Junk weed Wacker.

[jjeff]

Troy Built doesn't make anything good anymore, its cheap big box store junk now for the most part. Good move on the Echo, it should last you a long time. If it starts to spit oil out of the exhaust try running 50:1 instead of 40:1, I noticed several years ago my newer small 2 stroke stuff likes to run on 50:1 or less. I've actually been running 80:1 for a few years now with Amsoil.

I believe everything I own in terms of two stroke premix is 50-1 i.e. Stihl, Husqvarna, and echo seems like only the cheap boxstore junk motors are 40-1. Probably another good tell tale hint it's a POS on top of other observations I've taken note on.

 

[ArlyA]

All our 2-stroke machines are 50 to 1 mix. I'll not deviate from that.

 

[jjeff]

All our 2-stroke machines are 50 to 1 mix. I'll not deviate from that.

Kind of drifting but I pull the spark plug and usually put a capful of straight two-stroke oil down the cylinder then pull the cord a few times during extended layup periods.

 

[CobyRupert]

If your talking to me? By the time I spent on hold over the phone with troy bilt, attempted to tune the carb to get the top-end of the power band to work, unsuccessfully attempted to make it idle, during that time unraveling all the string in the super cheap bump feeder I had enough and wanted no part of this POS ever again. Another thing Im learning if starting instructions are so in depth requiring adjusting choke, priming several times, and pulling the chord a specific number than repeat with different level of choke, primes, and pulls it's not worth it, no matter how cheap.

How did you know how to adjust the carb screws?
It use to be that the manual had instructions, but people’s and EPA’s limitations probably put an end to any real in depth instructions other than “call this number” and we can tell you the location of an authorized dealer.

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t expect a 2 cycle engine out of the (big) box to be tuned for my locality. I wouldn’t judge the quality of a manufacturer based on the carb needing a final tune. It’s a pretty common adjustment. Now the line feed is a different issue. Some manufacture’s are terrible.

 

[ArlyA]

How did you know how to adjust the carb screws?
It use to be that the manual had instructions, but people’s and EPA’s limitations probably put an end to any real in depth instructions other than “call this number” and we can tell you the location of an authorized dealer.

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t expect a 2 cycle engine out of the (big) box to be tuned for my locality. I wouldn’t judge the quality of a manufacturer based on the carb needing a final tune. It’s a pretty common adjustment. Now the line feed is a different issue. Some manufacture’s are terrible.

I've brought my latest n greatest stihl back for adjustments twice in two years. No charges since it has a 4 year warranty. Valves seem to need that now and them.

 

[5030]

Shindawa and Echo are one in the same. Made in the same Japanese factory. Echo also makes electric trimmers and saws but I prefer gas powered. 25cc is not big enough to do much in the first place.

I have a 35 year old Stihl FS66 that keeps on going but when it poops out, I'll get an Echo straight shaft.

 

[jjeff]

How did you know how to adjust the carb screws?
It use to be that the manual had instructions, but people’s and EPA’s limitations probably put an end to any real in depth instructions other than “call this number” and we can tell you the location of an authorized dealer.

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t expect a 2 cycle engine out of the (big) box to be tuned for my locality. I wouldn’t judge the quality of a manufacturer based on the carb needing a final tune. It’s a pretty common adjustment. Now the line feed is a different issue. Some manufacture’s are terrible.

I close the high and low needles completely than open 1.5-2.5 turns and go from there. The high speed screw you need to run it full throttle to get it set kind of right. All two stroke carbs these days require somewhat specialized screwdrivers to fit the adjustment screw heads available online with scamazon, hardware store, or tsc. I've also ground off the cast aluminum collar around the screws and notched the screw with a small Dremel wafer wheel. Here's what my echo replaced up north, somehow I've managed to keep it running for over 10 yrs with lots of tinkering lol.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I think the Echo 225 string trimmers are manufactured in China and final assembly is in USA. Am I mistaken?

 

[Omega Woods]

I have two echo 225s (one at each house) and both are very reliable. I've had them for years.

 

[jjeff]

I think the Echo 225 string trimmers are manufactured in China and final assembly is in USA. Am I mistaken?

Good question, box says Illinois USA, no mention of global components. but your probably correct especially these days.

 

[5030]

I think the Echo 225 string trimmers are manufactured in China and final assembly is in USA. Am I mistaken?

Not a clue as I don't have one... yet but you can rest assured when I do buy one, I'll make doubly sure it's not from China. I do know my 40 year old Stihl FS66 was made in Japan. Says so right on the case.

 

[jjeff]

Not a clue as I don't have one... yet but you can rest assured when I do buy one, I'll make doubly sure it's not from China. I do know my 40 year old Stihl FS66 was made in Japan. Says so right on the case.

The older echos were made in Japan (previously mentioned before by another member)

 

[RandyT]

@jjeff Are you sure the TB even had a clutch to stop the head from turning. there are a lot of cheap trimmers that are direct drive to the trimmer head so no way to stop the head from spinnng.

