Looking for a string trimmer. Any opinions?

[Gary Fowler]

If I was buying another, I'd probably buy the "K...." whatever with the 40v batteries. Have one of the "K...." chain saws and walk behind mowers. (They're at Lowes.)

Have been using a B&D 18v trimmer for quite a few years, but the batteries don't last long on it.

Ralph

Those are ok for trimming around the house but not much else. I have a 20 V (given to me) that with 2 batteries will just barely make it around my house and side walks. I have over 1300 linear feet of ditch, pond bank and fence line to trim not to mention the house, sidewalk and over 100 trees which I don't do every time I mow thankfully. It takes me at least 3 full tanks of gas to weed eat all the ditches and trees with my Stihl FS 56 RC. I like it a lot, it has plenty of power and is quite easy on fuel. I go thru a full spool of line and then some doing all the work I have to do. I also like the square line, it cuts better and doesn't wear as fast as the round stuff.

 

[two_bit_score]

I'm looking for a straight shaft string trimmer. I'm a little overwhelmed by the number of options from each manufacturer, so I thought I'd see if I could get some help.

My budget is $250, I'd like something that can run a blade, so I think that means it needs a solid shaft instead of a cable. I won't use the blade much, maybe a few hours/year, just trimming some fence lines and thinning small maple saplings.

I'll probably use the trimmer for a total of 20-30 hours/year around the farm, so I don't need anything super heavy duty, and I'd prefer something light weight. I'll use this for a little bit of edging, and occasionally for trimming in between the garden beds, so I don't want one with the bicycle handles.

I'm not picky on brand. I don't think stihl has anything line what I want in my budget. I've heard good stuff about the Echo trimmers, I have a good Dolmar dealer, there's definitely Husqvarna dealers around also.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Since you ruled out Stihl is would recommend Tanaka. I have had one from over 25 years and it's near bullet proof.

Grass Trimmers

Look for a dealer near you and check them out.


TBS

 

[Industrial Toys]

Last year I bought a 40 Volt Oregon. And whereas it does not replace the gas unit, it can do a lot of the weekly trimming. As much as I like to do in one go, anyway. It's light and so far always starts.

I just bought the chain saw for that system. Got sold on the self sharpening feature.

 

[motownbrowne]

Well, thanks everyone!!

I ordered the Hitachi version of the new model Tanaka trimmer that Carl recommended. I ordered on Amazon, because I still couldn't get that link to work and although it was $20 more, Amazon had free shipping and I know that if I have any problems with it(at least right away), they'll cover it.

I would have liked it to say Tanaka instead of Hitachi, but the Tanaka would have taken almost a week longer to arrive, and I'm pretty excited to start using it.

I'll be sure to update this thread after it arrives, but the quick rundown: 21.1cc, 11lbs without fuel, straight shaft with a solid driveshaft. Paid $211 after tax.

 

[teejk]

I have an Echo as described above. I love the two piece inserted method head. VERY easy once you get the hang of it. Just cut a few pieces, put them in your pocket and replace as needed. I find using the line a little thicker and with the rougher surface makes each piece last quite a while...and I do some rough cutting with mine. I have two as I just moved my old (6-8 year old) one to our cabin as I got tired of taking one with each time needed. TMR BTW...really easy start

My wife loves that insert thing! It came with some but the dealer sold us a spool and she simply cuts her own.

 

[joefromga]

If you're replacing string you're hitting immovable objects.

A skilled operator can do a whole yard without any string replacement.

 

[hawkeye08]

You want to be the one to tell my wife she is not skilled? I just keep my mouth shut and put more string on when she wants me to. Sometimes there is still some left that I have to fish out. She took over weed eating when I starting having back problems on top of my allergies. I was having trouble getting the old McCullough trimmer to start. She bought a Ryobi battery operated and never looked back.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Well, thanks everyone!!

I ordered the Hitachi version of the new model Tanaka trimmer that Carl recommended. I ordered on Amazon, because I still couldn't get that link to work and although it was $20 more, Amazon had free shipping and I know that if I have any problems with it(at least right away), they'll cover it.

I would have liked it to say Tanaka instead of Hitachi, but the Tanaka would have taken almost a week longer to arrive, and I'm pretty excited to start using it.

I'll be sure to update this thread after it arrives, but the quick rundown: 21.1cc, 11lbs without fuel, straight shaft with a solid driveshaft. Paid $211 after tax.

I bought that model in 2010 and I've been very happy with it. It gets a lot of use in heavy vegetation.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I have an Echo as described above. I love the two piece inserted method head. VERY easy once you get the hang of it. Just cut a few pieces, put them in your pocket and replace as needed. I find using the line a little thicker and with the rougher surface makes each piece last quite a while...and I do some rough cutting with mine. I have two as I just moved my old (6-8 year old) one to our cabin as I got tired of taking one with each time needed. TMR BTW...really easy start

I have a similar head from Tanaka which allows me to use much thicker string than a standard head. I use Oregon 0.155 string. Anything it won't cut requires loppers.

 

[dickfoster]

I'm looking for a straight shaft string trimmer. I'm a little overwhelmed by the number of options from each manufacturer, so I thought I'd see if I could get some help.

My budget is $250, I'd like something that can run a blade, so I think that means it needs a solid shaft instead of a cable. I won't use the blade much, maybe a few hours/year, just trimming some fence lines and thinning small maple saplings.

I'll probably use the trimmer for a total of 20-30 hours/year around the farm, so I don't need anything super heavy duty, and I'd prefer something light weight. I'll use this for a little bit of edging, and occasionally for trimming in between the garden beds, so I don't want one with the bicycle handles.

I'm not picky on brand. I don't think stihl has anything line what I want in my budget. I've heard good stuff about the Echo trimmers, I have a good Dolmar dealer, there's definitely Husqvarna dealers around also.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I was going to recommend the Stihl Kombi tool like I have but then you said it couldn't cost more that $250. But it does run brush blades or string, or you can use it to do your blowing, edging, tree trimming, cultivating, etc. etc. etc.