Looking for a string trimmer. Any opinions?

[motownbrowne]

I've never owned anything Tanaka, and don't even recognize the name. I've had numerous Hitachi tools and found them to be hit or miss. I really like their air framing guns, but I've found that some of their other stuff to be pure junk.

They make a two-stroke powered drill (probably several models, actually) that are very common in the maple syrup industry. Since tap size has gotten smaller, and cordless drills have gotten much better, you don't see them used as much anymore, but they were very well regarded. I have also seen their equipment in use by commercial landscapers.

I fired it up for about an hour last night and am very pleased. It's very light weight and maneuverable, which will be great for 90% of my use. I don't have a blade yet for it, so I won't know for a while how it does cutting small saplings and heavy weeds. So far I'm very impressed with the build quality and performance. I'm hoping that this trimmer will last me a long time.

 

[houstonscott]

Only two options; Echo or Stihl. If you can get a real Kawasaki made in Japan they are very nice too. HS

 

[ultrarunner]

Since you ruled out Stihl is would recommend Tanaka. I have had one from over 25 years and it's near bullet proof.

Grass Trimmers

Look for a dealer near you and check them out.


TBS

I own Stihl, Echo and Tanaka... all have been good with the Stihl FS 250 being the beast.

Dealer told me Tanaka today is not the old Tanaka and they have cheapened to meet price points.

My Echo SRM is 35 years old and is a real work horse... it has a crack in the plastic fuel tank that no matter what I do will start leaking again... Echo does not support anything this old.

Ordered a Tanaka tank and will try to retrofit.

The old Echo is 32:1 fuel and I've been running Stihl 50:1 Synthetic and runs better than ever the last two seasons.

As for string heads my all time favorite is the Original Tanaka Brain... it is self feeding with no bumping... always the right length...

Tried the Stihl self-feeding and it went through a lot more line at a faster rate than the Tanaka Head...

The Stihl white plastic knife cutter head do well until you hit something and then you start over.

 

[kenmac]

I own 2 -2 stroke trimmers with solid steel shafts. A 15 yr old Marayama, and a 15 yr old Husky 326 lx. Both have cut a lot of grass,weeds ,and trees with the saw attachment... Replaced the fuel lines ,and primer bulb on the Husky last week....Both are still running strong

 

[two_bit_score]

I own Stihl, Echo and Tanaka... all have been good with the Stihl FS 250 being the beast.

Dealer told me Tanaka today is not the old Tanaka and they have cheapened to meet price points.

My Echo SRM is 35 years old and is a real work horse... it has a crack in the plastic fuel tank that no matter what I do will start leaking again... Echo does not support anything this old.

Ordered a Tanaka tank and will try to retrofit.

The old Echo is 32:1 fuel and I've been running Stihl 50:1 Synthetic and runs better than ever the last two seasons.

As for string heads my all time favorite is the Original Tanaka Brain... it is self feeding with no bumping... always the right length...

Tried the Stihl self-feeding and it went through a lot more line at a faster rate than the Tanaka Head...

The Stihl white plastic knife cutter head do well until you hit something and then you start over.

I have heard the same thing abut the Tanakas not being the same as old ones.

I've never had an Echo but they are supposed to be good too. Hope you can get a fuel tank.

I have converted to nothing but Stihl fuel. Just saves a lot of down time.

I still like that Tanaka Brain trimmer head and it still works well too. Never tried the white knives trimmer but I've been tempted.

I love the Stihl but if I could get another Tanaka just like I have but NEW i would trade two Stills for it.

TBS

 

[ultrarunner]

The Tanaka Brain was a godsend to my Dad... he would like to attack the weeds before fire season but it was difficult for him to get set to go... stopping for the line was frustrating for him and even with the easy Echo start... with his arthritis he needed to set the trimmer on the ground.

I got him the Brain and it was like heaven... I would get him all set and he could just keep going. The white knives were NOT a good fit for my application... never know when a rock outcropping will take it out... soaking the plastic knives in water is supposed to make them more robust... never got that far although the extra blade pack is soaking in water.

I too have switched to Stihl synthetic for all my 2 stroke power equipment... never did try it in my 1939 16:1 Sachs Motorcycle... with 16:1 and leaves a vapor trail or the old Evinrude...

My brother's Stihl FS240 is a beast... very solid, ran well, idle well and plenty of power... also about $650 plus attachments. He also has several of the FS100 just for line for his Christmas Tree farm.

 

[DrRod]

Have a 1980's Stihl with a big steel blade and it has stood the test of time. Also have an Echo with a Christmas tree shearing head on it. It starts every time -- even after sitting for months. If you have a lot of trimming to do, I would look at the DR trimmers and mowers. More than your budget but tough as nails and well designed for real work.

 

[bjr]

I like my Echo a lot. Got the PAS-266 powerhead and two attachments: string trimmer, brush cutter. Plan to add the pole saw at some point.

X-2 I've the PAS-266 with SpeedFeed head and a extra lower shaft so I can switch between the string and the plastic knife blades. The steel blades just get dull too quick for me. I've found using the Titanium .095" (Grey) string is best, Do Not Leave the string package out in the sun as the string will get brittle and snap off quick. My neighbor who very visually impaired can restring the SpeedFeed and gets along with Echo PAS-266 just fine (just don't let him near the flower bed). Good support for the Echo (well parts anyways). I had a Dealer/service said "they don't take in string trimmers for service other than warranty work". Engine parts are best bought on line as the local service people don't or can't get power head parts for older model thru "their channels". I went online and found all sorts of sources for a older Echo. All I know 'bout that. bjr

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ I've done all the searches for a new fuel tank for my Echo... can't say how many hours... also had Echo do a North America parts search and not a single one could be found...

I realize it is very old by trimmer standards... it was also very costly for a couple of kids to buy for their Dad as a father's day present at around $300 back in the 1980's.

My options are junk it... build a tank or retrofit one... and since it was Dad's... junking is at the bottom of the list.