String Trimmer Recommendations?? - Page 2

String Trimmer Recommendations?? · 06-25-2009, 05:13 PM

I currently have a Yardman (made by MTD) gas string trimmer. Supposedly it was easy to start (NEW assisted start tech) and a two year warranty. Purchased last May and is currently in the shop for the third time for warranty repairs (edit - not just because it won't start, but the starting gear/recoil mechanism has broken three times). Never started easily, I expend more effort starting it than I do using it on the entire yard.

What gas trimmer is consistently easy to start (3-4 pulls) today, start of the season, end of the season and the start of next season? Don't care if it is 2 or 4 stroke, shouldn't be too heavy (don't need professional grade). Whichever one I decide to look at I will look more carefully than I did last time at the total length. I have to hunch over to use the Yardman, it is about 8" too short for me to stand upright and use it. Would like to look in the $120-$160 range but might consider a little more if I can start the thing.

I've seen the 4-stroke with the separate electric start unit (separate little box) at the big box but the reviews on them are not real good.

If I can't find one I might have to look at cordless but then they have less power and there is cost of batteries. But at least when you go to use them, you don't have to fight starting them.

Stihl, Husky, Echo ?????? Model number?????

George

sapwood · 06-26-2009, 02:50 PM

Another Stihl ditto!
Nothing against Husqvarna or Echo

But once I converted to Stihl chainsaw, blower, and weed whacker I ain't going back. And one can of oil/gas mix serves all three!

Roger

Mike Davis · 06-26-2009, 03:16 PM

Thanks for reminding me Roger.

I always use Stihl oil mix, maybe just a little extra on the oily side. I have a 2 1/2 gallon gas can for my 2-cycle tools, I pour in the 2 1/2 gal. size of mix and fill the can not quite full just a little over 2 gal. I think that helps keep the tools running like new for so many years.

And my two newest trimmers always start on the FIRST pull. The older one and the chainsaw take a couple pulls after ten years of hard use.

Everybody has a favorite and I do too, but when you see 8 or 9 out of ten pro yard men using Stihl there has to be a reason and it ain't cause they are cheap.

Ken Massingale · 06-26-2009, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by sapwood

Another Stihl ditto!
Nothing against Husqvarna or Echo
But once I converted to Stihl chainsaw, blower, and weed whacker I ain't going back. And one can of oil/gas mix serves all three!

Roger

I Stihl prefer Husqvarna!

Stihl and Echo are great equipment. I couldn't get the local Stihl dealer to 'talk turkey' so I went with Husqvarna. Of course he doesn't have to compete with Lowes like the Husqvarna dealer does.

dstrbd488 · 06-26-2009, 09:37 PM

I would definently say stihl. I have an FS 90 trimmer, a backpack blower, and 3 of their cainsaws. I think ther quality rmains higher than that of echo or the husky stuff since they refuse to sell their stuff in the big box stores

Mike Davis · 06-26-2009, 10:01 PM

In defense of Husqy, they do sell a different homeowner line in the box stores. If you go to a dealer you get a better product.

jwallwork · 06-27-2009, 12:04 PM

Shindaiwa, a Japanese brand that doesn't break. Used by a lot of pros. They have a home owner's line now, but for a little more you can get entry level commercial.

Alan in Little Washington · 06-27-2009, 12:50 PM

Most of you guys are talking motors and easy to start, etc.

I have an old Ryobi that is easy to start, but I sure would like a trimmer (or new spool assembly) that holds more line, feeds easier, and is easier to reload. Does such and animal exist?

Mike Davis · 06-27-2009, 01:01 PM

My son really likes the new Stihl line feeder. It is easy to load and holds a lot of line, but I have never been able to make any of them feed. Of course he has no problem, just technique he says.

I like my old quick feed short line string holder. I have to stop and insert new strings but it is quick and easy for me.

Most of the time I run a metal blade and he does the short trimming around the house.

I have a video of me cutting brush on my creek bank, maybe somebody can help me edit it and upload somewhere? You really don't know what weed eating is until you get into 6 foot tall weeds and briars.

Joe Lyddon · 06-27-2009, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Alan in Little Washington

Most of you guys are talking motors and easy to start, etc.

I have an old Ryobi that is easy to start, but I sure would like a trimmer (or new spool assembly) that holds more line, feeds easier, and is easier to reload. Does such and animal exist?

I have a Ryobi 725r...

The spool holds alot of line (for me) and is easy and reasonable to refill!
(I'm not one to bounce it very much to get more line fed... and I'm not too hard on it to break the line)

I think I have such an animal...

newtonc · 06-27-2009, 03:52 PM

Would you believe...
I have been using a 2stroke craftsman(which I wouldn't go buy myself,I'd stick with commercial stuff)that has to be at least 15 years old.It's starts every time on the second pull.
And best of all,when we purchased a fruit orchard in 2000 I found it buried in the compost pile behind a barn!!Along with some other yard tools.I hosed it off put gas in it and it started right up.So I can't complain.
We don't have the orchard anymore...but I'm still using the weedwacker.

Mike Davis · 06-30-2009, 12:38 AM

Did you decide yet George?

Want to try my Stihl?

Matt Schnurbusch · 06-30-2009, 08:25 AM

I have a troy-bilt 2 stroke model from Lowes. Start and run are very easy. Typically third pull gets it to kick on full choke. One more pull at 2nd choke position, and I'm off and cutting.

My only problem is that the bump feed mechanism is absolute garbage. I am on my third bump knob in three years, and I need a new one again. I like that I can switch from trimmer to edger, but frankly it is a little underpowered for edging.

When I have to get another one, I will probably go with a stihl.

DavidF · 06-30-2009, 09:47 AM

I have had a "Home lite" by John Deere bought from HD about 10 years ago. Relatively inexpensive and has always started and run well. The bump feed works very well and takes 0.080 line. If it's just for edging the lawn etc and only used once a week,then the money saved on a Mid range model as opposed to a "Pro" model might be better spent on other tools

.

G_ville_worker · 06-30-2009, 10:11 AM

Wow this is crazy. This thread is wright on time for me also. After the wife and I working 3 days last week cutting back all the crazy growth around our yard I to am in the market for a good trimmer also. Thanks for the insight guys.

CarvedTones · 06-30-2009, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Bas

I have a B& cordless one. It has very little power, but it's perfect for edging the lawn. Quick, easy, no fuss. They use 18V batteries that are compatible with their cordless tools, so it's easy to pick them up on a sale now and then. But they don't last more than 3-4 years.

Same here, same experience. Comes with 2 batteries, so you can always have a fresh one ready. It has a smart charger and the batteries hold up pretty well. I don't know that I would say "very little power"; it is not a bush hog, but it will cut every weed I commonly come across and briars. I get more like 5 years probably from using it less. Gas motor have issues from sitting around unused; electrics don't. Price them and do the math. I think they are cheaper than gas models to operate over time. Throw in the frustration factor and the trump card - the ability to let your kids use it when they really aren't ready to work a motor - and it is a slam dunk IMO. If you have to use one for hours per day, it is a different story.