String Trimmers

daboyz

Anyone with thoughts or ideas on string trimmers? Preferrably gas and ability to add attachments,mainly an edger. Or, if anyone has access to CReports?

m00npie

Echo - PAS-260

Available Attachments - Select Pro Attachment Series

This will not be the cheapest but I have used mine for years with no issues. No access to CReports.

Shizelbs

Not sure on the attachments, but I just got a Stihl and its great.

Ricardo

I use a 32cc Craftsman with an edger attachment; has worked great for me.

tcrossma

I have a Ryobi that allows multiple attachments and has worked well for me over the past 5-6 years. That being said, my next purchase will probably be a Stihl or Echo as I prefer those brands for my other outdoor equipment.

dorokusai

Echo.

shawn474

I have had an Echo for the last six yearsand have had 0 problems. It isn't a bump and feed. It has precut line that you feed through the base. MUCH easier to maintain.

dkg999

Husqvarna or Stihl. Honda has a pretty nice one also, but it's a little heavy. I use mine with brush cutting attachments and these two brands have held up like champs.

ben62670

I absolutely love Husqvarna over Stihl in chainsaws, but trimmers I would go Stihl, echo(bang for buck), or Husky. All three are very reliable.

ninerbj

The King of Trmmers with attachments up the wazoo!!?

STIHL KOMBI SYSTEM
http://www.stihlusa.com/multitask/KM55R.html

McLoki

Stihl HomeScaper Series FS 45 -- CR Best Buy -- $140

Rated #1 by consumer reports and is a best buy. If you want me to look up anything for you in CR, let me know.

Ratings went from 89 for the Stihl mentioned above down to 55 for the Homelite MightyLite.

Michael

BTW - the Black & Decker GH1000 was their top corded (electric) model.

John in MA

Redmax
Shindaiwa
Stihl pro
Dolmar
Echo

I've worked on too many string trimmers to ever want to own a low-end one again. Consumer Reports ratings are a bit goofy. Like putting Craftsman mowers perpetually at the top.

McLoki

Was asked for some updates from CR so here is their list for gas powered string trimmers.

Model - Price - CR Rating.

1. Stihl HomeScaper Series FS 45 $140 - 89
2. Stihl FS 45 C Easy2Start $170 - 89
3. Echo GT-200R $150 - 86
4. Echo SRM-210i $240 - 86
5. John Deere LT105CLE $200 - 86
6. Stihl FS 46 C Easy2Start $200 - 83
7. Cub Cadet 4125 $170 - 80
8. John Deere LT105SLE $220 - 79
9. Stihl FS110 R $370 - 77
10. Stihl FS 55 RC Easy2Start $230 - 77
11. Homelite MightyLite UT21566 $100 - 76
12. Bolens BL100 $80 - 76
13. Husqvarna 125L $200 - 75
14. Weed Eater Featherlite SST25 $100 - 74
15. Troy-Bilt TB20CS $110 - 73
16. Homelite MightyLite UT21546 $85 - 72
17. Craftsman 79614 $200 - 70
18. Ryobi CS30 RY30020 $100 - 69
19. Troy-Bilt TB70SS $125 - 65
20. Craftsman 79103 $100 - 63
21. Troy-Bilt TB465SS $165 - 63
22. Ryobi SS30 RY30040 $125 - 63
23. Poulan Pro PPB150E $100 - 62
24. Poulan Pro PPB250E $115 - 61
25. Craftsman 79187 $120 - 60
26. Weed Eater FX26 $80 - 59
27. Weed Eater FeatherLite FS26 $70 - 58
28. Weed Eater TE475Y $100 - 57
29. Weed Eater Featherlite FL20 $80 - 57
30. Craftsman 79107 $120 -56
31. Homelite MightyLite UT21506 $65 - 55

Just for fun the cordless Worx (not the GT though) rated as this...

Worx WG150 $160 - 22

All the cordless were rated pretty bad, but the corded trimmers rated almost as high as the gas - I was surprised by that.

daboyz

Thanks Sal but I really need the power of gas.

ninerbj

Thanks Sal but I really need the power of gas.

Then I would suggest beans with rasins and cream

dorokusai

I'd also avoid curved shaft trimmers....straight shaft only. The earlier Shindaiwa recommendation is excellent but they aren't cheap.

Systems

Straight shafted STIHL has never done me wrong and in the 6 years I've used mine there has been no major problems. Only a new plug and air filter. Cost me around $300 but well worth it IMHO.

Chuck

amulford

I have an Echo PAS 260 series with a few attachments. Excellent, versatile, and pretty powerful. I'd get it again...

Mazeroth

Well, my Dad and I went out to Lowes to get a string trimmer for my 1/4 acre lot with a $10 off coupon in hand. We ended up getting the Bolens BL100 for $69 - $10 = $59. Felt good in the store and was probably all I need for my lot.

