The Black and Decker has been a major player in the lawn mowing field. It is literally the symbol of trusted and affordable tools by many garden enthusiasts. You could say it is more or less the lawn mowing version of Apple.
Is it true that their products are as good as people say? Today we are going to find out. I have purchased and tested the LST420 for this article.
This is a first-hand review of its actual functionality rather than simply talk about specs written on its product description.
Alright, enough delay, here is a review on the Black and Decker weed eater.
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Some History About the Black and Decker
They have been around since 1910, debuting with machines specialized in bottle caps and candy dipping. They later started manufacturing parts on a larger scale in 1917.
Long story short, throughout the years, they have been moving from machine parts to servicing aircraft and eventually tools for garden enthusiasts in 1957.
Arguably, they were the ones that kick-started the DIY and cordless tools that the world is currently running crazy about. Black and Decker started getting involved extensively in the lawn mowing field roughly at about 2000.
Different people may have a slightly different perspective when they actually got “extensively” involved, but that’s my opinion on it.
It is an amazing track record for over 100 years. No wonder why they are a trusted brand.
The LST420 is about the same size and weight as the old grass hog, but it does extend a little further. So, if you are taller than six-foot, your back is going to love the LST 420.
But first, let’s just briefly go through the specs on this weed eater first.
1. Features
Now that’s out of the way. Let’s have an actual review of what it does. We can talk about technical terms all day long, but at the end of the day, all that matters is if it can handle the job.
2. Trimmer Mode
The trimmer head on the LST420 is similar to most other trimmers except that it has a bright orange wheel on it. This is primarily used for edging, but it is also quite convenient to use for trimming along the fences or walls or flat surfaces. It doesn’t scrape. Instead, it rolls.
The LST420 has a large and comfortable handle. It also has two-speed settings on it. Even a level one speed on the LST420 would give you an easy 50-minute trimming section. The higher speed would give you a more speedy trimming section but would eat up your battery faster.
Gotta say, never knew trimming along the fences could be this pleasant with the LST420. The wheel guides the trimmer along the fence and doesn’t get in the way. The spin radius of the cord is about 12 inches, and the wheel does not quite hit that. The weed eater is light and easy to move.
However, that was the feedback on the LST420 trimming the new-born grass. How about the thicker weeds and some taller grass then?
I still left LST420 on the lower setting, but the edger trimmer did the job with relative ease. It sliced through all the fully grown grass and weed quite quickly.
3. Edger Mode
The trimmer converts to an edger with a single button and a twist of the shaft. This flips it upside down. For the purpose of this review, I intentionally chose a lazy friend’s walkway that had never been edged until the crusade of the LST420.
I thought the wheel was good for trimming along fences, and that was it. Oh, boy, was I ever been more incorrect in my life? The edging part with the LST420 was when the wheel truly shone and revealed its real purpose.
The edger even cleans out sidewalk cracks with tons of ease thanks to the guiding wheel. Even the corners where the curb meets the road with the edger cannot escape the wrath of the LST 420.
The trimmer also has auto-advance features where the line will automatically advance when you are trimming. However, I did have to bump it once or twice when I was edging it to keep the line long enough to keep cutting.
So, that’s a little criticism right there just in case you were wondering if the LST420 has any weakness.
By the way, click here if you are new to the garden trimming hobby and are looking for some useful tips on using the weed eater.
4. Verdict
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the LST420 trimmer. It cuts well with an easy handle. Don’t worry about mixing gas or oil since it has an easy power-on system. My lazy friend’s walkways and previously-weed garden looked like they had a makeover for a TV show.
It probably would not be ideal for landscaping purposes, but it is the perfect candidate for homeowners. The LST 420 is an affordable alternative to a gas trimmer. It is a part of the new generation of electric tools.
Wrapping Up
Now, I know that they have tons of other trimmer products, which are equally great, if not better. However, I felt that the LST 420 would be the best candidate for this Black and Decker weed eater review.
- The PowerDrive Transmission delivers more power from the motor to the cutting string so you can get the job done faster
- Runtime Extension Technology with dual mode accelerator switch for high performance or longer run time
- The Automatic Feed Spool ensures continuous work without bumping
- Includes (2) 2.0 Amp hour lithium battery packs- each battery pack delivers 33% more capacity than the LBXR20 battery pack
- Part of the 20V MAX System - A System that Demands Attention. 1 Battery fits multiple tools
If you have any other recommendations for the next item to review or any questions at all, please leave a comment below. Alternatively, shoot me an email or DM me. I would be more than happy to discuss and answer your messages.
For now, give that lawn a makeover, folks.
