The way I do curves with mine is I raise the blade up andas I'm going around the curve I lift the back wheels up. It is balanced pretty good and rides on the front wheels. Hope this is useful.
I run those Mclane, one is about 15 years old and runs great, and one 5 year old, both with Briggs. We use them about 2 days a week for 2.5 to 3 hrs every day. And we have a Sthil stick for HOAs small front yards.
Like Doc, I'm getting older and the body has taken it's hits over the years. Shoulders, back, knees and hips hurt more than they use to at the end of the day. I have a Ryobi stick edger as part of the "Expand-It" set and it works fine, but it can be a little difficult to control, specially at the end of the day when you're REALLY the most aware that you're not in your 20's anymore. A client of mine had a Troy-Bilt walk-behind edger he'd only used once and claimed that it "wouldn't start," so I checked the fuel, set the choke, pumped the fuel bubble and on the 2nd pull, it fired right off and I did all his yard's edging with it. We made a SWEET deal and I got this $200 unit for LESS than half price. After using it, I came to agree with everything Doc said about the virtues of using a walk-behind edger. I have a neighbor around the corner whose sidewalk is almost buried, so we're going to take this edger out and put it to the REAL test. It's not a "top of the line" model, but I like pushing rather than carrying.
Have always been a gas edger type of guy. They are old school and you don’t see them much anymore. I had a craftsman when I was younger and wore it out. I now have a very used McClane which I bought off Craigslist. Use it every week. Can’t beat it.
I purchased an old junky edger on Facebook Marketplace. I was on vacation and I hauled it back home with me. It’s tired but it leaves a nice edge. I had never operated one before and I was impressed with the outcome. I purchased it in an area where they don’t do a lot of edging. Around my home a lot of people edge and used edgers were going for a near new price. I did a little carb work last week and will probably do a resto in the off season.
This is the second season I’ve had my McLane edger . . . there’s nothing like it. I bought the Briggs engine, but I only have about 700 ft. to edge. Also bought the curb wheel(s).
I have the other edger you reviewed. The biggest issue with those are they are often hard to start and they do not have a primer bulb to help the carb out when starting. Also, the original triple edger blade that comes with them is really poor and no where as good as a flat 9" edger blade. You can easily swap them out, but there is no hole in the guard like many other models have to insert a screw driver into to lock down the blade as you change it out. Two 19mm wrenches is all you need to swap the blade though. Most folk spray some carb cleaner into the carb to start them when they give problems with the hard start. I have bad arthritis and a pull cord will do me in quickly, so I modified mine in removing that pull cord and I use my drill to crank it off. I have a special ratchet adapter to use with my drill so that it does not kick back when the engine starts up. Another issue is that the filter cover to this unit is sort of a pain to remove each time you want to add some carb cleaner to the carb. Some folk cut a hole in the plastic cover to make it easier to spray in some carb cleaner when necessary. This unit is really great in my opinion for someone who has arthritis and can't hold a stick edger, due to the weight on the back of them. This fancier or more expensive on may be great, but for my own needs, the one I have is just fine. Some folk say that you then have a lawn equipment taking up space in your garage. I laugh at that sort of twisted logic, myself. I have a few motorized bicycles, so the China motors is not uncommon to me and neither are their quirks. My Model A Ford and my Ural sidecar took up garage space for a ton of years and somehow I was always able to add more junk to my garage collection, regardless. :-)
Had our Briggs and stratton Mclane since 1992. Still kickin butt every week. Walk the curb with it , not a problem. paid like $450 for it back then and don't regret it today.
You are doing the right thing using that edger!!! Save your back number 1, second you mentioned tendons are bad like shoulder tendons... If you are out on the grounds and you are more worried about your physical landscape. Buy the good stuff and start worrying about your property landscape, and enjoy an ice tea while you do it. I would do it on my 240 linear feet of edging because I broke my spine twice. But I use the blade in a trimmer it gets the job done! Cheers Doc!
