Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-in. String Trimmer, Tool Only (3046-20)

Key Features

Gas-Class Power

The POWERSTATE brushless motor delivers up to 1.76 HP, giving this cordless string trimmer the muscle to keep cutting through routine maintenance and thicker overgrowth without the noise and fuel hassle of gas.

Balanced for Long Runs

A lighter, rear-motor layout and adjustable bail handle help reduce fatigue and keep the tool easier to control when you are trimming for longer stretches.

Fast Response Control

Full throttle in under 1 second, a variable speed trigger, and 3 speed modes let you match power to the job so you can save runtime when trimming light grass and step it up for heavier clearing.

Overview

The Milwaukee 3046-20 M18 FUEL 16" String Trimmer is a cordless straight shaft string trimmer built for professional landscape maintenance and property cleanup. This is a string trimmer designed for trimming grass, weeds, and thicker overgrowth with cordless convenience and gas-replacement power. Model Number 3046-20. If you already run on Milwaukee M18 batteries and want a tool-only trimmer that can step into regular commercial use, this is the one Milwaukee built for that lane.

The big story here is power. Milwaukee rates the POWERSTATE brushless motor at 1.76 HP, which puts it above many 31cc gas trimmers in practical cutting output. That matters because a string trimmer only earns its keep when it holds speed under load. This tool is built to maintain speed in demanding applications without bogging down, so you can move from edge cleanup to heavier brush clearing without babying the trigger.

Control is another strong point. The variable speed trigger gives you fine throttle control around beds, fences, and hardscape, while the 3-mode speed select gives you a quick way to trade raw output for runtime. Milwaukee lists speed ranges of 0 to 4,600, 0 to 5,400, and 0 to 6,200 RPM. In plain terms, that means you are not stuck at one aggressive setting all day. Run lower when you are just cleaning up maintained turf, then bump up when the growth gets thicker.

Milwaukee also got the layout right for real use. The motor sits at the rear, the shaft is fixed and straight, and the overall design is described as lighter and better balanced to reduce fatigue. At 9.9 lbs, it is still a substantial professional cordless trimmer, but the balance matters more than the raw number when you are carrying it through a full route. The adjustable bail handle helps dial in control for different user heights and trimming positions, which is the sort of thing you appreciate after the first long day, not just at checkout.