When it comes to gardening tools, I think most people would say that efficiency is one of the most important things – which is why we’re jazzed about the Dewalt 60V MAX 17in Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit and Brush Cutter attachment.
It’s possibly the most efficient and high-quality multi-use gardening tool that’s powered by a battery. I was a little skeptical that a battery-powered tool would have the kind of power needed to cut brush, much less anything that was over one inch, but the Dewalt proved me wrong.
Since it’s lighter than gas-powered string trimmers or brush cutters, it’s easier on the arms and shoulders. In addition to a simple start up, this gardening tool comes with a string trimmer with a bump head and the option to order an additional brush cutter attachment. The 8-inch brush cutter blade does a decent job with cutting brush and vegetation. While it did better on vegetation that was one inch or smaller, we were able to cut through some trees that were 1.25 inches in diameter. As for the string trimmer, it worked great on long grasses, weeds, and thinner vines. Through it all – the 60V battery lasted quite a long time.
Keep reading to find out how I got on reviewing this Dewalt 60V MAX 17in Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit and Brush Cutter attachment then, head to our best hedge trimmer guide to get the hedges in shape.
Alex Temblador is a Dallas-based award-winning author and freelance writer that has covered home, design, architecture, and art in publications such as Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Home & Gardens, Dwell, Architectural Digest, Tech Radar, Tom’s Guide, among many others. She recently bought her first home, a green Sears & Roebuck house that's over 103 years old, sits on half an acre of land and features a stunning wraparound porch, original hardwood floors, pocket doors, and a butler pantry.
Alex loves to test products for Top Ten Reviews, Gardeningetc, Real Homes, and Homes & Gardens buying guides and reviews which has helped to expand the richness of her first-time homeowner life. The Mixed Latine writer can usually be found working or relaxing in her outdoor spaces.
Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment: key specifications
| Model no | DCST972X1 |
| Type | a trimmer with option to buy additional attachments like a brush cutter |
| Fuel | 60V battery |
| String trimmer cutting path diameter | 17in |
| Brush cutter blade diameter | 8in |
| Shaft length | 45in |
| Weight | 12.95 lbs. |
Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment: First impressions
The Dewalt 60V MAX 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit arrived in one box, while the Brush Cutter attachment arrived in a second box. I’ve tested a few multi-use garden tools in the past, though they’ve admittedly been gas-powered.
Within the string trimmer kit box, I found the tool broken down in a few pieces. There was the part of the shaft that holds the battery, the string trimmer attachment, a handle, guard, and battery. In the Brush Cutter Attachment box was another handle, a shoulder strap, and the brush cutter attachment. As a battery-powered tool, it was a lot quicker and easier to put this Dewalt string trimmer together than it would have been if it were gas-powered.
Overall, the materials seem to be of high quality. I was glad for a 60V battery, as they last longer than 40V or 20V batteries.
Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment: price & availability
- $329 – 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit
- $79.99 – Brush cutter attachment
The Dewalt 60V MAX 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter is available through the Dewalt website or Amazon, Acme Tools, The Home Depot and other outlets.
It comes in two parts. The string trimmer kit is $329 at full price, though you can find it on sale for $250-$280 at various outlets. Once you have the main tool, you can fit the kit with different attachments such as the brush cutter attachment which is $79.99. It can also be fitted with hedge trimmer, pole saw, edger, and blower attachments.
Admittedly, the Dewalt 60V MAX 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit is expensive. However, there are very few other battery-powered tools that are of the same caliber as this one.
Score: 4/5
Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment: Design
Prior to testing the Dewalt 60V Max In. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment, I tested the Troy-Bilt TB272BC XP Straight Shaft Brushcutter. I thought switching between attachments of that tool was easy – the Dewalt makes it a lot easier.
When putting together this tool, all I had to do was take the string trimmer attachment or the brush cutter attachment and snap it into the part of the shaft that holds the battery. It’s so simple! When I was done using the string trimmer in my yard and I wanted to do some brush cutting, it took seconds to switch the two attachments out. No tools were needed.
The only drawback to this “quick-snap” design becomes apparent while using the brush cutter attachment. There were a few times when the button that is supposed to hold the poles in place, depressed on its own and the attachment spun to a different position while I was cutting. This is a bit of a safety hazard in my opinion. It only seemed to happen if I tried to cut a very large branch (over one inch) and I had to use some force to cut through. Ideally, the attachment should not move for any reason why you’re cutting. The only thing I can say is to be very careful cutting anything over one inch in diameter.
There is a handle provided in the Brush Cutter Attachment box and a slightly different one in the Dewalt 60V Max Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit box. I prefer the handle that came in the Brush Cutter Attachment box because it’s like a double handle that offers multiple spots to place your hands. No matter which handle you choose, it only takes a few minutes to use the provided screws to screw it onto the shaft. Both left and right-handed people can use either handle.
