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Buying a new trimmer

Jan 24, 2014#1

jakesteel22

Im looking into buying a new string trimmer. Im just getting started so i dont want anything that will kill my wallet. Ive been looking at some of the stihls. Should i go with a homeowner one or a commercial? Any models you would recommend?

Jan 24, 2014#2

Ric

jakesteel22 said:
Im looking into buying a new string trimmer. Im just getting started so i dont want anything that will kill my wallet. Ive been looking at some of the stihls. Should i go with a homeowner one or a commercial? Any models you would recommend?

If your talking about commercial use then go commercial. I'd recommend the FS 90R it's a straight shaft with a 28.4cc engine that would give you the power to use other attachments and it also has the 18oz fuel capacity for longer run time between fill ups unlike the residential units with something like 11oz. The 90R runs $329.95. I've been using the same 90R commercially for like 8 years averaging 60 lawns per week and never had an issue.

Jan 24, 2014#3

Carscw

Ric said:
If your talking about commercial use then go commercial. I'd recommend the FS 90R it's a straight shaft with a 28.4cc engine that would give you the power to use other attachments and it also has the 18oz fuel capacity for longer run time between fill ups unlike the residential units with something like 11oz. They run $329.95. I've been using the same 90R commercially for like 8 years averaging 60 lawns per week and never had an issue.

I agree with ric the FS 90R is the better trimmer in $330.00 price range.
It's really not worth the money to go with a cheap trimmer. I just tossed my second ryobi in the last 12 months onto the scrap pile.

Jan 24, 2014#4

jakesteel22

Carscw said:
I agree with ric the FS 90R is the better trimmer in $330.00 price range.
It's really not worth the money to go with a cheap trimmer. I just tossed my second ryobi in the last 12 months onto the scrap pile.

Well i know im going to get a stihl, just not sure if it will be a pro grade or homeowner, or what model

Jan 24, 2014#5

P

possum

If you are going to use it a lot get a good one. A cheapo one is not worth working on.

Jan 25, 2014#6

BWH

jakesteel22 said:
Well i know im going to get a stihl, just not sure if it will be a pro grade or homeowner, or what model

I understand breaking the bank(been there), if its the difference between feeding the family or buying a lesser trimmer you have to do what you have to do. But with that said if you have the cash to swing it don't hesitate to go the quality route you'll never regret it.

Jan 25, 2014#7

Ric

jakesteel22 said:
Well i know im going to get a stihl, just not sure if it will be a pro grade or homeowner, or what model

If you want to spend a little less money you can go with the FS 70R for $279.95 it's the bottom of the commercial trimmers for Stihl. Something you may want to remember or be aware of about the 90 R and up is your getting a 4mix engine (4cycle 2 stroke lubricated engine) more power and torque than a two stroke.

Jan 25, 2014#8

jakesteel22

Ric said:
If you want to spend a little less money you can go with the FS 70R for $279.95 it's the bottom of the commercial trimmers for Stihl. Something you may want to remember or be aware of about the 90 R and up is your getting a 4mix engine (4cycle 2 stroke lubricated engine) more power and torque than a two stroke.

Well i was looking around and i took a look at the KM 90 R. Would i be better of getting something like that? Then i could get more attachments for it.

Jan 25, 2014#9

Ric

jakesteel22 said:
Well i was looking around and i took a look at the KM 90 R. Would i be better of getting something like that? Then i could get more attachments for it.

That's up to you. yes they work and if your a homeowner I think it would be alright but if your working as a business and doing a good number of lawns daily and weekly I think that doing trimming, edging and maybe hedge trimming would be putting a lot of pressure on one engine or power head and the thing is if that engine goes down you've lost everything. The thing I have always believed in was having back up equipment and to buy two power heads, one to use one for a back up your not going to save any money, your better off just buying the FS 90 and maybe the FC 90 and just add when you can to build the business. Just my opinion.

Jan 25, 2014#10

exotion

Ric said:
That's up to you. yes they work and if your a homeowner I think it would be alright but if your working as a business and doing a good number of lawns daily and weekly I think that doing trimming, edging and maybe hedge trimming would be putting a lot of pressure on one engine or power head and the thing is if that engine goes down you've lost everything. The thing I have always believed in was having back up equipment and to buy two power heads, one to use one for a back up your not going to save any money, your better off just buying the FS 90 and maybe the FC 90 and just add when you can to build the business. Just my opinion.

