Husqvarna 128LD String Trimmer - The Complete Buyer's Guide (2024)

The Complete Buyer’s Guide

Husqvarna 128LD Specs

Detailed Info

Run a poll on what it takes to keep a garden looking clean and pristine, and unsurprisingly, mowing the lawn will be listed time and time again. There’s no denying that it’s a valid answer, but in truth, it’s just one aspect of what it takes to keeping your garden looking tidy and presentable.

Just as important is cleaning up your lawn’s edges, and trimming grass in hard to reach places such as around trees or beside fences.

You have a few options here…

You could try to persevere and use your oversized lawnmower to tackle these areas, accepting the fact that you probably won’t get your lawn to the standard you want. Alternatively, you could get down on your hands and knees and use a bit of elbow grease to tackle it manually.

We don’t like the sound of either of those options if we’re honest though…

A better choice? Say hello to the Husqvarna 128LD string trimmer, the smarter way to tackle the most intricate and fiddly of your gardening requirements as quickly, efficiently, and with as little effort as possible.

But is it the right choice for you?

Let’s find out by looking at everything you need to know about this Husqvarna weed eater…

Recommended: Want to keep your garden clean and tidy with minimal fuss and hassle? Check out our full write-up on the WORX WG591 Leaf Blower.

Who It’s Aimed At

We’d recommend the Husqvarna 128LD to non-professional users such as homeowners, as it’s best-suited to anyone looking for a general-purpose gardening tool that they’ll use now and again to tackle weeding and edging their gardens.

We wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking to complete commercial-grade gardening activities for a couple of reasons. Firstly, while durable enough for the average homeowner, it probably won’t withstand the inevitable and regular bumps, scrapes and knocks that comes from using a garden tool continually on more demanding tasks.

Secondly, while the 128LD’s 1-horsepower output isn’t underpowered by any means, there are countless examples of more powerful string trimmers on the market that will help professionals get the job done more quickly and thoroughly.

What It Can Be Used For

As mentioned, the Husqvarna 128LD weed eater is best-suited to non-commercial grade users such as homeowners. Based on this, and the functionality offered by this particular model, it’s a good choice for the following types of tasks:

Powerful Cutting Ability

Let’s get real for a second. Power and performance are two of the most important factors when choosing any tool.

After all, it doesn’t matter how good something looks, how easy it is to use, or how comfortable it feels in the hands of the user – if it can’t adequately perform the task it’s been designed for, or it can’t handle the kind of conditions that the bulk of its users will experience, it’s a waste of money.

There are no two ways about it.

When it comes to power and performance of string trimmers, you can generally divide these into four categories.

At the bottom end of the scale sits corded electric and battery-powered cordless trimmers. Generally underpowered, these variants are purely designed as household gardening tools for the user who wants to tackle the odd errant blades of grass or very lightweight weeds. They aren’t intended for anyone with serious gardening needs.

Towards the opposite end of the scale sits the gas-powered models, including the Husqvarna 128LD. While not intended for commercial usage (as discussed above), it has more than enough power and performance to make it an excellent option for the serious home gardener.

It features a 28cc, 2-stroke engine that produces a more than adequate power output of 1-horsepower to tackle even the toughest cutting requirements such as thick weeds with ease. Not only does the 28cc provide more than enough power, but it does so while reducing overall fuel consumption and emission levels compared to larger-engined string trimmers.

2-Stroke Advantages

Despite the odd bit of inconvenience with a 2-stroke engine from needing to mix fuel and oil, 2-stroke engines are a popular option on string trimmers and other lightweight garden tools given some of the advantages they enjoy over 4-stroke alternatives.

Firstly, 2-stroke motors feature less moving parts meaning they’re more reliable as there is less to go wrong. They also tend to provide more power pound-for-pound than comparable 4-stroke engines, which in the case of the 128LD, helps it provide a more powerful output despite its smaller than average engine size. All told, this helps the 128LD provide a win-win in the form of tougher cutting power and lower overall weight.

Straight Shaft Design

One of the most obvious design features of the 128LD is that it features a straight shaft as opposed to the curved shaft that is also commonly found on string trimmers.

Perhaps the most significant benefit of the straight shaft is that it gives the 128LD a longer reach than comparable curved models. You aren’t sacrificing length through a bend in the shaft just above the cutting head, giving 128LD users the extra range needed to access hard to reach areas.

