Gas trimmers

[Mossy]

Stihl or Echo?  My craftsman needs to retire after a decent 7 year run so I'm looking for some recent experiences with the above mentioned. Somewhere in the $200-$300 range. Thanks

[KFhunter]

I got a husky with a honda engine I like a lot

[Alchase]

I got a husky with a honda engine I like a lot

What ever you get, get a Honda 4-stroke engine, every small engine I own is a Honda 4-stroke, Mower, Pressure Washer, Weed Wacker, etc... I have never had an issue with any of them.
I have had a Craftsman Weed Wacker with a Honda 4-stroke, for about 10 years.
One pull start, never had and issue.

[Fl0und3rz]

10+ year old echo two stroke is still whacking weeds.

[tlbradford]

Whatever you get, take a dremel and notch the carb adustment screws so you can tune it with a screwdriver, instead of that stupid tool you cant buy anywhere. 

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea the tool you can't buy anywhere except on e-bay

[Henrydog]

I have a Stihl for the last 5 years...zero issues and always starts right up...but I don't run corn liquor.  Re doing the cord is very easy and I have been very happy with it.  I this the model is 40fs which is a lift duty lawn on with a curved shaft.  The stronger ones have a straight shaft.  And they are made in "Merica so that is a bonus

[Mossy]

I got a husky with a honda engine I like a lot

I've had some words with my husqvarna equipment over the last 5 years   so I'm a little leery with their stuff; although they aren't Honda motors.

[Mossy]

I got a husky with a honda engine I like a lot

What ever you get, get a Honda 4-stroke engine, every small engine I own is a Honda 4-stroke, Mower, Pressure Washer, Weed Wacker, etc... I have never had an issue with any of them.
I have had a Craftsman Weed Wacker with a Honda 4-stroke, for about 10 years.
One pull start, never had and issue.

I'll be sure to handle one. Since my acre and a half is on a hillside, I'm looking for something fairly lightweight. I understand the 4 strokes are heavier

[h2ofowlr]

I have a stihl gas weed trimmer and a echo gas hedge trimmer.  Both have been great.  I think the Stihl was around $800 and the Echo was around $375.

[trophyhunt]

Go big, get a more commercial one instead of a home owner model, you’ll spend more but you’ll be happier in the end.  I have a sthil and have had no problems in a few years.  Just run out your gas before you store it for more than a month, this ethanol gas is crap for our small engines.

[wadu1]

Go big, get a more commercial one instead of a home owner model, you’ll spend more but you’ll be happier in the end.  I have a sthil and have had no problems in a few years.  Just run out your gas before you store it for more than a month, this ethanol gas is crap for our small engines.

Commercial is the only way to go, I run non-ethanol fuel in all my gas garden equipment.

[Special T]

Straight shaft echo. Have 2 still going strong.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[follow maggie]

I have a commercial grade Echo the I've been using since 2001 and have never had trouble with it.

[syoungs]

I've been extremely happy with my echo over the past 5 years. It was my first Echo product, I have since replaced my aging chainsaws with Echo's and have never looked back.
Cant beat the warranty either!

[PolarBear]

I have 3 Stihl trimmers/weedeaters from an FS 120 on down to a 66,  All are over 10 years old and the 120 is 16.  Have never had an issue with them except I broke the shaft while brush cutting (my fault) and all have performed perfectly.  I run all Stihl power equipment.  Just use ethanol free fuel and good quality and right quantity of mix and it will last for years.

[Alchase]

I got a husky with a honda engine I like a lot

What ever you get, get a Honda 4-stroke engine, every small engine I own is a Honda 4-stroke, Mower, Pressure Washer, Weed Wacker, etc... I have never had an issue with any of them.
I have had a Craftsman Weed Wacker with a Honda 4-stroke, for about 10 years.
One pull start, never had and issue.

I'll be sure to handle one. Since my acre and a half is on a hillside, I'm looking for something fairly lightweight. I understand the 4 strokes are heavier

Weight really is not an issue at all with 4-stroke Weed Wackers.

I run all Stihl power equipment.  Just use ethanol free fuel and good quality and right quantity of mix and it will last for years.

Stihl was double the price I paid for my 4-stroke Honda, I also like not having to pre-mix and have multiple gas cans, but that is a personal choice.

I have talked to many professional yard maintenance people in the last couple years here in OK.
Everyone runs commercial grade Stihl equipment here.
If you can afford it commercial grade Stihl would be the way to go.

[C-Money]

Last time I bought a weed whacker I went to Electric. Got a Craftsman, and I have plenty of extension cord.

[Mossy]

Ran around to a few stores to check them out and I'm leaning toward a Stihl FS70R, FS94R or the Honda 25cc model.

The Honda is a little more bottom heavy although it could be the handle position.
They are all straight shafts but I don't think any are solid driveshafts.

[Naches Sportsman]

Go look at husqavarna before you buy a stihl.

[j_h_nimrod]

Go look at husqavarna before you buy a stihl.

Then buy the Stihl...