Doc in the “trimmer mode” is not for trimming, it is for undercutting. Example when the sod is getting higher than the concrete, you put the blade horizontal and dig out at the base about a 1/2” or so every couple of months until its level again. This seems to happen the most often where the sod rises up from the edge.
got one of these mclane edgers from my dad that is from the late 80's with a brigs on it. I have always wondered how on earth you could use it with the head turned sideways because of the wheels. well now i know thanks doc. awesome machine
DOC, I SLIDE THE FRONT WHEELS TOGETHER AND LIFT UP ON THE TWO HANDLEBARS TO EDGE THE CURVES ! I'M GROWING BLUEGRASS AND APPRECIATE THE KNOWLEDGE YOU OFFER !
Doc. I purchased the previous gas edger you had on your channel. The one made in China. That thing works great. You mentioned in your video about curved walkways and driveways. The edger I bought is light enough to ease around those corners and for about $200 it’s AWSOME.
I have the same edger and it's great! But sometimes I have to use the string trimmer simply because there's something in the way like a step or sign post.
Running a stick electric version, got it from the Outlets at the Commerce exit 149 on I-85 N. Got the weed eater and the edger for less than $150, 40V Ryobi electric deal. I don't have much edging to do, so it works well for me.
LOL doc, I messed up. I put down PGF complete on Monday 1 Ac. (I live just north of Houston Tx) and we got a tropical storm. Hopefully it didn't just all wash away. I will say even with the rain just 3 days later the grass looks noticeably darker than it has all year. (I've never done an iron treatment so I'm sure it's that) I'm really liking it.
i have a cheaper like 150 dollar troy bilt 3 wheel small wheeled edger it works great for a single yard, got a blade that isnt the stock one and it does great, saves my back, i have a messy mixed lawn and some areas i do have to back and forth over the edge but overall the price is great and it's reliable now that ive given it some tlc. just another option for those of us with a small yardcare budget. it's also 7ish years old and i did replace the carb because it was so cheap why not and that helped make it a single pull again even dead of winter over 3-5 pulls... rebuild kit was almost the same cost, spent like 5 bucks more and saved me some time cleaning the old one, would be spoiled as hell to run that beast... worth more than all my lawn gear :(
Go with the Honda engine.....THEY ARE GREAT! My lawn mower has a Honda engine and after being in storage for over 2 years, I changed the oil, spark plug and air filter and the BEAST started on the FIRST PULL!!!!!!
I have an electric edger I bought from someone in my neighborhood. So much easier than the old manual powered medieval weapon looking one I used to use. I have a smaller yard but I'm no longer young enough to edge it with a manual edger. With my yard size the electric is great.
So I suck at edging using my weed eater , I have a Black and Decker Edge hog which does a pretty good job BUT one of those bad boys would take me to the next level in getting that extra crispy edge on my lawn.
So that's what the runners running through my mothers and our yard are, Bermuda grass? Do they put down roots along their run? If that's what it is they are hard to pull up and control, they about took over my mothers lawn a few years back.
Doc, sure would love an edger like you have. I, like you do many neighbors lawns. I will tell you, trying to borrow a vehicle to go rent one that has to be brought back within 2 hours is a pain. Economically, it is the way to go. Having one would allow me to be able to accomplish this at a non back breaking time. LOL
Do you have any wheel attachments for a string trimmer (the wheel supporting the trimmer makes it easier to ‘mow’ with the trimmer). Looking for a one-wheel, articulating attachment for my string trimmer. Thanks.
How well does it work around landscaping beds? I have the 40 volt Ryobi. I had to use two 2 ah batteries. When I got the 4 ah it would do my whole yard on one charge
I had a Golden Boy power edger and for design it was the very best edger because it has the perfect CURB JUMPER wheel design. Why they stopped adding or engineering a good curb jumper power edger I'll never know
I hear ya about getting the edger off your shoulders. Ive been using power edgers for decades. By the way, when did the edgers all of a sudden have the blade on the left? I grew up on these edgers having the blade on the right.
