String Trimmers

[Bentrim]

I see a lot of recommendations to use premium grade gasoline. why? Premium gasoline still contains ethanol the only sure way to get NO ethanol in gasoline is to buy non-ethanol or to use canned fuel. Check the pump before you buy it is supposed to be labeled as to the percent of ethanol it contains. As for the proper grade to use read the operators manual or consult your dealer. No need to pay that extra for the octane and detergents if you don't need it and still get ethanol.

 

[Septemberwheat]

I have a 3 year old Husqvarna 128 string trimmer that doesn't run anymore, but really doesn't have that many hours on. I replaced the primer bulb and carb a year ago, used it a few times and won't run more the minute or two now. Thinking about going with a cordless trimmer, like Kobalt 40v or Atlas 40V, or having the Husqvarna serviced. The Husq would obviously be more powerful, but the battery ones are real convenient, and kids/wife can easily start and use. Ive got two acres, about 0.75 of Yard yard, about 0.75 rough yard, some fence line, around the house ect. Anyone have thoughts on durability of the cordless or cost of deal service of Husq? My current cordless tools are Rigid, but they don't offer a weedeater. Ryobi 40V
Kobold 40V
Atlas 40V
Husqvarna 128 dealer service
other thoughts?

I’ve chosen to continue to deal with these small engines (weed wackers & chain saws), I’m just not sold on the power/battery life of the rechargeable units. Plus, batteries are expensive, I’d like to see a ROI on battery vs fuel.

 

[beowulf]

I’ve chosen to continue to deal with these small engines (weed wackers & chain saws), I’m just not sold on the power/battery life of the rechargeable units. Plus, batteries are expensive, I’d like to see a ROI on battery vs fuel.

Battery life will always be an issue - but we have two batteries for our units and for the amount of time we need them, things work out well. I am guessing there is a sweet-spot somewhere for the battery powered units. I was a no-battery kind of guy for a long time but now my battery powered trimmer, pole saw and chain saw are my go-to tools - and preferred. But, as you say, there is a downside at times.

 

[lpakiz]

Ben trim,
In our area of Wisconsin, I’ve always seen premium gas labeled as , “ CONTAINS NO ETHANOL” posted right on the pump. Every station around here has that. I doubt I can even buy 93 Premium WITH ethanol anywhere around here.
There are usually 2 lower octane grades (87 and 89) in the same cabinet that say, “contains up to 10% ethanol”.
We also have some pumps which have “ non-ethanol regular“ (87) but they are few and far between. I have to drive thru several small towns and their stations to get to a station that sells “non ethanol“ regular gas, which I do, to get gas for the mowers, chainsaws, etc. I’ve heard that referred to as recreational gas.
The price for non-ethanol regular is about 40 cents more than regular 10% ethanol gas.

 

[jsconner1]

I have a similar size yard as you, but I also have a Christmas tree farm. I probably do about 30 hours a season of weedeating (it would be more if I did it as often as I should). I picked up a Craftsman weed eater 3 years ago and I love it. It runs like a champ, and it's probably cheaper to buy a new Craftsman that to get your Husqvarna serviced. It's easy to switch between a blade and string too. My only complaint is the gas tank is a little small. I have to fill up about every 20 minutes. I like it so much, I went out and bought the chain saw too, it starts second pull everytime.

 

[ArlyA]

I see a lot of recommendations to use premium grade gasoline. why? Premium gasoline still contains ethanol the only sure way to get NO ethanol in gasoline is to buy non-ethanol or to use canned fuel. Check the pump before you buy it is supposed to be labeled as to the percent of ethanol it contains. As for the proper grade to use read the operators manual or consult your dealer. No need to pay that extra for the octane and detergents if you don't need it and still get ethanol.

Our premium has no ethanol in it. I was told to use premium because its a high compression/output engine.

 

[two_bit_score]

Ben trim,
In our area of Wisconsin, I’ve always seen premium gas labeled as , “ CONTAINS NO ETHANOL” posted right on the pump. Every station around here has that. I doubt I can even buy 93 Premium WITH ethanol anywhere around here.
There are usually 2 lower octane grades (87 and 89) in the same cabinet that say, “contains up to 10% ethanol”.
We also have some pumps which have “ non-ethanol regular“ (87) but they are few and far between. I have to drive thru several small towns and their stations to get to a station that sells “non ethanol“ regular gas, which I do, to get gas for the mowers, chainsaws, etc. I’ve heard that referred to as recreational gas.
The price for non-ethanol regular is about 40 cents more than regular 10% ethanol gas.

