Trimmer recommendation? Stihl? Echo? something else....

[bcp]

Push trimmers are nice on flat, smooth ground. On rough or hilly, they will tire you out more than a carried trimmer will.

Bruce

 

[ArlyA]

Tangoddess, I'd suggest some professional 2 stroke machine and from looking at your weeds, you may need to go with serious string as well. I'll we use is .155 type.

I stay far away from any push machines......

 

[Beltzington]

"1) As the trimmer will be used by fit and less fit individuals, weight is of importance, something that is not too heavy is preferred, hopefully while not sacrificing on performance"

This perfectly describes my wife and I, she being the fit one. She just turned 60 and can run our Echo SRM210 for 4+ hours in 95-degree heat and do it again the next day. This is cutting fence rows, under trees, and pond embankments. Once you get the feel for the trimmer they are really not that heavy, if you are healthy enough to work in the dust and heat the trimmer is a secondary consideration.

I have used harnesses and t-handles and find them cumbersome unless you are running a saw blade and than they are necessary for control. Based on the pics of your weeds I do not think you will be happy with a battery operated trimmer.

 

[Tangoddess]

Tangoddess, I'd suggest some professional 2 stroke machine and from looking at your weeds, you may need to go with serious string as well. I'll we use is .155 type.

I stay far away from any push machines......

Thank you for these updates. Exactly, a push trimmer may not be suitable for us, because the terrain is not flat, and some of it has gravel, loose rocks etc. thus we may need to trim from a higher height than the ground.

Thank you @girlwhowantstractor, your thought is appreciated.

@arlya can you recommend 2-3 options please!?

 

[Tangoddess]

If a gas operated trimmer is the way to go, then are there ones which are 'easier' to start?

One of the issues we had with the 4 stroke craftsman was getting it started, so much pulling and yanking, led to a loose string a couple of times, and then cuts on the finger etc.

I would think that in 2018 we have trimmers which dont require a ritual and workout to get started?

 

[ArlyA]

Tangoddess, I'd suggest a Stihl or Echo. We run Echos but you might want to use whatever a good dealer might sell there. We have to purchase special heads to hold .155 string which doesn't spool. And I'd suggest wearing forestry helmets because the rocks and twigs shoot off like bullets!!! We wear double front pants to offer our legs some protection. No kidding.

Thank you for these updates. thus we may need to trim from a higher height than the ground.
@arlya can you recommend 2-3 options please!?

 

[thekkfan]

Tanaka 2stroke- Hitachi's upper line. Get at least 25-30cc. Been running mine for 7 or 8 years cranks 2nd pull after choked on 1st. Sips gas, runs all day. Also have pole saw attachment and brush cutter head w/ blade. CANNOT beat the warranty for residential.. 7 years.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

"1)....Based on the pics of your weeds I do not think you will be happy with a battery operated trimmer.

Well, mine was just used to cut down an overgrown field with grass 3 feet high and weeds up to 6 feet high with no problem. The power exceeds our Stihl gasser. And the operator wore out before the battery did.

 

[Beltzington]

Well, mine was just used to cut down an overgrown field with grass 3 feet high and weeds up to 6 feet high with no problem. The power exceeds our Stihl gasser. And the operator wore out before the battery did.

Fair enough, I made the recommendation based on old experiences, I have not used the latest generation of battery powered trimmers but my local Stihl dealer did not seem very thrilled with them, although that could simply be there is no money to be made on service. If they prove reliable and do the job I certainly would not miss the noise, fuel and fumes.

 

[ultrarunner]

My Stihl Dealer was not pushing them either... but, he had a unit and since we have the Christmas Tree Farm a deal was struck to give the battery chain saw a try...

After a few days... it was the saw everyone wanted to use... now I have 5 gas Stihls mostly sitting in the shed for back up...

 

[hawkeye08]

When my 30 yo Mac trimmer was done, we bought a Stihl from ACE hardware. They had a decent price, then on sale for Father's day last year. They took it in back, put gas mix in it, started it and made sure it was up to snuff. They said the biggest issue with them is folks using gas with ethanol and old gas, to get fresh non ethanol gas and mix new each season. Get rid of gas after 90days, mix new when needed. He also told me that a mistake folks make (no reason to question this) is not to prime it when it is warmed up and you need to restart it. A couple of pushes on the primer bulb every time you need to start it. Supposed to reduce wear because oil is in gas. It always starts right up after priming, full choke to get it going then half choke, let it idle a bit, then give it some throttle. Works for me. One of my daughters that could never start the old trimmer has no trouble with new one.

 

[newbury]

Ok so here are some updates and thoughts based on the comments posted here.