These things were around long before weed wackers or stick edgers, I still have my dads old one from the 60's. not much has changed in design other than being able to disengage the blade.
i like the mclane's, but every one of them i have ever seen, doesn't have a curb hopper, that is a must for me, i don't like battling with my tools to get a job done, and yes, whether it's thick bermuda, st. augustine, or different weeds that has grown along the edges like thick dallis grass weeds (i have all 3 in my front lawn and most of the edges of the curb and sidewalk have all 3), you definitely need a bladed power edger. i have the cheap corded b&d edger, let me tell ya,,, i takes a whole sat. afternoon going back and forth with it to get it done and done right, needless to say, i am worn out after that, i also have the weedeater stick edgers/string, and they are only for a top off after you have dug a trench with a power edger, you have to have a good power edger to really get it done right without much back and forth. the sidewalk you did with that mclane in this vid was great but the outer curb area where you had a couple of stray spots was because you don't have the curb hopper. the curb hopper on that beast would have only taken one trip and no strays. your wheels were following the flow of the landscape, which is not exactly level, instead of the concrete of the street, which would be more level, in turn would have been a more consistent cut resulting in a one trip no stray cut. i am currently looking to buy a good power edger with a curb hopper.
Give my son the option of a battery stick edger or the Mclane... and every time he chooses the Mclane. The curb wheel thing is not an issue for us as we just go the other direction in the grass.
There is no substitute to a mclane edger..I have roughly 7 of them..I buy the old beat up ones, that are headed to the graveyard..and rebuild them, they end up unique, and better then new
I just purchased this edger, and I'm having some major issues with the engine rough idling at full throttle and the back wheels have a severe wobble. I contacted McLane, who then transferred me to Honda small engines and they told me that's normal.... Yeah no I call BS. As for the rear wheels I figured I could just clamp down one bolt and tighten it with my impact driver and that did not work at all.... I'm about to make a video and tag Honda and McLane in it. Not a good product at all....
You can say that again! Nice machine. Call me crazy, but I love the challenge of creating a nice, clean edge with my Stihl string trimmer. I've gotten pretty darn good at it. Not to mention, it saves garage space haha!
The subscribe on your website tells you you’ll get an email to confirm your subscription. I never got an email to confirm so I’m not sure i’m Subscribed or not. Let me know.... thanks.
The way I do curves with mine is I raise the blade up andas I'm going around the curve I lift the back wheels up. It is balanced pretty good and rides on the front wheels. Hope this is useful.
I run those Mclane, one is about 15 years old and runs great, and one 5 year old, both with Briggs. We use them about 2 days a week for 2.5 to 3 hrs every day. And we have a Sthil stick for HOAs small front yards.
Like Doc, I'm getting older and the body has taken it's hits over the years. Shoulders, back, knees and hips hurt more than they use to at the end of the day. I have a Ryobi stick edger as part of the "Expand-It" set and it works fine, but it can be a little difficult to control, specially at the end of the day when you're REALLY the most aware that you're not in your 20's anymore.
A client of mine had a Troy-Bilt walk-behind edger he'd only used once and claimed that it "wouldn't start," so I checked the fuel, set the choke, pumped the fuel bubble and on the 2nd pull, it fired right off and I did all his yard's edging with it. We made a SWEET deal and I got this $200 unit for LESS than half price. After using it, I came to agree with everything Doc said about the virtues of using a walk-behind edger. I have a neighbor around the corner whose sidewalk is almost buried, so we're going to take this edger out and put it to the REAL test. It's not a "top of the line" model, but I like pushing rather than carrying.
Have always been a gas edger type of guy. They are old school and you don’t see them much anymore. I had a craftsman when I was younger and wore it out. I now have a very used McClane which I bought off Craigslist. Use it every week. Can’t beat it.
I purchased an old junky edger on Facebook Marketplace. I was on vacation and I hauled it back home with me. It’s tired but it leaves a nice edge. I had never operated one before and I was impressed with the outcome. I purchased it in an area where they don’t do a lot of edging. Around my home a lot of people edge and used edgers were going for a near new price. I did a little carb work last week and will probably do a resto in the off season.
This is the second season I’ve had my McLane edger . . . there’s nothing like it. I bought the Briggs engine, but I only have about 700 ft. to edge. Also bought the curb wheel(s).
