Makita 40V max XGT String Trimmer Offers Impressive Power and Large Cutting Swath
Makita’s 40V max XGT platform offers tons of variety, more power, and higher runtime for demanding applications, making it a popular battery-powered choice for lawn care Pros looking to substitute or replace their gas OPE. The GRU07 string trimmer is no exception, and it promises even higher performance than previous models. In this review, I’ll share what I learned while using the Makita 40V max XGT High Torque String Trimmer to help you decide if it’s right for your crew.
Pros
- Excellent cutting power
- Largest swath in Makita’s 40V max XGT lineup
- Rapid load trimmer head
- Forward and reverse rotation
- Simple control panel
- Pro-focused design
Cons
- Not available at major online retailers
Makita 40V max XGT High-Torque String Trimmer Performance
- Power equivalency: 35cc
- No-Load Speed: 5700 RPM
- Cutting Swath: 18 in.
- Dual rotation trimmer head
Cutting Power
The Makita GRU07 is specifically targeting professional lawn care crews who want to trade in their gas equipment for the convenience of battery power. It delivers 35cc gas equivalent power, and the brushless motor churns out up to 5,700 RPMs. Additionally, it has a massive 18-inch cutting swath, making this Makita’s largest 40V max XGT string trimmer to date.
The variable speed trigger gives you plenty of control over your cutting speed, and Makita also includes a cruise control lever—similar to a blower. Using this lever allows you to set a consistent trimming speed without needing to constantly feather the trigger while you work. It’s a genuinely helpful feature as you’re managing battery life in areas that don’t require you to operate at full throttle.
Hands-On Testing
To put this trimmer to the test, I headed over to our neighbor’s overgrown backyard and got to work on some thick mixed grass. The GRU07 easily powered through the nearly 2-foot tall grass without a hint of slowing down. Next, I kicked it into high gear by activating the torque boost mode, and went right back to work. I was able to trim even faster and more aggressively than before without a noticeable drop in RPMs.
The overall power level left me impressed. This trimmer was able to chew through the thickest patches without bogging down or stalling. That’s a big deal when reclaiming overgrown lawns and landscaping, or if you’re thinking about switching to battery power for farm and ranch work.
Dual-Rotating Head
What sets this apart from most of the trimmers we’ve tested is the trimmer head that can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise. This is handy for clearing stuck debris and longer grass from the trimmer head, or trimming around tricky landscaping features.
High Torque Boost
Makita specifically labels the GRU07 as a high-torque string trimmer, and for good reason! This trimmer is equipped with a boost mode that provides up to 20% more torque than the Makita GRU03, helping you maintain RPMs under heavier work loads. Plus, the high-torque mode works in both forward and reverse.
Vibration
One of my biggest gripes when it comes to string trimmers is excessive vibration. This can lead to rapid hand fatigue, especially over the course of a long work day. While the vibration level is noticeable compared to models that don’t have as much power, it is much less than you’d get from a gas trimmer.
Runtime
During our runtime test, the GRU07 ran for 16 minutes and 53 seconds at full throttle with the stock 0.105 trimmer line. This is in line with what we expect from a battery-powered string trimmer this strong, especially when you consider that the kit comes with two 40V 5.0Ah batteries, effectively giving you around 34 minutes of full throttle, high-torque trigger time.
Makita 40V max XGT High-Torque String Trimmer Design
- Weight: 11.7 lbs. (bare tool), 14.6 lbs. (with kitted 5.0Ah battery)
- Shaft Material: Steel
- Length: 76.5 in.
Size and Weight
The GRU07 string trimmer weighs in at 11.7 pounds as a bare tool, 14.6 pounds with the kitted 5.0Ah battery, and measures 76.5 inches from tip to tail. Although that’s heavy compared to other models, I have to say that it is really well-balanced. The weight of the battery and motor do an excellent job offsetting the weight of the steel shaft and 5-inch trimmer head. Plus, the adjustable shoulder strap helps take some of the weight off your hands.
Control Panel
The controls are pretty straightforward on this trimmer, but there are a few things to know before getting started. The main interface features two blister buttons—a power button, and a reverse/high-torque button.
A small display above the control panel indicated the direction of travel, high-torque mode activation, and an error indicator light. Additionally, you can press the cruise control lever all the way forward to the ‘Stop’ position, which will lock out the trigger to prevent accidental activation.
5-Inch Rapid Load Trimmer Head
As mentioned above, this is Makita’s highest-capacity string trimmer, with an 18-inch cutting swath. It comes pre-loaded with 0.105 trimmer line, but it can also accept 0.095 and 0.080. Makita designed this tool with a high-visibility string guard to help you see your cutting area more clearly.
The trimmer head features a standard bump-feed mechanism, as well as a quick load system to make line changes easier. When you need to reload your line, carefully feed it through, and twist the trimmer head to spool it. This process is dramatically faster and easier than the traditional manual winding method, and greatly reduces downtime when you’re in the field.
Additional Features
- IPX4 rating
- Fast electric brake
- Onboard hex wrench storage
- Compatible with all Makita 40V batteries
Makita 40V max XGT High-Torque String Trimmer Price
At the time of writing, the Makita GRU07 string trimmer is only available at select brick and mortar Pro landscaping supply stores. We do know that it’s available as a kit that includes two 5.0Ah batteries and a rapid charger, but it doesn’t appear that there is a bare tool option at the moment. We will update this article as we learn more about pricing and availability.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Makita 40V max XGT High-Torque String Trimmer is a highly capable tool for landscaping Pros seeking a powerful battery-powered gas alternative. Its design helps smooth the transition away from gas without losing the high performance and features of Pro-grade string trimmers. While you’ll need to find a brick and mortar dealer rather than buying online, the GRU07 is a fantastic option for Pros who want to kick their gas cans to the curb.