Ethanol-Free gasoline can be hard to find. In one county where I operate there is only one station I can find that sells ethanol-free Pur gas and it is only 87 octane.

Lucky for me that most Buckee’s now sell ethanol-free gas. I usually pass one or more wherever I go. But it’s not always convenient to stop or I may not have a gas can with me.

In other counties the ethanol-free pure gas is available and in premium grade but we still need more stations to start dedicating at least one pump to pure gas.

I bought a new Honda walk behind mower a couple weeks ago and the shop offered to put a full tank of Gas in it. Since they did not have ethanol-free gas I declined. I will not use any ethanol gas in the mower.

 

[two_bit_score]

Our premium has no ethanol in it. I was told to use premium because its a high compression/output engine.

I use the Tru-Fuel or the Stihl canned fuel only in my Chain saws, trimmers, pole saw, etc. No problems and no guessing if the can I’m getting gas from has the right mix.

 

[Tony H]

Can't imagine you ate having such issues on a low hour Husky 2 cycle. You run it dry when not using for several weeks, yes? These carbs hate Ethanol gas

 

[deserteagle71]

Ethanol-Free gasoline can be hard to find. In one county where I operate there is only one station I can find that sells ethanol-free Pur gas and it is only 87 octane.

Lucky for me that most Buckee’s now sell ethanol-free gas. I usually pass one or more wherever I go. But it’s not always convenient to stop or I may not have a gas can with me.

In other counties the ethanol-free pure gas is available and in premium grade but we still need more stations to start dedicating at least one pump to pure gas.

I bought a new Honda walk behind mower a couple weeks ago and the shop offered to put a full tank of Gas in it. Since they did not have ethanol-free gas I declined. I will not use any ethanol gas in the mower.

I bought a new Honda mower with the hydrostatic drive a year ago. Love that thing...depending on what I'm mowing I can set it to just barely creep along or go so fast I darn near have to trot to keep up with it. The owner's manual for mine specifically recommends NOT using any gas with ethanol in it.

It just amazes me, the difference in types of gas depending on which part of the country we live in. Some places ethanol-free is widely available but in others, like where I live, there is only one station that sells ethanol-free. It is only 87 octane - and the price is 50 cents a gallon more than the 15% ethanol blend. You'd think there would be some national standards the refiners and retailers had to adhere to.

 

[Mudfarmer]

I like the idea of a battery powered trimmer, but if you have heavy work to do, you can't beat a Stihl FS 90 with handlebars. I have two of them. They work great as a string trimmer and equally well with a brush cutter attachment. Veeeerrrrry easy starting, always.
MF

 

[shooterdon]

I have a 3 year old Husqvarna 128 string trimmer that doesn't run anymore, but really doesn't have that many hours on. I replaced the primer bulb and carb a year ago, used it a few times and won't run more the minute or two now. Thinking about going with a cordless trimmer, like Kobalt 40v or Atlas 40V, or having the Husqvarna serviced. The Husq would obviously be more powerful, but the battery ones are real convenient, and kids/wife can easily start and use. Ive got two acres, about 0.75 of Yard yard, about 0.75 rough yard, some fence line, around the house ect. Anyone have thoughts on durability of the cordless or cost of deal service of Husq? My current cordless tools are Rigid, but they don't offer a weedeater. Ryobi 40V
Kobold 40V
Atlas 40V
Husqvarna 128 dealer service
other thoughts?

Like most of these threads, guys recommend what works for them and not what will work for you.

Figure out how long it takes for you to trim your yard/lot. I am betting a decent battery powered trimmer is gong to work out for the best.

That assumes you are not having to cut saplings or huge weeds.

I have 20 acres but only 2 acres that need tending to. I plan on getting a battery trimmer. There are areas I can use Round Up to avoid having to trim but even if I do not do that, I can trim my yard in less than 30 minutes and I trim every 2nd or 3rd week.

