New String Trimmer?

[coobie]

My old Echo string trimmer has pooped out on me; was in the shop last year, and the guy said this model had carb problems and a new carb was expensive enough that a new trimmer was really the way to go. My question is: Can anyone recommend a trimmer in the $200-$250 range? I want one that (1) STARTS EASY; (2) is light and easy to carry, and (3) has the string head where you individually insert the two pieces of string. My research so far, has little if anything to say about the Echo; seems that he Cub Cadet and the Huskvarna are right up there. Any testimonials to share...anyone?

Thanks in advance;

Dennis

I just bought a new Dolmar straight shaft trimmer Model CS 246.4 c,works great.I also have a Honda brand trimmer that has served me well.

 

[Jim Nelson]

If you don't have a lot of heavy cutting to do the new cordless electrics are great. I have an old Echo that's 30 yrs. old now and still runs fine but I can't handle it any more so ran into a deal on a 20 volt DeWalt and it works fine for around the lawn etc.,my wife even uses it where she wouldn't even consider a gas unit.
The problem, as I see it, with these light units is they use the small .080 line and it just doesn't "cut" it in the heavier weeds.

 

[TractorGuy]

If you don't have a lot of heavy cutting to do the new cordless electrics are great. I have an old Echo that's 30 yrs. old now and still runs fine but I can't handle it any more so ran into a deal on a 20 volt DeWalt and it works fine for around the lawn etc.,my wife even uses it where she wouldn't even consider a gas unit.
The problem, as I see it, with these light units is they use the small .080 line and it just doesn't "cut" it in the heavier weeds.

I have a push model with a 6HP Briggs for that. .130 spiral line does a number on thick grass and light brush. It's much easier on the body than handling a hand held trimmer.

 

[TomSeller]

Whatever one you wind up with, do yourself a favor and try one of these - Trimmer Shoulder Strap Harness Net Bag For STIHL HUSQVARNA ECHO #41197191 | eBay

There's many other similar ones available including Stihl and Husky-branded ones for 3 times as much. The important things are the full harness and the "hip pad".

If you use a trimmer for more than just a few minutes, your back and shoulders will REALLY thank you.

That looked so much better than my stock harness, I ordered one. Thank you for the lead.

 

[lexluther]

I got sick of string trimmers dying because I didn't run them often enough. So I spent more money on the stihl kombi and several attachments. (Blower, hedge trimmer, string trimmer, pole saw) I don't think I would buy the largest power head if there ever is a next time... so far, about 6 years in and starts easy every time..

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Trust me. Built for at least 500 hours of service.

Amazon.com : Tanaka TCG23ECPSL 22.5cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered Solid Steel Drive Shaft String Trimmer : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[thatguy]

I have a Stihl FS 90 (straight shaft), its 6 yrs old - always used non-ethanol gas, used the synthetic Stihl oil mix, and added a splash of Seafoam to every tank of gas.. Never emptied the tank of the winter or let it run try..

it will fire on by the 3rd or 4th pull - every time..

tip - instead of the shoulder sling - get a full harness - its makes it much easier on your back/shoulders.'

brian

 

[skipmarcy]

I just bought my second Maruyama year before last, the BT23L I believe is the model number. It's their smallest straight shaft model. My first one lasted me 19 years of real weedeating, not this light trimming stuff. I went thru probably a dozen bump feed heads on it strictly from wearing them out. I paid right at $220 for it 19 years ago and that's exactly the same I paid for the new one. This new one has the speedfeed bump head and I really like it. I use it to keep my 6 acre yard up, usually about 10-15 hours a month of solid use. Lightweight, less vibration than a Husky or Ryobi and tons of torque for such a small engine.

 

[gsganzer]

One thing for sure is I have a 20 year old Husky 225 (I think) brush cutter and runs better than anything I've bought since. All the newer engines (chainsaws, string trimmers, backpack blowers etc.) all seem to have a lot less guts and are finicky as heck. Today I was using my Stihl Kombi 130 with the chainsaw-on-a-stick and had it flood out when starting.

