Gas string trimmer aka weed eater recommendations wanted

[5030]

No it's not. The straight shaft still isnt $460..in fact is $10 more than your $230 echo.

You assume I have an Echo trimmer, I don't. I have an FS Stihl straight shaft and it was appreciably more than the Echo and I fully expect it to outlast me anyway.

 

[kenmac]

I bought a husky 326LX and a maruyama (forget the number) solid steel shafts in both about 20 years ago.
Both are still running strong.
I have only had to replace the fuel lines on both twice in those 20 years.
They are likely to out last me !

 

[two_bit_score]

The curved shaft looks easier to edge a sidewalk... maybe a guy needs one of each?

Buy once, cry once. Look at the Stihl KM trimmer heads. You can put several different attachments on them. The KM 131 that I have is very powerful but they have a lower power model that still has plenty of power. You can add all kinds of stuff to these units. Edger, trimmer heads, chain saws, hedge trimmers, very versatile.

 

[ArlyA]

Buy once, cry once. Look at the Stihl KM trimmer heads. You can put several different attachments on them. The KM 131 that I have is very powerful but they have a lower power model that still has plenty of power. You can add all kinds of stuff to these units. Edger, trimmer heads, chain saws, hedge trimmers, very versatile.

Seems its a KM 131 we also have. Its heavy, but a good and powerful unit. I did a review of it on TBN somewhere...

 

[Rdrcr]

Buy once, cry once. Look at the Stihl KM trimmer heads. You can put several different attachments on them. The KM 131 that I have is very powerful but they have a lower power model that still has plenty of power. You can add all kinds of stuff to these units. Edger, trimmer heads, chain saws, hedge trimmers, very versatile.

I also have the leaf blower attachment and man, has that been an awesome tool. I even use it to blow-off and clean my equipment after each use.

I have a string trimmer attachment, dedicated brush cutter attachment, dedicated saw blade attachment, prune chainsaw attachment, shaft extension attachment and the leaf blower attachment. It’s a very powerful and versatile piece of equipment and well worth the investment.

Mike

 

[two_bit_score]

Seems its a KM 131 we also have. Its heavy, but a good and powerful unit. I did a review of it on TBN somewhere...

I decided to go ahead with the KM131 based on your review and recommendations.

 

[gsganzer]

If you have Milwaukee tools and batteries, buy a Milwaukee string trimmer. I've had a Pro Husky 225R and a Stihl Kombi.

I have 7 acres, including a 1 acre yard. I wish they made the Milwaukee years ago and saved me all the years of hassle. I'm a power tool guy and love things with engines, but a gas string trimmer is a hassle and frustration I can do without. I was incredibly surprised at how well the Milwaukee trimmer works. It's lightweight, quiet, powerful and holds a ton of string. And it starts every time I depress the little trigger. I have a couple of the larger amp hour batteries and one battery will do my whole 1 acre yard.

 

[kenmbz]

If you have Milwaukee tools and batteries, buy a Milwaukee string trimmer. I've had a Pro Husky 225R and a Stihl Kombi.

I have 7 acres, including a 1 acre yard. I wish they made the Milwaukee years ago and saved me all the years of hassle. I'm a power tool guy and love things with engines, but a gas string trimmer is a hassle and frustration I can do without. I was incredibly surprised at how well the Milwaukee trimmer works. It's lightweight, quiet, powerful and holds a ton of string. And it starts every time I depress the little trigger. I have a couple of the larger amp hour batteries and one battery will do my whole 1 acre yard.

I second the trimmer and have 3 8AH batteries, which covers the amount of work I can do in one shot.
I do the front road area one day, the roads to the house the next and the yard a third day. Now I have some more area in the back woods, so that will be a forth day.
Once a month during the summer, about 2-3 hours each walk.

As long as I get to the heavy grass before it's full grown, have no issues with the trimmer bogging down, and the self feed, easy refill head works great.

 

[miniceptor86]

Not to derail this, but is there a reason you want gas? I switched to a Dewalt 20 volt and would never go back to a gas unit. It seems to be one of the most appropriate uses of battery power for lawn equipment.

Electric here, I have the cheapo Walmart thing does well on lighter stuff, has decent runtime annnd, my wife will even use it. I agree with KennyG, I’ll never go back to a gas string trimmer

 

[DeepandDirty]

I'm looking for a recommendation on a brand or even a model you think is better than the rest.
My use is semi-light and seasonal. And speaking of light - Light and powerful would be good. Also I'm 6ft tall if that weighs into the ergonomics.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Depends on terrain, you might consider a walk behind.

 

[ArlyA]

Depends on terrain, you might consider a walk behind.