I have the other edger you reviewed. The biggest issue with those are they are often hard to start and they do not have a primer bulb to help the carb out when starting. Also, the original triple edger blade that comes with them is really poor and no where as good as a flat 9" edger blade. You can easily swap them out, but there is no hole in the guard like many other models have to insert a screw driver into to lock down the blade as you change it out. Two 19mm wrenches is all you need to swap the blade though. Most folk spray some carb cleaner into the carb to start them when they give problems with the hard start. I have bad arthritis and a pull cord will do me in quickly, so I modified mine in removing that pull cord and I use my drill to crank it off. I have a special ratchet adapter to use with my drill so that it does not kick back when the engine starts up. Another issue is that the filter cover to this unit is sort of a pain to remove each time you want to add some carb cleaner to the carb. Some folk cut a hole in the plastic cover to make it easier to spray in some carb cleaner when necessary. This unit is really great in my opinion for someone who has arthritis and can't hold a stick edger, due to the weight on the back of them. This fancier or more expensive on may be great, but for my own needs, the one I have is just fine. Some folk say that you then have a lawn equipment taking up space in your garage. I laugh at that sort of twisted logic, myself. I have a few motorized bicycles, so the China motors is not uncommon to me and neither are their quirks. My Model A Ford and my Ural sidecar took up garage space for a ton of years and somehow I was always able to add more junk to my garage collection, regardless. :-)
When you are edging curves set the front wheels together to the side like you showed for trimming. Makes turning a lot easier.
Had our Briggs and stratton Mclane since 1992. Still kickin butt every week. Walk the curb with it , not a problem. paid like $450 for it back then and don't regret it today.
You are doing the right thing using that edger!!! Save your back number 1, second you mentioned tendons are bad like shoulder tendons... If you are out on the grounds and you are more worried about your physical landscape. Buy the good stuff and start worrying about your property landscape, and enjoy an ice tea while you do it. I would do it on my 240 linear feet of edging because I broke my spine twice. But I use the blade in a trimmer it gets the job done! Cheers Doc!
Doc in the “trimmer mode” is not for trimming, it is for undercutting. Example when the sod is getting higher than the concrete, you put the blade horizontal and dig out at the base about a 1/2” or so every couple of months until its level again. This seems to happen the most often where the sod rises up from the edge.
got one of these mclane edgers from my dad that is from the late 80's with a brigs on it. I have always wondered how on earth you could use it with the head turned sideways because of the wheels. well now i know thanks doc. awesome machine
Gas edger with blade cuts deep and leaves a nice clean line along the lawn. Nice.
I just picked up one of these edgers for under 200 on Facebook. Love it.
DOC, I SLIDE THE FRONT WHEELS TOGETHER AND LIFT UP ON THE TWO HANDLEBARS TO EDGE THE CURVES ! I'M GROWING BLUEGRASS AND APPRECIATE THE KNOWLEDGE YOU OFFER !
Good tip.......... thanks
Doc. I purchased the previous gas edger you had on your channel. The one made in China. That thing works great. You mentioned in your video about curved walkways and driveways. The edger I bought is light enough to ease around those corners and for about $200 it’s AWSOME.
Yes, that thing is great for the $ ..... I had ZERO issues with it. Now it will get handed down.
Love my Stihl stick edger, but would give this one a try.
I have the same edger and it's great!
But sometimes I have to use the string trimmer simply because there's something in the way like a step or sign post.
Dewalt circular saw with a dado blade. It even cuts right thru the driveway light power cord. Couple sparks but nice:)
Running a stick electric version, got it from the Outlets at the Commerce exit 149 on I-85 N. Got the weed eater and the edger for less than $150, 40V Ryobi electric deal. I don't have much edging to do, so it works well for me.
Wait a minute.
Doc, you were a bodybuilder!
Holy!
😳😳😳
Bad ass doc.
Yeah!
LOL doc, I messed up. I put down PGF complete on Monday 1 Ac. (I live just north of Houston Tx) and we got a tropical storm. Hopefully it didn't just all wash away. I will say even with the rain just 3 days later the grass looks noticeably darker than it has all year. (I've never done an iron treatment so I'm sure it's that) I'm really liking it.
The small granule size is your lifesaver.... it hides so tight in the thatch that it seldom moves.
I've been using Little Wonder Edger's for 45 years, there's nothing better for speed and accuracy.
