Trimmer recommendation? Stihl? Echo? something else....

[Will_C]

Just my experience-have had a Stihl 85 since 2002. Only problem was the ignition module that I replaced last year for $70. It has been used on 2-2 acre proper tires for lawn trimming, as well as heavier work clearing ditches and property edges.

Also have a Stihl 250 bought in 2009. That is used with line and steel blades maintaining woods trails and a half acre pond too steep for any mower. Did have to change a carb-story is Stihl had some poor carbs in that time period.

I also use a KM 130 with a trimmer head. Bought in 2015, I have the pole primer and the rubber paddle sweep. Not any problems with that.

Will

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

The Dewalt 40V chainsaw also. Just bucked 24 poplars with it in one go. Did I mention I'll never go back to gas-powered?

 

[ArlyA]

The original poster Tangoddess, asked about two gas powered machines. And some people use these machines for many, many hours on end. A battery powered machine just won't cut it. We also gave up on 4 stroke ones. We found they are two heavy to be used all day.

 

[Guidshir]

I have used an Echo SRM220 for around 12 years without issue. Only after all this time did I need to rebuild the carb on it this year. It has been fantastic.

 

[QRTRHRS]

After owning three Stihl trimmers since the later 70's, I went with a Redmax BCZ3060TS. Had it about a year now and I am happy with it. It was not cheap though

 

[4570Man]

My current line of trimmers is Stihl, echo, and redmax. My Shindiawa got stolen and it was my favorite.

 

[AndyMA]

Owned several Stihl, all garbage. Pull your guts out! Then, throw out your back as you try and hurl the piece of junk as far as possible!

Have a Toro that I got at the RESTORE, for next to nothing, had to put a reel on it. Starts and runs great after maybe ten years!

But I love my 18 Volt Oregon. Quiet, start and stop as you please.

That's very different than my experience with Stihl. I have 3 4 Cycle Kombi Units, a Hedge Trimmer & a Climbing Chain Saw. I never even drain the gas on the winter and they always start within about 3 easy pulls .

I use then hard and have had no issues, except when Stihl had the recall because the gas was dissolving the gas caps

Andy

 

[newbury]

The Dewalt 40V chainsaw also. Just bucked 24 poplars with it in one go. Did I mention I'll never go back to gas-powered?

Since some posters are getting picky:

The original poster Tangoddess, asked about two gas powered machines. And some people use these machines for many, many hours on end. A battery powered machine just won't cut it. We also gave up on 4 stroke ones. We found they are two heavy to be used all day.

The OP may not realize how powerful the new battery powered machines are and how long they last on a battery. The OP also only mentioned trimming, not brush cutting. Tangoddess has not been back to give more info but based on using my 40V stuff I'm sure the 40V and Flexvolt machines with A SPARE BATTERY OR TWO will run most of the day. Tangodess also indicated she had been using a 30CC 4 stroke and one of the problems was

The problem is that it is really hard to start, and takes a lot of yanking.

My battery operated stuff only takes a light yank on the trigger.

That's very different than my experience with Stihl. I have 3 4 Cycle Kombi Units, a Hedge Trimmer & a Climbing Chain Saw. I never even drain the gas on the winter and they always start within about 3 easy pulls .

I use then hard and have had no issues, except when Stihl had the recall because the gas was dissolving the gas caps

Andy

Similar experience if I try and start my Stihls the Stihl way- Full choke, one or two pulls so it pops (fires), cut the choke back, pull and run.

 

[ultrarunner]

A little off topic...

At the Christmas tree farm they do fresh cuts prior to loading the tree...

For years the saws were little Stihl two strokes.

Last year... the Dealer set the farm up with a battery Stihl chain saw... now it is the only saw the guys want to use and it cuts hundreds of tree trunks on a single charge...

I really like using it... especially compared to winding up a gas saw for seconds of work...

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

The OP may not realize how powerful the new battery powered machines are and how long they last on a battery.

Yeah, that was why I brought it up. I had the same issues as the OP.

Anyone who hasn't owned one of the newer battery operated trimmers or saws, might want to try it before they bash it.