String trimmers

[two_bit_score]

I am a dedicated Stihl owner. I have had great service from them.

However, this looked pretty good the other day.

DeWalt DCST97X1 6V FLEXVOLT String Trimmer | Acme Tools

I’m not sure Stihl has a battery trimmer that is powerful enough for what I want it to do. I’ve got many years left in my Stihl inventory.

I’m finally giving up on my 30+ year old Tanaka trimmer. It was fantastic but no Texas dealer that I can find makes it hard to keep ne that Old going.


TBS

 

[big bubba]

Recommend Echo or Sthil bought from a local dealer.
Get a pro model for that long term heavy use. yleekioti

absolutely

 

[ArlyA]

Lets not forget that power head type of a unit, can be used as a pole-saw. Something we use much.

 

[AchingBack]

Yep, I've had Stihl in the past and don't think they can be beat for gasoline powered trimmers. But now . . . well, I have the EGO 56V string trimmer. Mine does not have the quick string reloading system that they now have available, but I have a spare spool, so I keep the spare loaded and it doesn't take long to change if I run out of string in the one in the tool. And when I finish, it's no big deal to put string on the empty one to be ready next time.

Bird, which EGO AH battery are you using in the trimmer?

 

[Doofy]

That is some interesting equipment. After trying a brush blade 25+ years ago, I decided to stick with string trimming. Never even thought of a chainsaw head. I think I missed some useful equipment .

 

[Tractorable]

Everything is going battery now. Get two lithium 5ah batteries and a charger and you’re set. Will outlast you. My Husqvarna gas trimmer is still working well but when it dies I’ll be getting a 20V max DeWalt trimmer since I already have the batteries and chargers. I’m also getting a battery powered chainsaw for limbing around the property. I’ll still use my Stihl gas saw for felling.

 

[ericm979]

When you run blades, the guard is added for somethings protection. We only use them with our steel brush cutting blades.

I use the standard full size plastic one when running the string trimmer head. Otherwise I get totally hosed down by wet plant debris. Even with it on I'm still a mess afterwards. The guard also has a blade that cuts the ends off the strings. With the brush blade I use a small metal one.

The pic on this page FS 24 | Bike-Handle Trimmer and Brushcutter | STIHL USA
shows the standard large plastic guard, down by the string trimmer head.

 

[ArlyA]

The saws are great but you need to try a .155 string head. Those baby's can cut!

That is some interesting equipment. After trying a brush blade 25+ years ago, I decided to stick with string trimming. Never even thought of a chainsaw head. I think I missed some useful equipment .

 

[Doofy]

The saws are great but you need to try a .155 string head. Those baby's can cut!

I run just as thick of line as I can find. Never tried .155 though.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Bought a Toro 25cc 4cycle about 4 years ago. I have used and abused it severely. This 5th season, started right up but was having difficulty running at full throttle. I believe it is carb related. Otherwise never gave me a problem. Went and bought a 27cc 4cycle Cub Cadet at TSC w/ a brush cutter attachment and the 'Pro' head for $219. Has a lot of power and I am very pleased with it. I figure it has a three year warranty, if I get 4 seasons out of it, I'll buy another, maybe another 4 years use....I'd still be about the same price as the 'professional' trimmers.

I will never buy another 2 stroke ever again. Had the professional high end and the cheapest available....2 strokes just don't last IMHO.

 

[TractorGuy]

Yall spend all the money you want on high dollar trimmers but if you don't take care of them they won't last regardless. I have a 1988 Homelite ST175 that still serves me well. Replaced the string head once and the fuel lines a couple of times. Mix mostly ethanol free fuel (but not always) with any 40 to 1 2 cycle oil and run it.

Looks pretty much like the $99 straight shaft trimmer they sell at Home Depot but I don't know if there are many or any changes.

 

[Doofy]

Yall spend all the money you want on high dollar trimmers but if you don't take care of them they won't last regardless. I have a 1988 Homelite ST175 that still serves me well. Replaced the string head once and the fuel lines a couple of times. Mix mostly ethanol free fuel (but not always) with any 40 to 1 2 cycle oil and run it.

Looks pretty much like the $99 straight shaft trimmer they sell at Home Depot but I don't know if there are many or any changes.

