String Trimmer

daboyz

Unfortunately in the market for a new string trimmer. Looking at Echo and Toro but would like to know what you guys like? Keeping it under 2 Franklin's please.

jbooker82

I would go get a Stihl. The nice thing about them is they make a couple different lengths in both straight or curved shaft. That way you get the one that is right for your hight. Grab you a BG55 blower while your there. It makes for nice drive way and garage clean up.

Stihl sting trimmers have an ez wind spool. You cut a length of sting off. Stick one end in the hole, stick the other end in the other hole. Wind the dial on the bottom. When it is all wound up you cut it in half. No more fumbling with a spool trying to keep strings in place while you install it.

Something like the FS 55 R
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs55r/

Or FS 56 RC-E
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs56rce/


The FS 70 R has a little more power than both the above, along with a 2 ring piston, and a 4 bearing gear box for longer life. It is professional grade so should last a home owner a long time.
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/professional-trimmers/fs70rce/

Moose68Bash

I have good luck with Jonsered products -- string trimmer, back pack blower, chain saw.

I have had these for 15 years, maintained them according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and never had a problem other than replacing the chain on the chain saw a few times.

bassaholic

Another vote for Stihl. 6 years and not 1 problem. I put a little sea foam in the gas and run the tank dry prior to winter storage. Come spring....she starts within a couple pulls year after year.

treitz3

Good evening, daboyz. While I would love to recommend what I have, I must do the opposite. I have a John Deere RCC200 and the piston and motor housing unit had to be replaced within the first 50 hours of use. Cheap bolts was the cause. While I was still waiting on the parts to arrive [half the cost of a new one], I did a good bit of research on this and I'll have to concur with jbooker82's recommendation of the Stihl. Out of all of my research, they seemed to be the preferred choice of both contractors and the residential consumer.

Tom

Thorton

jbooker82 wrote: »

I would go get a Stihl. The nice thing about them is they make a couple different lengths in both straight or curved shaft. That way you get the one that is right for your hight. Grab you a BG55 blower while your there. It makes for nice drive way and garage clean up.

Stihl sting trimmers have an ez wind spool. You cut a length of sting off. Stick one end in the hole, stick the other end in the other hole. Wind the dial on the bottom. When it is all wound up you cut it in half. No more fumbling with a spool trying to keep strings in place while you install it.

Something like the FS 55 R
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs55r/

Or FS 56 RC-E
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs56rce/


The FS 70 R has a little more power than both the above, along with a 2 ring piston, and a 4 bearing gear box for longer life. It is professional grade so should last a home owner a long time.
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/professional-trimmers/fs70rce/

+1. I've owned a few brands and have tried many. For trimmers, blowers and chain saws, I'll only buy Sthil from now on. I've owned all three for 7 years with no problem. I probably use the back pack blower as much as any tool in my garage.

jbooker82

Stihl's BG55 Blower is a nice little piece. It is actually consumer reports best buy.

daboyz

I had a CubCadet and it didn't last nearly as long as it should've (3 yrs.). Not ssure why I forgot a Stihl. Thanks for reminding me.

[Deleted User]

I would get an Echo straight shaft, picked one up a couple weeks ago. You can't go wrong with Echo, it's top dog for a reason and right under $200.

Lawn mowers? I got tired of reviews, so I bought Husqvarna, Toro, and Honda. I did side by side comparison. Video and photos to support. Toro had no business in the bunch. Husqvarna is the Briggs Stratton 775 and Honda with the GCV 160. All with blade stop and rear wheel drive. Husqvarna hands down winner in traction, handling, power with the crown blade. Honda wins in clean cut and how low it cuts with the twin blade. All start with one pull.

Anyhow. Trimmers. Echo all the way from reliability, durability and true power. Blowers look at cfm not mph.

And since I am also on this subject. Lesco fertilizer all the way too. Tested several different kinds of fertilizers and weed killers at four areas of the lawn, front and back. Reviews are B.S, so I tested myself. Scott's are expensive in all products but their weed b gon is top notch. Lesco all else. Tested four different brands. There is reason that golf courses use lesco.

Anyhow again, your question was trimmers... Still tipsy from lone star audio Fest. Hahaha.

Halen

Upstatemax

Yet another big +1 for Stihl...

