New String Trimmer?

[JRobyn]

Speaking of cleaning the spark screen/muffler reminds me of our cheap Homelite string trimmer. It's the wife's favorite because it starts easy and is lightweight.

It started out as my FIL's. He ran it for several years and then couldn't get it to start. Figuring it was "old", he just bought a new one. Gave the dead one to us since he knows I'm good at fixing stuff. I had to puzzle over it for quite a while before I found the muffler exhaust tube was completely packed with rock-hard mud thanks to some dirt-dauber wasps. Has run great ever since, probably another 10 years now. I did whittle out a little wooden plug for the muffler tube to use during outdoor storage and tied it on with a piece of cord.

 

[zmountaineer]

I've got an echo srm21. I knew nothing of it when I bought it. We were in Home Depot buying kitchen cabinets and they said that I could get 10% off of anything since we were spending so much on them and the countertops. We had just moved 4 hours from a townhouse with no need for a trimmer. New house had a bunch of fence line so I told my wife I was just going to get one since I could get it at a discount. Was recommended this model over the bigger and more expensive ones they had. Let me just say. It is a tough little trimmer. Starts 3rd pull every time. Have had 0 problems with it and is still running strong today. I recently bought their universal brush cutter head for it and for not being a quick change head, it literally takes 3 minutes to change it out. For a string trimmer hat is powerful and reliable you could not beat the price.

 

[Gem99ultra]

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.

I've never used any of the harnesses. I've always felt that they were just a hindrance in mobility. From your comments, I'm suspecting that I was wrong. You've convinced me to buy the one you're suggesting, and give that a try. Maybe that'll end the backache I get the next morning after trimming all day. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[IXLR8]

I've never used any of the harnesses. I've always felt that they were just a hindrance in mobility. From your comments, I'm suspecting that I was wrong. You've convinced me to buy the one you're suggesting, and give that a try. Maybe that'll end the backache I get the next morning after trimming all day. Thanks for the suggestion.

I always thought the harness was a hassle and as you put it, a hinderance to mobility. After 8 years I decided to try it. It took some adjusting, both strap length and attachment position on the trimmer shaft, but now I am happy I did and my back is much happier. I don't bother with it if my trimming is only a 5 minute touch up, but I always wear the harness when I am doing the whole property.

 

[JRobyn]

IXLR8 is right, the harness does take several tries at adjustment to get it where your trimmer hangs just right. You need the harness to hold the weight so you are just swinging the trimmer. The first couple of times I used it, I found myself instinctively "picking up" the weight of the trimmer because I had it adjusted a little too long.

And I'll admit that it is a little more tedious getting into the harness than just grabbing the trimmer for a quick job. But like I said, your back and shoulders will thank you!

 

[TractorGuy]

You guys doing heavy brush areas you don't know what you're missing unless you try one of the push trimmers. The heavy line and quiet 4 stroke engine with large wheels is a great combination. Sears Craftsman 22 in. 6HP High Wheel Trimmer - YouTube

The red spiral .155 line sold by sears works great and doesn't break too often unless you hit a lot of thick stalks or hang it up in fence. I use the green .080 spiral on my hand held trimmer.

I use my little homelight around the house but for everything else it's the push trimmer or doesn't get trimmed.

 

[rekees4300]

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

That advice is worth its weight in gold. :thumbsup: I have a Stihl FS240. It's a bad azz machine that can cut anything from a blade of grass to a 4" oak tree (with chisel blade) but it's not in the price range of the OP.

 

[bigtiller]

If I had to start over, I would look at the cordless ones just because Mrs.tiller isn't big enough to run my Stihl.

Today I read an ad in Popular Mechanics magazine that EGO has the number one rated cordless string trimmer, sold at Home Depot. But the ad didn't say who rated it. It just said it was a "leading consumer ratings publication".

 

[Rustyiron]

Today I just replaced a $70, 20+ y.o. Echo with a $150 (HD) Echo "GT 225". Maybe 5 "pulls" after a dozen or so primer pumps when I got it home and it's ready for my wife to use :laughing:
I really didn't pay much attention to Echo products until I went looking for a small chain saw, overlooking our trusty 20 y.o. Echo weed eater.
I have saw "snob" tendencies and only have/own Stihl "pro" saws and my go to saw is an old 70cc 044. For under $400 I was out the door with my little 50cc Echo that so far has impressed me, regardless of the price.

 

[coolreinfarm]

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.

I bought that harness tried it out today got it adjusted (I'm 6'4) and after 3 hours of use it was a good purchase. Saved my back and arms, and with 250 fence post to trim this will really help. Thanks