Got the southland edger it's amazing seen your video of it purchased it and with curbside cutting It was the iceing on the cake southland edger is #1
i have a cheaper like 150 dollar troy bilt 3 wheel small wheeled edger it works great for a single yard, got a blade that isnt the stock one and it does great, saves my back, i have a messy mixed lawn and some areas i do have to back and forth over the edge but overall the price is great and it's reliable now that ive given it some tlc. just another option for those of us with a small yardcare budget. it's also 7ish years old and i did replace the carb because it was so cheap why not and that helped make it a single pull again even dead of winter over 3-5 pulls... rebuild kit was almost the same cost, spent like 5 bucks more and saved me some time cleaning the old one, would be spoiled as hell to run that beast... worth more than all my lawn gear :(
the longevity of that thing is no joke my dad had the exact one from the 80 or 70's and it lasted till 2019
have one for 15 years use it for all
my edging around everything beds and all when I do the beds only get twice around before a new blade
Go with the Honda engine.....THEY ARE GREAT! My lawn mower has a Honda engine and after being in storage for over 2 years, I changed the oil, spark plug and air filter and the BEAST started on the FIRST PULL!!!!!!
Agree most are honda we have. We now have a NEW briggs on the aerator and it also is doing great.
ive got an older honda....my grandad used a honda similar to one ove got now....long story short...i love power edgers....nothing cuts better
I have an electric edger I bought from someone in my neighborhood. So much easier than the old manual powered medieval weapon looking one I used to use. I have a smaller yard but I'm no longer young enough to edge it with a manual edger. With my yard size the electric is great.
So I suck at edging using my weed eater , I have a Black and Decker Edge hog which does a pretty good job BUT one of those bad boys would take me to the next level in getting that extra crispy edge on my lawn.
Doc, I know exactly what You're talking about,I have a pinched nerve between 5 and 6 in my neck and my hand and arm go numb and it's very painful
So that's what the runners running through my mothers and our yard are, Bermuda grass? Do they put down roots along their run? If that's what it is they are hard to pull up and control, they about took over my mothers lawn a few years back.
Doc, sure would love an edger like you have. I, like you do many neighbors lawns. I will tell you, trying to borrow a vehicle to go rent one that has to be brought back within 2 hours is a pain. Economically, it is the way to go. Having one would allow me to be able to accomplish this at a non back breaking time. LOL
DR power also makes a great quality edger with different motor options.
Do you have any wheel attachments for a string trimmer (the wheel supporting the trimmer makes it easier to ‘mow’ with the trimmer). Looking for a one-wheel, articulating attachment for my string trimmer. Thanks.
The one I’m getting from my dad is a mclane but has the Stratton and Briggs engine
Have you consider maybe in the future to review the following equipment "BravePro Edgescaper Series (BRPE109H)"
I use a attachment for my weed eater to edge. This looks like it would work much better.
I have an edging attachment for my Kobalt 80V stick. It works fine
Try a small amount of bevel. You will like the look I think
How well does it work around landscaping beds? I have the 40 volt Ryobi. I had to use two 2 ah batteries. When I got the 4 ah it would do my whole yard on one charge
I had a Golden Boy power edger and for design it was the very best edger because it has the perfect CURB JUMPER wheel design. Why they stopped adding or engineering a good curb jumper power edger I'll never know
Loving the edger machine.
Great video.
Thanks.
Amazing... Very clean cut...
My Troy built power edger is tough.
I hear ya about getting the edger off your shoulders. Ive been using power edgers for decades. By the way, when did the edgers all of a sudden have the blade on the left? I grew up on these edgers having the blade on the right.
Just got one today on
Facebook marketplace
B&S engine love it
These things were around long before weed wackers or stick edgers, I still have my dads old one from the 60's. not much has changed in design other than being able to disengage the blade.
Can this be used for slice seeding? thanks
i like the mclane's, but every one of them i have ever seen, doesn't have a curb hopper, that is a must for me, i don't like battling with my tools to get a job done, and yes, whether it's thick bermuda, st. augustine, or different weeds that has grown along the edges like thick dallis grass weeds (i have all 3 in my front lawn and most of the edges of the curb and sidewalk have all 3), you definitely need a bladed power edger. i have the cheap corded b&d edger, let me tell ya,,, i takes a whole sat. afternoon going back and forth with it to get it done and done right, needless to say, i am worn out after that, i also have the weedeater stick edgers/string, and they are only for a top off after you have dug a trench with a power edger, you have to have a good power edger to really get it done right without much back and forth. the sidewalk you did with that mclane in this vid was great but the outer curb area where you had a couple of stray spots was because you don't have the curb hopper. the curb hopper on that beast would have only taken one trip and no strays. your wheels were following the flow of the landscape, which is not exactly level, instead of the concrete of the street, which would be more level, in turn would have been a more consistent cut resulting in a one trip no stray cut. i am currently looking to buy a good power edger with a curb hopper.