Also the thing with multi tools is the time spent switching functions in the middle of a job yes its a small amount say 1min but if your switching twice per job and ten jobs that's 20 mins that's almost a whole job

Jan 25, 2014#11

jakesteel22

Ric said:
That's up to you. yes they work and if your a homeowner I think it would be alright but if your working as a business and doing a good number of lawns daily and weekly I think that doing trimming, edging and maybe hedge trimming would be putting a lot of pressure on one engine or power head and the thing is if that engine goes down you've lost everything. The thing I have always believed in was having back up equipment and to buy two power heads, one to use one for a back up your not going to save any money, your better off just buying the FS 90 and maybe the FC 90 and just add when you can to build the business. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the response! Your right, i probably go with the FS 90

Jan 25, 2014#12

jakesteel22

exotion said:
Also the thing with multi tools is the time spent switching functions in the middle of a job yes its a small amount say 1min but if your switching twice per job and ten jobs that's 20 mins that's almost a whole job

Very true. thanks for the response!

Mar 16, 2014#13

jekjr

exotion said:
Also the thing with multi tools is the time spent switching functions in the middle of a job yes its a small amount say 1min but if your switching twice per job and ten jobs that's 20 mins that's almost a whole job

You can switch the tool many times though easier than you can keep up with the additional full sized machines.

We run one split pole machine and use it as a back up trimmer and then use it primarily as an edger or a pole saw. Many times we use it also with a brush blade attachment.

Many times we only change to one attachment on a job.

Mar 16, 2014#14

lzn197

I guess I would ask, have you done this type of work before? I've seen young folks get started in the business, only to find it was NOT their thing. If you started out with something used or low cost, you would not be out too much and you can always upgrade when you felt it was time.

Mar 17, 2014#15

wjjones

jakesteel22 said:
Im looking into buying a new string trimmer. Im just getting started so i dont want anything that will kill my wallet. Ive been looking at some of the stihls. Should i go with a homeowner one or a commercial? Any models you would recommend?

A good trimmer will save you money in the long run the first few years I bought those cheap trimmers, and had to buy one every year. I bought an Echo 8 years ago, and it still runs like a new one. I dont mean you need to buy an Echo thats your choice but just saying a good trimmer will go alot longer. I bought the Echo because of the 5 year warranty.

Mar 17, 2014#16

Ric

jekjr said:
You can switch the tool many times though easier than you can keep up with the additional full sized machines.

Do you know how many times a guy would have to switch attachments in a day when he does say 10 or 15 lawns a day when he uses a trimmer, edger, pole saw now and then and if you get really into the Kombi and buy the other things like blower and maybe a broom attachments gosh you'll spend half a day changing attachments.
The full size machines are a whole lot easier and faster.:smile:

Mar 17, 2014#17

Ric

wjjones said:
A good trimmer will save you money in the long run the first few years I bought those cheap trimmers, and had to buy one every year. I bought an Echo 8 years ago, and it still runs like a new one. I don't mean you need to buy an Echo that's your choice but just saying a good trimmer will go a lot longer. I bought the Echo because of the 5 year warranty.

I agree I've run the Fs 90 and Fs 110 for the last 6 or7 yrs without issue and they've more than paid for themselves. You'll actually spend less money in the long run buy a good machine than the cheapo and replacing them every time you turn around.

Mar 17, 2014#18

jekjr

wjjones said:
A good trimmer will save you money in the long run the first few years I bought those cheap trimmers, and had to buy one every year. I bought an Echo 8 years ago, and it still runs like a new one. I dont mean you need to buy an Echo thats your choice but just saying a good trimmer will go alot longer. I bought the Echo because of the 5 year warranty.

I agree on this one.

We started up fresh in Aug 2012. Bought a Cub Cadet string trimmer. BC 210.

It seemed to be a great machine. In fact it was doing such a good job I bought another one last April. About a week after I bought the second one the first one quit. Been to three different shops and I finally have up on it. I bought a Stihl. The Cub Cadet that I have still running is my back up and it is a split pole machine so I use the power head for an edger and pole saw too.

I am going to buy another trimmer shortly but it will either be a Stihl or Shindiaw.

Mar 17, 2014#19

jakesteel22

How are the husqvarna pro grade trimmers? I like there saws but how are the trimmers? Just wondering because I can get 15% off them at lowes

Mar 17, 2014#20

exotion

jakesteel22 said:
because I can get 15% off them at lowes

This statement is the answer to your question

Mar 17, 2014#21

Ric

jakesteel22 said:
How are the husqvarna pro grade trimmers? I like there saws but how are the trimmers? Just wondering because I can get 15% off them at lowes

I don't have anything against Husqvarna stuff but you may want to consider buying it from a dealer as it could save you a lot of money in the long run. Husky makes some good stuff, I had one years ago for around the house and in was a good little unit.

Mar 17, 2014#22

jakesteel22

Ric said:
I don't have anything against Husqvarna stuff but you may want to consider buying it from a dealer as it could save you a lot of money in the long run. Husky makes some good stuff, I had one years ago for around the house and in was a good little unit.

What do you mean by it could save me money? I do all of my own servicing if that's what you mean.

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