Looking for a string trimmer. Any opinions?

[RSKY]

Fifteen years ago I had a small shed burn to the ground. The insurance company said to replace everything, make sure you have full replacement coverage. So I went to the local dealer who handled Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo, and RedMax. I asked him what to get and he didn't hesitate but walked straight to the Stihl display and handed me the lightest commercial duty trimmer they made at the time. I always but alcohol free gas and it starts every time with two pulls. So fourteen years so far and I did replaced the head last year. Whatever you get burn no alcohol free gas, use name brand oil, and change the air filter at least once a year, and you will get good service. Stay away from the cheapy models.

Have owned Echo and Husky but everything I buy now, gas powered that is, is Stihl.

RSKY

 

[PNWKioti]

+1 on Stihl. I own a FS90, plenty of power and 0 issues!

 

[motownbrowne]

Beware, Tanaka and Hitachi merged. The older Japanese-made Tanaka stuff was excellent. Post-merger, more and more of their products are Chinese made and not the same design/quality. I believe the Hitachi stuff had been Chinese made for a while before the merger. Unless you know 100% you're getting a Japanese Tanaka unit, I would not buy it. For a while you could tell based on the looks, but it's been years and I don't know anymore. I'd have to see country of manufacture to know.

I just learned about this. I had a really hard time determining the country of origin for that model, but eventually determined it to be China...

It's probably not a big deal; I talked to two Tanaka dealers who both said that the made in China stuff is still really really good. They're probably right, but it still worried me. All of my two strokes so far are made in the USA, Germany, or Japan.

Anyway, one of the dealers who was about 30 miles from me has an older model, a TCB-230sfs in stock for $250. It's only a half pound heavier and has the spilt-boom feature to accept a pole saw or cultivator, etc. And, it says made in Japan on it. So, bought it. I'll have to pay return shipping on the other one, which is too bad, but that's what happens when you make hasty decisionsi guess.

Anyway, haven't had a chance to try yet, but I'll report back when I have.

 

[Carl_NH]

I just learned about this. I had a really hard time determining the country of origin for that model, but eventually determined it to be China...

It's probably not a big deal; I talked to two Tanaka dealers who both said that the made in China stuff is still really really good. They're probably right, but it still worried me. All of my two strokes so far are made in the USA, Germany, or Japan.

Anyway, one of the dealers who was about 30 miles from me has an older model, a TCB-230sfs in stock for $250. It's only a half pound heavier and has the spilt-boom feature to accept a pole saw or cultivator, etc. And, it says made in Japan on it. So, bought it. I'll have to pay return shipping on the other one, which is too bad, but that's what happens when you make hasty decisionsi guess.

Anyway, haven't had a chance to try yet, but I'll report back when I have.

Motown,

Just checked my Tanaka - made in china - it works fine - I understand though I think the quality today is subjective - a good design is likely to last a long time either way.

One other point - we are Amazon prime and assume you are too. I ordered and received a new small limbing chainsaw last fall - long story short I took it out of the box and decided it didn't fit my hands - never even put gas or oil in it. Called Amazon to return it and they basically said "keep it" don't return it.

Moral of the story is if your new Hitachi doesnt fit or "feel right" Amazon doesnt want it back due to the gas/oil leakage/shipping liability that incurs and even so they just send these to the recon center I guess and the return shipping liability and resale on something under $200 isn't worth it to them.

So you might end up with two trimmers for the price of one!

Carl

 

[jymbee]

If you're replacing string you're hitting immovable objects.

A skilled operator can do a whole yard without any string replacement.

You must have a lot different (or a lot smaller) yard than ours! Around here there's many areas that get trimmed just to keep the weeds down and the briars from getting started. Many string chomping rocks & tree roots that are not visible until you try to mow 'em down. Shoot-- even the woodier weeds will soon wear down your string.

 

[gsganzer]

I bought a Husky 225R about 15 years ago and it's still running strong. It's been flawless for all these years and it's had a busy life. It has the bicycle handle and harness and with my 1 acre of yard, I wouldn't want to do it without that. It's fairly simple to change from string, disk and blade.

I also have a newer Stihl KM110. I'm afraid that the newer 2 -strokes just don't have the same power as the older 2-strokes.

Whatever you choose, go with the true pro-models. They're worth it.

 

[s219]

I just learned about this. I had a really hard time determining the country of origin for that model, but eventually determined it to be China...

It's probably not a big deal; I talked to two Tanaka dealers who both said that the made in China stuff is still really really good. They're probably right, but it still worried me. All of my two strokes so far are made in the USA, Germany, or Japan.

