String trimmer time

[MESSMAKER]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

 

[crash325]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

My "Echo" is still going strong after 3 years of use and starts easy after sitting for months. Friend gave me a "Homelight" that he gave up on. Haven't played with it yet, not sure if it was him or the machine.

 

[Rileyroo]

Can't go wrong with Echo. I have a saw, trimmer, and blower. They always work.

 

[Storm56]

I have an Echo that is over 10 years old and still works fine. I wanted another before the EPA completely screws them up. Did some research and read a lot of good things about the Husky 326LS. They are last years model but I found some on ebay, brand new with full factory warranty, for $292 shipped, needless to say one is on the way.

 

[kf4uda]

I have been using a Shindaiwa for about 3 years now. It has been a good machine. It is a little harder to start than I would have thought but not bad.

 

[Bird]

My Stihl FS 55 will be 6 years old day after tomorrow. After the first year, I changed the spark plug, but decided that really did not need to be done, so I haven't done it since. I did my first string trimming and edging of the year with it 3 days ago and even though the spark plug is 5 years old, it started just as easily as ever.

 

[Ken45101]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable.

Are you putting a gas preservative in your fuel? I've found that my chainsaw problems really dropped when I started keeping Stabil in all my gas fuel.

 

[LHS Inc]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

I've always had Stihl products, string trimmers, blowers, and pruners. I use them commercially. Good local dealer about 10 miles away.

 

[LHS Inc]

Are you putting a gas preservative in your fuel? I've found that my chainsaw problems really dropped when I started keeping Stabil in all my gas fuel.

I've been using Stabil's brand of ethenol gas treatment. I use it everytime I fill up a 5 gal. can. Don't know about other brands but the Stihl oil you mix with the gas has fuel stabilizers in it.

 

[MikeInMaine]

I've got a Stihl model that runs interchangeable attachments, though I've only got the string trimmer and a brush cutter head. It's about 5 years old and is a dream to start. I also have a small Dolmar string trimmer that's about 10 years old, and though it's too small and underpowered for anything but light use, it's been a good, reliable machine. It replaced a Ryobi string trimmer that never seemed to start well, or run well.

You'll probably hear this over and over, but always use fresh gas, and keep a few fuel filters for all your small engines on hand. The ethanol that is now in gasoline attracts water and sinks to the bottom of fuel containers. The water/ethanol will also collect in the fuel filter, so replacing them will help immensely. I use the Marine-grade Stabil (ethanol formula), and I shake up my (gas) can before filling my string trimmer, chainsaw, etc. I'm also a believer in using name-brand --Stihl, Echo, whatever-- 2-cycle oil, and not a bargain brand. Of course, don't use last season's fuel. You can mix it in small amounts into your vehicle's tank to get rid of it.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I don't deny that Sthil makes some good ones, but they are not all reliable. I have spent over $500 and got two crappy units. I just don't see what they have done to have me chose another.

 

[Bird]

I don't deny that Sthil makes some good ones, but they are not all reliable. I have spent over $500 and got two crappy units. I just don't see what they have done to have me chose another.

If you've had bad luck with them, I can certainly understand looking for another brand, and wouldn't blame you at all. I've had good luck with them. Besides the current string trimmer, I had another one I bought in 1995, never a problem with it, but sold it to my brother when I bought a DR wheeled string trimmer/mower. And that brother had a Stihl chainsaw that saw a lot of heavy duty use in clearing a place to build his house.

I do use Stihl's Ultra 2-cycle oil; more expensive, but I don't use enough now to worry about it, and I do use Stabil in the gas and don't worry about using a little extra Stabil.

 

[bironacad]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

You must be south of the 43rd if you are talking grass trimming we are at
-14 degree Celsius = 6.8 degree Fahrenheit this morning in SOUTHERN Ontario.

My Stihl chainsaw was stolen (really liked that saw) so now I use a cheapy that is easy to replace. My Stihl whipper must be 12 years old and still keeps going. I put it away empty with the last fill using stable then start it in the spring using fresh gas with a 50:1 mix. Now that I have said that watch it crap out, lol.

 

[bironacad]

I should also mention that the ethanol in regular fuel is not good for some engines so it was recommended that I use a higher octane fuel so there would not be ethanol in the fuel. My truck and car are diesel so this is not an issue for them, I have heard that as much as 10% is added before it is posted. My trimmer does not have the flex fuel sticker, hope this helps, Good luck!

 

[om21braz]

If you're not happy w/ Stihl, I'd give the Shindaiwa a try. Several folks I know have Shindaiwa 2-cycle equipment (blowers,trimmers) that is serving them well.

 

[Ray_Fort_White]

I've got Echo: weed eater; edger; leaf blower; and, an Echo chain saw.

In 5 years I've replaced 2 fuel lines and 2 primer bulbs, no other maintenance. All have the original spark plugs and air filters. I blow the filters clean with an air hose about once a year.

I love that everything is easily accessible and made for easy maintenance. All of them see hard service here in Florida.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I've got Echo: weed eater; edger; leaf blower; and, an Echo chain saw.

In 5 years I've replaced 2 fuel lines and 2 primer bulbs, no other maintenance. All have the original spark plugs and air filters. I blow the filters clean with an air hose about once a year.

I love that everything is easily accessible and made for easy maintenance. All of them see hard service here in Florida.

I have given a hard look to Echo. I just keep hearing that the entry levels are a bit underpowered. I looked into it and a med. sized engine(260 I believe)straight shaft with a solid shaft and not cable was heading north of $350. That is about $50-$75 more than a Stihl or Husky.

 

[jbooth]

I have 2 echo string trimmers and a Stihl pole saw. The echos are very light so the wife can run them. Wish the pole saw was lighter. All start very easy. I believe the fuel is the key to keeping them starting easy. Loaned the pole saw out and wanted to furnish gas but the borrower insisted he had gas. The saw came back set for a week and wouldn't start. The carbuerator was gummed up with some kind of oily gunk. Cleaned everthing and hasn't given a problem since. I now insist anyone using my stuff also uses my fuel/mix.

 

[JD955SC]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

We have several Echos at work that seem to run pretty well. We have so much weedeating to do during the summer that I'm often running one for eight hours a day for a week long...stopping only to fill the gas tank and put cord on the reel and for lunch.

 

[buck12]

I bought a new Stihl saw a couple of months ago. While looking I asked the dealer about a new string trimmer as my old Weed Eater brand trimmer is on its last leg. The dealer recommended a Kawasaki. This dealer carries Husky, Stihl, and Kawasaki. I will likely be seriously looking this summer to decide what best fits my needs.