DeWalt 60V String Trimmer Delivers High Performance and Versatility
We are heading into spring and people are starting to think about updating their OPE for the new year, but with so many options on the market, how do you choose? We decided to bring in the DeWalt 60V Battery Operated Cord Trimmer to see what the newest version is capable of.
advantage
- light
- Shaft length and working angle make it more suitable for tall people than most designs
- Strong cutting performance
- Quick install trimmer head
- Compatible with all common accessories
shortcoming
- A little louder than other battery-operated options
- Short runtime compared to other brushless options
- Vibration is significantly higher than some competitors
cutting force
We purposely ignored pruning for a few weeks in hopes of doing some cordless herbicide testing. Between the grass and some hardy weeds, it's a tough job. Even with the 0.080" stock wire, we were impressed with the cutting ability.
DeWalt's brushless motor spins 0.095" wire at up to 5800 RPM and comes with a choice of 15 or 17" cutting tape. We recommend closing the stock line (or just running out of it) and moving to the 0.095" Echo Black Diamond line to take full advantage of the impressive power of the DCST972 weeder.
DeWalt doesn't rate it that high, although it feels like there's plenty of power all the way down to the 0.105-inch cord, so avoid the temptation.
run
With a 17-inch cutting line and great power, run time is a trade-off we expect to make. Using the 3.0/9.0Ah battery in the kit, we were able to run for over 31 minutes of run time on high gear and no load. That's shorter than many, but at those high RPMs, they don't spin as much wire.
There is one big but here. You have some options to extend the runtime. First, the cutter has two positions, and you can move it to the 15" position for greater efficiency. You can also cut in low mode instead of high. At 4650 RPM it still does a great job of cutting down on routine maintenance.
So when you're clearing a large area that isn't suitable for a mower, use full power and cutting diameter, or you don't have to worry about triggering for more than 30 minutes. Efficiency tuning when you need longer runtimes to get the job done on a single charge.
vibration
One thing we noticed during our field testing was that the vibration levels were higher than average. It's less expensive than most gas alternatives, and we've tested some battery-operated models. However, it is compelling compared to brands like EGO and Husqvarna.
noise
There's a lot to like about this cord trimmer, but it does make more noise than some cordless weeders. Measured to our operator's ears, treble was 87dB and bass was 81dB. For a top-of-the-line model running 80dB treble, that's a noticeable difference. That said, it's still much quieter than a tracheal trimmer.
DeWalt 60V Battery Powered Harness Trimmer Design Notes
accessories ready
For those looking for more versatility, the DCST972 is a cord trimmer with attachable accessories. Thankfully, it uses universal attachments, so if DeWalt doesn't happen to make the attachment you need, you have other brands to choose from.
Due to the level of performance of the brushless motor, it's one of the more powerful battery-powered models available, making stronger attachments like cultivators more confident.
Even if you don't need any attachments, the three stop holes allow you to rotate the string trimmer head 90°, making it easier to use it as an edge trimmer.
ergonomics
This DeWalt weeder is on the heavy side, with the 3.0/9.0Ah 60V battery pushing the total weight to 13.5 lbs (10.3 lbs without battery). The handle and trigger grip sections are also a bit thicker than most, so if you have smaller hands, you probably won't care about it.
The overall balance of this cord cutter is excellent. Maneuvering around flower beds and driveway culverts is very easy, despite the battery and motor weight being on the back.
Another thing I really like about this string trimmer is the length of the shaft as it gives me the best working angle of the head. I stand about 6 feet tall and I don't have to bend over to use it.
Additional features
- Quick load trimmer head – just thread the line to the center and turn the head to load
- Top mounted trigger safety is easy to engage
- Wide guard does a good job of blocking clippings
DeWalt 60V String Trimmer Price
The DeWalt DCST972 retails for $319 and comes with a 9.0Ah 60V battery and a charger. The bare tools are $259, so this kit is very attractively priced. DeWalt goes one step further and offers combo packs with different accessories so you can get exactly what you need to get the job done.
The trimmer is backed by a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service and a 90-day money back guarantee.
the bottom line
The main advantage of this DeWalt 60V battery powered cord trimmer is its power and the versatility of its attachments. The simplicity of its operation may also be a win for many. The tradeoff is more weight and less run time. If that's something you can use, the performance of the trimmer will definitely shorten your pruning efforts.
DeWalt 60V Battery Operated Harness Trimmer Specifications
- Model: DEWALT DCST972
- Power: DeWalt 60V Max battery
- Cutting Tape: 17"
- Maximum wire diameter: 0.095
- variable speed trigger
- Straight axis design
- Shaft Length: 67 inches
- No-load speed: 4650 (low), 5800 (high) RPM
- Weight: 10.3 lbs (bare), 13.5 lbs (with 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery)
- Warranty: 3-year limited useful life
- Price: $319.00