The absence of a bend in the shaft also helps in terms of durability, helping the 128LD survive more knocks and bumps versus a curved shaft equivalent.

It’s also worth remembering that the shaft of a string trimmer is where the drive cable sits, the part that links the engine at the top of the unit to the cutting head at the base. Another major advantage of string trimmers featuring the straight shaft configuration is that they’re usually torquier, as there’s much less torque-loss compared to curved alternatives where the drive cable needs to snake and bend before reaching the cutting head.All told, this gives the straight-shafted 128LD more power to handle tougher cutting requirements.

It’s not all good news for the straight shaft configuration of the 128LD though, as it’s not without its disadvantages.

For starters, the increased length of the straight shaft means that there’s a weight penalty, and the increased length also makes it prone to more vibration, potentially making it harder and more uncomfortable to use over the long-term. It’ll also be harder to store and transport as a result, although the 128LD offsets this disadvantage given that the shaft is detachable.

Finally, straight shaft variants have been found to throw up more debris because of the orientation of the cutting head, which can make it harder to produce a quality finish and can also make it more of a concern from a safety perspective.

Easy to Start/Stop

If like us, you’ve ever experienced a gas-powered garden tool that’s difficult to start, you’ll understand how annoying it can be pulling the starter mechanism over and over again while nothing happens. Not only is it sore on your hands, but it can be all-too-easy to pull the cord too vigorously in your moment of frustration, often leading to a broken pull-starter and a tool out of action.

Who says it needs to be so tough, though? Thankfully, with the 128LD string trimmer, it isn’t, as it comes with multiple features to make starting it as quick, easy, and painless as possible.

Firstly, addressing the issue of sore hands and the need to pull the starter cord within an inch of its life – the string trimmer’s engine and starter mechanism feature Husqvarna’s Smart Start branded technology which is designed to avoid this. All told, the resistance in the 128LD’s starter cord is reduced to ensure that minimal physical effort (and minimal swearing!) is needed to start it versus comparable string trimmers from other manufacturers.

Secondly, to prevent too much air being available in the carburetor and fuel system which could make it difficult to start, the 128LD features a handy air purge system to remove excess for yet even easier starting.

And when you’ve finished? Just press the handy stop-button (see above) to cut off the string trimmer’s engine, a mechanism that automatically resets to the ON position for even easier starting next time.

Simple!

Easy to Use

Aside from being easy to start and stop, the 128LD is also very simple to use.

Forget complex controls, as once started, using the string trimmer is a case of pressing the throttle lever to start the trimmer head spinning. The 128LD is capable of a maximum power speed of 8000 RPM, and it’s possible to vary the speed depending on how hard you press the throttle lever. So, for example, you could choose to use less than full throttle on lighter weeds to prolong the life of the trimmer line and to reduce wear and tear on the trimmer head.

When it comes to extracting more cutting line from the 128LD during use, again, this couldn’t be easier. It features the common bump-tap feed mechanism that lets you tap the end of the cutting head on the ground during use to feed out extra cutting string.

The bump-tap method is prevalent across a wide range of string trimmers from various manufacturers, as it’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to feed additional cutting string without needing to stop the device and manually feed out more.

Another aspect of the 128LD that makes it easier to use, especially over prolonged periods, is its relatively low overall weight.

At 11.11 lbs, the 128LD is one of the lighter gas-powered string trimmers on the market, meaning that even though it doesn’t come with a shoulder strap, it shouldn’t be a strain to use in larger gardens or across more substantial edging and trimming requirements.

Also, what little weight there is has been designed to be as balanced as possible, for example with the long shaft and cutting head offsetting the mass of the engine unit, helping reduce strain on the user’s wrists while operating the string trimmer.

Capabilities

The 128LD is an example of a 17-inch string trimmer, and what this means is that the maximum cutting diameter is seventeen inches across, which is more than sufficient to help you tackle more substantial cutting requirements as quickly as possible.

Another capability of the 128LD and a significant advantage when it comes to storage and transportation is the fact that the shaft is detachable. There’s no denying the string trimmers can be large and cumbersome, and so the fact that you can reduce the overall size quickly and easily without tools (as shown below) is a major benefit of the 128LD.