[Threewolves]

I quit messing around and got a Honda, easiest starting weed eater I ever owned.

[Mossy]

Go look at husqavarna before you buy a stihl.

I currently have a Husqvarna mower that won't restart after 5-10 minutes of running
A Husqvarna leaf blower that usually takes 20-30 pulls to start(if it ever does)
A Husqvarna chainsaw that's hard to start but runs well afterward

So....I'm a little leery about the brand 

[Naches Sportsman]

My Husqvarna leaf blower starts in 2. Weed eater in 4. Had both for 8 years now. Have had nothing but power and ignition problems with stihl weed eaters while running several different models throughout the summer. My Husqvarna out does them all day long.

A buddy that I used to hire for helping me on the side for my fire wise projects ran a stihl that was supposedly the same power wise compared to my Husqvarna. My weed eater out performed his.

[j_h_nimrod]

We currently run 5-6 different Stihl string trimmers ranging up to about 15 years old and have had little to no issues. Also 7-8 chainsaws, 2 leaf blowers, 1 each pole trimmer, power scythe, concrete saw, cutoff saw, and hedge trimmer. Have not had more than typical tool problems from use n abuse. I know every company has it’s issues, but I have been lucky with Stihl.

My new favorite tool is the power scythe, amazing tool for brush and bracken!  Gonna put a hurtin’ To the Scotch Broom this year.

Use ethanol free gas!

[Fl0und3rz]

Power scythe?  I need one of those.

[j_h_nimrod]

Think hybrid hedge trimmer on an extension and used similar to a string trimmer. You can clear a lot of brush quick!  Makes short work of black berries and any brush 3/4” or less.

[fish vacuum]

Last time I bought a weed whacker I went to Electric. Got a Craftsman, and I have plenty of extension cord.

That. Except I went cordless Ryobi. Runs 40 minutes on a charge and requires zero maintenance.

[PolarBear]

Electrics are fine if you have tiny city lots but if you have any acreage forget about it.  I do own one Husqvarna backpack leaf blower and it will run great as long as it is cold outside.  If it is over 70 degrees it overheats and shuts down after a half hour or so.  It's been that way from the day I bought it.  Not a big fan.

[Fl0und3rz]

Forgot I have an echo backpack blower, too.  Two stroke and it is much easier starting than the echo trimmer.

[Alchase]

Think hybrid hedge trimmer on an extension and used similar to a string trimmer. You can clear a lot of brush quick!  Makes short work of black berries and any brush 3/4” or less.

I want one just because ......

[C-Money]

Electrics are fine if you have tiny city lots but if you have any acreage forget about it.  I do own one Husqvarna backpack leaf blower and it will run great as long as it is cold outside.  If it is over 70 degrees it overheats and shuts down after a half hour or so.  It's been that way from the day I bought it.  Not a big fan.

I agree that electric is a good way to go for city lots. I am a county resident...and trim around trees, the house, corral, etc...I just got tired of the whole gas thing, electric is pretty convenient for me. And..the kids like running the thing too!!

[tlbradford]

Mossy - Sounds like you just need a carb adjustment or check your gas mix. 

Polarbear - I haven't had that problem with a shutdown.  That is interesting.

I have a husky backpack blower, chainsaw, and demolition saw.  The demo saw beats anything in its class for reliability.  Blower and chainsaw are as good as other brands.  I have been extremely happy with all pieces of equipment.  With the chain saw I would be just as happy with a Stihl.  With the blower, Stihl, Echo, and I am sure a few others would be fine as well.

If you are on a hillside and doing a lot of heavy work I would not go less than a 4-stroke and I would recommend a curved shaft on your string trimmer.  Get yourself a little weedeater featherlight straight shaft for edging.  The cordless offerings look good as well, and I will be getting a dewalt eventually since I have a ton of batteries for it.   

[fish vacuum]

Electrics are fine if you have tiny city lots but if you have any acreage forget about it. 

My cordless ryobi does fine for trimming the edges and paths on my 3/4 of an acre. It even does the brush line a couple of times a year when the woods try to take over the yard. If you're cutting acres of brush then you don't need a weed whacker, you need a brush hog.

[PolarBear]

Electrics are fine if you have tiny city lots but if you have any acreage forget about it. 

My cordless ryobi does fine for trimming the edges and paths on my 3/4 of an acre. It even does the brush line a couple of times a year when the woods try to take over the yard. If you're cutting acres of brush then you don't need a weed whacker, you need a brush hog.

I have a 5' brush hog as well.  For me to use an electric I would need 3/4 mile of extension cord.     It usually takes me at least 2 hours per week just in trimming and 6 hours if it has gotten out of control.  I also keep my fence lines and roadside cut down and that is 1,200 feet plus 1,000 of driveway and another 300' for my parents driveway next door.  I have had weekends were I an running a weedeater from daylight until dark.

[Mossy]

Mossy - Sounds like you just need a carb adjustment or check your gas mix. 

Polarbear - I haven't had that problem with a shutdown.  That is interesting.

