String trimmer time

[Bird]

I bought a new Stihl saw a couple of months ago. While looking I asked the dealer about a new string trimmer as my old Weed Eater brand trimmer is on its last leg. The dealer recommended a Kawasaki. This dealer carries Husky, Stihl, and Kawasaki. I will likely be seriously looking this summer to decide what best fits my needs.

Thinking of the old Weedeater brand reminds me that my first string trimmer was an electric Weedeater. After a few years, when it wore out, I decided I wanted a gasoline powered string trimmer and went shopping. One of the first places I went sold several brands, including Weedeater, but the guy asked me to come with him into the shop to see the string trimmers waiting to be repaired. There were probably 3 times as many Weedeaters as all the other brands combined.:laughing: He said he sold'em, repaired'em, and did warranty work on'em, but wouldn't recommend one.

I eventually bought a Ryan. It was cheap, but it also said "manufactured under license to OMC" (Outboard Marine Corporation). Because of the good luck I'd had with Johnson and Evinrude outboards, that was what sold me on the Ryan. And it actually was good for 2 years, but then some sorry thief stole it out of my garage when the door was left open, so I don't know how long it would have lasted.:laughing:

 

[JDdude]

I bought one of those propane weed eaters last year and love it..Starts quick, warms up fast..Just runs awesome..Even though it is a bit heavier it is my weed eater of choice..I have 2 Echos, a 4 cycle Briggs-snapper and the Propane one is the one I prefer..

 

[buck12]

Thinking of the old Weedeater brand reminds me that my first string trimmer was an electric Weedeater. After a few years, when it wore out, I decided I wanted a gasoline powered string trimmer and went shopping. One of the first places I went sold several brands, including Weedeater, but the guy asked me to come with him into the shop to see the string trimmers waiting to be repaired. There were probably 3 times as many Weedeaters as all the other brands combined.:laughing: He said he sold'em, repaired'em, and did warranty work on'em, but wouldn't recommend one.

I eventually bought a Ryan. It was cheap, but it also said "manufactured under license to OMC" (Outboard Marine Corporation). Because of the good luck I'd had with Johnson and Evinrude outboards, that was what sold me on the Ryan. And it actually was good for 2 years, but then some sorry thief stole it out of my garage when the door was left open, so I don't know how long it would have lasted.:laughing:

I can't complain about the cheap WalMart Weed Eater. Its 12 or 13 years old and I cranked the other day with last year's gas still in it. The problem is it has almost no power anymore.

 

[whistlepig]

I have always had the best performance and life from my Stihl FS80's. I have owned a couple of Echo's and Echo would be my first choice after Stihl. It has been my experience that the Echo's don't last as long as the Stihl's.

 

[Bird]

I can't complain about the cheap WalMart Weed Eater. Its 12 or 13 years old and I cranked the other day with last year's gas still in it. The problem is it has almost no power anymore.

Buck, I should have also mentioned that it was about 25 years ago when that dealer showed me all the Weedeater brand trimmers in the shop. There's probably little similarity to the later models.

My point was that I really liked the Ryan, but apparently the company did not do well or last very long.

 

[whistlepig]

I bought one of the first Weedeater brand trimmers when they first came out. I don't remember how much it actually weighed but it felt like it weighed 50 pounds. Even at that it was easier and got more done than using a scythe.

 

[buck12]

Buck, I should have also mentioned that it was about 25 years ago when that dealer showed me all the Weedeater brand trimmers in the shop. There's probably little similarity to the later models.

My point was that I really liked the Ryan, but apparently the company did not do well or last very long.

No doubt the Weed Eater brand is a throw away brand. I plan to purchase a more robust trimmer this. I am amazed at the service I have gotten out this cheapo.

 

[2manyrocks]

Whatever you buy, try to avoid ethanol fuel. I got good service out of my Sthil FS 80 for many years, but things change so much with manufacturers that I can't say what I'd buy today.

 

[flusher]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

A Tanaka commercial type trimmer-on my 6th season now with this trimmer and no problems. I take care of my 10-acre place with it (landscape trimming around the house, a small almond orchard, 1/4 mile of fence line, and 1/4 mile of ditches). Cost around $400.

 

[bironacad]

I have always had the best performance and life from my Stihl FS80's. I have owned a couple of Echo's and Echo would be my first choice after Stihl. It has been my experience that the Echo's don't last as long as the Stihl's.

Pretty sure that is what I own been going easily 10+ years, hope I didn't jinx it, lol.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Ordered a brand new Husqvarna 223 off E-Bay. I got it for about $65 less than I could find local. It was the only string timmer that nobody said a bad word about. We will see. It was over $100 less than the same size Echo.

 

[whistlepig]

When buying Stihl its well worth the few extra few dollars to go for the "Pro Series". Not much there in extra features but well worth it in the longevity.

 

[aczlan]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

We have 2 stihl weedeaters (one with line and one with a brush blade) and a chain saw. They start fine no matter how long they have sat.

My starting method for all 2 cycle equipment is as follows:
1. Make sure the gas is on
2. Pump the primer bulb 3-5 times (depending on what I am starting)
3. Put the choke on full
4. Turn on the shutoff switch
5. Pull the rope till it kicks or coughs (normally 3-5 pulls)
6. Move the choke to 1/2 choke
7. Pull the rope again
Using this method, I normally only pull the rope 2-3 times in step 7 and it is ready to go (other than the cheap POS Huskvarna at the hotel which has an auto shutoff choke and needs to be replaced)

Aaron Z

 

[EddieWalker]

I have two Stihl chainsaws, one Echo chainsaw and an Echo weedeater. I can't tell you if there is a better weedeater out there then the straight shaft Echo because it's my first good quality weedeater that I've ever owned. Spending less and then not being able to get them to start just became too much for me, so I went out to buy the best that I could find.

I've owned half a dozen other brands and I've never had anything as easy to start as Echo. I never use any fuel stabalizers. I just run it empty and fill it up when I use it.

I'm a HUGE fan of Echo and when my Stihl chansaws die, I'll replace them with Echo.

Eddie

 

[Bird]

I've owned half a dozen other brands and I've never had anything as easy to start as Echo. I never use any fuel stabalizers. I just run it empty and fill it up when I use it.

I've heard nothing but good things about Echo and several years ago, nearly all the commercial operators I noticed (no scientific survey) were using Echo. But in more recent times, it appears to me that they're using more Stihls. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

However, I do the opposite from what you do. I do use Stabil in all my small engine gasoline and I never run them out. I used to run all my 2-cycle stuff dry before putting them away, but I quit doing that a couple of years ago. My 6 year old Stihl has their "Easy2Start" system (or as the salesman called it "the granny start system") and it starts just as easily this month as it did 6 years ago. I changed the spark plug, just as preventive maintenance, after the first year and decided that was not necessary, so the one I'm running now is 5 years old.

 

[2manyrocks]

I caved in and bought a Echo 265U for $369 plus tax. It came with a metal saw blade and the string trimmer head. The salesman said to choke it once and then take the choke off to start or it would flood. So far, it is starting very easily and running nicely. It reminds me of my old Sthil FS80.

I looked at the Sthil FS90, but didn't like the balance of it compared to the Echo. The powerhead seems more bulky than my old FS80.