Junk weed Wacker.

[RandyT]

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.

MTD is the only one still running 40:1 everybody else including the cheap Chinese stuff at the box stores are running 50:1

 

[5030]

Always start out a new piece of equipment on 40-1 no matter what. Couple tanks then to 50-1 but Tru-Fuel or Red Armor.

 

[5030]

You can remove the limiter caps on an Echo quite easily and if you pull the aluminum connector, you can put the limiter caps back on with no limiting and the caps are much easier to get a screw driver on too.

 

[LittleBill21]

I have the largest echo bush cutter they sell, runs flawless and I run it almost wide open for 3 tanks and 3 spools of line in a single cut, I also have the echo backpack leaf blower.

both are some of the easiest machines I have ever started, when I throw my homelite chainsaw in the river, I will be buying a echo chainsaw.

 

[jjeff]

MTD is the only one still running 40:1 everybody else including the cheap Chinese stuff at the box stores are running 50:1

Interesting, doesn't mtd own a quite a few of the other brands? Don't see 50-1 often besides in better known reputable brands. 50-1 makes fuel storage easier cause you can use the same fuel can for multiple pieces of equipment.

 

[jjeff]

Always start out a new piece of equipment on 40-1 no matter what. Couple tanks then to 50-1 but Tru-Fuel or Red Armor.

Good point. I used to add some oil to the gas on oil injected 2 strokes when new or occasionally at start of season. Until fuel injection and electronic oil injection pumps became prevalent on a lot of newer power sports toys.

 

[jyoutz]

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.

The loggers and wildland firefighters in the western U.S. tend to use Stihl pro saws almost exclusively. Not knocking Echo. I have several different items of their equipment and like them.

 

[RandyT]

Interesting, doesn't mtd own a quite a few of the other brands? Don't see 50-1 often besides in better known reputable brands. 50-1 makes fuel storage easier cause you can use the same fuel can for multiple pieces of equipment.

MTD is Yard Machine, Bolens, Troybilt, Remington, Cub Cadet, Black and Decker, current Craftsman(some of the stuff prior to 2019 was 40:1 Poulan), The Poulan stuff by Husqvarna was 40:1 up until a few years ago and then they went 50:1. The Poulan Pro branded canned gas actually says 40:1 and 50:1 on the can.

Looks like Menard's also sells a Lawnmaster brand trimmer which was 40:1 which was an electric start trimmer. Ryobi and Homelite are both 50:1. And I see a fair amount of Earthquake cultivators, earth augers and trimmers which are 50:1

 

[NoTrespassing]

What is the downside to running 40:1 when 50:1 is recommended?

 

[ArlyA]

What is the downside to running 40:1 when 50:1 is recommended?

I understand that as fouling plugs sooner, higher fuel consumption, more or some smoke, slightly less power? Our Stihls seem to operate will no smoke, little smell.