Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Carbon Fiber Cord Trimmer Boosts Power
For more homeowners with options that offer great performance and runtime, battery-operated cord cutters have become an easy transition. However, performance that requires more than a 25cc engine is lacking in options. We tested the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber Line Trimmer to see if it's ready for these tougher characteristics.
advantage
- Excellent cutting strength
- Run at high speed for more than an hour
- Carbon fiber shaft reduces overall weight and absorbs vibration
- Runs quieter than gas
- Tool-less front handle adjustment
shortcoming
- Heavier than many battery-operated models
- more expensive than most
strength
Ryobi used their 40V platform and HP brushless motor technology for this cord trimmer. Compared to the RY40290, Ryobi's 15-inch HP brushless model, this model is noticeably stronger.
It is capable of running wires from 0.080 to 0.105 inches, up from the 15-inch 0.95-inch maximum. It is also capable of running 15 or 17 inch cut strips. Simply flip the knife to switch between the two.
When we were trimming around the office, the performance boost was an eye-opener. It's a confident low-speed mower that tackles thinner grass and weeds quickly, and is on par with other models we've seen cutting at high speeds.
Switch to high speed and it's a different animal. We were able to clear thick grasslands with ease, including St. Augustine. Ryobi doesn't claim specific gas equivalence, but there's no question it has the power of a 25cc gas engine, and probably closer to 30cc.
vibration
I remember testing some of the first Ryobi battery powered cord cutters and they vibrated a lot. Between the carbon fiber shaft and the improved overall design, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 17" Carbon Fiber Rope Trimmer is pretty good! There are a few brands that tweak it a bit more, but if you're coming from the world of windpipe trimmers, the Ryobi offers a major upgrade in vibration control.
run
The greater the power and the larger the diameter of the wire, there will be operating costs. Ryobi paired the RY402110 with the 6.0Ah battery in the kit and preloaded it with 0.095 inches of wire. With this combination, we were able to run continuously for over an hour (1:05:34). Switching to the 0.105-inch cord drops that number a bit, but it's very impressive, even compared to the pro-centric model we've used.
If you buy the kit, Ryobi includes a fast charger that restores the battery to gaming condition in less than 60 minutes.
noise
This cord trimmer is part of Ryobi's Whisper line and claims to run 60 percent quieter than gasoline. We tested it in the operator's ear and measured 84 dB(a) at low speeds and 87 dB(a) at high speeds. While that number may vary slightly depending on which line you use, it's significantly quieter than gas models at any power level.
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Carbon Fiber Cord Trimmer Design Instructions
ergonomics
The carbon fiber shaft added by Ryobi helps keep the weight down to 8.8 pounds bare and 12.9 pounds with the 6.0Ah battery. It's also pretty tall, measuring just over 72 inches from tip to tail without the battery.
The cutter heads are a bit heavier than many battery-operated string trimmers we've used, likely due to the use of a more powerful brushless motor to do the job. This helps balance the weight of using such a large battery, and combined with the tool-less adjustable front handle, you can customize settings that are relatively manageable.
It's on the heavy side of the cordless model's weight spectrum, though, and you can use a 4.0Ah battery or even a 2.0Ah battery pack to shed some weight when you don't have an hour of trigger time in front of you.
new line
As we've come to expect from a wire trimmer, the Ryobi uses a dual wire bump feed head. Fortunately, it's an easy-to-load Reel Easy design. When it's time to refill, line up the arrows, thread the thread to the middle point, and turn the top section counterclockwise to load it. You can be up and running in less than a minute, and no more manual winding!
Ryobi also includes a second head. This one uses fixed wire (no impact feed) or plastic blades. The blade is higher quality than wire and is great for hitting some of the thicker weed patches where wire doesn't cut well.
other highlights
- variable speed trigger
- Split shaft design (mainly used for transportation – we do not recommend frequent disassembly for storage)
- cannot attach
- Compatible with all Ryobi 40V batteries
- Part of the battery system that includes over 75 other tools
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Carbon Fiber String Trimmer Price
The Ryobi RY402110 is the new flagship with a higher price point reflecting its performance and design. As a bare-bones unit, it sells for $251. You can also get a kit with a 6.0Ah battery and fast charger for $315.27. Either way, look it up at your local Home Depot or homedepot.com.
Ryobi backs the cord cutter with a 5-year tool warranty and a 3-year battery warranty.
the bottom line
Ryobi now has two excellent models of high performance carbon fiber cord trimmers, choosing the right one is all about maintaining your property. If your needs are primarily mowed and maintained lawns, the 15" RY40290 is the better choice. When you have larger acreage to maintain and tough, taller sections to reclaim, the 17" RY402110 has enough power to give you the advantages of a battery powered mower with the performance of a legal gas model.
Specification
- Model: Rimei RY402110VNM
- Power source: Ryobi 40V battery
- Cutting width: 15 or 17 inches
- Wire Diameter: 0.080 to 0.105 inches
- Weight: 8.8 lbs bare, 12.9 lbs with 6.0Ah battery
- Length: 72 1/4 inches
Check out Ryobi's entire 40V range here.