Nice. Didn't know they were still making Homelite.

 

[Bird]

Bird, which EGO AH battery are you using in the trimmer?

I have 2 of the 2.5 AH batteries; one for the string trimmer and one for the leaf blower. And of courses I have the 7.5 AH battery for the mower. A 2.5 battery will do all the trimming and edging on my yard easily and Thursday it lasted to do all of my yard and the next door neighbor's yard. Sometimes I have to go to the second battery to do both yards. And while I could use the 7.5 battery in the string trimmer, I have never done so.

 

[newbury]

So a lot of stihl or echo recommendations. But is a stihl or echo from TSC, lowes, Home Depot, etc the same as a stihl or echo from the local Kubota farm equipment dealer? Is it like the riding mowers where a jd or husqvarna from big box is a pile where one from dealer is a sturdier model and great machine or is a stihl or echo trimmer good regardless of where it comes from?

No battery for me. My remote property has no utilities and dragging out generator just to run for 45 min or so and wait for battery to charge not good for me. Gas and go.....

Oh...and sorry for all the gibberish in first post....I forget on iPad not to use apostrophe or quotation marks sometimes...

Well a Stihl bought from TSC, Lowes or Home Depot would be unique, because they don't sell them. And as for as "remote" property goes - If you only have to run for "45 min or so" buy a second battery or third.

Everything is going battery now. Get two lithium 5ah batteries and a charger and you豎*e set. Will outlast you. My Husqvarna gas trimmer is still working well but when it dies I蛟､l be getting a 20V max DeWalt trimmer since I already have the batteries and chargers. I遏･ also getting a battery powered chainsaw for limbing around the property. I蛟､l still use my Stihl gas saw for felling.

I'd wish for a much longer life than that. Although I'm totally enamored with the DeWalt 20V max line I've had a battery die on me and won't take a charge.

But that's only 1 battery from about 10 and it was one of the first I bought back about 2013 and was heavily used for several years. But it has been well worth it NOT stretching extension cords or worrying about ethanol gas etc.

The main problem with battery tools has been not enough power. But that is being overcome.

 

[bmg88201]

I have had nothing but good luck with Echo, I have a SRM 230, it is ten years old and starts with two pulls every time even after being idle all winter long. What I would not buy is anything Husky makes, it's junk. My Echo trimmer came with a 5 year warranty but I never needed it. The small engine guy in town says that Echo is easy to work on, parts are east to get but he said he doesn't work on many of them cause they just last and last. By the way his shop was full of Husky trimmers and chainsaws that are broke down.

 

[chim]

Stihl has been a good brand for me for string trimmer, chain saw and blower. Two years ago I added a Stihl Power Scythe for doing the thicker heavier stuff. It is like a heavy duty hedge trimmer on a long stick. The bar locks into several different positions. The great thing is it cuts through anything as large as my thumb with ease, and just lays it over. That is really nice when the vegetation has poison ivy mixed in.

The one picture shows a cut that it made on a piece that is too large to fit between the teeth. It will saw through with a little pressure. This replaced a pole saw for trimming trees back for clearance with the tractor. Once a year usually does it.

Last year I added a DeWalt 20V string trimmer to the mix. It is the ticket for zipping around the house on normal weeks. It is not a replacement for the Stihl machines when doing big areas or thick material.

 

[DK35vince]

I have an Echo SRM 225i that I really like.
The speed feed head is super easy to load with trimmer line.

 

[joecoin]

I have a Stihl FS90 that's pushing 30 years. I only use non ethanol fuel in it. As I do in all my mixed gas/oil.

Keep the air filter clean, the head lubed and don't try to cut things it can't handle.

 

[Reb954]

I have a Core battery powered trimmer. Battery lasts right at an hour which fits my needs. It is long enough that I dont have to bend over to use it so fatigue is less and it is quiet. I致e had it about 5 years, very satisfied with it.

 

[ArlyA]

If I can high jack this thread? A question for Stihl operators. We mostly use the "power head" type adaptable type of units, by Echo. When I looked at the Stihl KombiSystem they looked like they might be on the weak side. If you have this system, how has it worked for you? And what attachments have you used with it.