Review of Makita Cordless String Trimmer Model Xru09pt

Virtually of the major power tool manufacturers now have cordless OPE lines out. But where Makita has an advantage over the rest is that they accept a legit Pro-level gas lineup in addition to the lithium-ion tools. It's a big heave when it comes to fit and finish forth with an intimate knowledge of what commercial guys await for in their own line of gas tools. With that in heed, the Makita XRU09 18V X2 Brushless Cord Trimmer is one of the latest tools in the line.

One of the things Makita does well is keeping the assembly simple. The trimmer comes in a long package eliminating the need to connect the shaft. You'll just need to adhere the guide handle and guard. The cutter comes on the guard in the longer cutting position, so yous'll but demand to switch it if you want a smaller cutting swath.

Top Features

Batteries and Charger

You lot'll get a pair of v.0 amp hour batteries with either the Makita XRU09PT or XRU09PTX1 kit. As far every bit chapters goes, that's the equivalent of an 18V, 10.0 AH battery. Or more appropriately, and 36V, v.0 AH since the X2 organisation runs at the nominal 36V rating. Regardless of how you look at it, that's 180 watt hours of juice, which is more y'all'll go with virtually anyone else's high-capacity batteries and matches FlexVolt.

Makita packs a quick charger in their tool kits. And since this Makita XRU09 is an X2 production, they pack a dual port charger that will charge both batteries at the same fourth dimension in nigh 45 minutes.

Reverse

1 of the features to wait for on a Pro-level string trimmer that'due south also nice to take on a homeowner model is a reverse switch. In the event that tall grass gets wrapped upwardly around the head, y'all flip the Makita XRU09 string trimmer into reverse and chop-chop release the mess. You lot can't leave it in reverse as a preference, though. It volition simply run for a curt time before you need to revert dorsum to the counterclockwise rotation.

Ergonomics and Design

Certainly, the design of the XRU09 shares some happy characteristics with its gas-powered cousins. That includes a solid straight shaft and a sleek look with an attractive fit and finish. The brushless motor is above the head for a direct connection. Information technology balances the trimmer well with the batteries and doesn't require the turning of a long shaft, making the trimmer more efficient.

Ergonomically, the rest is pretty good. Nevertheless, I'chiliad 6'2″ and wasn't able to punch in a perfect position. So I ended angle merely enough to cause me a footling back pain. Shorter users should have no problem, though. Taller users may want to grab a shoulder strap to connect to the single strapping point.

The trigger handle enjoys condom overmold to help your grip merely yous won't find it on the guide handle.

All the controls are on the pinnacle and accessible with your pollex whether yous're right- or left-handed. There's a ability push you'll demand to printing to before you tin run the trimmer. Information technology adds a step simply is actually a good safety feature to have to foreclose adventitious motor date.

The trigger safety pushes down from the top and is the design I prefer to make running the unit easier.

Line Changes

Line changes are a manual effort with only a niggling assist on the stock caput. There'due south a prune to stick the halfway point of your line on. You then current of air the line effectually until yous become to the final few inches. The clip points are mildly effective while you slip the line through the slots and put the head back together.

I highly recommend you grab Makita'southward trimmer caput upgrade (model T-01753A). It'due south a much easier system to load with more of a Speed Feed style design. You run the line through the slots in the bump mechanism and turn it to set the line in place. You never take to take the head apart and you're back in action much more than quickly.

Operation

Line Diameter and Cutting Swath

The line diameter and cutting swath are both a bit low for a Pro-level string trimmer. For US models, we're stuck using a 0.080-inch line. I prefer my string trimmers to handle at least 0.095-inch line to effectively deal with overgrowth. The cut swath maxes out at 13-three/4 inches. The wide guard seems to mask that a bit. Notwithstanding, I by and large await for at least 15 inches for Pro use.

I ended up going through quite a fleck of line cutting forth my fence lines (they're all chain link). A thicker line will last a bit longer confronting this kind of cut. The smaller cutting swath helps to offset the line diameter since the cutting edge of the line is physically moving faster to cut more efficiently. Still, the combination of line bore and cutting swath makes the trimmer experience less capable than other cordless models I apply.

2-Speed Brushless Motor

Makita delivers their BL brushless motor for this model and includes 2 motor speeds. Low will get you lot 5,000 RPM and up to 60 minutes of runtime (according to their data). Loftier ups the speed to 6500 RPM and is where y'all'll want to proceed it if cutting speed is more important than runtime.

I take nevertheless to come close to running the batteries completely down no matter how ambitious I cut. You really should be good to go on ane charge if you've got as many as 2 acres fenced in. You can likely hit in the 5- to 10-acree range without fences. That's for the homeowner. The commercial Pro that needs to cut xx or 25 yards a day during the summer will need an extra ready of batteries to bike.

The Bottom Line

The Makita XRU09 18V X2 LXT Brushless String Trimmer has an excellent fit and finish forth with an outstanding feature set. Where it falls a little brusque for commercial Pros is in its limits of 0.080-inch line and 13-3/four-inch cutting diameter. Even though the motor spins up to 6500 RPM, the smaller line bore doesn't feel as strong as some of the cordless models that requite you the option to use 0.095- or 0.105-inch.

The ergonomics are adept for users half-dozen-feet tall or shorter, merely united states taller guys volition want to limit the amount of time nosotros're trimming or go ahold of a shoulder strap. But bated from that, the XRU09 is a pleasance to use. The vibration is reasonably low and the controls are easy to accomplish and manipulate.

Information technology may seem like there'due south a lot of room for improvement here, simply don't underestimate how shut this thing is to getting the attention of commercial Pros. Only a slight tweak in the trigger position and a slightly more powerful motor and it's at that place. The Makita XRU09 is already well alee of most in feature set and Pro styling.

Related Reviews and Articles

• Makita 4-Stroke String Trimmer

• Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer

• DeWalt FlexVolt String Trimmer

• EGO Multi-Head Trimmer

• Lithium-Ion Cord Trimmer Roundup

• More than Cord Trimmer Reviews

Makita XRU09 18V X2 LXT Brushless String Trimmer Cardinal Features

• Brushless Motor
• Reverse Switch
• 2-speed options
• Bump feed, dual line head
• Industry standard spindle (M10 ten 1.25 LH)
• Zero emissions and near maintenance free
• Constant Speed Control
• Direct drive motor mounted on trimmer head
• Electric brake
• iii-stage LED battery level indicator on tool
• v.0 AH batteries and dual port charger included with kits

Makita XRU09 18V X2 LXT Brushless String Trimmer Specifications

• Power Source: (2) 18V LXT batteries
• Line Diameter: 0.080″
• Cutting Swath: thirteen-3/4″
• Speed: 5000/6500 RPM
• Runtime: Up to 60 minutes
• Caput Style: Dual line, bump feed
• Weight: 9.9 pounds
• Warranty: 3 years

Model Options

• Bare Tool: Makita XRU09Z – TBD
• Kit with (ii) 5.0 AH Batteries: Makita XRU09PT – $460.99
• Kit with (two) 5.0 AH Batteries and Grinder: Makita XRU09PTX1 – $389.00

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Source: https://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/outdoor-equipment/makita-xru09-18v-x2-lxt-brushless-string-trimmer/31798/

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