Weed Whacker Suggestions

Rob_H · May 30, 2006

Hi all;

This past weekend my cheap Homelite weed whacker bit the dust. Any recommendations for a middle of the road, reliable, easy to start unit. I'm thinking under $200.

This one will see pretty light use - 20-30 minutes per week keeping the grass down under some trees and along a couple stone walls.

Thanks!

Rob H.

Rob_H · May 30, 2006

Hi all;

This past weekend my cheap Homelite weed whacker bit the dust. Any recommendations for a middle of the road, reliable, easy to start unit. I'm thinking under $200.

This one will see pretty light use - 20-30 minutes per week keeping the grass down under some trees and along a couple stone walls.

Thanks!

Rob H.

Bob_Skurka · May 30, 2006

I have several and each is a different brand. I will recommend only Echo and Stihl. I bought a small Echo for my wife last year, price was under $200. It has their i-start system that makes it a breeze to start with very little force used. It also vibrates less than the Troy Bilt (1 year old), John Deere (12+ years old), or Poulen (5 year old) units we have. It is almost as vibration free as a more expensive Stihl. All of them vibrate, but the Echo and the Stihl seem to run smoother so that your hands/arms are not vibrating for long periods of time AFTER you turn the engine off.

Bob_Skurka · May 30, 2006

I have several and each is a different brand. I will recommend only Echo and Stihl. I bought a small Echo for my wife last year, price was under $200. It has their i-start system that makes it a breeze to start with very little force used. It also vibrates less than the Troy Bilt (1 year old), John Deere (12+ years old), or Poulen (5 year old) units we have. It is almost as vibration free as a more expensive Stihl. All of them vibrate, but the Echo and the Stihl seem to run smoother so that your hands/arms are not vibrating for long periods of time AFTER you turn the engine off.

century3045 · May 30, 2006

I have owned almost all brands of weedeaters at one time or another. I run a STIHL now and prefer nothing else but for middle of the road price wise I would go to Lowe's and buy a Ryobi. They are very good weedeaters and will handle big grass, also you can add the attachments if you get the split boom. I have 6 homelites that belonged to my dad, he would grab one up and if it didn't crank he would grab another. I have them all running but they kill my back to run because of the crooked shaft and they are weak in tough grass. They are ok for just light trimming . Kawasaki weedeaters are also pretty tough, Husqvarna IMHO are not worth the money they cost, Tanaka, Echo make good ones. I prefer the stihl after many dollars spent on weedeaters.

century3045 · May 30, 2006

I have owned almost all brands of weedeaters at one time or another. I run a STIHL now and prefer nothing else but for middle of the road price wise I would go to Lowe's and buy a Ryobi. They are very good weedeaters and will handle big grass, also you can add the attachments if you get the split boom. I have 6 homelites that belonged to my dad, he would grab one up and if it didn't crank he would grab another. I have them all running but they kill my back to run because of the crooked shaft and they are weak in tough grass. They are ok for just light trimming . Kawasaki weedeaters are also pretty tough, Husqvarna IMHO are not worth the money they cost, Tanaka, Echo make good ones. I prefer the stihl after many dollars spent on weedeaters.

keltonkrew · May 30, 2006

I have 2 Echo SRM-60's and they have been extremely reliable. I agree, Echo or Stihl. I have Echo weed whackers, Stihl chain saw, hedge trimmer and chainsaw.

Stay away from the cheapo stuff at Lowe's/Home Depot. Spend a little extra money and get a tool that will last longer, perform better, etc!

keltonkrew · May 30, 2006

I have 2 Echo SRM-60's and they have been extremely reliable. I agree, Echo or Stihl. I have Echo weed whackers, Stihl chain saw, hedge trimmer and chainsaw.

Stay away from the cheapo stuff at Lowe's/Home Depot. Spend a little extra money and get a tool that will last longer, perform better, etc!

jeffinsgf · May 30, 2006

I have a 15 year old Husqvarna that starts on the third pull every time. It hasn't seen a small engine shop in 8 or 9 years. That last trip was because of some foul fuel. I don't drain it every fall like I should, yet it just keeps starting and running perfectly. Husky started vibration islolation long before anyone else, and I think theirs is the best.

I bought a Stihl light duty trimmer at my last house. The Husky was a little too big for that tiny suburban lot. It is harder to start, but still a fine machine. The curved neck Stihl is usually on sale for 129 or 149 and may be just what you're looking for. As long as it is Orange (Husky, Stihl or Echo) you'll do fine. That said, I had a Shindawa years ago that was a decent machine, too. The problem with it was that the dealer went belly up, no one else in town carried the line, and I couldn't get parts for it. That was 15 years ago (when I bought the Husky), so things may be different now.

jeffinsgf · May 30, 2006

I have a 15 year old Husqvarna that starts on the third pull every time. It hasn't seen a small engine shop in 8 or 9 years. That last trip was because of some foul fuel. I don't drain it every fall like I should, yet it just keeps starting and running perfectly. Husky started vibration islolation long before anyone else, and I think theirs is the best.

I bought a Stihl light duty trimmer at my last house. The Husky was a little too big for that tiny suburban lot. It is harder to start, but still a fine machine. The curved neck Stihl is usually on sale for 129 or 149 and may be just what you're looking for. As long as it is Orange (Husky, Stihl or Echo) you'll do fine. That said, I had a Shindawa years ago that was a decent machine, too. The problem with it was that the dealer went belly up, no one else in town carried the line, and I couldn't get parts for it. That was 15 years ago (when I bought the Husky), so things may be different now.