I think a huge issue is fuel consistency. The new engines are meant to be real efficient with low emissions, the trade-off is they're less forgiving when conditions change (fuel quality, ambient conditions, filter cleanliness etc.) There's been a thread about buying the canned pre-mix fuel. I keep swapping back and forth, but I'm beginning to realize I have a lot less issues when using the pre-mix.

 

[kenmac]

One thing for sure is I have a 20 year old Husky 225 (I think) brush cutter and runs better than anything I've bought since.

I too own a 20+ yr old husky. 326lx I believe is the mod. Run brush cutter on it as well. It has solid steel shaft. If it died tomorrow I couldn't complain

 

[rswyan]

Stihl FS66 straight shaft, with the auto-feed head and various blades ... about 30 years old IIRC.

Finally had to do some maintenance on it last year (or the year before): replace fuel tank grommet, fuel lines, filter/pickup in tank, spark plug.

Starts within a pull or two after it's been choked and starts to fire.

Lost the padded shoulder strap that came with it originally which is unfortunate.

 

[jwstewar]

I have an Echo PAS-265 has been a great unit, I've had it a little over 9 years. I used it last Sunday, used it for about 4 hours or so. Ran great, no problems. Tuesday I go home and the wife said it is acting funny. I take a look, it starts right up, but won't rev up. I take a look and the air cleaner is dirty, even removed though, it still won't really rev. I get online and order new fuel lines, primer/purge bulb, and new air cleaner (after market for all). Change it all out (the grommet for won't fit, so have to reuse the original, so will purchase OEM from now on), I notice the fuel filter is gone. Looks like it broke off in the tank, but can't see it even after tipping and draining the tank. Put it all back together same issues. Take the carb off and clean it without disassembling it. Put it back together, same issue. At this point, I figure something got in the carb from the fuel filter breaking off. I start looking online, I found a Zama carb for it on eBay - which is the manufacturer that made the one that is on it for $17.99. Decide for $18 it isn't worth messing with trying to clean the old one. It is supposed to be here later this week. Hopefully that fixes it.

 

[gsganzer]

I have an Echo PAS-265 has been a great unit, I've had it a little over 9 years. I used it last Sunday, used it for about 4 hours or so. Ran great, no problems. Tuesday I go home and the wife said it is acting funny. I take a look, it starts right up, but won't rev up. I take a look and the air cleaner is dirty, even removed though, it still won't really rev. I get online and order new fuel lines, primer/purge bulb, and new air cleaner (after market for all). Change it all out (the grommet for won't fit, so have to reuse the original, so will purchase OEM from now on), I notice the fuel filter is gone. Looks like it broke off in the tank, but can't see it even after tipping and draining the tank. Put it all back together same issues. Take the carb off and clean it without disassembling it. Put it back together, same issue. At this point, I figure something got in the carb from the fuel filter breaking off. I start looking online, I found a Zama carb for it on eBay - which is the manufacturer that made the one that is on it for $17.99. Decide for $18 it isn't worth messing with trying to clean the old one. It is supposed to be here later this week. Hopefully that fixes it.

Also check the spark arrester screen on the muffler to make sure it's clean.

 

[CajunRider]

I like my Huskies and Stihl's. But I use them for backup now. My go to is my Honda...

Honda HHT35SUKAT String Trimmer and Brushcutter Model Info | Honda Trimmers

They also have the regular(doesn't have handle bars)
Honda HHT35SLTAT String Trimmer Model Info | Honda Trimmers

I have a Honda HHT35SLTAT and a Stihl. My go to is the Stihl. I'm planning to give the Honda to my younger brother.

 

[hawkeye08]

I'll likely be getting new trimmer... the Ryobi 18v works for my wife, but my patience wears thin and the lithium ion battery won't last for the whole yard (which my wife is ok with because she doesn't either). We had a McCullough for over 20 years, but it finally seems to be wore out and wife wanted something with battery so she didn't have to mess with starting and mixing gas..