I am also posting some pictures of the weeds that we have along fences within the property (i.e not the fence between our and other properties, but internal fences) and also weeds in areas which are too narrow to use even a handheld mower.

Of course these have not been trimmed in a month or so, thus the expansive growth.

View attachment 568894View attachment 568895View attachment 568896View attachment 568897View attachment 568898View attachment 568899View attachment 568900

Those weeds do not look that difficult to cut, no really thick or woody stems.

Here are some updated thoughts from our end:

1) As the trimmer will be used by fit and less fit individuals, weight is of importance, something that is not too heavy is preferred, hopefully while not sacrificing on performance

2) Honestly, the trimmer will be used a couple of times a week, for maybe a couple of hours each time. this is not a commercial 5x a week 6-8 hours a day type need

A 4 hour work week could easily be handled by a good 40V battery operated trimmer. Might not even need a spare battery.

<snip>
6) Is battery the way to go?

Your thoughts please?

Thank you

Battery may well be the way to go. Very little maintenance, no concern about old fuel mix, carburetor repair, "safety" fuel cans, spark plugs, etc. But be careful - I've read of some trimmers where they don't use line effectively or the guard is to small.

But it reads like GWWT has no problems with her 40V DeWalt.

Well, mine was just used to cut down an overgrown field with grass 3 feet high and weeds up to 6 feet high with no problem. The power exceeds our Stihl gasser. And the operator wore out before the battery did.

 

[Beltzington]

WOW - Lowes is apparently dumping the DeWalt Trimmer 50% off. For $115 I might just buy one to see how they work.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-40-...MIoNbGsraV3QIVnIWzCh3u1QT9EAQYAiABEgJ8AvD_BwE

 

[hawkeye08]

WOW - Lowes is apparently dumping the DeWalt Trimmer 50% off. For $115 I might just buy one to see how they work.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-40-...MIoNbGsraV3QIVnIWzCh3u1QT9EAQYAiABEgJ8AvD_BwE

I likely would have got this if the deal was available back when we bought our Stihl. I hadn't seen much on 40V at the time and I knew the wife's Riobi battery trimmer was not that great. I haven't looked to see what else that 40V battery would power..

 

[Beltzington]

They said the biggest issue with them is folks using gas with ethanol and old gas, to get fresh non ethanol gas and mix new each season.

This is one of my pet peeves, how long has ethanol fuel been at the pumps 25+ years, why we put up with that lame excuse is beyond me. They should be building the equipment to handle current realities, imagine if your new audio system stopped working and your were told you wouldn't have that problem if you would only play albums.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Also because there's no gas or oil, no stink, no drip, I can safely store them indoors, in my workshop, instead of my creepy old barn.

 

[Tangoddess]

I was about to hit the confirm order button for the DEWALT 40-volt 15-in Straight Brushless Cordless String Trimmer (Battery Included) for $115 on Lowes.

Then I noticed that Lowes has the Kobalt 80-volt 16-in Straight Brushless Attachment Compatible Cordless String Trimmer (Battery Not Included) for $149 plus I guess about $50 for a battery. This one has the option to add attachments.

I want to get one to try out, maybe it is sufficient, maybe not. If not, then I can revisit the gas options.

Would you recommend I opt for the DeWalt 40V or the Kobalt 80V for $80 more?? or something else all together in the battery models??

Thank you

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I was about to hit the confirm order button for the DEWALT 40-volt 15-in Straight Brushless Cordless String Trimmer (Battery Included) for $115 on Lowes.

Then I noticed that Lowes has the Kobalt 80-volt 16-in Straight Brushless Attachment Compatible Cordless String Trimmer (Battery Not Included) for $149 plus I guess about $50 for a battery. This one has the option to add attachments.

I want to get one to try out, maybe it is sufficient, maybe not. If not, then I can revisit the gas options.

Would you recommend I opt for the DeWalt 40V or the Kobalt 80V for $80 more?? or something else all together in the battery models??

Thank you

I have the 60V Flexvolt Dewalt. Don't know about Kobalt.

 

[Beltzington]

The 80V!

Ok GWWT - You have some explaining to do

You say the DeWalt has plenty of power and run time but you are recommending a higher voltage unknown quality Kobalt. Lowes, by the way, is discontinuing the Kobalt brand.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Ok GWWT - You have some explaining to do

You say the DeWalt has plenty of power and run time but you are recommending a higher voltage unknown quality Kobalt. Lowes, by the way, is discontinuing the Kobalt brand.

Oh no, I didn't mean to do that! I didn't realize it was a different brand. FIXED.

To be clear I have the 60V Flexvolt Dewalt (which means you can switch out the batteries).

SORRY!