18V LXT batteries, and the brushless motor delivers 36V of power. With the outer brushless motor driving the cutting head, the device is extremely powerful. It can get rid of stubborn weeds with better efficiency than average weed trimmers using inner motors.
2. Large Cutting Diameter
The next aspect that I love about this product is its large, 15-inch cutting swath. The 15-inch cut on the device helps it gain runtime, as does the 0.080-inch twisted line. In case you need a bit more line mass, you can easily increase it to 0.095-inch.
Like other Makita trimmers, this one also includes a head guard that provides a high level of visibility. At the same time, the sleek design makes it easy for me to keep a watch on the grass as I trim the weeds.
3. Automatic Torque Drive
As I’ve mentioned above, this unit comes with three speed settings: 3,500 RPM, 5,300 RPM, and 6,500 RPM. But for me, the highlight of the unit is its Automatic Torque Drive that auto-senses the current load on the machine and adjusts the RPM accordingly.
This allows me to find the perfect balance between power and runtime. The device also includes a reverse rotation function; this helps me untangle weeds from the trimmer head without bending over with my bad back.
- Makita-built Outer Rotor BL Brushless Motor direct-drive system provides high power and increased torque
- Automatic Torque Drive Technology mode automatically shifts from 3,500-6,500 RPM for extended run time or added power
- 3 speed options (Low: 3,500 RPM, Medium: 5,300 RPM, High: 6,500 RPM) for power management
FAQs
I tested the unit’s runtime at full speed, and under zero load. And the runtime went to a massive 40 minutes! That’s more than I ever got from any other weed wacker.
After using it for some days, I was pleasantly surprised by the low sound levels of this unit. So, to measure the actual level, I got an SPL meter from my neighbor Mr. Cross and tested it out. Just as I’d expected, the trimmer clocked sound levels of between 66-83 dBA. So, you can expect nothing more than a slight humming noise when using it.
Because this product comes with over-discharge protection, overload protection, and overheating protection, I’d say it’s as safe as weed wackers come.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives
1. Worx WG163 Cordless String Trimmer
- 2 IN 1 TRIMMER & EDGER : Easily converts from a string trimmer to an edger lawn tool in just seconds.
- INSTANT LINE FEED: This grass trimmer has innovative push button command feed spool system for instant line feeding. Plus, free spools for life.
- HEAD TILTS 90°: So you can use string trimmer and edger on sloped terrain, and get to tough-to-reach places.
- Easily converts between string trimmer and wheel edger
- Can easily trim and edge on sloped and harsh terrains
- Rubberized wheels for cleaner cuts and straighter lines
- Adjustable spacer guards for protecting lawn ornaments and plants
2. Black + Decker LSTE525 String Trimmer
- Fast conversion between wheeled edger and trimmer
- Dual speed control for extended runtime and power
- High capacity battery
- Power drive transmission for improved torque
3. Greenworks ST40B410 String Trimmer
- 40V STRING TRIMMER – powers through the toughest grass and weeds.Speed : 7500 (±10%) RPM
- 12” CUTTING PATH - .065” line, auto feed head for quick and easy line advancement
- VARIABLE SPEED TRIGGER – allows you to control cutting speed on the go, so you can easily maneuver around plants and shrubs
- Massive runtime of 60 minutes upon complete charging
- 12-inch cutting path, along with 0.065-inch dual-line feed head
- Ergonomically designed to provide superior working balance
- Variable speed trigger offers extra power
Conclusion
I hope you liked going through my review of the Makita weed wacker. Ever since I’ve started working with this device, my lawn has been entirely pristine and free of weeds.
However, if you think it’s a bit too pricey, you can opt for the Worx WG163 or the Black+Decker LSTE525 string trimmers. These are convertible options that allow you to switch between a wheeled edger and string trimmer with ease.
Finally, if runtime is your primary consideration, I recommend the Greenworks ST40B410 with a runtime that stretches up to an hour. And yes, do remember to let me know which model you got for your yard.
Till then, stay safe!