Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I finally broke down and bought this tool in the spring of 2008. The McLane edger Model 801-3RP-9, amazingly, has not changed significantly for 20+ years and I have admired them for most of that time. During that time, I owned a lot of edgers, electric, manual push, and for years, the 2-stroke stick type. All I can say now is "Why did I wait so long"?
I can't believe I wasted 20+ years suffering with those underpowered "toys" when this ultimate machine was never, really, out of reach! It starts easy, has power to spare, uses a relatively heavy, relatively thick (read long life) blade, and it simply does the job quickly!
I recall hot summer days when the whimpy ryobi 2-stroke edger clogged repeatedly with wet dirt and struggled to do the job, leaving me with sore muscles and an aching back as I struggled with it for a half hour. Those stick edgers are fine for maintaining that just-edged appearance, and they can, provided they are used weekly. They just don't have the power to do the job when there is significant dirt against the curb edge.
This edger has adjustments for angle, depth, and even location of the front wheels - a simple spacer allows them to be shifted to accomodate poured/curved curbs, and other difficult terrain. The McLane eger is so easy to use that I routinely edge my neighbors yards while doing mine because the addition of a couple hundred feet of curb only adds a couple minutes to my job, and I know from experience with the tools they are using, that they really appreciate not having to suffer through the task that I just did for them. This machine is so good, it takes a half hour "chore" and turns it into a five minute walk.
If there is a negative at all, it is not the cost, but rather the space it takes in my toolshed.
If you like fine tools, and can afford this one, it will provide a lifetime of use. You will only use it for a few minutes, a couple dozen times a year, but the alternative is to spend 3-5 times as much time, and half as much money, doing the job with a lesser machine.
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McLane Gas Edger/Trimmer (801-3.5RP-CA)
Sold as one unit. (1 unit = each.) 3.5 hp Briggs & Stratton. Single lever blade clutch & depth control system. 4 wheel chassis with 1/4" steel frame. Wheels- 8" ball bearings. Variable speed throttle control. Cutterhead 5/8" dia. shaft with solid steel flanged pulley. 2' x 9" blade. Debris sweep deflector. Enclosed belt pulley deflector. Replacement blade(SKU # 70230). Boxed. Manufacturer number: 801-3.5RP-CA. SKU #: 70227. Country of origin: (TBA). Distributed by McLane Mfg,, Inc.
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