Give my son the option of a battery stick edger or the Mclane... and every time he chooses the Mclane. The curb wheel thing is not an issue for us as we just go the other direction in the grass.
I have saint aug grass would you suggest this edger?
What make of blades do you use.? I love my Mclane but it’s life is about over.! Purchased in 1975 and she’s tired.
I need help .... have a trampoline and move it around yard and weekly . Now the grass has not liked this addition. Any ideas?
Australian edgers have the blade on the other side, they throw forward and make a way nicer cleaner edge
Do you have a video on which drone you use?
I noticed you did not have to run it very fast I could see the blade rotating a good hint
What happens if you hit the cement?????
Very nice machine
That's a very good and nice looking machine.
Hey Doc... I can't remember, when is it safe to put down PGF Complete on new sod?
Would love to have that edger, would definitely beat my electric one....
Like both machines but I would rather win some of the PHF and the Super juice.
Have you looked at PowerTrim edgers?
Thanks for the informative video Doc!
Nice Edger! I wish!!
Great videos Sensei Doc!
Great, new equipment my wife is going to hate me for buying. Pick me, random number generator!
There is no substitute to a mclane edger..I have roughly 7 of them..I buy the old beat up ones, that are headed to the graveyard..and rebuild them, they end up unique, and better then new
How do these edgers do when you have curves along your sidewalks/driveways? Seems like it could be a little bit of a challenge. Thx
It's in the video
I must have stepped away during that part of the video. Found it. Thx, Doc
i got a EGO stick edger (battery) since i own alot of their stuff and its really good. If i didnt have that id prolly buy one of those
You rock Doc!!!!
You never show how to edge against the street...
I need one desperately
I respect that the Honda engine version is more pricey, but hey where would the world be without Briggs and Stratton engines
I like using a string trimmer to edge
This is a comercial grade one this is what I need
Great tool
Hey Doc upgrade your blade to an Oregon 40-845 Edger Blade you can find them on Amazon
That edger would work perfect for Left handed people.
I just purchased this edger, and I'm having some major issues with the engine rough idling at full throttle and the back wheels have a severe wobble. I contacted McLane, who then transferred me to Honda small engines and they told me that's normal.... Yeah no I call BS.
As for the rear wheels I figured I could just clamp down one bolt and tighten it with my impact driver and that did not work at all.... I'm about to make a video and tag Honda and McLane in it. Not a good product at all....
who won the reel mower?
No offense meant but you've invested in a nice edger and then at 11:17 that blower seems pretty weak.
Who’s running the drone? Haha
when Doc says “spot treat” weed, which product is recommended?
Depends on what weed you are trying to get rid of.
Use a product that kills weeds but not the grass
I love it.
Hey Doc, I bet you get paid for doing your neighbors house huh? Great job and I think you're an amazing teacher.
Nope... never have charged a soul.
Am I to late for the giveaway?
Southland makes one they cost about $250.00 does all the same things .
quite the commercial beast
You can say that again! Nice machine. Call me crazy, but I love the challenge of creating a nice, clean edge with my Stihl string trimmer. I've gotten pretty darn good at it. Not to mention, it saves garage space haha!
Doc, what’s the best chemical to get rid of Doveweed?
Atrazine.
That seems like a little over kill?! I personally have about 1K feet of edging to do on my own house and I can do it with my Echo no problem.
My dream machine but can't afford one 😂
no drop-down wheel for curb side edging? seriously? C'mon Mcclane!
The subscribe on your website tells you you’ll get an email to confirm your subscription. I never got an email to confirm so I’m not sure i’m Subscribed or not. Let me know.... thanks.
I eventually got the confirm email. Thanks. Great channel!
I’d have to start a lawn care business to justify spending that kind of money for an edger.
Nice though.
First Aussie 😁
Doc do u live in a neighborhood where no one lives but u ? Never see a soul.
I just can’t get over a Bermuda grass lawn. Out here, Bermuda grass is an ugly, invasive weed.