OP
Podunkadunk
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2007
- Messages
- 1,185
MarkV and all others who replied:
Well, my evaluation of the Echo is two thumbs up! It took me 3 different occasions, but I finally finished weed whacking my yard. Total hours spent, approx 8, maybe a little longer.
First, I'd like to say that I have gotten the hang of cutting with the straight shaft. It took some time, but I have a feel for it now and can rock and roll with it, with ease.
Secondly, being a "commercial model", Echo installed a rather small deflector on the bottom of it. (It seems the "pro's" take them off anyhow). It doesn't offer much "protection" from flying debris, but I adapted, thus making it safer and less irritation from flying debris (sand, etc.), by cutting around a tree in a clockwise manner. I know all that may sound silly, but it works for me.
Third, I can't believe the great fuel economy. It doesn't take much fuel to fill the tank, but it will run for literally hours without a refill!
Fourth, lots of power, but I already talked about that in a previous post.
Fifth, some of the "heaviness" of the product that I spoke about before seemed to be "caused" by my inability to operate the machine properly. Since I know how to manipulate it now, I'm not "fighting" with it, thus making it seem lighter in weight. However, it is NOT actually light in weight by any means and if your needs are like mine (where weed whacking before mowing is an all day affair), it will wear you down somewhat. I will be getting a shoulder harness for it eventually, it will make things much easier on my arms.
Lastly, I would recommend it to anyone who has serious industrial type weed eating needs. I'm happy with it, but I'm positive that I would have been replying the same if I had bought a **Husqy or a Stihl model of equal power and commercial rating. If someone ever posts the same question that I did, or they pull this post from the archives with the question of which one to buy...I'd have to say it appears the Echo is on the same level of quality as either a Husqy or Stihl. If you are doubting an Echo's performance, shoot me a PM. I'm sure in 5-6-7-8 years, (hopefully longer) of the "abuse" I'll be giving mine, I'll be able to substantiate the same report then, as now.
Happy trimming to all.
Podunk.
**Husqvarna - It seems that Husqvarna either bought out, jumped in bed with, or teamed up with Poulan. Directly from my local Husqy repairman: "Make sure if you buy Husqvarna, it is one that is made in Sweden. Somewhere on the model, it should have a metal tag or sticker. It will tell you where it was made. The Poulan brands are junk for commercial purposes."
Well, my evaluation of the Echo is two thumbs up! It took me 3 different occasions, but I finally finished weed whacking my yard. Total hours spent, approx 8, maybe a little longer.
First, I'd like to say that I have gotten the hang of cutting with the straight shaft. It took some time, but I have a feel for it now and can rock and roll with it, with ease.
Secondly, being a "commercial model", Echo installed a rather small deflector on the bottom of it. (It seems the "pro's" take them off anyhow). It doesn't offer much "protection" from flying debris, but I adapted, thus making it safer and less irritation from flying debris (sand, etc.), by cutting around a tree in a clockwise manner. I know all that may sound silly, but it works for me.
Third, I can't believe the great fuel economy. It doesn't take much fuel to fill the tank, but it will run for literally hours without a refill!
Fourth, lots of power, but I already talked about that in a previous post.
Fifth, some of the "heaviness" of the product that I spoke about before seemed to be "caused" by my inability to operate the machine properly. Since I know how to manipulate it now, I'm not "fighting" with it, thus making it seem lighter in weight. However, it is NOT actually light in weight by any means and if your needs are like mine (where weed whacking before mowing is an all day affair), it will wear you down somewhat. I will be getting a shoulder harness for it eventually, it will make things much easier on my arms.
Lastly, I would recommend it to anyone who has serious industrial type weed eating needs. I'm happy with it, but I'm positive that I would have been replying the same if I had bought a **Husqy or a Stihl model of equal power and commercial rating. If someone ever posts the same question that I did, or they pull this post from the archives with the question of which one to buy...I'd have to say it appears the Echo is on the same level of quality as either a Husqy or Stihl. If you are doubting an Echo's performance, shoot me a PM. I'm sure in 5-6-7-8 years, (hopefully longer) of the "abuse" I'll be giving mine, I'll be able to substantiate the same report then, as now.
Happy trimming to all.
Podunk.
**Husqvarna - It seems that Husqvarna either bought out, jumped in bed with, or teamed up with Poulan. Directly from my local Husqy repairman: "Make sure if you buy Husqvarna, it is one that is made in Sweden. Somewhere on the model, it should have a metal tag or sticker. It will tell you where it was made. The Poulan brands are junk for commercial purposes."