Have a Stihl chain saw, blower and trimmer. All work perfectly after years of use.

dkg999

Go see Trevor at Nicholson Lawn and Garden. I have a Husqvarna 321 I got from them and it's been a solid trimmer that cuts heavy stuff at the farm and with the change-out to a brush cutter in place of the string head I can cut small brush with it.

heiney9

Echo makes great products with a great warranty. Echo FTW

H9

[Deleted User]

I have to Echo the Echo. One thing that bears mention is their easy string change setup. I like it for this reason along with the easy starts and the price wasn't that bad on the wallet. Cheers. :cool:

tonyb

All depends on your needs. Dave is using it 5 maybe 6 months out of the year. The thing with string trimmers, or any other mixed gas engine, is you have to get the mix right consistently. If you don't trust yourself to do that then don't spend big bucks on a trimmer. They become throw aways if not taken care of.

Stihl, I've used their power saws at work for decades and they are pretty picky on the mixed gas. You'll burn that head up pronto if one person doesn't get it right. Power...top notch. So spending big coin on a trimmer, I dunno man. They are all throw aways when something goes wrong, you use it half the year, and if the wife or someone else will be mixing gas then buy a cheaper one. Stihl and Echo are the top dogs, Husqvarna also very good and very under rated if you ask me.

dkr919

Keiko wrote: »

Attachment not found.

String & trim. This particular model works for me. Whudda think, Dave?

WOW!!! What a Weed Wacker.

del44

I've had my Echo for a couple years now. Never a problem starting, even when its hot.

codyc1ark

I love my stihl fs90r. I've been spoiled, most that I've worked for only bought stihl so now I've got a fine wine taste on a keystone budget! I will admit that I bought an echo backpack blower used and that thing is rock solid. Whatever you do, buy from a dealer, the big stores don't offer the same product as the small guys, nor the customer support. Keep that in mind with all power equipment purchases.

daboyz

Keiko wrote: »

Attachment not found.

String & trim. This particular model works for me. Whudda think, Dave?

I'd love to trim them strings!!

heartystatue

I have Echo trimmer and blower going on 5 years. I use premium gas with the oil mix. After winter storage a few pulls fire right up.

amulford

I have an Echo PAS (Pro Attachement Series) 260. I can change attachments and have a string trimmer, a hedge trimmer, an edger, and some other stuff. They don't sell my exact model anymore, It's around six years old and going strong.

It's a little more than your Budget, but it makes up for it in versatility. Comes with a five year warranty, ta boot...You can check it out here

I won't go any other route after I've had this.

zingo

I just borrowed my neighbors electric trimmer and was very disappointed; gas all the way. Briggs and Stratton are my favorite engines.

shawn474

Have had my echo trimmer for 8 years and never fails to start and works really well. Not saying they are the best but they are cost effective, durable and work well.

Polkersince85

A couple of years ago I bought a Honda EU3000i generator and talked the dealer into making a good deal on a 4-cycle trimmer/brush cutter for the package. So far so good. The Honda runs good and has a lot of power. The Stihls are the mainstream for 2-cycles. I wonder sometimes though as to whether alcohol mixtures have a detrimental effect on the oil-based fuel 2-cycle lubrication.

daboyz

Man,finally have a day off tomorrow when I can actually run around and shop a little. Leaning towards an Echo right now.

maximillian

I have a 12 year old Sears gas trimmer that is given me some troubles starting. Probably just needs a tuning, but I also hate that I have to turn off the unit to install new line. So I decided to buy a new trimmer and decided to try an electric and bought this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-40-Volt-Lithium-ion-Cordless-String-Trimmer-Edger-RY40210/203161566#.UZg0g0pqNmE

I only used it once so far but I like it. Pick it up and go. Really easy to use and has enough power for my 3/4 acre lawn. They claim a 90 hour battery life but in reality I got around 30 minutes using it at full power.

Seems like OK reviews so I will keep and use it for now. Not sure how many charges I can get out of the battery before I have to buy a new one. Downsides I can see for now: a replacement battery is $100 which is expensive, and some people say that the auto line feed doesn't work. The line feed system is a little slow but does seem to work OK.

Hopefully this thing doesn't annoy me in the future because it does seem really convenient to use. If it does, it's back to a gas trimmer.