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What is the best string trimmer?

#1

A

angela

Give me a good idea about the string trimmer


#2

willys55

willys55

it's all about what you like, they are mostly throw away units these days, if you get three years out of them you are lucky, I have had john deere, cubcadet, sthil, Echo and troybilt.....the Echo is still going strong, had it about 4 years now....above average..........I use it to keep weeds down around the fence posts, I have 2 acres fenced and it take about two hours to walk and trim, the echo needs a fill up twice during this. also all mine where the bent shaft style, the john deere was a straight shaft which is good for my height, but then no one else would use it because it was too long


#3

R

rccsofla

I have an echo I've had for over 5 years now. I weed eat approx, 2-3 hours a week.Can't say anything negative about the unit.Would buy another.


#4

H

helomech

i have a echo SRM-280T and I love it. Very powerful, very little vibration, and works every time. Just wish it had a quick change for the string trimmer to saw blade.


#5

Homer1

Homer1

Echo's pretty popular around here. Stihl probably 2nd most popular. They are just better units than anything at the big box stores.


#6

jekjr

jekjr

We are running all Echos. I have five. I would not consider going to anything else. I ran two Stihls and did not have that great of results with them. I have three 266's and two 225's. I ran a 280 a few years ago but I did not have success with it. For some reason we had carburetor problems with it. Finally gave it back and they gave me another one and it was the same way. On the other hand the 266's and 225's have served me well.

One strong point that the Echo has that the Stihl units did not have is the Speed Feed Head. You can wind new string on it and be running in seconds without having to take untying apart.


#7

C

cruzenmike

I have had a Ryobi 2-cycle string trimmer (SS26) for 7 summers now, caring for a 1/4 acre property for 6 of them and a 3 acre property now. I also use the power head for an edger attachment and a blower attachment. Not one problem to this day! Nothing you spend $100 or more on should be considered a "throw-away" although if you spend more you certainly increases your chances of having a more reliable piece of equipment; that is if you are spending that extra money on something commercial-oriented.


#8

Homer1

Homer1

jekjr said:
We are running all Echos. I have five. I would not consider going to anything else. I ran two Stihls and did not have that great of results with them. I have three 266's and two 225's. I ran a 280 a few years ago but I did not have success with it. For some reason we had carburetor problems with it. Finally gave it back and they gave me another one and it was the same way. On the other hand the 266's and 225's have served me well.

One strong point that the Echo has that the Stihl units did not have is the Speed Feed Head. You can wind new string on it and be running in seconds without having to take untying apart.
Click to expand...

Yes yes, what he said. The speed feed head, also available aftermarket an accessory on most any trimmer, is an absolute lifesaver!

If you've not used one, you don't know what your missing.


#9

jekjr

jekjr

Homer1 said:
Yes yes, what he said. The speed feed head, also available aftermarket an accessory on most any trimmer, is an absolute lifesaver!

If you've not used one, you don't know what your missing.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, it is probably not reccomeded nor safe, :p but I many times rethread mine and do not even shut it down. Just stand it on the end, feed string in, wind it up, and change ends and go back to running.

I have had people tell me that they would not run .205 line too but that is the only thing we run in them.

I have run them till the stain holes were long grooves instead of holes and they keep on feeding. We replace the bottom covers every few weeks and keep on running them.

Excellent product.


#10

Bleach

Bleach

I bought a Maruyama BCGX 31 string trimmer in 7/99 and it still is working strong. The reason I bought this particular trimmer is that it has a Honda 31cc 4 strong engine. It's been as dependable as a shovel. I haven't had to do anything to it except change the oil and clean the air filter. It starts on 2nd or 3rd pull when I've taken it out of storage. I can also use a brush cutter blade with it. I use one that looks like a heavy duty saw blade that's made locally. It's my favorite and best garden implement. It cost just over $500 back in 1999. So compared to others buying a trimmer every 5 or so years this was a bargain.
I don't know if they are still available.


#11

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

Husqvarna 525L.


#12

Mike88se

Mike88se

angela said:
Give me a good idea about the string trimmer
Click to expand...

The last one you used that worked I guess :) I don't know if there is a best but if nobody has mentioned it there are some to steer clear of. Weedeater, Ryobi, and Craftsman to name a few. I've been using a Tanaka tbc255pf for a few years. Light, powerful enough for most jobs, and dependable. I wish the speedfeed heads would fit it but no big deal.


#13

jekjr

jekjr

One thing I did not say above is that we use the Echo PAS units. We have two PAS 225's and two PAS 266's. We use them primarily as string trimmers but also have a couple of edger attachments that we use as well as a pole saw and a hedge trimmer attachment.

This is a real money saver because it saves me having to have two edgers on the trailer. Of course when you have two and run commercial you will need a backup. Also it saves space in the trailer as it is already packed to the gills with equipment.

If I were going to buy a trimmer for home use I would think that the PAS 225 would be more than sufficient. It definitely gets the job done with a minor amount of down time.


#14

N

neetan

Just bought the new shindaiwa 262x now with the solid shaft. Use to have the echo 1501 lasted 27years with only filters and sparkplug change. Now on the last take apart I broke the bolt for the head ~ my bad ~ engine is still good but now time for a new one. 262x will cut thru grass that is 4 feet high with no issue other than the grass getting stuck between the head and the shaft. Came with the clip for blade but why spend the extra 45$
Came with a 5 yr warranty, who know I may have till I go LOL


#15

W

wilburn cox

I have a Ryobi professional model 2079r which I purchased from Lowes about twenty years ago. I do my own maintenance and only problem I have had is the fuel tank sprang a leak. A friend here in Stephenville Tx repair shop ordered a tank from an Echo and I made it fit. I have cleaned carb, replaced filter and fuel lines a few times but the thing still runs strong. We have 4 acres, lots of oak trees. I trim around each tree, around the house, shop and fences without a problem. A lady friend of ours borrowed it for a few days. Her Echo is in my friend's shop.If this thing ever goes south I will likely buy and Echo. Most people hate Ryobi's but I keep it cleaned maintained and it has held up.
Red Cox
Everyone have a fantastic day


#16

Mike88se

Mike88se

wilburn cox said:
I have a Ryobi professional model 2079r which I purchased from Lowes about twenty years ago. I do my own maintenance and only problem I have had is the fuel tank sprang a leak. A friend here in Stephenville Tx repair shop ordered a tank from an Echo and I made it fit. I have cleaned carb, replaced filter and fuel lines a few times but the thing still runs strong. We have 4 acres, lots of oak trees. I trim around each tree, around the house, shop and fences without a problem. A lady friend of ours borrowed it for a few days. Her Echo is in my friend's shop.If this thing ever goes south I will likely buy and Echo. Most people hate Ryobi's but I keep it cleaned maintained and it has held up.
Red Cox
Everyone have a fantastic day
Click to expand...

Kudos to you my friend for keeping that Ryobi going :thumbsup: If I had to choose a worst trimmer it would be Homelite.
I also have an Echo PAS w/ string trimmer, edger, and hedge trimmer attachment. I use the edger attachment 99.9% of the time. I don't trim many hedges but that part works fine. The string trimmer attachment is nice to have as a backup to the Tanaka.


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