Von and Bird,
I am finally getting around to posting on this new board. I had previously posted some of this info on the older board.
I had purchased the Sears String mower and was very pleased with it (5.5 hp Techumshi engine). I was really impressed with how well it cut tall grass.
However, while mowing up a hill (around 35-45 degrees?) the oil would run into the cylinder causing the engine to smoke excessively. I took to trimmer back for a new one (thinking the first one may have been defective) and the new one did the same thing. I took it back and now don't have one at all. Ironically, I mow the same hill with a cheap $99 push mower with a 3.5 Techumshi engine with no problems. I wanted the trimmer because it would not be as likely to cut toes off if I slipped.
Lessons Learned: (1) The offset feature would have been very helpful. The Sears model didn't have that and so the wheels kept catching the fence when trimming along a fence. (2) The "satisfaction" guarantee that Sears has was helpful. Von may want to check the return policy on the whichever mower he tries. TSC will let you return their model if you don't like it for a 10% fee. They have a model with a B&S engine that I'll probably try next.
Hope this helps,
Kelvin
