Thick Overgrowth Is No Match For The Greenworks 80V Pro 17-Inch String Trimmer
The Greenworks OPE lineup delivers a fantastic balance of performance and ease of use for homeowners who want to replace gas equipment. However, with so many battery-powered options on the market today, it’s often difficult to find the best option to suit your needs. Luckily, the Greenworks 80V Pro 17-Inch String Trimmer makes the decision pretty easy!
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Load N’ Go trimmer head
- Powerful brushless motor
- Cushioned shoulder sling
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Greenworks 80V 17-Inch String Trimmer Performance
- No-Load Speed: 4900 RPMs (low), 5800 RPMs (high)
- Runtime: 20 min.
- Line Diameter: 0.095 in., 0.105 in.
- Gas Equivalent: 30cc
- Cutting Swath: 17 in.
- Shaft Type: Straight
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
Cutting Power
The Greenworks Pro STB415 features a 2-speed gearbox that hits 4,900 RPMs on low, and 5,800 RPMs in high gear. Having this range of speeds lets you quickly prioritize between maximum power or longer runtime based on your conditions. Greenworks offers performance levels equivalent to a 30cc gas engine, giving it plenty of power to knock down thick grass and weeds while still maintaining RPMs.
The industry standard for electric string trimmers for residential models is usually 0.080 line. However, this trimmer jumps up to 0.095-inch line for standard trimming, and can even handle 0.105-inch line for thicker overgrowth.
When it came time for testing, I really wanted to go beyond simple landscape trimming. Instead, I headed over to our neighbor’s overgrown pasture and went to work on some knee-high grass. The powerful brushless motor quickly leveled the fibrous stalks and lush grass with ease. In fact, its performance level reminded me of the Greenworks 60V Bike Handle String Trimmer, which received high praise from our team earlier last year!
Vibration
One of my biggest gripes when it comes to string trimmers is excessive vibration. Greenworks did an excellent job of keeping the vibration to a minimum so you can work longer without excessive hand fatigue.
Something I noticed during testing is that there was noticeably lower vibration while trimming in high gear. Now, with that said, the vibration level in both modes is extremely reasonable and easy to manage.
Runtime
In terms of runtime, Greenworks doesn’t provide an exact number, rather, they give us the recommended acreage that this trimmer could cover. While this number can be helpful for some folks, I believe nailing down the real-world trigger time is a more relevant metric.
For our testing, I set this trimmer up in the 17-inch cutting swath configuration and paired it with the freshly charged 2.0Ah battery. This test yielded a total runtime of 19 minutes and 43 seconds in high speed. Given that Greenworks estimates between 1/2-acre and 3/4-acres of trimming coverage, I’d say that’s right on the money.
Keep in mind, if you do find yourself needing a little more runtime, this trimmer is fully compatible with all Greenworks 80V batteries. Moving up to a bigger battery will add to the overall weight, but if runtime is key, this is an easy solution.
Greenworks 80V 17-Inch String Trimmer Design Notes
- Model: Greenworks Pro STB415
- Power Source: Greenworks 80V battery
- Length: 70 in.
- Weight: 8.2 lbs (bare tool), 11.2 lbs (with kitted 2.0Ah battery)
Size and Weight
This string trimmer measures 70 inches from tip to tail and weighs in at a very reasonable 8.9 pounds as a bare tool, and 11.2 pounds with the kitted 2.0Ah battery. Thanks to that lightweight aluminum shaft, this trimmer is very well-balanced and easy to maneuver around landscaping features and uneven terrain.
On the ergonomic side, Greenworks included a few special touches that greatly improve the overall comfort level. The padded front handle helps isolate your hands from excess vibration, and the main grip is covered with a smooth rubber overmold that helps you maintain a secure hold while working. Greenworks also added a rubber pad on top of the motor housing, providing a comfortable resting place for your arm while you’re working.
Speed Controls
Along with the variable speed trigger, Greenworks includes two speed settings. Toggling between speeds is easy thanks to the handy thumb switch. In the Low setting, I was able to take down the majority of grass and weeds around our office without burning through too much battery power. When you need an extra power boost to get through the thicker growth and edging, kicking it into High gear will keep you moving.
Exo Flex Lanyard
Greenworks also includes their innovative Exo Flex lanyard loop. This adjustable shoulder strap contains elastic bands that help relieve some of the trimmer’s weight, so it’s a little lighter on your arms and shoulders during extended use.
Load N’ Go Trimmer Head
One of the highlights of this string trimmer is the Load N’ Go trimmer head. To reload, start by lining up the indicator arrows on the trimmer head. Once you line up the arrows on the head, the inserts of the outer casings match up with the inserts on the inner spool. Run the length of your line to the center and turn the bottom section to ratchet it in. From there, it’s your typical bump feed trimmer head. The head hold about 23 feet of 0.095 line.
The whole process takes a little less than a minute, which is dramatically faster than re-spooling traditional trimmer heads. Greenworks takes it one step further by making this trimmer compatible with 0.105 diameter line, and even including 15 spools of pre-cut 0.095 and 0.105 trimmer line.
Cutting Swath
As the title of this article suggests, this trimmer features an impressive 17-inch cutting swath, but you can also adjust it down to 15 inches. Why would you want a smaller cutting swath? Well, a larger swath puts more strain on the motor and battery, resulting in a shorter runtime. The reversible blade allows you to prioritize between max cutting width, and longer runtime depending on your needs.
Greenworks 80V 17-Inch String Trimmer Price
This capable string trimmer kit is available exclusively at Costco for $249.99 and comes with a 2.0Ah battery, a charger, a shoulder sling, and 15 pre-cut spools of trimmer line. Greenworks backs this trimmer with a 6-month limited tool and battery warranty.
The Bottom Line
Factoring in the performance, ergonomics, features, and price, the Greenworks 80V Pro 17-inch string trimmer is an excellent value, especially for homeowners. It has more than enough power for medium to heavy-duty clearing tasks, as well as your weekly yard care. If you’re looking to ditch the gas can and break into a solid battery-powered lineup, be sure to keep your eyes peeled!
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