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

 

[Creamer]

I was looking for a power pole saw and looked at the Ryobi 40 volt system. It was a string trimmer that I could buy the saw head for. I bought thought I would try the string trimmer. Not much of a trimmer - might work in a suburban setting but the head RPM was too low to have much cutting ability. Even edging grass along my sidewalk I could only go a third or less the speed that my Stihl does. Get in any tall grass and it wrapped around the head. Get stuff that was bent over and thick and bogged right down. I was not impressed but then of course I am used to a Stihl F100 which will cut almost anything.

 

[jwstewar]

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.

Well when the first carb came in, it looked similar to the original, but it was definitely aftermarket. I was PO'd at the guy for lying, I demanded a return. I then ordered another one that show the Zama box. It came yesterday. It is a Zama, I compared it to the new, aftermarket one. They are very similar, but there are differences. Now as to whether or not it would make a difference I don't know. The new Zama matches the original perfectly. I put it on last night. Took about 10 minutes - took longest to get the throttle cable off. Put the new carb on, pulled 2 or 3 times and it fired right up and runs like new. I used it 10 or 15 minutes last night before the rain moved in.

 

[kcflhrc]

The Cub Cadet string trimmers are junk. I have abused my Ryobi for years and it just keeps on going.

 

[SARG]

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.

I'm going through the same crap with a Husky 125L ... replaced the carb... filter & fuel lines with no improvement ... even slotted the adjustment screws so I could adjust them with a common screwdriver. Still no good. Thank goodness I bought two Stihl units last year when the Husky started acting up.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I'm going through the same crap with a Husky 125L ... replaced the carb... filter & fuel lines with no improvement ... even slotted the adjustment screws so I could adjust them with a common screwdriver. Still no good. Thank goodness I bought two Stihl units last year when the Husky started acting up.

What are the symptoms? Not revving to full revs? I had a Husky chainsaw doing that a couple of years ago. It needed a carb rebuild anyway so I got a gasket set and did that, replaced all the fuel lines, primer bulb, and filter. Still had the problem. Bit the bullet and bought a new coil and that fixed the problem.

 

[SARG]

What are the symptoms? Not revving to full revs? I had a Husky chainsaw doing that a couple of years ago. It needed a carb rebuild anyway so I got a gasket set and did that, replaced all the fuel lines, primer bulb, and filter. Still had the problem. Bit the bullet and bought a new coil and that fixed the problem.

I see the module is under $20. so I'll give it a try.

 

[kenmac]

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

if the husky fails. I have a maruyama to back it up

 

[outinthetalgrass]

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.

I second the push trimmer. I gave up on hand held trimmers last year, and don't plan on going back to one.
Trimmer Mower: 6.75 Briggs and Stratton (string trimmer) | DR Power Equipment

 

[Thall303]

I have a DR push trimmer and like it, but it is not all that sturdy and I'm not sure how long it's going to last.

 

[4570Man]

I've never found much use for a push trimmer. I cut nearly everything they could with ride on equipment.