Also MTD/Troybilt removed the adjustment tools from their dealers a few years back, and we are not allowed to adjust the carbs under warranty anymore. The EPA threatened MTD and their dealers with legal action due to us not having the equipment to prove that the adjusted item still meet the emissions requirements. We are required to just replace the carb. And unfortunately that poor run until warm and being boggy is a side effect of the EPA tune. have a large number of MTD and other box store trimmers come through the shop with scored cylinders due to the lean run conditions

 

[bmg88201]

I own nothing but ECho trimmers, my old SRM 230 lasted 19 years. Bought a new SRM 225 last year. I use it on 4 acres and also keep a 100 yard long ditch clear for a friend. Echo makes good stuff period. Plus the Echo Speed Feed trimmer heads are the best thing since sliced bread. If my Husky chainsaw gives out, I’ll buy an Echo. Stihl ain’t all that, not anymore.

 

[jjeff]

@jjeff Are you sure the TB even had a clutch to stop the head from turning. there are a lot of cheap trimmers that are direct drive to the trimmer head so no way to stop the head from spinnng.

Also MTD/Troybilt removed the adjustment tools from their dealers a few years back, and we are not allowed to adjust the carbs under warranty anymore. The EPA threatened MTD and their dealers with legal action due to us not having the equipment to prove that the adjusted item still meet the emissions requirements. We are required to just replace the carb. And unfortunately that poor run until warm and being boggy is a side effect of the EPA tune. have a large number of MTD and other box store trimmers come through the shop with scored cylinders due to the lean run conditions

Probably why most run 40-1 now, yep it was probably direct drive problem was when it eventually warmed up it still had a terrible bog on the top end of the power band until I opened up the H speed adjustment screw, however low speed and idle never could get it acceptable to where I could use it. still a complete POS and I expected more even at the price I paid. I owned and used two cheap boxstore weed wackers for a decade previously at my cabin and made them work for occasional use. I can say the echo 225 I eventually bought is a completely different level of qaulity for less than a hundred bucks more and completely worth it in my opinion. And still about a hundred less than a Husqvarna I use at home and was looking at for up north.

 

[jyoutz]

Recent b-day present got a troy bilt 25cc straight shaft to replace two very cheap junk curved shaft weed eaters at my cabin after much internal debate and a good experience with an older TB back pack blower, went cheap and decided on a troybilt two stroke as it would only be used it 6-12 times a year. Anxiously put it together briefly read over some of the instructions fueled it up with 40-1, and proceeded to test it before I hauled it 500 miles to its new home in the UP.
Initially wouldn't idle right and the top end was bogging down. Called the troybilt number on box put on hold for an hour. Frustrated said f-it grabbed my "Pac-Man" carb adjustment screwdriver and proceeded to adjust the carb. Got rid of top-end bog attempted to lower idle, even at lower rpm the trimmer head won't stop spinning til the point of it stalling. Set it down kind of idling bump feeder engaged proceeded to feed all the string cause the head kept spinning. Four letter word frustrated now I put the pos in its ripped up box emptied the fuel tank and returned. Fortunately the manager understood my frustration as it was only a day old. Exchanged it for an echo 225 straight shaft paid the difference. Tested it, Made my day and it's a completely different level of qaulity, worth the extra cash I paid. What a difference. Same level of qaulity as a more professional qaulity frequently used Husqvarna I use on my homestead.
Maybe it was a freak incident bottom line reputable company lawn care equipment with roots in the professional lawn care industry is worth it even if it's not considered a true commercial piece of equipment. Rant and praise is over.

I have that same Echo trimmer and really like it. Especially the new style line head that’s easy to load. And it rarely jambs (unlike most string trimmers).

 

[5030]

Stihl ain’t all that, not anymore.

Stihl has become extremely proud of their stuff lately. I still have 2 but it's Echo for me from here on out. Running neck and neck with 2 of each now but the MS290 is sold.

 

[jyoutz]

I own nothing but ECho trimmers, my old SRM 230 lasted 19 years. Bought a new SRM 225 last year. I use it on 4 acres and also keep a 100 yard long ditch clear for a friend. Echo makes good stuff period. Plus the Echo Speed Feed trimmer heads are the best thing since sliced bread. If my Husky chainsaw gives out, I’ll buy an Echo. Stihl ain’t all that, not anymore.

Stihl makes a great saw. If you buy the pro saws. But I own and also love Echo products.

 

[5030]

I do like the Stihl tri cut head with the nylon blades. Good design. Too bad the blades have gotten stupid priced.

 

[5030]

Stihl makes a great saw. If you buy the pro saws. But I own and also love Echo products.

The pro saws are even more jack. I'll pass. least the Echo 'Pro' saws are reasonable and the Echo Pro saws don't have cats installed in the mufflers either. Hard to beat Echo's warranty too. 5 year consumer, no questions asked replacement.

Been kicking around getting a franchise actually. I won't be doing much work on them. Pretty plug and play units.