From the Consumer Reports above:

12. Bolens BL100 $80 - 76

Well, let me tell you, this is the biggest POS I've ever seen in my life! Once cold it takes a good 40-50 pulls to get it started and it's only 2 days old. Twice the string at the bottom has been sucked inside the spool and after fixing it the one time it shot about 2 feet of it out. Do you guys think I just got a lemon and should return it for another or did I get what I paid for? According to Consumer Reports it's the best low-end model. However, at this point, I'm ready to return it and pay another $100 for a Stihl etc.

daboyz

Return it. I ended up getting the Cub Cadet and it fires right off. The quick line change is so much better than messing with spools.

Mike Reeter

Mazeroth wrote: »

Well, my Dad and I went out to Lowes to get a string trimmer for my 1/4 acre lot with a $10 off coupon in hand. We ended up getting the Bolens BL100 for $69 - $10 = $59. Felt good in the store and was probably all I need for my lot.

From the Consumer Reports above:

12. Bolens BL100 $80 - 76

Well, let me tell you, this is the biggest POS I've ever seen in my life! Once cold it takes a good 40-50 pulls to get it started and it's only 2 days old. Twice the string at the bottom has been sucked inside the spool and after fixing it the one time it shot about 2 feet of it out. Do you guys think I just got a lemon and should return it for another or did I get what I paid for? According to Consumer Reports it's the best low-end model. However, at this point, I'm ready to return it and pay another $100 for a Stihl etc.

Return it...go pick up a small Stihl/Echo...trimmers are no different than anything else,you get what you pay for.

I've had Stihl trimmers and chainsaws for over 25 years,also have a small Echo chainsaw that I have worked the livin' **** out of...never a problem from any of them.

DollarDave

daboyz wrote: »

Return it. I ended up getting the Cub Cadet and it fires right off. The quick line change is so much better than messing with spools.

Return it. POS.

The Cub and related brands are pretty decent at their price ponits. In your price range, check out mtdproducts.com at http://www.mtdproducts.com/corporate/index.jsp

That will direct you to Cub Cadet and several others and you can do a dealer search.

Midnite Mick

I have a Ryobi and it is a piece of junk. Starting mechanism slips and it is very difficult to start. I tried changing the plug, mixing less oil in it to no avail. It takes me forever to start it. Once started though I can turn it off and it starts easy, but the first one is a ****.

Mike

tcrossma

Some trimmers take a certain procedure to start correctly. My Ryobi starts perfectly, every single time, IF you follow the exact procedure: turn on, prime until there's gas in the bulb, turn to the "A" position and pull 3 times, turn to the "B" position to start it, let it run for 30 seconds and then turn to the "C" position. It starts reliably EVERY TIME. But, if you do it any other way it's very difficult to start.

In any case, I've no idea of your trimmer is good or bad, or a lemon. I don't know if there's a specific procedure you need to follow with yours, but figured I'd share my experience in case it helps. But I will say that if you're not happy with it for whatever reason you should return it and get something else.

amulford

Take that piece of **** back and get a PAS 260. I'm telling you, you'll never need to get another power head, you can trim with it, trim the hedges, cultivate, edge, you name it... It's commercial, tough as an ornery mule, and probably 5 times as powerful as any of the other crap your looking at.

It costs more, but you'll only have to buy one in your lifetime...

audiobliss

We've had an Echo (straight-shaft!) weed-eater (string trimmer? what the heck?! it's a weed-eater!) for QUITE a few years. Probably five or six, now.

It's always worked great with no complaints. The whole idea of having a spool of string on the end can be frustrating at times...I have no idea what kind of advances they've had with that since we got ours.

But when we got it out after this winter to start using it again, I was priming it and the priming bulb burst. All the rubber quickly fell off after that point. I was like..."Crap! Now it'll never start."

And to my surprise, have not had any trouble starting it since. Still starts, at the MOST, by the fifth pull.

Mazeroth

Well, after much research and getting the highest Consumer Reports rating, I'm taking the POS Bolens back and getting a Stihl FS 45:

http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/FS45.html

For $139 I don't think I can go wrong.

audiobliss

Can you get it with a straight shaft? I love having the straight shaft.

MattN03

I've had a Troy-Bilt TB575 4 cycle trimmer for over a year now and it's been extremely reliable. It starts on the first or second pull every time and has lot of power for cutting through heavy weeds-I've cut through field grass 15" tall w/o much problem with the .095" line. I also like the convenience of not having to mix oil in the fuel. Check out Lowes for this one.

Mazeroth

audiobliss wrote: »

Can you get it with a straight shaft? I love having the straight shaft.

I bet you do.

McLoki

Mazeroth wrote: »

Well, after much research and getting the highest Consumer Reports rating, I'm taking the POS Bolens back and getting a Stihl FS 45:

http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/FS45.html

For $139 I don't think I can go wrong.

Maz - if you don't mind, report back what you think of it. I am thinking of picking up the same trimmer, but would like an actual user report first.

Thanks,

Michael