DIY-Focused Hart String 40V Brushless String Trimmer Comes Attachment-Capable
If you’re ready to cut the cord or kick the can for your string trimming, Hart’s cordless options may have caught your eye at Walmart. There are several options available for both the 20V and 40V platforms. Today, we’re looking at their best model—the Hart 40V brushless string trimmer that comes attachment-ready.
Pros
- Solid power
- Great runtime
- 40V platform and available attachment line runs pretty deep
- 5-year warranty
- Readily available at Walmart
Cons
- Higher vibration than other models
- Included battery charger is slow
Hart 40V Brushless String Trimmer Performance
The Hart 40V battery-powered string trimmer uses 0.095-inch line to cut a 15-inch swath. This is pretty much the average cutting diameter and line for what we expect from capable battery-powered string trimmers. It also supports 0.080-inch line. Even though it isn’t as capable for thicker growth, the head holds more line and improves your runtime.
Using the thick 0,095-inch line, the brushless motor generated 5562 RPM, putting it on par with most of the other residential models we tested.
In terms of actual cutting power, the Hart 40V brushless string trimmer is very capable. It hangs right up there and doesn’t feel underpowered the way some brushed and lower-voltage models do.
There’s noticeable vibration coming from the unit while you’re cutting. It’s at the same level as some of the other trimmers we’ve used. Most of the premium models have really improved the harmonics to reduce vibration and this is an area Hart can work on.
Runtime and Charging
Using a 4.0Ah battery, we were able to run for just over 30 minutes on the high setting. That’s quite a bit better than most of the other residential model. We’re pretty content with anything over 20 minutes and getting 30 is excellent.
Hart includes a fairly basic charger (“basic” is relative in the world of brushless lithium-ion tools, though). The upside to this is that the charger doesn’t take up a ton of space, and you can store it in a drawer when not using it. It’s not a speed demon, though. Recharging the 4Ah battery takes around 4 hours.
Hart 40V Brushless String Trimmer Design Notes
Using and Swapping Attachments
The Hart HLST031 lets you remove the trimmer head and hook up any number of different attachments. Cultivator, blower, and edger attachments are all available and sold separately. Because Hart uses a universal attachment system, you can use products from a different platform. That just increases what’s possible with this system.
Swapping out attachments is a pretty standard affair. The attachment head couples with the motor at the midpoint of the shaft. The attachment locks into place, and you tighten it down with the thumbwheel.
There are a variety of different takes on locking systems, but this is a tried and true style that’s been around for a long time. By avoiding anything too far from the norm, Hart maintains its universal fit.
High and Low Speeds
Like many battery-powered string trimmers, Hart gives you two speeds to work with. Low is effective in light grass and extends your runtime. However, we find that it’s easiest to keep the trimmer at high speed and feather the RPMs down with its variable speed trigger when we don’t need full power.
The trigger safety is a push-in style and you can activate it from either side, making it truly ambidextrous. The only downside is that it was a little stiff in our testing. It’s possible that it may loosen up over a longer period of use.
Weight and Balance
The Hart 40V brushless string trimmer has an average weight for this type of tool—just under 12 pounds with the battery attached.
Because the Hart 40V string trimmer can operate a variety of attachments, the brushless motor sits at the rear of the unit along with the battery. Shifting the weight towards the back doesn’t balance quite as well as front-mounted motors, but that’s the trade-off we accept for all attachment systems.
In this case, however, it’s not too big of a deal. This trimmer does feel a little back-heavy, but the motor and battery really aren’t trying to swan-dive into the grass. Instead, they provide an easy counterbalance for the lightweight head. In the long run, this helps you avoid arm fatigue. That said, each attachment you install is going to change the balance point.
Easy-Load Trimmer Head & Guard
Manufacturers have all seemingly found a way to take the hassle out of loading string into the head. Hart’s version works as well as most. Simply line up the arrows on the trimmer head, insert the line, pull it through to the halfway point, and ratchet it back to a usable length.
The guard on the Hart 40V brushless string trimmer employs a wider design, which protects you better from rogue lawn shrapnel than narrower sizes. The trade-off here is that it doesn’t provide the best visibility for edging applications, but Hart has an edging attachment that’s much faster than using the trimmer head.
Hart 40V Brushless String Trimmer Price
You can pick up the Hart 40V battery string trimmer, along with the 4.0Ah battery and charger, for $194. Hart also includes an impressive 5-year warranty for residential use. The inclusion of that 4.0Ah battery is worth noting. Most brands pack their trimmer kits with a 2.0Ah or 2.5Ah battery, giving you more capacity. For most lawns under a 1/2-acre, it’s very possible to get your trimming and blowing done on one battery.
The Bottom Line
The readily-available Hart 40V brushless string trimmer gets the job done with plenty of power and runtime, and it offers a pretty deep stable of compatible tools and attachments. It doesn’t have as fine a fit and finish, and there’s more vibration than other models. However, it’s proving itself as a workhorse, and its 5-year warranty tells us Hart is confident this build is ready for the long haul.
Hart 40V Brushless String Trimmer Specs
- Model: Hart HLST031
- Power Source: Hart 40V batteries
- No-Load Top Speed: 5600 rpm
- Max Line Diameter: 0.095 in.
- Cutting Swath: 15-inch
- Weight: 8.7 lbs, 11.79 lbs with 4.0Ah battery
- Warranty: 5-year tool warranty, 3-year battery warranty
- Price: $194
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