At 12.95 lbs., it’s a fairly light tool, however, I added the shoulder strap to alleviate some of the weight from my forearms. While your shoulders and arms do tire out some when using the tool as either the string trimmer or the brush cutter, I can say that this machine doesn’t vibrate in the same way a gas-powered one does.
I particularly loved the fact that this tool is battery powered and it starts up immediately. After attaching the battery, all you have to do is press the trigger down on the top of the shaft before pulling the bottom trigger. The top trigger is a safety feature. The tool won’t start if you don’t hold it down. With the bottom trigger, you can adjust the speed based on how tightly you grip it.
The straight shaft is 45 inches and plenty long to be able to reach under shrubs, trees, fence posts, and other obstacles. To load more string on the string trimmer, you bump it on the ground.
Score: 4/5
Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment: Performance
During the testing period, I decided to use the string trimmer attachment first. It did a great job cutting through thick weeds, tall grasses, and some small vines that are in my yard. I had to be careful when using it at full throttle because often the line would throw little rocks and pebbles around and hit me in the shins or arms – it’s that powerful. Getting more line out was very simple with the bump head.
I tried to use the string trimmer on some thinner shrubs or small growths at the bottom of trees, but it didn’t have quite the power to do a great job. The average person will find this string trimmer to be a useful tool to use around the yard.
Prior to testing the brush cutter attachment, I’d already used the string trimmer on two separate occasions for about 15 minutes each and the battery hadn’t yet died. I didn’t have to charge the battery until after my first brush cutting testing which was about another 20 minutes.
In terms of the brush cutter, it did slightly better than I expected. The 8-inch diameter of the blade isn’t unusual, but I definitely would have preferred it to be 10 inches. I used the brush cutter on a good-sized thicket in my yard. Think: small trees, shrubs, and lots of thick vines with thorns.
For the most part, the brush cutter sliced through the small shrubs and thick vines with ease. It had no problem cutting through branches that were one-inch or smaller. At times, the brush cutter could slice through 1.25-inch branches, but it most definitely depended on the type of tree I was trying to cut and whether it was dead or alive. Sometimes I had to almost whack the branch to get the kind of power needed to cut through the limb. This isn’t the safest method which was made abundantly clear when the brush cutter attachment spun out of place. (To be clear, this could have been due to a flaw in the attachment design of the shaft as mentioned in the “design” section above.)
I just recently tested a gas-powered tool with an 8-inch brush cutter attachment and found that the gas-powered tool had more power and torque that allowed it to cut through brush more easily. If the brush you have in your yard is on the smaller side, you can definitely go with the Dewalt battery-powered tool. Otherwise, you might need a more heavy-duty gas-powered option.
In terms of storage, you could break down the shaft, though since this tool is battery-powered, you likely won’t need to. It’s a fairly slim tool that can rest standing up in a corner or be hung on the wall.
Score: 4/5
Should I buy the Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | Somewhat expensive but comes with a 60V battery and is widely stocked | 4/5 |
| Design | Switch between brushcutter and string trimmer in seconds; suitable for light and medium brush | 4/5 |
| Performance | Great trimming performance and decent at cutting brush; convenient storage | 4/5 |
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment: Also consider...
The Troy-Bilt TB272BC XP Straight Shaft Brushcutter / String Trimmer is a great gas-powered alternative to the Dewalt 60V MAX 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter attachment. Like the Dewalt, the Troy-Bilt provides an engine and a shaft that can then switch out multiple attachments like a string trimmer and a brush cutter. Switching these attachments takes a little more time with the Troy-Bilt, however, you’ll find that the engine provides a more powerful cutting experience and the attachments sit securely in place.
The Wild Badger Power 52cc Gas 2-Stroke 2-in-1 Brush Cutter and String Handheld Trimmer is similar to the Dewalt and Troy-Bilt in that it provides two tools in one. If you’re going to go for a gas-powered tool, you might prefer the Wild Badger Power because it starts up quicker. Just keep in mind that it’s heavier than the Dewalt which could tire you out faster.
Wild Badger Power has a battery-powered version too. This is called the Wild Badger Power 2-in-1 Cordless Yard String Trimmer and Brush Cutter Blade, it comes with a string trimmer and a slightly larger brush cutter blade (10 inches). It requires two 20V batteries, which only add up to 40V. The Dewalt batteries have more power and will likely last longer.
How I tested the Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit + Brush Cutter Attachment
I received the Dewalt 60V Max 17 in. Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit and the Brush Cutter attachment in two separate boxes. Upon assembling them, I tested the string trimmer in various areas around my yard, but particularly in spots with high grass, weeds, and thin vines. The brush cutter was tested against a thick brush area full of shrubs, small trees, and thick vines. All features of the product were tested to be able to provide a comprehensive review.
Find out more about how we test.
