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.

 

[RandyT]

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

Now this is just anedotal. But running 40:1 will have more oil for lube but changes the ratio to oil to gas therefore making the engine run leaner. The OEM companies will say not to run 40:1 in an item that calls for 50:1 because it will run leaner and hotter which can the cause engine failure. My take is if that little change in ratio causes problems, there was a problem to start with.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I have a Husqvarna 525LK with a polesaw and broom attachment. Never fails me, very sturdy built......but it is also a commercial use product.

 

[jjeff]

Speaking of junk weed wackers what do you do with them when you have an uncanny ability to keep them running for occasional use? Make something useful sort of. Works as expected for weed control under new Xmas trees the old garden hose cut, wrapped, and zip tied around an old cut up broken foldable lawn chair works as expected for a prototype, and protects the trees when careful spraying of round up isn't an option. Welds on the thin metal are an embarrassment to real welders though.

 

[bmg88201]

What the heck is that, lol. “Hey honey, look at what I came up with after my 11th beer“.

 

[jjeff]

Now this is just anedotal. But running 40:1 will have more oil for lube but changes the ratio to oil to gas therefore making the engine run leaner. The OEM companies will say not to run 40:1 in an item that calls for 50:1 because it will run leaner and hotter which can the cause engine failure. My take is if that little change in ratio causes problems, there was a problem to start with.

I disagree somewhat from that I remember buying a brand new carbureted snowmobile around 2004 I remember in the owners manual for break in first few tanks of gas it stated to add oil to the gas it also had oil injection. I do think by putting excessive amounts of oil in a two stroke you will have significant carbon build up in the engine which will eventually score the cylinders if built up to much. Getting back to a junk Weed Wacker that TB had a bog (dead spot) on the top-end of the power band sounding very similar to when I've blown other two strokes cause they were to lean. So I enriched the h speed screw by unscrewing it went away. Like I've stated previously I called the customer number on it before I screwed around with it was put on hold for almost hr, said f-it and tinkered away. As for the line completely unwinding the bump feeder was jammed. If it had a clutch to engage the shaft it may have been prevented or at minimum would have idled better instead of putting a load on the engine immediately at start up. Maybe I got a Friday special and it was a fluke, and I've got my moneys worth on other cheap box store brand equipment but was so sick of this one I brought it back the day I purchased after many failed attempts to use it and get it running somewhat reliably.

 

[jjeff]

What the heck is that, lol. “Hey honey, look at what I came up with after my 11th beer“.

I recommend wearing a tinfoil hat when operating lol

 

[LittleBill21]

i run 40:1 in literally everything, no smoke no issue.

 

[5030]

Nothing that I know of that is detremental. Maybe a bit more carbon but that is it.

 

[NoTrespassing]

https://www.amazon.com/Trimmer-Cordless-Powered-Straight-Detachable/dp/B095SK88MJ?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

$150, clearing saw, 2 stroke 58cc engine, about 3.75 hp, same displacement engine as the biggest Stihl that costs $1600

I thought my 43cc was a brute at 3 hp.

 

[5030]

Probably be like the Chinese chain saws, good for a couple uses and then puke and you cannot get parts. I'll pass.