I just got a ZT so my trimming will be reduced somewhat.

 

[strijpse]

I just placed a DeWalt 60v weed wacker into service yesterday. I am running it with DeWalt 9.0AH batteries. 15 minutes of run time on high is all we got. A little disappointed in that. It runs so nice and quiet. Shreds grass really well. Lighter than Stihl FS90.

Bought mine several years ago and use it a lot, have high tough grass and weeds at the pond runoff and easily go past 30 minutes with 1 battery but I have never used the high power and also don’t use full speed because the weeds will get stuck above the head.
Liked this so much that I also bought the tree trimmer, chainsaw and mower no more gas and not starting, making chores a lot more pleasant.

 

[Hay Dude]

Bought mine several years ago and use it a lot, have high tough grass and weeds at the pond runoff and easily go past 30 minutes with 1 battery but I have never used the high power and also don’t use full speed because the weeds will get stuck above the head.
Liked this so much that I also bought the tree trimmer, chainsaw and mower no more gas and not starting, making chores a lot more pleasant.

Yeah I’m a little confused as to why the DeWalt 9AH batteries fade fast, too. I thought they’d run 1/2 hour

 

[strijpse]

I wonder if my less than stellar battery time was het related?
Do batteries have shorter life in direct sun @ 95*? They are 9AH.
I see DeWalt makes a larger 12AH battery, but they are $245!
Thats $100 more than I paid for the 60v weed wacker brand new!

I keep my battery’s (3) in a small cooler bag when it’s hot and keep them in the shadow, they really don’t like the heat.

 

[nybirdman]

Bought a 58 volt ECHO weed whacker to match my chain-saw;haven't used my Stihl gas versions since.

 

[ljjhouser]

We have always used shindaiwa trimmers. They were all gas. I was always trading in or repairing about every two years. One time it was a bad carb. I think most problems started several years ago when adjustable jets were stopped and fixed ports became the standard (remember when we used to adjust the carb?) Anyway, we went to EGO 56 v with the carbon shaft (a little lighter). We now have 2 trimmers, 2 blowers, a chain saw and a lawn mower for grass areas. We have about 4 acres, so the trimmers are used in the weed and rocky areas - and there are a lot. I do think whatever brand you decide on, best look at the entire line of products. That is the key to keeping batteries. For example, you can get a leaf blower with charger, battery and tool for $199. Or you can get the battery for $149. We have used Ego for about 4 years. The tools and batteries have been very good and no bad anything so far. Choose wisely because you may want all the batteries interchangable. I did. Ego says all their batteries will fit any Ego tool. First looked at DeWalt because of all my 20 and 60 volt tools. But my neighbor had one, and it would not last very long compared to Ego (battery usage wise). But is you want to cut sapplings and vine type brush, you may have to stick with gas with a blade option. I did a lot of cutting small trees with the shindaiwa trimmers (which I still have and use sometimes on heavy brush). Best Wishes. Larry

 

[ljjhouser]

Yeah I’m a little confused as to why the DeWalt 9AH batteries fade fast, too. I thought they’d run 1/2 hour

I think that most of the battery packs (larger ones - probably not DeWalt) use the 18650 tac light batteries wired in an arrangement of series to correct voltage and parallel to get the most amperage they can. I am wondering if since all motors run via rated wattage, and voltage x amperage = wattage, then a battery pack with low voltage output must produce a higher amperage output to the constant required wattage to operate the motor. Well, that is free, so you know what it is worth.

 

[paulsharvey]

Picked up a Ryobi 40V for $139.99 with charger and 4.0AH battery. Im sure one charge won't do everything, but a recharge or two should do it.

 

[tad84pole]

I have the Husky 128LD too. I bought it used about 10 years ago. I always run it dry before storing it and it always starts right up--until this spring when it would only run a short time, then die. The fuel filter line was broken off. The ****ty Kalifornia gas finally ruined the fuel line. Bought a kit for around $15 on Amazon. Already had the "special" carb adjustment tools. Youtube is a great source of info on tuning the carb. If you don't work on machines yourself, you may want to have a shop take a look at it. These are very good machines and unless you have the same branded batteries for other tools, I don't care for the battery powered yard tools. Just my opinion. Good luck