Another capability of the 128LD string trimmer is the fact that you can use a variety of attachments with it. A caveat is needed here though, as the 128LD can accept far fewer attachments and accessories than the comparable Husqvarna 128LDX which we compare in detail below (you cannot interchange the attachments between the 128LD and the 128LDX).

The various attachments that fit the Husqvarna 128LD are as follows:

In Summary

The Husqvarna 128LD provides a good mix of power, ease of use, and value for money.

No, it probably won’t be the go-to string trimmer for the professional gardener or landscaper given the limitations in terms of attachments versus the comparable Husqvarna 128LDX, and given the fact that the engine’s 1-horsepower output will likely be underpowered for everyday, commercial usage.

This shouldn’t necessarily put you off, though, as the fact remains – it’s very straightforward to use, the 8000 RPM output should be more than punchy enough for the vast majority of homeowners and infrequent users, and it’s undoubtedly well-built and durable enough to handle the bulk of whatever you can throw at it.

So, if you’re in the market for an affordable string trimmer from a company like Husqvarna that has a stellar reputation for designing and manufacturing quality garden tools, the 128LD is a great option.

We’ve included a summary of the various advantages and disadvantages of this particular Husqvarna weed eater below to help you make up your mind.

Popular Comparison

Husqvarna 128LD vs 128LDX

As shown by the table below, there are very few differences between the Husqvarna 128LD vs 128LDX. They feature the same 28 cm³ engine, hence power and performance figures are identical across the two models.

The only difference between them is in the attachments that they can use. The 128LD has been designed and manufactured for national retailers and can accept accessory attachments from other brands. The 128LDX, on the other hand, is designed to work with professional accessory attachments manufactured by Husqvarna alone. Because of this, you can’t interchange attachments between the two different models.

For a full list of compatible accessories for the Husqvarna LDX, click here.

Here is a summary of the key details for each model:

(Scroll table if needed)

Husqvarna 128LD Accessories

There are many genuine and non-genuine Husqvarna accessories available to complement your use of the 128LD string trimmer.

Here are a few of our favorites:

TrimmerPlus AH721 22-Inch Dual Hedger Attachment

Features double-sized 22″ blades with 3/4-inch gaps for ease of use when hedging side-to-side. An articulating head lets you lock the blade from 0-135 degrees, while a full-metal case construction ensures it’s durable and sturdy.

See It on Amazon

Poulan PP1000E 7-Inch Pro Lawn Edger Attachment

This lawn edger attachment features a heavy-duty gearbox to help it handle the toughest requirements. It includes a barrier handlebar to protect against accidents, and it can be fitted to the 128LD string trimmer with a simple click.

See It on Amazon

Husqvarna 531300089 Headband Hearing Protectors

Protect your ears while using your Husqvarna weed eater with these one-size-fits-most lightweight hearing protectors. They come with a flexible padded headband and features pressure adjustment – for use without a hard hat.

See It on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does it feature one or two string operation?

It features two strings, meaning there are two individual strands of trimming line exiting the cutting head which the 128LD uses to trim/cut with.

2. Does the Husqvarna 128LD come supplied with the string, or is it sold separately?

It comes supplied with the trimming line/string.

3. What size of trimmer line does the 128LD accept?

It can use 0.065, 0.080 and 0.095-inch diameter line.

4. Is the engine on the 128LD 2-stroke or 4-stroke?

It features a 2-stroke engine.

5. How do you release additional trimmer line with this string trimmer?

6. What is the maximum power speed of this Husqvarna trimmer?

8000 RPM.

7. Can the shaft be shortened and lengthened as necessary?

No – it’s a two-piece shaft that can be dismantled for easier storage; however, it cannot be lengthened or shortened to accommodate different sizes of users.

8. How much assembly is required?

There is some simple assembly involved, for example, fitting the loop handle, assembling the two-piece shaft, and fitting the trimmer guard and trimmer head. All told, it should take about 15 minutes, and each step is covered with diagrams in the user manual.

9. Can the 128LD be used commercially?

10. Can this Husqvarna weed eater be used with an edging attachment?

Yes – the Poulan PP1000E 7-Inch Pro Lawn Edger Attachment is one such option that fits this Husqvarna trimmer – click here to see it on Amazon.

Husqvarna 128LD Review Videos