would like comparison of string trimmers

[nancyk]

Our Shindaiwa T230 starts and runs fine but started making a noise at the bottom of the tube when the trigger is depressed. The head was taken apart and a small stone was found in it, and the head was replaced. The noise still continues. I took it to a Shindaiwa repair shop, the estimate I was given was a minimum of $300 to fix it, as it probably needed a new drive shaft, clutch and bearing(he said their labor rate was $100 an hour). So I am thinking lets just get a new trimmer, as $300 was a minimum. Are there any discussions/comparisons on this site of the different trimmers? We should definitely get a commercial quality. I just looked up Husqvarna, the 130, and a number of people have commented that is a bit flimsy, can be hard to start(the Shindaiwa always starts right up). Some people comment on the Echo 2620.

 

[Rdrcr]

I don’t remember viewing a recent thread specifically illustrating a comparison between commercial trimmers but, there are several discussions on individual trimmers if you search.

I’m particular to Stihl products. My Stilh Kombi KM131 R is one of the best tools on my property. I’ve abused it relentlessly and it just keeps going. It’s been a great investment. Plus, the Kombi system allows for a ton of different attachments.

I even have a leaf blower attachment for it which I use to clean off my tractor, SxS and ZTR mower after each use.

I don’t think you can go wrong with Husqvarna or Echo, they’re both highly respected and recommended manufacturers.

Mike

 

[ericm979]

I have a couple Stihl trimmers, an FS85 and a FS240. I also have a bunch of their chainsaws. The trimmers get used pretty hard and have held up fine. I also have an Echo saw and a pole pruner. Both of those start easily and run well. I would consider an Echo. I have not been as happy with my Husky products, both leaf blowers. I got one to run properly only after buying the special screwdriver to adjust the carburetor properly. As shipped it was so lean it barely ran.

 

[oosik]

I have a Stihl trimmer ( FS450 ) and two Stihl chain saws. All work fine and are a great addition to my group of tools.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have two of the Stihl Kombi trimmers and they have been dead reliable for my semi - commercial use.

 

[2manyrocks]

Echo SRM-225 is $229 new from Home Depot. They have sold a lot of these. ECHO 21.2 cc Gas 2-Stroke Straight Shaft String Trimmer SRM-225 - The Home Depot

 

[jyoutz]

I do also like Stihl products, but I own Echo string trimmers. Because their string head is the easiest to load and isn’t one of the “bang and jam” designs. And overall they are durable and work well. HD carries them as well as a lot of small engine /lawn equipment dealers.

 

[jyoutz]

Echo SRM-225 is $229 new from Home Depot. They have sold a lot of these. ECHO 21.2 cc Gas 2-Stroke Straight Shaft String Trimmer SRM-225 - The Home Depot

That’s what I have and I’m very pleased with it. I also have the echo wheeled trimmer.

 

[Pecosbill7]

Last year I purchased a Husqvarna battery powered PowerAxe chainsaw on the recommendation of a friend. I had had two gas powered Husqvarna chainsaws that had become very obstinate when it comes to starting. I was remarkably impressed. The battery lasted half a day and I gave out before it did. The best thing was how quiet it was. Didn’t even need hearing protection.

So, I then went out and bought a Husqvarna battery powered string trimmer, which uses the same battery. Works like a charm, and once again no hearing protection needed unlike my very reliable old Echo gas powered trimmer. It does everything I want it to do and it never fails to start, lol

I then bought the Husqvarna pole saw that also uses the same battery. It worked great until a tree limb came down on it and bent the aluminum shaft. No prblem, I thought, but boy was I wrong about that. I ordered the part from Husqvarna but it took over six months to get it. They kept claiming “supply chain issues” but I kept seeing new pole saws in Lowe’s and online which curiously all contained that supply chain restricted part. Really torqued me about their customer service, but all in all I am very happy with the performance of these battery powered Husqvarnas. You can buy them on Amazon or at Lowe’s. I picked up an extra battery just in case the initial battery gave out while the little woman was cutting firewood (if you knew her you’d KNOW that’s a complete fabrication). The extra battery isn’t really necessary but it’s nice to have. These are 40 volt big boys and they last quite a while.