Anyway, one of the dealers who was about 30 miles from me has an older model, a TCB-230sfs in stock for $250. It's only a half pound heavier and has the spilt-boom feature to accept a pole saw or cultivator, etc. And, it says made in Japan on it. So, bought it. I'll have to pay return shipping on the other one, which is too bad, but that's what happens when you make hasty decisionsi guess.

Anyway, haven't had a chance to try yet, but I'll report back when I have.

The only thing I know about the Chinese Tanakas/Hitachis, which I learned from the chainsaws, is that they are nothing special like the older Japanese units were. In other words, probably no better/worse than any of the other Chinese-made brands, but not sought after like the Japanese Tanakas were. I think you made a good decision looking for a Japanese model, and it should last a lifetime. I used a couple of the older Japanese Tanaka saws, and they were gems.

 

[4570Man]

Motown, Just checked my Tanaka - made in china - it works fine - I understand though I think the quality today is subjective - a good design is likely to last a long time either way. One other point - we are Amazon prime and assume you are too. I ordered and received a new small limbing chainsaw last fall - long story short I took it out of the box and decided it didn't fit my hands - never even put gas or oil in it. Called Amazon to return it and they basically said "keep it" don't return it. Moral of the story is if your new Hitachi doesnt fit or "feel right" Amazon doesnt want it back due to the gas/oil leakage/shipping liability that incurs and even so they just send these to the recon center I guess and the return shipping liability and resale on something under $200 isn't worth it to them. So you might end up with two trimmers for the price of one! Carl

I bought a pressure washer from Amazon. When I filled it up with gas it leaked everywhere. I contacted customer service and they said since it had gas it it they couldn't ship it. They shipped me a brand new one and let me keep the other one. It turned out it was missing a fuel line which cost me less than $10 to replace. It was a specialty hose or it wouldn't have cost that much.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have 3 Stihl chainsaws and one Echo chainsaw. The echo is far easier to start. When I decided to buy a quality weed eater, I went to the same dealer that sells Stihl and Echo. He told me that for the same amount of money, I could get an Echo with a bigger motor and gear box when compared to Stihl. He also said that he personally uses Echo over Stihl. I bought the Echo and love it.

One other thing he told me was to use square string. It cuts better and last longer. I've seen the difference and would never buy round string a gain!!!

I went the Stihl but ditto on the square line. I think I have the FS90 and it is plenty powerful with the heaviest string. I have the brush cut attach but don't use as I would rather abuse my Honda mower in those cases or better wipe the area out with my BX with piranha tooth bar.

 

[EddieWalker]

Beware, Tanaka and Hitachi merged. The older Japanese-made Tanaka stuff was excellent. Post-merger, more and more of their products are Chinese made and not the same design/quality. I believe the Hitachi stuff had been Chinese made for a while before the merger. Unless you know 100% you're getting a Japanese Tanaka unit, I would not buy it. For a while you could tell based on the looks, but it's been years and I don't know anymore. I'd have to see country of manufacture to know.

I've never owned anything Tanaka, and don't even recognize the name. I've had numerous Hitachi tools and found them to be hit or miss. I really like their air framing guns, but I've found that some of their other stuff to be pure junk.

 

[motownbrowne]

I've never owned anything Tanaka, and don't even recognize the name. I've had numerous Hitachi tools and found them to be hit or miss. I really like their air framing guns, but I've found that some of their other stuff to be pure junk.

They make a two-stroke powered drill (probably several models, actually) that are very common in the maple syrup industry. Since tap size has gotten smaller, and cordless drills have gotten much better, you don't see them used as much anymore, but they were very well regarded. I have also seen their equipment in use by commercial landscapers.

I fired it up for about an hour last night and am very pleased. It's very light weight and maneuverable, which will be great for 90% of my use. I don't have a blade yet for it, so I won't know for a while how it does cutting small saplings and heavy weeds. So far I'm very impressed with the build quality and performance. I'm hoping that this trimmer will last me a long time.

 

[houstonscott]

Only two options; Echo or Stihl. If you can get a real Kawasaki made in Japan they are very nice too. HS

 

[ultrarunner]

Since you ruled out Stihl is would recommend Tanaka. I have had one from over 25 years and it's near bullet proof.

Grass Trimmers

Look for a dealer near you and check them out.


TBS

I own Stihl, Echo and Tanaka... all have been good with the Stihl FS 250 being the beast.

Dealer told me Tanaka today is not the old Tanaka and they have cheapened to meet price points.

