Urgently need help with weed eater

Ric

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When we started our lawn service business up money was tight. I bought a Cub Cadet from Tractor Supply. Running commercial there is basically no warranty. I bought it in August and it ran great. I cut through into the Fall when we shut down for the winter. I started back up in the spring. It was doing so good that I bought a second as a backup. Within two weeks of running it in the spring it died. The second one lasted about a month and it went the same way. I bought a Stihl FS70. It ran great and made it through the season. Our local dealer started selling Echo products. Today we run all Echo Weedeaters have a total of 5 and I am to interested in going to anything else. Great machines and we have overall gotten great service from our local dealer.

They don't offer a 4 stroke that I saw but the 2 strokes do a great job.

I have 2 PAS 266's. A PAS 225, A PAS 280 which we did have some major problems with carburetor wise for a while and now have in the shop because the muffler stopped up on it. I also have a regular 266.

We run them a lot under some pretty rough conditions and they have given us overall great service. The 225 is the oldest and it is now used primarily as a powerhead for a pole saw and hedge trimmers.


The Echo Pas and the Stihl Kombi are good units for a homeowner or a business if you like that kinda thing but to me there just to heavy and time consuming to try and use all day long.
When the 266 is almost 11 lbs itself and then you add another 3 to 6 lbs for a trimmer or edger attachment or whatever, that's more weight than I want when I can use a trimmer that only weighs like 10 lbs or an edger that weighs 11 lbs.
Echo in a round about way does offer a 4 stroke if you wanted one, it's called Shindiawa who they own and manufacture. They have what they are calling a 2/4 stroke which they say is more environmentally friendly. People say there a pretty good unit.
 

SergioKurba

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For those of you who didn't see it, Sergio bought a Poulan Pro 4-cycle trimmer. He was nice enough to post it on my lawn care thread so I would know. :laughing: :smile:

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/showthread.php/36459-My-2016-Lawn-Equipment-Lawn-Care-Thread/page4

Yes, I actually bought Poulan and generally pleased with him, but he decided to learn the opinion of the Troy-Bilt. I would like to buy another weed eater and I was interested in the opinion of people! :mad::mad:
 

SergioKurba

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Thanks to all who responded. I realized that it is better to buy an expensive weed eater, than to save money. :thumbsup::smile::smile:
 

Ric

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Yes, I actually bought Poulan and generally pleased with him, but he decided to learn the opinion of the Troy-Bilt. I would like to buy another weed eater and I was interested in the opinion of people! :mad::mad:

I guess I would have to take it that you weren't happy with the opinions you received :confused:
 

Ric

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In the article look at the reviews for the weed eaters. They say it all.

"Save your money!!!!! After going thru cheap gas trimmers like disposable lighters, I thought I'd bite the bullet and buy a good one. Well, after spending $199.00 for this troy built, I thought this would last me a while. WRONG!!! I pruchased it from Fleet Farm in Chippewa Falls WI. While using it my third time, I heard a terrible noise, and it suddenly quit. Returning to the store with it, they told me I abused it, and there was nothing they could do (trimming weeds is abuse?! - isnt that what this is supposed to do?) So another $109.00 later, it now had a new flywheel. Tried it again - after about 15 minutes use, there was that horrible noise again, and another sudden stop. I called Troy Built, and was told to take a hike, it was my problem, and they would do nothing for me, but I could send it in and they would install another flywheel for me - Another $109.00 + shipping. My nice new Troy built trimmer now occupies its rightful spot at the local landfill, along with the $308.00 it cost me for about 1-1/2 hours use. Along with the putrid performance of this piece of garbage goes the total lack of service by the selling dealer, FARM AND FLEET in chippewa falls.If youre thinking of buying one of these trimmers - DONT DO IT - it is an expensive paperweight, with absolutely no customer service.
May 1, 2007
I recently purchased and quickly took this trimmer back. I first thought that having a 4 cyle engine was a good thing. Not. First it is very unbalanced and heavy. Second, it is very difficult to start. Third, you are told in the manual to disassemble the engine every 10 hours and adjust the valves. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, they suggest paying money to have it done. What?!!! Oh, they also tell you to make sure you replace the valve cover gasket everytime you do this. The engine was anything but smooth running and replacing the line is a real pain. This product just isn't well engineered. Buyer beware as this is an MTD product which does not have a good reputation for quality products or service.
August 1, 2007
DON'T BUY Troy-Built or MTD Products outdoor equipment!! On this model (and I suspect others) the top drive shaft is defective; as others have mentioned here and other places on internet, it wears out after only about 2 years, right when the warranty quits. I called customer service and spoke with Van (800-800-7310). He claims that the unit worked as it should for 2 years under the warranty; that the drive shaft is designed for 2 years worth of service and that it is a wear and tear item that needs to be replaced from time to time. I told him that is ridiculous, then he hung-up on me. Nice....With a defective driveshaft ($45+shipping), the rest of the unit is useless. I will have to throw it away and purchase a non MTD related replacement. There are other machines for same money that are better. I would certainly "

When you look at the article I think you need to ask the question about why they reviewed just those units. Why or what happened to the other units that are available like Honda who has produced a 4 stroke for years. What about Stihl and Shindiawa who have the 4 stroke or Echo and Redmax who make good residential units. I mean the guy sources weren't even manufacturers, he used Amazon, Ebay and Sears as sources. That doesn't say a lot for the review.
 

SergioKurba

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I guess I would have to take it that you weren't happy with the opinions you received :confused:

No, really! I am very happy with the answers that you gave! Thank you :smile::smile::thumbsup:
 

Carscw

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Stay away from the stihl 4 stroke and anything Troy-built.
Out of around 20 people I have talked to about the stihl only one has liked it. And he might put 2 hours a week in it.
 

Ric

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No, really! I am very happy with the answers that you gave! Thank you :smile::smile::thumbsup:

OK I was just a little confused by the Mad :mad: emoticon.
 
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