Need opinions on Commercial Line Trimmers...

[Podunkadunk]

Hey guys,
I'm in the market for a new line trimmer. I need a heavy duty model. Since moving here in Alabama last October, I have "used up" 2 Lowes Model Troy-Bilts! I'd give their useful hours 15, maybe 20 for the particular model I purchased. They made good on the first one, probably will on second one also, but I don't want another.

I'm looking at Stihl - FS 80, FS 80R

Husqvarna - (as long as it's not a Poulan made model and has the made in sweden metal nameplate)....326RJx

Echo - PAS-260

Anyone have one of these?

I appreciate ANY insight. You can also throw in another brand that is competent for what I need. I don't even care if your brand biased...you won't hurt my feelings any, heck, even throw in a picture of your JD...haha.

I can't do the work around here with an off the shelf Lowes/Home Depot weed-whacker. It's got to be a commercial brand with more hours of useability available before it goes kaput. Thanks guys!

Podunk

 

[MrJimi]

In Florida, the commercial road clearing guys all use Echo line and I have the homeowner version and I love it
take a look at what your guys are using, a person will not buy something that pukes soon

 

[InlineDieselFan]

I had a Stihl FS85 for about ten years (still do but it is full throttle or off). It was a nice machine I recently replaced it with a Stihl FS130. Way more power and ability and not that much more weight.


steve

 

[RobertN]

I have had good luck with Husky 225R and a Stihl(can't remember the model while at work!).

A couple years back though, I got a Honda 4-stroke brusher/trimmer. It works really well, is quiet, and does not need mix. It's 31cc, which I think is the biggest 4-stoke available. If I needed bigger, I'd jump back to a Stihl or Husky. I cut grass to weeds to sapling(with a blade). I have spent hours and hours and hours on them; All worked well, but I would get the 4-stroke.

 

[schmism]

i love my shindawa.... still geting the job done some 15 years later

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have a Husqvarna 225 that is closing in on 20 years of abusive service. I have a couple of pieces of Stihl gear that are impressive. Specifically, I have a Stihl pole saw that I got a few months ago, and now that it is broken in, it starts on the first or second pull every time I pick it up -- never seen anything like it. It is the new Stihl 4-MIX® engine.

Make it orange, or orange and white or grey with orange trim (Echo) and you won't go wrong.

 

[kenmac]

husky 326 LX - Maruyama ( forget the mod # ) - Redmax bp blower & trimmer Solid steel shaft on all 3 trimmers . Last time I checked echo only made 1 trimmer with solid steel shaft the rest had flex cables

 

[art]

Stihl 90 is a straight shaft machine and is a good machine.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Stihl and Echo are hard to beat, Echo doesn't really make a homeowner grade model so their stuff is designed for commercial useage. Redmax is also another brand that is awesome, alot of commercial guys swear by it and I have not heard anyone swear at it. I have a Stihl FS96, my dad has an Echo that he has yet to wear out, 14 years and the thing just won't die.

 

[Podunkadunk]

I appreciate all the responses. I've gathered that any of the 3 I mentioned will work for as long as I am able to pick up the machine.

I called my local "lawn mower/chainsaw/line trimmer" repairman yesterday afternoon. He repeated the jist of what you guys said, but added that the problem with Stihl, Husky and Echo's is that they last so long, by the time they usually start breaking, the manufacturer doesn't carry parts for it or they are hard to find. He said manufacturer's are only required to make parts for their machines (by law) for 7 years. My response was "I'd be happy to have one that will last for JUST 7 years, especially since I've burned up 2 in the last 9 months!"

The "tally" from all the feedback was:
Stihl - 4
Husky - 3
Echo - 2 (but lots of honorable mentions)
Honda - 1 (fourstroke, which I like the idea of, but I've always loved the powerband of a 2stroke, at the inconvenience of mixing)
Redmax - 1


Now to make a decision and purchase! Thanks to all!
Podunk