Update: Went in to local Ace hardware Saturday afternoon, planned on getting FS56RC, but the FS70R was on sale so a bit better unit at a few dollars more. Sales staff very knowledgeable and friendly. I spent more than I wanted (trimmer, 6 pack oil (doubles warranty to 4 years), new gas can, string). I came home, got my proper clothing on, mixed my gas, filled trimmer, adjusted strap and enjoyed trimming until I hit a 1/2" dead stick in the grass, broke the strings and they went back inside the head and one of the metal inserts that the string passes through broke. Stopped by Ace Sunday after church to see if I could buy a replacement, they sent me home with a new head at no charge, took old one back later in day. Good service, no hassle, love the trimmer. My wife said she will do the light stuff and I can do the heavy.

 

[PJSprog]

Stopped by Ace Sunday after church to see if I could buy a replacement, they sent me home with a new head at no charge, took old one back later in day.

That alone is worth the "few dollars more" you paid. Can't get that kind of service just anywhere these days. Good for them.

 

[IXLR8]

I too own a 20+ yr old husky. 326lx I believe is the mod. Run brush cutter on it as well. It has solid steel shaft. If it died tomorrow I couldn't complain

Except you would have trouble finding one today that ran as well as that old one did.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I have an Echo PAS-265 has been a great unit, I've had it a little over 9 years. I used it last Sunday, used it for about 4 hours or so. Ran great, no problems. Tuesday I go home and the wife said it is acting funny. I take a look, it starts right up, but won't rev up. I take a look and the air cleaner is dirty, even removed though, it still won't really rev. I get online and order new fuel lines, primer/purge bulb, and new air cleaner (after market for all). Change it all out (the grommet for won't fit, so have to reuse the original, so will purchase OEM from now on), I notice the fuel filter is gone. Looks like it broke off in the tank, but can't see it even after tipping and draining the tank. Put it all back together same issues. Take the carb off and clean it without disassembling it. Put it back together, same issue. At this point, I figure something got in the carb from the fuel filter breaking off. I start looking online, I found a Zama carb for it on eBay - which is the manufacturer that made the one that is on it for $17.99. Decide for $18 it isn't worth messing with trying to clean the old one. It is supposed to be here later this week. Hopefully that fixes it.

Did you put a new fuel filter on? The weight of the filter helps to hold the end of the line under the fuel, which is especially helpful when turning at different angles. That may make all the difference.

Unless yours is vastly different than the carbs on my Huskys, working on these little 2 stroke carbs isn't that hard. You can take it apart, clean it, and have it back together in less than 15 minutes, but it would take longer until you learn how they go together. At that age though, you'll likely need new gaskets. If that replacement carb is a different model it might get tricky finding the correct parts for it when the time comes if the parts are different than what will be listed under the trimmer.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I just revived a Husky 250rx brushcutter. Haven't used it much but it runs well. As far as I can tell it was made nearly 30 years ago. I also have a couple of chainsaws from that era. To me, the only good change to these little engines since then as been the primer bulb. Everything else I can do without.

 

[jwstewar]

Did you put a new fuel filter on? The weight of the filter helps to hold the end of the line under the fuel, which is especially helpful when turning at different angles. That may make all the difference.

Unless yours is vastly different than the carbs on my Huskys, working on these little 2 stroke carbs isn't that hard. You can take it apart, clean it, and have it back together in less than 15 minutes, but it would take longer until you learn how they go together. At that age though, you'll likely need new gaskets. If that replacement carb is a different model it might get tricky finding the correct parts for it when the time comes if the parts are different than what will be listed under the trimmer.

Yes, the fuel overhaul kit I bought actually came with 2 filters, so I installed the one that was on the fuel line already. I saw the gasket kit and it was like $6, so I figured for $18 I would just get the new one. It is supposed to be the same manufacturer and model number as I currently have. We'll see when it comes in, I will for sure hang on to the OEM one.

Someone mentioned above to check the muffler. I'll do that probably tomorrow night as I do consulting on the side and I have an appointment tonight.