My Echo SRM is 35 years old and is a real work horse... it has a crack in the plastic fuel tank that no matter what I do will start leaking again... Echo does not support anything this old.

Ordered a Tanaka tank and will try to retrofit.

The old Echo is 32:1 fuel and I've been running Stihl 50:1 Synthetic and runs better than ever the last two seasons.

As for string heads my all time favorite is the Original Tanaka Brain... it is self feeding with no bumping... always the right length...

Tried the Stihl self-feeding and it went through a lot more line at a faster rate than the Tanaka Head...

The Stihl white plastic knife cutter head do well until you hit something and then you start over.

 

[kenmac]

I own 2 -2 stroke trimmers with solid steel shafts. A 15 yr old Marayama, and a 15 yr old Husky 326 lx. Both have cut a lot of grass,weeds ,and trees with the saw attachment... Replaced the fuel lines ,and primer bulb on the Husky last week....Both are still running strong

 

[two_bit_score]

I own Stihl, Echo and Tanaka... all have been good with the Stihl FS 250 being the beast.

Dealer told me Tanaka today is not the old Tanaka and they have cheapened to meet price points.

My Echo SRM is 35 years old and is a real work horse... it has a crack in the plastic fuel tank that no matter what I do will start leaking again... Echo does not support anything this old.

Ordered a Tanaka tank and will try to retrofit.

The old Echo is 32:1 fuel and I've been running Stihl 50:1 Synthetic and runs better than ever the last two seasons.

As for string heads my all time favorite is the Original Tanaka Brain... it is self feeding with no bumping... always the right length...

Tried the Stihl self-feeding and it went through a lot more line at a faster rate than the Tanaka Head...

The Stihl white plastic knife cutter head do well until you hit something and then you start over.

I have heard the same thing abut the Tanakas not being the same as old ones.

I've never had an Echo but they are supposed to be good too. Hope you can get a fuel tank.

I have converted to nothing but Stihl fuel. Just saves a lot of down time.

I still like that Tanaka Brain trimmer head and it still works well too. Never tried the white knives trimmer but I've been tempted.

I love the Stihl but if I could get another Tanaka just like I have but NEW i would trade two Stills for it.

TBS

 

[ultrarunner]

The Tanaka Brain was a godsend to my Dad... he would like to attack the weeds before fire season but it was difficult for him to get set to go... stopping for the line was frustrating for him and even with the easy Echo start... with his arthritis he needed to set the trimmer on the ground.

I got him the Brain and it was like heaven... I would get him all set and he could just keep going. The white knives were NOT a good fit for my application... never know when a rock outcropping will take it out... soaking the plastic knives in water is supposed to make them more robust... never got that far although the extra blade pack is soaking in water.

I too have switched to Stihl synthetic for all my 2 stroke power equipment... never did try it in my 1939 16:1 Sachs Motorcycle... with 16:1 and leaves a vapor trail or the old Evinrude...

My brother's Stihl FS240 is a beast... very solid, ran well, idle well and plenty of power... also about $650 plus attachments. He also has several of the FS100 just for line for his Christmas Tree farm.

 

[DrRod]

Have a 1980's Stihl with a big steel blade and it has stood the test of time. Also have an Echo with a Christmas tree shearing head on it. It starts every time -- even after sitting for months. If you have a lot of trimming to do, I would look at the DR trimmers and mowers. More than your budget but tough as nails and well designed for real work.

 

[bjr]

I like my Echo a lot. Got the PAS-266 powerhead and two attachments: string trimmer, brush cutter. Plan to add the pole saw at some point.

X-2 I've the PAS-266 with SpeedFeed head and a extra lower shaft so I can switch between the string and the plastic knife blades. The steel blades just get dull too quick for me. I've found using the Titanium .095" (Grey) string is best, Do Not Leave the string package out in the sun as the string will get brittle and snap off quick. My neighbor who very visually impaired can restring the SpeedFeed and gets along with Echo PAS-266 just fine (just don't let him near the flower bed). Good support for the Echo (well parts anyways). I had a Dealer/service said "they don't take in string trimmers for service other than warranty work". Engine parts are best bought on line as the local service people don't or can't get power head parts for older model thru "their channels". I went online and found all sorts of sources for a older Echo. All I know 'bout that. bjr

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ I've done all the searches for a new fuel tank for my Echo... can't say how many hours... also had Echo do a North America parts search and not a single one could be found...

I realize it is very old by trimmer standards... it was also very costly for a couple of kids to buy for their Dad as a father's day present at around $300 back in the 1980's.

My options are junk it... build a tank or retrofit one... and since it was Dad's... junking is at the bottom of the list.