I have a husky backpack blower, chainsaw, and demolition saw.  The demo saw beats anything in its class for reliability.  Blower and chainsaw are as good as other brands.  I have been extremely happy with all pieces of equipment.  With the chain saw I would be just as happy with a Stihl.  With the blower, Stihl, Echo, and I am sure a few others would be fine as well.

If you are on a hillside and doing a lot of heavy work I would not go less than a 4-stroke and I would recommend a curved shaft on your string trimmer.  Get yourself a little weedeater featherlight straight shaft for edging.  The cordless offerings look good as well, and I will be getting a dewalt eventually since I have a ton of batteries for it.

Thanks for the info. I've had my mower in a few times last year and the mechanic blamed bad gas but it kept doing it each time I brought it home.
I brought the blower into the dealer right after it happened and after I bought it and they wanted just as much money to look at it as what I paid for it. So maybe my issue with Husqvarna is my hate toward my local dealer   absolutely no service after the sale.

As of right now I'm leaning toward the Honda

[Mark Brenckle]

Electrics are fine if you have tiny city lots but if you have any acreage forget about it. 

My cordless ryobi does fine for trimming the edges and paths on my 3/4 of an acre. It even does the brush line a couple of times a year when the woods try to take over the yard. If you're cutting acres of brush then you don't need a weed whacker, you need a brush hog.

I have a 5' brush hog as well.  For me to use an electric I would need 3/4 mile of extension cord.     It usually takes me at least 2 hours per week just in trimming and 6 hours if it has gotten out of control.  I also keep my fence lines and roadside cut down and that is 1,200 feet plus 1,000 of driveway and another 300' for my parents driveway next door.  I have had weekends were I an running a weedeater from daylight until dark.

  I'll spend a couple hundred dollars on Roundup before I spend a weekend behind a weed wacker!  i normally spray twice a year around all my pasture fences, driveway and yard.

[PolarBear]

I Round-Up as well but I don't like the look of a dead strip along my fences plus I don't want my cattle eating Round-Up.  After all, weed eating with a heavy commercial grade machine good exercise. 

[JWEBB]

Echo all the way! I’ve hammered mine for years and it still runs like a new one

[tlbradford]

Mossy - Sounds like you just need a carb adjustment or check your gas mix. 

Polarbear - I haven't had that problem with a shutdown.  That is interesting.

I have a husky backpack blower, chainsaw, and demolition saw.  The demo saw beats anything in its class for reliability.  Blower and chainsaw are as good as other brands.  I have been extremely happy with all pieces of equipment.  With the chain saw I would be just as happy with a Stihl.  With the blower, Stihl, Echo, and I am sure a few others would be fine as well.

If you are on a hillside and doing a lot of heavy work I would not go less than a 4-stroke and I would recommend a curved shaft on your string trimmer.  Get yourself a little weedeater featherlight straight shaft for edging.  The cordless offerings look good as well, and I will be getting a dewalt eventually since I have a ton of batteries for it.

Thanks for the info. I've had my mower in a few times last year and the mechanic blamed bad gas but it kept doing it each time I brought it home.
I brought the blower into the dealer right after it happened and after I bought it and they wanted just as much money to look at it as what I paid for it. So maybe my issue with Husqvarna is my hate toward my local dealer   absolutely no service after the sale.

As of right now I'm leaning toward the Honda

Mossy - What I was noticing is that the mixed gas was settling in the can.  So I was getting too lean or too rich of a mix depending on how full it was, and how long it had been sitting.  I now make sure to shake it up prior to filling my tanks and I started to get consistency from tank to tank in my equipment.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Andreas Stihl Maschinenfabrik all the way!!! 

[Buzz2401]

Stihl  my last one lasted 14 years.  replaced with a cheaper brand and regret it.

[Mossy]

Ended up with a Stihl; so far so good 

[Mark Brenckle]

Think hybrid hedge trimmer on an extension and used similar to a string trimmer. You can clear a lot of brush quick!  Makes short work of black berries and any brush 3/4” or less.

  Thanks for the info on this, cleared most of my fences yesterday in about 5 hours, would've taken me a month with a machete!

[MHWASH]

Ended up with a Stihl; so far so good 

Well I'm sure you'll be happy. I recommend ethanol free gas, and Stihl brand 2 cycle oil. Been running both in my Echo for years with no problems.

[j_h_nimrod]

Think hybrid hedge trimmer on an extension and used similar to a string trimmer. You can clear a lot of brush quick!  Makes short work of black berries and any brush 3/4” or less.

  Thanks for the info on this, cleared most of my fences yesterday in about 5 hours, would've taken me a month with a machete!

Glad you found it useful. Works great on bracken fern, wild black berry, and any other brush. Plus works pretty well as a hedge trimmer . Looking forward to the Scotch Broom bloom this year, should make control much easier.

[Mossy]

Ended up with a Stihl; so far so good 

Well I'm sure you'll be happy. I recommend ethanol free gas, and Stihl brand 2 cycle oil. Been running both in my Echo for years with no problems.

Already on it. 6 pack of stihl oil with purchase got me another 2 years of warranty.