Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
 McLane Edger 801 4.75 August 29, 2010
Roger Fulghum
Each time i have used this edger it has started on the 1st. pull. The one problem i have is each time i disengage the blade it vibrates out of position and engages the blade.
Customer Service sucked July 20, 2010
Grasshopper
Power Edger was delivered without a couple of parts that were missing or improper for its operation. Called McLane customer service concerning these problems, representative there was polite and stated that parts would be sent that day. After a little over a week called them again and customer service said that they would check with UPS and call me back with information about the shipment. I received no call, from customer service representative, and contacted them again. This time representative stated that my parts were sent only yesterday and I should receive them soon. I finally received the parts package, not all the parts were in package, went to local hardware store and bought the parts on my own. Edger itself is well constructed, McClane Company should be ashamed at what they call customer service.
 Don't order this edger unless you are a mechanic July 19, 2010
Howard Johnson (Hampden, MA, US)
The edger arrived quickly and was easy to assemble. As with all other new users, the throttle cable broke within 5 minutes. The rest of the machine was well made. I cannot understand why a company would sell a product that they know will fail in the first few minutes of use.
I called 5 times before I got through to a person. The first 4 times, I left a message and no one called me back. The person I finally got promised to send me the new replacement throttle cable right away. After waiting 2 weeks and not receiving it, I called again. This time I threatened them with all manner of bad pubicity and got the new part in 3 days.
The new cable was very well made and very rugged. I had to drill 2 holes in the plate to install it and take apart the air cleaner to attach the other end. Someone with mild mechanical skills could easily do this. If you do not own a drill, wrenches and several bolts ( with lock washers) you will not be able to install the new cable. Why should you have to do this?
Once fixed, the edger did it's job very well. It only cuts a trough 3" deep, but does it very well. I guess I am pleased with the price and with what it can do compared to the ones that are copies of it from china. What a hassle to get it going. Amazon or someone needs to insist that McLane sell only the ones with the new throttle cable.
Great product July 13, 2010
Ronald E. Penpraze (Albany, NY)
This product works just as advertised. Starts very time on the first pull and does a great job of trimming. As stated in other reviews, there is a problem with the throttle cable. Mine broke the first time I used the machine. One call to McLane had a new heavy duty replacement on the way. Actually talked to a real person. Would highly recommend this product.
Not a bad edger June 25, 2010
W. D. Boxmeyer (Beaufort, NC USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I purchased this edger to replace a real old brand X model after I had finally run it into the ground. With a bit on online research I concluded that the McLean 800 series was the most cost effective solution for me to edge my 1300 feet of lawn and garden. It arrived on time form Amazon with no damage and was stone simple to assemble.
I filled it with oil and gas, set the choke and it started on the first pull. Once I got it running I also noticed that the throttle handle would not move over the full range. As long as I run it, this is no problem but I noticed that a younger member of my household feels that it was necessary to force the lever to the stop. In any event, the plastic housing holding the throttle lever did not break because the clamp securing the cable to the carburetor was loose enough to allow the cable to slide. I made a simple throttle lever stop and tightened the clamp. Now even Godzilla is not going to be able to push the throttle lever far enough to break it. This is my solution but the factory should really set the lever movement to match the carburetor throttle plate range. I don't know why this is this way but it may be because this model is available with different engine and they are saving a few pennies with a one size fits all approach. It is no big deal and most certainly not a reason to not purchase this model.
In operation, this thing edges just great. The wheels are large enough so it is simple to push (at least on level ground). I can edge my 1300 feet almost as fast as I can walk. That said, with the blade in the trimmer position it leaves a bit to be desired unless the wheels are on an absolutely flat and hard surface. Any softness or bumps and it will hang up or scalp your lawn. For trimming, my suggestion is to stick with a weed wacker. It means another tool, but it will save you a lot of frustration.
When you purchase this edger, I suggest that you order the extra blades and a few belts. Hard ground will eat the blades in short order. It is not like they get dull and can be sharpened, they just wear away and must be replaced. You will need the belts because the clutch does not really exist and hard ground or trying to edge concrete by accident will cause the belt to slip. Once it slips it will start to self destruct in short order. The clutch action on this unit just a spring that releases the belt tension and than the belt slips around the motor drive pulley. When the motor is at an idle this works pretty good, but when it slips at high engine speed the end is near. You can fiddle around with the belt tension spring, if you want, but you need it to slip to protect the engine. Too much tension is not good; belts are a lot cheaper than engines. The good news is that replacing the blade or the belt is a five minute job, all you need is a screwdriver and a single wrench.
Overall, this is a great edger for the money. It is not commercial quality, but it is also not commercial priced. For my home use I expect to keep it running for years to come. If it was not for the short belt life in hard ground I would give it five stars. Highly recommended.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
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