String trimmer purchase

[Digger 66 3,476]

OK boys and girls, I need a little input .

First let me say that I know Ryobi is a cheap item , but , I have had this trimmer for 17 ( yes seventeen ) years and with proper care & maintenance it has never let me down . I have an old Homelite & it still runs perfect but it does not have a clutch and that makes it inconvenient to use.

( if anyone in my area can use the Homelite , I will sell for a great price ).

Back to the purchase . I think the Ryobi is beginning to get tired .

I've done all the things to try to get her running at peak RPM's ( plug, filters , spark arrestor cleaned , even removed the pac-man heads & tried to adjust to no avail .)

I'm not really worried about the money because the new addition will be well cared for , not interested in a 4-stroke unless someone can convince me otherwise . But I have enough things that I have to change the oil in & don't really want another .

90 % of the time this will be used around the house , but occasionally I'd like to be able to swap the line for a brush head to clear our ATV parking area .

I 'd like to hear from some of you who have , I know the good names Echo , Stihl , etc . a trimmer used in the same scenario with make & model .

And tell me a little about it .

Thank you for reading this long winded but descriptive post   .

 

 

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

I have used Stihl products for five years and have a four year old Stihl FS110 that I have been very happy with and no problems. It is heavily used on a wooded lot to cut back nature. The FS110 has also gotten Ethanol-Free pre-mix gas for the last two seasons which does make a difference.

 

My last saw purchase though was a Dolmar.

Edited July 27, 2014 by shallowwatersailor

[Tim Bergfeld 55]

I have an Stihl FS 55 r and it is two pulls on choke and one pull off choke to start and run it all day. I have a metal bottle that I carry for fill ups when I get to far from the gas can so it gets used a ton new plug every year that's it I swear buy that brand

Edited July 27, 2014 by Tim Bergfeld

[wh500special 2,053]

There's really no substitute for an Echo.  They tend to be reilable and easy starting.  I've had two trimmers, two saws, a pump, a drill, a blower, hedge clipper, and an engine driven sprayer.  All flawless even though I bought most of them very well used.

 

The killer for the economy grade trimmers and saws is the thin chrome plating on the cylinder bore.  Higher end equipment (Echo, Stihl, Shindaiwa) use a better, heavier grade to last a lot longer and not lose compression.  If you run a trimmer a lot, a premium engine is a nice thing to have.  But 17 years out of an economy model is very commendable.

 

I have an SRM-260 (bought new) which is a fairly powerful straight shaft string trimmer.  It will swing two strands 0.125" diameter line from its bump feed head and will cut grass, weeds, vines, and even woody stems up to about 1/2" diameter without problem.  Tipped vertically, it also makes an effective edger with no need to change anything.  Big line is a nice thing.

 

Line this diameter will cut PVC pipe (guess how I know) but it can be respooled down to about 0.080" for around the house.  Smaller line requires a different head.  I have had my trimmer for 10 years and have never had a jam or misfeed from the bump-to-feed head.

 

If you choose an echo that is a "standard" striaght shaft model, they also will accept a couple of attachments if you have the need.  And replacement heads are available if you want to cut heavy brush or add a different type of line loading spool.  Of course they also sell the quick change split shaft models as well that offer a wide array of attachments: tiller, thatcher, broom, edger, blower, hedge clipper, underwater weed trimmer, etc.

 

I prefer the straight shaft trimmer, but also have used the curved shaft models and like them too.  They are little easier to use if you're shorter like I am (5'8").  My dad has the GT2100 curved shaft echo bought in 1992 and runs it weekly.  No problems in 21 years of use with minimal maintenance.

 

Echo warrants a 300 hour emissions life from their engines.  Most others only warranty 50 hours.  Not sure if this is a statistic with no value or if it means something.

 

Echo makes good stuff.

 

Steve

[truckin88 104]

Echo and stihl are great I use to use stihl all the time in my side business...but nothing beats redmax right now super light and super powerful 2 stroke. Expect to pay about 300. Totally worth it. My stihl dealer turned me on to them when I wanted something just as good but lighter. Also well balanced and minimal vibration.

[Digger 66 3,476]

but nothing beats redmax right now

 

Going to do some research on these now ....

How long have you had one ?

[Tim Bergfeld 55]

Red max is great. I feel it is a bit over kill for a typical homeowner unless you have a large property and use it a lot because of the expense but if you own a lawn business they are top notch. It would be kinda like buying a deluxe cab tractor to cut a 1/4 acre lot lol

[truckin88 104]

While I agree with you...the difference is 100-150 bucks when you are already at echo and stihl not thousands...not that every dollar doesnt count. But even my house has an hour of trimming work weekly and it is totally worth it for that.

Converted to redmax not to long ago but a few buddies of mine that do upwards of 100 lawns a week swear by them as well. Try one out they sell themselves

[Tim Bergfeld 55]

Oh don't get me wrong if you got the extra money I say go for it. Red max is a great trimmer. He does need to realize the trimmer he has now is the exception to the rule most of those don't last that long. The ones we are talking about if fuel is mixed right and cared for will be with him for many many years.