We do trails on rougher terrain. Walk behinds don't cut it since you can't get then low enough with them, or high enough for that matter. They just aren't adjustable where as we can use ours to cut light branches back what are encroaching the trail. We normally run .155 string.

 

[nknelsen]

I'm looking for a recommendation on a brand or even a model you think is better than the rest.
My use is semi-light and seasonal. And speaking of light - Light and powerful would be good. Also I'm 6ft tall if that weighs into the ergonomics.
Thanks for any suggestions.

I bought a DeWalt cordless 60volt string trimmer and I'll never go back to a gas powered unit. No gas to go stale, no endless attempts to start it after sitting for the winter and no need to condition it and the fuel for winter storage.

My DeWalt runs for almost a full hour on one battery. After an hour I'm ready for a break anyway.

 

[Soloz2]

For gas powered, I really like my Stihl equipment. I have 3 chainsaws, mini tiller, and a pole saw. However, for string trimming I have moved to electric and have an original Milwaukee M18 Fuel string trimmer. I just ordered the new quick look version with articulating hedge trimmer attachment instead of going for another Stihl.

 

[charlessenf]

... I believe it comes with a steel scratcher blade as well.

Not sure I understand scratcher blade, but the ad linked to (HD) did not mention any sort of extra blade. I have an old green machine and it uses a 'saw' blade that really cuts the brush. I can't find parts for it (gas tank cap) and want to replace it with another unit that can handle such a brush cutting blade.

Anyone using a brush cutting blade on one of these ECHOS?

BTW My ECO CS400 has done quite a nice job for me and (I think, gone on long after the 5-year warranty expired) - so I like ECHO for that reason

 

[jbjlock26]

For a weed whacker only,

ECHO 21.2 cc Gas 2-Stroke Straight Shaft String Trimmer SRM-225 - The Home Depot

Manicuring your shrubs is fun with this lightweight Straight Shaft Gas Trimmer designed by ECHO. Speed feed trimmer head helps enable easy line changing.

www.homedepot.com

One that allows you to use attachments could be handy if you wanted to add a pole saw later.

I bought an SRM-225 last year so I could retire my 30+ year old Echo...very pleased with the performance. I recently replaced a 30+ year old Echo chainsaw as well. The engine was still good but the bar actually split from all those years of wear and was an obsolete part.

 

[TimberFarm]

12 pages on a weed wacker!
I switched to battery a few years ago. I do construction and converted 90% tools to battery also.
All Makita X2 36V or 18V. I have two chain saws, weed wacker with pole saw attachment. My gas weed wackers and pole saw and my Stihl 20" chainsaw almost never come out anymore.
So much quieter and no mixing gas or gas smell.

 

[suncoast]

We have a palm tree farm in central Florida which calls for extensive use of trimmers and brush cutters. Our units get much more use than typical homeowners so we need units that perform consistently and reliably.
Don’t look solely at purchase price. You can compare two units that have very similar engine CC’s and appear alike in other ways.
One may be $350.00 and the other $225.00.
If the lower priced unit requires repair twice each year and the other just service maintenance which is the better value?
We have tried different brands and configurations over the years and have experienced very good and very poor units.
Split shaft units can be good for an average homeowner. If you go this route do not go for price alone as the head unit is used for all jobs. Take note of how the upper and lower connections function. See how much twist there is when connected. The drive cable needs a secure and stable connection.
I also have come to prefer straight shaft vs. bent shaft units. Easier to see and control for us.
We have come to use Stihl units as the performance and reliability are very good.
We have units over 15 years old that have the factory carburetor’s and pull cords. That speaks volumes.
I’m sure there are other brands that are similar quality but there are many name brands that have not made more than two seasons. Purchase price means nothing here.

 

[ArlyA]

We are what most would call "professional" and run the stihl KM 131. All the attachments can be seen here.

 

[5030]

12 pages on a weed wacker!
I switched to battery a few years ago. I do construction and converted 90% tools to battery also.
All Makita X2 36V or 18V. I have two chain saws, weed wacker with pole saw attachment. My gas weed wackers and pole saw and my Stihl 20" chainsaw almost never come out anymore.
So much quieter and no mixing gas or gas smell.

Hopefully you drained the gas and ran them dry or the carbs will be all smegged up

 

[Buzzard7]

I'm looking for a recommendation on a brand or even a model you think is better than the rest.
My use is semi-light and seasonal. And speaking of light - Light and powerful would be good. Also I'm 6ft tall if that weighs into the ergonomics.
Thanks for any suggestions.

I've used a Stihl FS-90 for the last twenty years. It will handle anything you want to tackle. I don't like string trimmers, so I use the Stihl head that has plastic blades. Works great.