Black & Decker 12-Inch 3.5-AMP Electric Bump Feed String Trimmer and Edger ST4500

by Black & Decker

Product Features

• Ideal for a variety of post-mowing yard maintenance jobs, including light landscaping
• 180-degree rotating head for easy edge trimming
• Lightweight, sturdy, and powerful; cuts a 12-inch path
• Dimensions: 45.2 x 4.5 x 7.1 inches (WxHxD); weighs 5.2 pounds
• Comes with an edge guide

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 45.2 x 4.5 x 7.1 inches ; 5.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00004DTNA
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: ST4000
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,292 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Don't think you're man or woman enough to handle a piece of power equipment? Fear no more. Black & Decker's bump feed string trimmer is a great buy for even the beginning gardener who needs to whack weeds regularly. Its 3-1/2 amp motor munches medium-to-thick weeds with precision and ease, even when weeds are a tangled web. The 12-inch cutting path and 10,000 rpm get the job done fast. This Black & Decker is easy to maneuver and can be used to trim weeds in some hard-to-reach places where other trimmers fail. It will also challenge thicker weeds, but watch out for vines, which can get tangled up above the cutting spool. To feed the spool, simply tap the trimmer against the ground.

Black & Decker definitely keeps the consumer in mind by providing comfort with an adjustable, textured top handle for firm gripping and maximum control. This string trimmer is not too heavy, either; weighing about 5 pounds, it's a good fit, even for smaller gardeners. You may start to feel a light vibration in your hands after a long trimming job, but it's minimal. This Black & Decker model can be used regularly and doubles as an edger. The Groom 'n' Edge button rotates the trimmer head 180 degrees to convert the trimmer to an edger and back again. In seconds, you can turn the head, and you'll hear the snap when it's in place. An edge guide provides precise trimming and edging around sidewalks and driveways and does a good job of keeping you at a safe distance from rocks or even the side of your deck or house.

This string trimmer, as well as most other electric trimmers, is best suited for small yards that are accessible with extension cords. Because electric trimmers are generally lighter and more comfortable, they are easy to handle. If you're looking to whack unruly weeds on your otherwise well-maintained yard, this electric trimmer is a less-powerful yet long-lasting alternative to more expensive gas-powered trimmers. Be sure to wear hand, eye, and foot protection when operating any trimmer. A 30-day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty are included.

Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring a 180-degree rotating head for easy edge trimming, this electric bump feed string trimmer from Black & Decker is ideal for a variety of post-mowing yard maintenance jobs, including light landscaping. Lightweight yet powerful, the ST4000 owes its reliable performance to a 3.5 Amp motor that spins at 10,000 RPM and cuts a 12-inch cutting path. Feeding the spool is a snap--just tap the trimmer on the ground--and a textured top handle can be adjusted for better comfort and control. And to help protect against unintended unplugging while you're working, there's a handy cord retention system. The ST4000 also operates at a quieter level than many other models, and converts to an edger with just one touch of the "Groom 'n' Edge" button. For added peace of mind, it comes with a 2-year warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mighty Mouse, July 29, 2002

By 

Hartmut W. Kuntze "chefkuntze" (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black & Decker 12-Inch 3.5-AMP Electric Bump Feed String Trimmer and Edger ST4500 (Lawn & Patio)

For a 12" trimmer, it is light and has enough power.
The head is easily reversed (pushbutton) for edge trimming.
The only letdown, it uses 1.65 mm string instead of the better 2 mm heavy duty line from WeedEater.
The trimmer will use up the thin line in a hurry.:-( You have to enlarge the string retainer hole in the spool slightly in order to be able to fit the slightly thicker string. But that is easy.
They say in the owners manual it will overheat the motor if you use a bigger diameter string.
But it will run powerfully, even with the 2 mm string and it does not overheat either.
As long as you realize the limitations of a 12" trimmer, it works just fine.
BTW, the 2 year warranty is not bad either.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good performer, good value, September 23, 2002

By 

S. Bradford "scottfbradford" (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black & Decker 12-Inch 3.5-AMP Electric Bump Feed String Trimmer and Edger ST4500 (Lawn & Patio)

The B&D trimmer has worked well for light trimming of grass and weeds around my house. It is lightweight and it is easy to replace the string. The unit is a little awkward to use in edge mode, particularly when you need to bump the unit to feed more string. Overall it has been reliable and done everything I've needed it to do.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delighted with this doodad, February 26, 2001

By 

"bill_farrell" (San Carlos, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker 12-Inch 3.5-AMP Electric Bump Feed String Trimmer and Edger ST4500 (Lawn & Patio)

This guy is lightweight, easy to use, and quiet with more than enough power for trimming, edging, and even light landscaping. The rotating head is a priceless feature.

Big selling points are its reliability (I've had a previous generation of this model for years with nary a glitch) and its attactive price. In addition, the string spool replacement is easy to install and is available everywhere (no small feature when you suddenly run out late on a Sunday afternoon).

The only complaint I have with my model is its occasional tendency to disconnect from the power cord during more exuberant edging. I see that the newest model has a cord retention feature, so this minor problem may be solved.