Editor’s Note: These products have been discontinued. This review originally published in May 2014.
Mission launch code word: “Irene.” Do you recall the scene from the movie Black Hawk Down just before the code word “Irene” is called out? – The soldiers are gearing up – boots laced, weapons checked, magazines and ammo checked- the tension is high and the Rangers and Delta Team are excited. . What does this have to do with Outdoor Powered Equipment (OPE)? Well let’s just say that for the “Weekend Yard Warriors” out there, the new Kobalt OPE has what it takes to win the war against your outdoor battles. Inserting the 40v Lithium-Ion batteries has its similarities to a 30 round magazine slamming into an M4. As it clicks into the locked position you will know the tools of choice are good to go – “Irene!”
A few weeks ago we tested the two 40V trimmers from Kobalt and concluded that it will serve its purpose for the majority of home owners. This time around we tested Kobalt’s cordless 40V Lithium chain saw, blower, and dual blade mower.
Kobalt 40V Lithium-Ion Chainsaw
The 12 inch chainsaw was a blast to use. I’m no lumberjack but I believe the average person will find this to be an excellent option for cutting down and de-limbing small trees as well as other light to mild cutting needs without the hassle of gasoline or an electric cord. This is the perfect compromise if you’re deciding between a corded electric or gas powered chainsaw.
The safety features consist of a front guard and a safety lock on the handle. The chain saw can be started only by pressing the trigger switch and the safety lock at the same time. Once you let go of the trigger the chainsaw immediately stops. Tightening and removing the chain from the bar is easily done by turning the tension knob or the chain cover lock knob for removal. The only tool needed is your finger and thumb.
We put the chainsaw to the test and it performed great! We did several cuts on dry cypress logs ranging from 8 -10 inches in diameter – we can credit the performance to the low kick back chain and auto oiler. The weight and balance was great- the weight felt centered throughout the use. Noise and vibration was minimal and it felt like we had full control of the chainsaw the entire time. For $179 you can’t go wrong here.
Kobalt 40V Max 12-in Cordless Electric Chainsaw Features
• 40-volt Lithium ion battery system for great performance and run time
• Up to 75 cuts of 4×4 pressure treated lumber on 1 charge
• Tool-free chain tensioning makes it easy to get back to cutting quickly
• 12-in steel bar and chain deliver sharp cutting capability and durability
• Low kick back chain and auto oiler makes this product easy to use
• Get started in seconds without the hassle of gas
• Part of the Kobalt 40-Volt Max team: 1 battery system compatible with 7 lawncare tools
• Initial no-load voltage, when fully charged, peaks at 40 volts; nominal voltage under typical load is 36 volts
Ratings:
- Performance: 4.5/5
- Power: 4/5
- Run Time: 4/5
- Value: 4/5
- Overall: 4.1/5
The Kobalt 40V Chainsaw does a pretty good job for a battery powered unit. Its overall performance is above average for its class. Power, run time, and value are all on par with what you’d expect in similar chainsaws.
Kobalt 40V Lithium-Ion 20″ Mower
The next tool in the lineup we tested is the dual blade cordless push lawn mower. Let me start out by asking a question – Does your wife cut the lawn? Men, I ask this because we may be in danger of losing that job. “Why is that?” Well I can compare this mower to a vacuum cleaner… Yes that’s how maneuverable, light and quiet it was. Actually I’ve owned a vacuum cleaner that was louder. No joke!! I called it the “Sasquatch.”
By all means I am not calling this mower girly at all though. The dual blade served its purpose for self mulching and giving a full 20 inches of cut for approximately forty-five minutes on the included 2 aH and 4aH batteries. The grip is padded and was comfortable to use without gloves. Changing the cut height settings is a one step process with the height adjustment lever. This is different from most push mower settings that are located on each tire and require four separate adjustments.
Also different compared to a gas mower is that starting the mower was simple with a push of a button and holding down the bail switch. Once the bail switch is released the whole system shuts off instantaneously. So say goodbye to pulling cords and praying that it starts – You know what I’m talking about. For storage the handle folds down in two places for a complete compact unit.
One thing to note is the low vibration that minimized grass clipping debris from circulating in the air. This was an unexpected discovery when my neighbor who suffers from allergies used the mower. Normally he wears a mask to prevent him from breathing in the fresh cut smell. He was so impressed and amazed that he wanted to head down to the nearest Lowes and probably would have paid whatever price they asked for. Luckily it’s only $399.99. For a battery powered mower, it performed well. However, I don’t recommend this mower for those who have larger lawns that will require more than forty five minutes to cut time unless you have additional batteries.
Kobalt 40-Volt Max 20-in Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower Features
• Aerodynamic DoubleCut dual blade design delivers superior mulching, bagging and cutting
• Dual battery design with automatic battery switchover for extended runtime; one 2.0-amp-hour Quick Charge battery and one 4.0-amp-hour Long Run battery included
• Single handle cutting height adjustment with range of 1-3/8 in; to 3-3/8 in; for the perfect cut on all grass types
• 2-in-1 feature offers mulching or rear bagging capabilities
• Weighing 42.5 lbs without batteries, this product is easy to maneuver around the yard
• Avoid the hassle and maintenance of gas
• Part of the Kobalt 40-Volt Max team: 1 battery system compatible with 7 lawn care tools
• Initial no-load voltage, when fully charged, peaks at 40 volts; nominal voltage under typical load is 36 volts
Ratings:
- Performance: 4.5/5
- Power: 4.5/5
- Run Time: 4/5
- Value: 3.75/5
- Overall 4.1/5
The Kobalt 40V Mower gets above average marks for performance and power. The 20 inch cut is a couple inches greater than other 40V options out there. The run time is right on what we expect from mowers in this class, but it’s just a little pricier than similar options.
Kobalt 40V Lithium-Ion Blower
The final OPE is the light duty cordless electric blower. After we made a mess with the chain saw and grass clippings the electric blower did an excellent job cleaning off the driveway. It was light weight which made easy to maneuver. Operation was basic; a lock/unlock switch needs to be selected then starting it can be done by depressing the palm lock and squeezing the trigger switch. The lock/unlock feature was helpful for preventing involuntary starts when carrying the blower.
This is not going to compete with commercial blowers that are going to clear your lawn of leaves and it would take a while to remove significant amounts of sand or heavier particles from the driveway. However, it will help make sure your home has a clean look by removing the evidence of your trimming and mowing from the driveway and walkways.
Kobalt 40-Volt Max 250-CFM 140-MPH Light-Duty Cordless Electric Blower Features
• 40-volt Lithium ion battery system for great performance and run time
• 140 MPH wind speed and 250 CFM allow you to sweep and gather debris with ease
• Get started in seconds without the hassle of gas
• Easy to maintain, no gas related routine maintenance
• Variable speed trigger allows user to control air speed and power
• Part of the Kobalt 40-Volt Max team: 1 battery system compatible with 7 lawn care tools
• Initial no-load voltage, when fully charged, peaks at 40 volts; nominal voltage under typical load is 36 volts
Ratings:
- Performance: 3.8/5
- Power: 3.8/5
- Run Time: 4/5
- Value: 4/5
- Overall 3.9/5
While the Kobalt 40V Blower will clean mowing debris off your driveway, it isn’t going to blow your mind. The power was a little less than what we’d hoped for, so it’s score suffers a little bit there. Both run time and value are spot on for what we’d expect. The key with this blower is to have reasonable expectations – it’s not commercial grade, it’s last step clean up when you’re down mowing and trimming.
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