Blaze Through Thick Overgrowth with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer
Milwaukee has been on a tear in the OPE department, including updates and upgrades to several key pieces of equipment. Today, I’m taking a close-up look at the updated Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-inch String Trimmer to see what it has to offer. Is it a true gas-powered replacement? Let’s find out!
We just tested ten of the best battery-powered string trimmers—check it out to see our top recommendations!
Pros
- Excellent cutting power
- Outstanding runtime
- Rapid load trimmer head
- Well-balanced design
- Three speed modes
- Zero ramp-up time
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer Performance
- No-Load Speed: 0-4600/5400/6200 RPMs
- Max Line Diameter: 0.105 in.
- Gas Equivalent: 31cc
- Cutting Swath: 16 in.
- Feed Type: Bump
- Runtime: 22 min. 54 sec. (high), 57 min. 48 sec. (low)
Cutting Power
The Milwaukee 3046 features a brushless motor and three speed modes ranging from 4,600 RPMs up to 6,200 RPMs. That top speed is noticeably higher than many of the models we’ve tested in the past. Moreover, having a third speed mode is a big improvement over the original model, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2725, and adds to this trimmer’s overall versatility.
We tested the Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer with the stock twist line and then spooled it up with standard round 0.095-inch line we tested on our other string trimmers. This trimmer is rated for 0.080 and 0.095-inch trimmer lines. It’s possible to load and use 0.105, and the motor is strong enough to be effective with it, but it’s outside the scope of what Milwaukee designed for daily use.
Low-speed is perfect for cutting through thin grass or covering your maintenance cut and conserving battery life. I was able to trim all around our shop and didn’t feel like I was missing out on much cutting speed by keeping it low.
Things got interesting when I started working on some heavily overgrown grass that was creeping up from the nearby woods. Even with 0.095 line, this kind of overgrowth stands no chance. There’s enough power that I would have no problem using this battery option over a gas model for overgrown grass.
Vibration
For me, vibration is one of those characteristics that can make or break a string trimmer. Milwaukee is right in the middle of the pack. It’s definitely noticeable, but it doesn’t rise to the level of annoyance, and it’s better than the first-generation model. It feels very similar to my Stihl FS 56 gas-powered string trimmer, which I can use for extended periods of time without any discomfort.
Runtime
Runtime is a big concern for Pros who are considering switching to battery-powered OPE, and to those folks, I’m happy to report that you have nothing to worry about! Using the kitted M18 Forge 12.0Ah battery, this trimmer ran for 22 minutes and 54 seconds on high speed and 57 minutes and 48 seconds on low!
Admittedly, the large 12.0Ah battery plays a key role in these runtime numbers, but nevertheless, this is a big win for Milwaukee. Furthermore, this should inspire a ton of confidence for landscaping Pros that this is a true gas replacement.
If you want to shave some weight by using an 8.0Ah Forge battery instead, you’d be looking at runtime in the 15 – 38-minute range, depending on what mode you work in. However, if you’re on the hunt for a little more runtime and power, be sure to check out the M18 Fuel Dual-Battery String Trimmer!
Cutting Swath
The cutting diameter is adjustable to either 14 or 16 inches. A cutter on the guard can be flipped to the inside or outside to give you your desired length.
Of course, many Pros simply remove the guard altogether and get a much wider cutting swath. Fight the temptation. The motor isn’t tuned to run like that and you can start building up damaging levels of heat when you do.
Motor and Battery Cooling Technology
Milwaukee has made some major advances in its tool and battery cooling technology. The new M18 Forge batteries and Super Chargers feature Cool-Cycle technology that helps vent away excess heat and keeps them from overheating under load. It’s not just a cooling fan on the charger—the batteries and charger are active participants.
When you put a Forge battery on the charger, it actively starts to cool down the pack. This gives you significantly faster charge times since the charger isn’t waiting for the pack to cool to a safe temperature before starting. On top of that, the battery comes off cooler at the end of charging. So when your landscaping crew is continuously cycling batteries on tools with a high power demand, it’s a big advantage.
For added perspective, I used a thermal camera and took a reading on the motor housing right after our runtime test…the camera read 83°F! If you’ve ever burned your forearm on a hot gas-powered string trimmer motor housing like I have, this should be music to your ears.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer Design Notes
- Model: Milwaukee 3046
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
- Length: 73.5 in.
- Weight: 9.9 lbs (bare tool) 13.3 lbs (with kitted Forge 12.0Ah battery)
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
Size and Weight
The Milwaukee 3046 weighs 9.9 pounds as a bare tool, 13.3 pounds with the kitted Forge 12.0Ah battery, and measures 73.5 inches from tip to tail. Personally, I love the working angle of this trimmer. It feels very natural and puts a little extra distance between you and whatever you’re trimming.
Grip and Trigger
Having used my fair share of battery-powered string trimmers, I definitely notice a difference in the grip of this model. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer uses Milwaukee’s standard rubber overmold which provides excellent grip and feel on the trigger handle. The front handle also sports the same rubber overmold which adds to the overall comfort and dampens some of the felt vibrations.
Rapid Line Loading
Line changes are pretty fast and straightforward, thanks to Milwaukee’s rapid-load trimmer head. Getting started is easy. Simply align the red markings on the trimmer head and feed your line through until the tag ends are even. Then, rotate the bottom of the head to wind in the line. This whole process takes less than a minute and limits downtime in the field.
This trimmer head can hold up to 25 feet of 0.080 line and 20 feet of 0.095 line.
Additional Features
- Compatible with all Milwaukee M18 batteries
Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer Price
This trimmer retails for $299 as a bare tool, and the kit with one Forge 12.0Ah battery and rapid charger will set you back $499. However, with no fuel or oil to buy/mix, and no real maintenance aside from changing the line and cleaning it up once in a while, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer makes a compelling case for itself. Milwaukee backs this trimmer with a 3-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-inch String Trimmer makes a strong case for Pros to make the switch to battery-powered equipment. Its overall weight and ergonomics are top-tier, and the performance level and runtime inspired a lot of confidence from our team. For the Pro contractor already using Milwaukee cordless tools and wants this for personal use on their property or to keep the occasional job site under control, it’s an outstanding option.
