MakitaXUX01ZM5 36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless Couple Shaft Power Head with String Trimmer Attachment, Tool Only

Before the Makita, I was a die hard small engine proponent. For some things, gas is likely still the way to go. However, the power head on this model is truly impressive in the output delivered and the run time I get out of it with various tasks.It bogs down less than my old admittedly smallish 25cc two stroke power head. It worked well but I always wanted a bit more power. This Makita performs at least as well, and likely better power-wise, and it is very handy to use without the mess, noise and maintenance of the gasser. I get up to two hours of constant runtime depending on the task. While manageable, the unit does have some heft to it. I never used a harness prior to this, but found a harness helps me use the system a lot more comfortably and for a lot longer with less fatigue than without.it was not cheap or an easy decision to buy into a whole new ecosystem. I have many Trimmer Plus (universal-type) attachments. Those will not adapt to this Makita so to get brush trimmers, pole saw and the like, I had to shell out a bunch more cash and am left with a pile of Trimmer Plus attachments I cannot use. Even so, I do not regret the decision. The Makita system is on a completely different level. The connecting mechanism and drive shaft are very sturdy and looks and feels like it will withstand a lot heavier use. The tools attach securely and stay in place, unlike many Trimmer Plus style offerings which are far lighter duty, cheaply engineered and tend to loosen up quickly during use. Those issues are absolutely not present with the Makita system.I have a pole saw, two different brush trimmers, the string trimmer and a pole saw, plus extension. All these tools make the Trimmer Plus system look like cheap toys, and all have worked so well that I do not miss the gas engine at all.If it's in the budget, or you need reliable and durable tools you can use all day every day, this would be my choice. Definitely would buy again. Suggest factoring in a dual battery charger and at least four batteries depending upon your anticipated needs. For weekend work in a smaller residential lot, and without a lot of sawing or heavy brush clearing, two batteries may be enough.

Should I have purchased this sooner. Using the gas trimmer was always a hassle. By the time I mixed the oil and fuel, yanked the pull start for an eternity, I always got a work out before even started trimming. Was always skeptical about battery powered lawn tools. The ones I had tried had limited power, low battery life, poor ergonomics, etc. This lawn care line from Makita changed all of that with their 36 V 5ah power tool line. Makes it very easy to maintain my yard.It is a little heavy, (smaller person here) but very manageable when you wear a strap with it. It doesn’t come with this strap in the box. But I emailed Makita customer service with a screen shot of my Amazon invoice as proof of purchase, and they set one out next day at no additional cost. Has a very hefty feel to the unit. Doesn’t feel like a toy like many other battery-operated string trimmers do.Uses a standard string trimmer bump feed head and line. Maximum line width according to the instructions is less than 2.3 mm square or round. Make sure to tighten the head on the string trimmer very tightly. When you release the trigger, the unit stops spinning on a dime (good safety feature) but causes the head to come unscrewed if it is not installed properly.Has three speeds to conserve battery life, but battery life is long enough to complete trimming on one charge for a normal suburban yard.Uses the same batteries as the other 36V (18 V X 2) tools from Makita. Previously I purchased a Makita reciprocating saw that came with four batteries and the dual charger. I use these same four batteries on every Makita tool I own, So when I add to my collection I only have to purchase the tool sans the batteries. Much cheaper!I purchased the hedge trimmer attachment separately and use it to trim 9 foot tall shrubs. Has power to cut through three-quarter inch diameter limbs on my burning bush. Any larger and it struggles. But the quick change out of the features to switch from string trimmer to hedge trimmer requires no tooling.Comes with a really nice storage bag. Too nice to put a string trimmer in. But I guess if you’re traveling with it and don’t have a pick up truck, it would be handy. It is actually a nice enough bag for toting sports gear.Awesome tool.