I think Husqvarna is having a special right now where you get a battery free with a purchase.

 

[newbury]

How much do you trim?
I've several Stihls but my go to trimmer is a DeWalt Flexvolt 15"(?) that I've used as a string trimmer but also have put on a 3 blade trimmer head and a saw blade head. It requires the Flexvolt batteries (won't work on 20V max) but I've several of them.
I've had it for about 4 years or so. The head it came with was a POS, so I put on a Husqvarna 537388101 Universal T35 for ~ $30.
Dead reliable so far.

 

[ultrarunner]

Echo no complaints from me and also have Shindaiwa on the landscape trailer which has a hard life bouncing around on the trailer.

So far no issues not self inflicted going back 40 years like stumbling on a steep hillside and landing on the trimmer.

For brush work I use handlebar with harness but not for lawn care…

 

[mrmikey]

Echo for me.
I've got a PAS266 power head with a paddle, string trimmer and pruner attachment. I've had it 6± or so years and it's well used and not even a lick of failure. If it croaked tomorrow it owes me nothing.
All I've ever bought is Echo and I have no complaints about any of them. Chainsaw, hedge trimmer and wheeled trimmer and even a couple of old and abused Shindawas' that I brought back from the dead.

 

[mjonesnh]

Have a Stihl FS 130R purchased about 10 yrs ago. Has been totally reliable with zero problems. Current model is the FS 131R. If something went wrong with this one would not hesitate to replace with newest model. Runs brush cutting blades and .105 line with power to spare.

 

[KennyG]

String trimmers are a great application for battery power. My 20v DeWalt has been a best buy.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'd get a battery powered trimmer but my old Honda trimmer just refuses to quit running.

Through the years I'd tried several different models of trimmers. All were troublesome so 25 years ago I decided I would buy something that would last and I noticed that all the professional lawn care people around here were using Honda 4 stroke trimmers. So I bit the bullet and bought one. It was expensive but 25 years later it hasn't missed a lick. Sits all winter long and when I need to use it in the spring it fires up on the second pull of the cord. Works great with either the cord head or the metal blade that will slice through some pretty thick brush.

 

[RjCorazza]

I do also like Stihl products, but I own Echo string trimmers. Because their string head is the easiest to load and isn’t one of the “bang and jam” designs. And overall they are durable and work well. HD carries them as well as a lot of small engine /lawn equipment dealers.

My Stihl trimmers have Echo Speed Feed heads on them! They are by far the best trimmer head available.

 

[etpm]

I have 2 EGO battery powered trimmers. I love them. I have 2 because I wanted another battery and the batteries are so expensive to buy alone I decided to spend 30 dollars more and get another trimmer complete with battery and charger. I think this link is for the ones I have : Amazon.com
The trimmers I have load the line by just pushing a button. Super convenient. They are heavier than a gas powered trimmer but they are so quiet, which to me is more important. They will go through half inch thick new growth blackberry canes, so they have plenty of power. I like the trimmers so much I just ordered a 16 inch EGO chain saw.
Eric

 

[nybirdman]

Replaced my still working Stihl(20+years) with a battery Echo.Two batteries and it works great.Replaced Stihl chain saw with a battery powered Echo also.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have two of the Stihl Kombi trimmers and they have been dead reliable for my semi - commercial use.

This is the path I have chosen for my large property maintenance business. These are nice machines with a lot of versatility. I have the 91 and a 131.
What is nice is you can find the shaft ends used on FBM and keep a blade on one and a string head on another. Makes swapping a breeze. I also like the hedge clipper and pruning saw ends.

Also have Stihl HT extendable pole pruner and I love it.
And (3) Stihl chainsaws, too.

 

[nancyk]

What great input. I am attempting to compare/narrow down the trimmers by weight(would like around 10 lbs) and cc(may stay around 25). And, to keep it simple, will not be looking at any trimmers that accept attachments, that will just complicate comparisons. Probably will not go battery option as I did get a battery powered chainsaw and dislike it intensely, mainly for the lack of power.
Saw comments, on a lawn care site, that the Stihl FS94 can be persnickety in starting. Especially when warm outside. Have you found that so?