Best string trimmer string.

[mrmikey]

I've tried the Echo brand and a couple of other name brands 0.095 line and really haven't found much of a difference between them to be honest. About 50% of mine is in rocks which eat the line for breakfast, the rest is against dirt or grass.
I used a bump feed head, an Echo knockoff but at $27 on Amazon for two compared to $58 for one, I'll stick with the knock offs and the occasional extra feed.

 

[aesanders]

Don’t know about the knock off the Echo Speed feed, but the Echo version is pure awesomeness for speed loading a string head. Takes most of the work out of it. I do hear that the Echo Black Diamond string gets great reviews by lawn care professionals. I haven’t tried it yet as I am still using up a huge roll of regular Echo string which is just ok.

My string trimmer of choice is an Echo Pas 2620 (head unit with interchangeable attachments) which I love to death. I have a bunch of attachments for it, including a pole saw, extended hedge clipper, blower, and even a tiller (tiller is just ok in freshly tilled dirt, you won’t break new ground with it though and I probably wouldn’t buy it again). Have an older Pas 260 which was fine but the new model blows it away.

 

[RjCorazza]

I also really like the Echo Speed Feed heads. I'll never go back to the old style heads that you have to take apart and wind on the line.

 

[ultrarunner]

My best roll is Tanaka Brand... kept in cool basement...

Couldn't get it anymore so using Black Diamond and ok but more expensive than my large spool of Tanaka...

Also really liked the Tanaka Brain auto feed head... but have not seen advertised anymore...

 

[jyoutz]

I also really like the Echo Speed Feed heads. I'll never go back to the old style heads that you have to take apart and wind on the line.

I agree. I have one of those and they are definitely the best solution for hand held string trimmer heads.

 

[jyoutz]

I have a Stihl FS-90R string trimmer. It is a nice unit. A little more than what is needed for just around the house but I use it for other heavier stuff too. Stihl lists it as a professional trimmer for whatever that is worth.

The Stihl string that came with it was terrible. Every post, pole, brick or piece of sidewalk it touched wore it down or broke it off rapidly. When that was gone I bought a large spool of Husqvarna branded 'heavy duty' string. It was just as bad or maybe worse. Now it is almost gone and I'm looking for something better. Tired of constantly having to reload string onto the trimmer.

Can anyone recommend a good durable string for a trimmer this size? Or if it is somehow user error I'm open to any tips for longer string life.

Thanks.

One tip is to try to cut with the line tips and don’t jam the cutter head into the area until the string tips have cut the vegetation. Pushing the whole cutter head into the vegetation before the tips cut it is a good way to break the line.

 

[dj1701]

I have a Stihl cordless trimmer for around the yard. I love that thing, but don't love running out of string. I used the recommended Stihl line until this year when I tried some Makita string. The Makita seem much better to me.

 

[mrmikey]

My string trimmer of choice is an Echo Pas 2620 (head unit with interchangeable attachments) which I love to death. I have a bunch of attachments for it, including a pole saw, extended hedge clipper, blower, and even a tiller (tiller is just ok in freshly tilled dirt, you won’t break new ground with it though and I probably wouldn’t buy it again). Have an older Pas 260 which was fine but the new model blows it away.

Mines a PAS 266 which I believe is the older more mature version of yours LOL.
I've got a string trimmer, hedge trimmer and a paddle for it and have used a blade on it as well. Paddles great for putting rocks back in the driveway after winter plowing. For sure it's a beast, lots and lots of hard hours on it and absolutely no problems whatsoever.
Even took the spark arrestor off a few months back thinking it's got to be starting to carbon up, nope, not a lick. Always used Echo oil which may or may not make a difference but regardless I'll keep on using it.

 

[aesanders]

Mines a PAS 266 which I believe is the older more mature version of yours LOL.
I've got a string trimmer, hedge trimmer and a paddle for it and have used a blade on it as well. Paddles great for putting rocks back in the driveway after winter plowing. For sure it's a beast, lots and lots of hard hours on it and absolutely no problems whatsoever.
Even took the spark arrestor off a few months back thinking it's got to be starting to carbon up, nope, not a lick. Always used Echo oil which may or may not make a difference but regardless I'll keep on using it.

I have been eyeing that paddle. I just love these Echo PAS models.

 

[mrmikey]

I have been eyeing that paddle.

It's great, takes 90-95% of the gravel off my grass come spring a lot easier than raking. Naturally as long as you haven't walked it in. Gets about 80% of the pine needles as long as the grass isn't super long. Both instances work better if the grass is wet, just after a rain for example or morning dew.
No signs of wear on the actual paddles and I've had it...over 7years. The only place I did put a bit of reinforcement was where the ends of the paddles hit the aluminum shaft as it was starting to lightly groove the shaft slightly. Would it have worn thru? I don't think so but I figured why take a chance.

I just love these Echo PAS models.

Same here. If mine died tomorrow I'd get another without a doubt.

 

[Rvrrat14]

Echo black diamond

 

[camshawn]

I have used most of the brands of string as I would get a chunk as needed from the crews and I got whatever they had. 2 tricks make a huge difference regardless of brand are to keep the string moist. I store ours in a jar or bucket filled with water.

The more useful tip is to slow down the line if you are up against a hard object like a concrete wall or a fence wire. Just enough throttle to make the string cut. The same applies to cutting the weeds in the gravel area, just enough throttle to cut and not shoot rocks everywhere.

 

[jyoutz]

I have been eyeing that paddle. I just love these Echo PAS models.

What is a trimmer paddle?

 

[ArlyA]

What is a trimmer paddle?

I'm sure its this.

 

[jyoutz]

I'm sure its this. View attachment 955194

Interesting. I’ve never seen those.

 

[ArlyA]

Interesting. I’ve never seen those.

People here used them to clear grass of sand and gravel in the spring.

 

[sklunk]

I'm sure its this. View attachment 955194

That's it - it's actually called a "power broom". It works great on sidewalks and driveways if you would rather broom than leaf-blow. Also works good as a power squeegee if you need to get water out of your garage (but it can throw it out the front so don't let anyone stand in front of you unless they want a shower ).

We also use them for hardscape installs. After you set concrete pavers you need to sweep sand in the joints before you compact them. We used to do it with good old-fashioned wide push brooms, but these power brooms have made it easier and much more efficient!

Also, the Echo PAS heads ROCK! I had 1 for over 20 years and just replaced it with the newer model last year. They also make an electric head now that I looked into. It's really nice that it's quiet, but the runtimes are still a little short for our needs.

 

[mrmikey]

Also, the Echo PAS heads ROCK! I

Yup for sure. I've had mine now for 6 -7 ± years or so and it's never once let me down. I'm not easy on it neither, I don't abuse it at all but I definitely use it, paddle, blade, hedge trimmer and string trimmer.
I just looked up the current price, CAN $680 for the power head alone....ouch but when you consider how long they last, it's a cheap investment.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

If you watch Chickanic on you-tube she also says soak it in a bucket of water it dries out over time.

 

[bmg88201]

The Echo speed feed head is the best thing since sliced bread. I guess I’m bias too cause I think Echo trimmers are the best trimmers you can buy. I use Black Diamond .095 line and yes soaking old line in water really does work. I’ll probably get some heat from this but Stihl stuff ain’t all that, their quality is getting worse and worse.