The Makita Grass Shear Everyone Needs

Grass shears were never something I envisioned purchasing. Then I got my hands on one. Game changer.

Purchasing Makita 18V LXT Cordless Grass Shear is not an excuse to throw out the mower or string trimmer. Instead, it handles the annoying areas where those tools are either too large, too aggressive or simply inconvenient.

Think about the grass growing around flower beds, stepping stones, fence posts and other tight spots. A string trimmer can handle most of it, but it can also throw clippings everywhere, damage nearby plants or chew into something you wanted to keep. This grass shear provides considerably more control.

The XMU05Z uses a 4-5/16-inch dual-action blade that operates at 2,500 strokes per minute. That is wide enough to make steady progress while remaining compact enough for detailed trimming.

It is also light and maneuverable. Makita lists the tool at 2.3 pounds without a battery and approximately 3.7 pounds with one installed. The rubberized grip should make longer trimming sessions more comfortable, too.

Other useful features include:

1. Tool-less blade changes
2. Nickel-plated blades engineered to resist staining and rust
3. Star Protection against overloading, over-discharging and overheating
4. Up to two hours of runtime with a 5.0Ah LXT battery
5. A three-year limited warranty

The shear can also accept an optional hedge-trimmer blade. That gives you another option for maintaining smaller shrubs and handling light hedge trimming without purchasing another complete tool.

This is a bare tool, so it does not include a battery or charger. That makes it an especially easy purchase for someone who already owns Makita 18V LXT tools. Grab a battery from your drill, blower or another compatible tool, attach it and start trimming.

If you are not already on the LXT platform, remember to factor a compatible battery and charger into the total cost.

Is a cordless grass shear absolutely necessary? Probably not. But neither are most of the tools in peoples garages.

However, once you see how quickly it cleans up the areas your mower misses, and how much more control it provides than a string trimmer, it becomes one of those tools you find yourself using every week. For homeowners who care about clean edges and a finished-looking lawn, the Makita XMU05Z is an easy upgrade.

1. Does the Makita XMU05Z include a battery and charger?

No. This is a bare tool, so the battery and charger are sold separately. It is a convenient option for anyone who already owns compatible Makita 18V LXT equipment.

2. How long does the grass shear run on one charge?

Makita rates it for up to two hours of runtime when paired with a fully charged 18V LXT 5.0Ah battery. Actual runtime can vary depending on the battery, vegetation and operating conditions.

3. What is this grass shear designed to cut?

It is designed for trimming grass and light vegetation around flower beds, fences, stepping stones and other tight areas. It is not intended for cutting thick branches or replacing a chainsaw or pruning saw.

4. Can it be converted into a hedge trimmer?

Yes. The XMU05Z can accept a compatible Makita hedge-trimmer blade for light trimming work. The hedge-trimmer blade is sold separately.

5. Are tools required to change the blade?

No. The tool-less blade-changing system allows the shear blade to be removed and replaced without using a wrench or screwdriver.