[Ken B 3,116]

I had a Craftsman string trimmer for almost 15 yrs. I never did a thing to it other than abuse it. I take care of my stuff but for one reason or another this thing got totally abused. More than once I left it outside along side the garage only to trip on the end of it during the winter and then find that the power head end was encrusted in a SOLID chunk of ice. There was NO WAY that thing was coming out until the spring thaw that much was for sure. Spring came and I was finally able to get it out of there. I looked at it and what the hey there is still half a tank of fuel in there, primed it, choked it and and two pulls later she was off and running. The same thing happened the following yr with the same exact results... It was then that I said to myself why have I never taken care of this thing, it has never let me down. I still don't have an answer to that. I'm not saying I would recommend a Craftsman trimmer but the one I had was indestructible. I'm now running a Stihl trimmer that I picked up at the Zagray Farms tractor meet a few yrs. ago for 50 bucks. Its in excellent shape and runs awesome...

[Digger 66 3,476]

No one has mentioned Husqvarna , This seems to fit my criteria .

Anyone have any experience with this brand / model ?   Linky > Trimmer

  Husqvarna 28cc 2-Cycle 17-in Straight Shaft Gas String Trimmer (Attachment Compatible)

Edited August 2, 2014 by Digger 66

[zieg72 209]

Never had any luck with a 2 stroke, maybe cause of its infrequent use.  I got a 4 stroke Craftsman, going on the 3rd year and so far so good.  The one drawback is it is heavier but I would rather have that and start every time when I need it than the alternative.

[Digger 66 3,476]

Hmmmm.. 

Just ran a compression check ( throttle & choke wide open ) 4 brisk pulls yielded +/- 135 PSI .

 

[Digger 66 3,476]

Going to replace the in-tank filter tomorrow & if that does not do it , the carb will come off & be rebuilt .

[leeave96 487]

I've got Stihl and a cheap box store Echo trimmer. It's easy to start, reliable and just a great little trimmer.

[Digger 66 3,476]

Spent all morning on this , pulled the back half of the case , cleaned spark arrestor , new plug , filter .

Been looking for a rebuild kit for the carb , all I can find is it's made by a company called Zama & the only thing I can find on the body is "110".

Numerous searches came up empty .

Anyone ever heard of these or gotten a rebuild kit for one ? 

[Aldon 4,826]

I had an old craftsman that finally died after almost 15 years of us.

After some research I went with Stihl FS130.

A bit pricey, but has enough mojo to easily cut through 2-3 inch trees and makes easy work out of clearing bramble thickets.

I just swap the head and go between clearing saw and trimmer.

I love it thus far.

I believe in buying the best i can afford. Cry once....

This unit is much better than my previous unit and will likely be the last one I have to buy in this life.....unless I start a landscape business.

[Digger 66 3,476]

I believe in buying the best i can afford. 

 

 

 I feel the same but that's ^ waaaaay more trimmer than I'll ever need .

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 132]

I want a riding trimmer, but they don't make them as far as I know. 

[tunahead72 2,337]

They might, actually. I saw a guy recently trimming under the bottom rails of a LONG stretch of wood board fencing with what looked like a belly mounted "trimmer deck". I couldn't tell exactly, might have been mounted on an ATV or large garden tractor. Maybe ask at a local farm equipment dealer.

Back to the original post... I have a straight shaft Redmax trimmer, owned since new in 2003 I believe. It's worked very well for me, no unusual problems. I strongly considered Stihl and Echo at the time, bought the Redmax just to try something different. If I have to purchase another one, I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of those brands, will probably depend heavily on what dealers are still available locally.

[truckin88 104]

Husq 2 strokes are excellent I use their blowers and abuse them they never let you down. If I would not hesitate to buy anything husqvarna.

[Digger 66 3,476]

For anyone following along , I'll update this . Last Sunday I had a spankin new Echo over my shoulder & the plastic card in the other .

As I was walking toward the checkout , I just had to take one more crack at this thing . 

It appears the rubber tip of the needle valve was the culprit .

Once removed I wiped the little rubber tip with a rag soaked in mineral spirits , blew a dose of choke cleaner in the seat . Blew dry with compressed air .

Replaced all the fuel lines & primer bulb & it fired up on the first pull  .

I had to readjust the high & low but after a little research this thing runs like a top again , powerful as h.e. double hockey sticks ! 

Here's to another 17 years my old friend !!! 

Edited August 7, 2014 by Digger 66

[Sparky-(Admin) 19,532]

So I see only one guy talking about a 4 stroke unit......why is that? I'm probably due for a new one and if I went 4 stroke I would never need a small can of mixed gas hanging around anymore (except for my chainsaw which only gets used once every three years or so).

I know they weigh more than a 2 stroke but I don't have a lot to "weed-whack".

Thoughts?

Mike........

[Digger 66 3,476]

I only mentioned the 4 stroke because a friend of mine has one .

He loves it . Says it's quiet,powerful & not too heavy .

I'm not sure I'm ready for more oil changes though .