Hi All. I recently had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Chris from Makita, testing out lots of machines from Makita's XGT 40v outdoor tool range. After being well impressed with the tools I have decided to do a review of a selection of my favourites. I hope this will be useful for anyone considering investing in the XGT range, especially as I have thus far found it surprisingly hard to find many user reviews of these tools.
First up, the 80v double battery brushcutter (UR012G), featuring cowhorn handles. With this tool I tested the strimmer head and the brushcutter 'mulching' blade with downturned blade ends. The first thing I noticed about this machine (and with all the machines | tried) was how lightweight it felt. It was very comfortable to use and felt very powerful, with the strimmer head easily tackling tougher stems such as wild honeysuckle and brambles. My favourite was the mulching blade however which rapidly demolished an area of brambles, woody ash tree saplings and low lying hedging - leaving the waste finely cut and evenly spread.
Even with the two batteries this tool felt very light and I noticed no fatigue from using it. I found this to be an excellent machine with no noticeable negatives.
The next tool I tried was the 40v leafblower (UB001). The leafblower was lightweight yet powerful, especially when using the boost mode. It was easily able to shift piles of dead leaves and grit and with the boost button on felt like using a petrol blower. This felt like a very convenient blower to use. The only downside I would say is that it does run down the battery quicker than the other tools, especially when using the boost function. For larger jobs you would need multiple batteries, although as far as I know this is true of most handheld cordless blowers. Another option would be to plug the blower into Makitas backpack battery system.
Next is the short reach hedge trimmer (UH005). This hedge trimmer, intended for finer hedge work features an impressive top cutting speed of 5000 cuts per minute and the blades are an absolute blur on high power. The high cutting speed makes this machine smooth and ultra efficient to use, with no going back over areas you have already cut to get stray stems. Again, this tool felt very nice and lightweight and was still able to cut reasonably thick stems, despite being primarily aimed at regular hedge work. It also features a twisting handle to allow for extra comfort when trimming at awkward angles. I didn't really notice anything that I didn't like about this hedge trimmer.
Finally, I tested the split shaft machine (UX01). With this tool I tested the following attachments:
1. String trimmer
2. Leaf blower
3. Hedge Trimmer (long reach, with and without extension pole)
4. Power broom
5. Edging tool
I found all the attachments that I tested worked very well. I especially liked the mechanism for inserting and securing the attachments (the attachment smoothly slots in and is then secured by pulling a lever to tighten). Unlike many multi tools I have tried, the attachments all slot in and out very easily. The string trimmer attachment is quiet, yet powerful and features a 'bump feed' head that works well.
This strimmer feels like it would be best suited for regular lawn maintenance, with the 80v double battery brush cutter probably being a better option for heavy duty work.
The leaf blower attachment was surprisingly good and seemed comparable in power to the handheld blower, if not slightly more powerful. It also feels very comfortable to use with it being more 'long reach' than the hand held blower. The hedge trimmer attachment gave a nice clean cut and seemed more of an 'all rounder'. With the extension pole and articulating head the trimmer was easily able to tackle a tall cedar hedge. The only niggle was that with the extension pole attached it did feel a little wobbly at times, but I found I soon got used to this. The power broom attachment was very impressive and very powerful. In use it strips away debris, grit and a fair amount of ingrained grime with ease. It takes a little getting used to as using it feels a bit like walking into a storm force wind at first, but I guess that shows how powerful it is! I also used this broom to remove moss to great effect. This was probably my favourite attachment of all of them. Finally, the edging tool attachment was excellent in use, producing very nice clean edges and with no noticeable kickback when hitting stones or concrete.
Overall, the tools were lightweight and powerful and had a definite professional feel to them. The batteries slotted in and out easily and there is a wide range to choose from, depending on the size of the job. I would definitely recommend these tools as they felt more than powerful enough for the tasks they were put to. The user interface was easy to use and navigate and tools seemed well thought out. I think the key is to have multiple batteries to ensure you have enough charge for a full day's work.
Makita also offer a backpack battery system and multi battery charging systems that can be fitted into your van.
Thanks for reading!
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Replies
sounds good, I have found over the years that as the performance of battery kit is still by comparison a bit of an unknown quantity, I tried tools from a number of different brands before settling on those machines that work best for me, as no single range of tools provided all the answers
One obvious question. Many of us use Stihl. One of the key factors is knowing that every part is available & will be for years to come. How easily can Makita parts be obtained ?
Easily... we run 18v stuff. but parts diagrams and parts easily sourced on web if you want to repair yourself but dealers not too far away.
Its a real dilemma isnt it - all that money spent on Stihl batteries (in my case) - and I'm not changing brand because the strimmer (lets say) is a little better with another make. The only way I'd switch is if alll the stuff was nicked... and then to my trusty dealer I'd go... and he stocks Stihl and Stiga.... so guess what is likley to happen.....
We like others are mostly locked in to a particular brand, Stihl in our case. But our mate runs all Makita and it's genuinely fantastic kit. Plus it all comes with a 3 year professional warranty which they honour very well by all accounts. Another thing in their favour is the very frequent 'Free Battery' offers that they do so you could build up a good collection over time and have to spend very little on the actual batteries. Well worth a look if just starting out down the battery route
Starting out years ago battery was not an option or promoted by dealers so it was Stihl petrol by default .
It surpassed other brands at the time although Echo was a serious contender but a bit more pricey .
Had a few budget brands in between when my Stihl gear got nicked but it was back to Stihl once finances allowed .
If I was starting out now there is so much battery choice Kress , ego , Makita , echo , Milwaukee ,Stiga , Stihl , etc , etc where do you even start the choices are endless , over time I have acquired different brands horses for courses and they all fit in and serve a purpose and some real budget stuff in there too amongst the Stihl battery kit .
As Billybop suggests I think brand versatility is the key with battery .
Winter I will be reducing a substantial hedge requiring big grunty machinery and the right tool for the job will be Stihl petrol but that's okay that's what tools are for .
Right tool for the job when required .
Great review of the Makita kit 👍