Green Machine Carbon Fiber String Trimmer
We’ve been getting to know Green Machine’s battery-powered line of lawn care equipment. Today, we’re taking a deeper dive into the Green Machine 16-inch carbon fiber string trimmer. As we go, we’re keeping an eye open to how its performance and design compare to the top residential models we rely on.
Pros
- Strong cutting performance
- Lightweight design—under 10 pounds with battery
- Carbon fiber shaft
- 16-inch cutting swath
Cons
- There’s room to improve the vibration control
Green Machine 16-Inch Carbon Fiber String Trimmer Performance
The Basics
Green Machine uses a brushless motor to power this string trimmer. Using 0.095-inch line, it tops out at 6300 RPM in high speed. There’s a low gear that’s useful on thinner sections when you want to preserve runtime.
As we expect, there’s also a variable speed trigger you can feather to control the speed. There’s a trigger safety on the left side. If you’re right-handed, it’s easy to press with your thumb and go. Lefties don’t have too much trouble, either. Even though having an option both sides would be easier, you can still reach over with your index finger to get going.
In addition to speed modes, you can also adjust the cutting swath between 14 and 16 inches. The cutter on the guard comes in the 16-inch position. If you want a shorter length or to extend your runtime, use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove it and flip it around. Like most string trimmers, this one also uses a dual-line bump feed head.
Testing
We did most of our testing at high speed and the performance is impressive. 6300 RPM is near the top of the range and you can clear grass in a hurry. It cut well, but we noticed some bend in the line while we cut thicker sections from the stock line. Upgrade to a premium line such as Echo Black Diamond and this trimmer’s cutting performance can keep up with some of the best in the business.
There is some vibration to contend with when you’re trimming. The shaft absorbs a lot of it, so it’s not a bad experience. However, there are other trimmers on the market with better vibration control.
To check the runtime, we put the trimmer in high gear with the stock 0.095-inch line and used the 2.5Ah that comes in the kit. With that configuration, we were able to run for 20 minutes and 24 seconds. Charging up the battery and testing again in low gear, it ran for 33 minutes and 19 seconds. With that kind of trigger time, you can easily cover most 1/2-acre lawns, even if you have a lot of landscaping to work around.
Green Machine 16-Inch Carbon Fiber String Trimmer Design Notes
Weight and Balance
Obviously, one of the major highlights is Green Machine’s carbon fiber shaft. In addition to absorbing some of the vibration, it also shaves some weight, bringing the bare tool down to just 6.8 pounds. When you add the 2.5Ah battery, the total package is a very reasonable 9.8 pounds. At the same time, it’s still strong and we don’t have any concerns about long-term durability.
Pro Tip: Even though the trimmer has a split shaft design, we recommend leaving it assembled to avoid wear on the wire or any unecessary pull on the motor and battery connections.
The brushless motor assembly is at the trimmer head, shifting the weight away from the battery and creating a comfortable balance. Part of how well the trimmer balances is where you position the front handle. Wherever you prefer it, the handle has a tool-free adjustment and takes just seconds to reposition.
Line Changes
Line changes are the bane of string trimmers. However, Green Machine makes it easier. When it’s time to change the line, run the length through the eyelets to the center and then turn the cap counterclockwise to wind it in. There’s no need to take apart the head and manually wind the line.
Additional Highlights
- No gas engine noise, emissions, or hassles
- 62V battery is compatible with all Green Machine 62V tools
Green Machine 16-Inch Carbon Fiber String Trimmer Price
You can find Green Machine products exclusively on Home Depot’s website. The carbon fiber string trimmer runs $188 and comes with a 2.5Ah battery and charger.
If you’d like to save a little money, you can get the same trimmer with an aluminum shaft instead for $157.
Either way you go, the tool has a 5-year warranty and the battery has 3-year coverage.
The Bottom Line
Compared to the best battery-powered string trimmers we’ve tested, Green Machine’s carbon fiber string trimmer is in the top tier of residential models. Its cutting performance is strong, its runtime is solid, and its weight is very reasonable. While there’s some room for improvement in vibration control, overall, it’s an excellent choice for homeowners.
Specifications
- Model: Green Machine GMST6200-C
- Power Source: Green Machine 62V battery
- Cutting Swath: 14 or 16 inches
- Max Line Diameter: 0.095-inch
- Weight: 6.8 lbs bare, 9.8 with 2.5Ah battery
- Length: 70.2 inches
- Price: $188 kit with 2.5Ah battery
