New trimmer opinions needed.

[davitk]

I hate to admit it, but I went the cheap rout and bought a Ryobi 4-stroke, and while it is heavy(er) it has always performed for me, and it's been 8 years now. I bought the 4-stroke because the fumes from my 2-stoke snow blower made me ill.

 

[IXLR8]

I have the smaller Honda 4 stroke trimmer. Works good, starts first or second pull, once you learn what it wants. Sometimes I wish I had gotten the larger one, like when I am trying to cut down weeds and junk that have grown 2+ feet tall. Then again.. I should probably get a bushhog for my tractor for that. It seems to run FOREVER on a tank of fuel. It takes me between 45min- 1hr to do all the trimming around my property, does not seem to get too heavy in that timeframe. It came with a shoulder harness to help with the weight... but I never use it. I did put a blade on it to trim some smaller brush, less than 1.5"diameter. Worked well as long as I kept the blade sharp.

 

[razor]

I just bought my first Kawasaki trimmer and so far it is the best trimmer that I have ever owned. I have or had Echo, Honda, Stihl, Dolmar, each one trimmer has its good points as well as its bad points. When its time for a new one I think I'll stick with Kawasaki or might try Shindaiwa.

 

[mjncad]

I had a Ryobi 2-stroke split boom trimmer I bought at Home Despot. It was the biggest pile of junk I've owned since the 1983 Chevy S-10 pickup I bought new. The Ryobi wet in the trash can, and I won't buy anything with the Ryobi name on it.

I now have a Deere XT-140 split boom trimmer with two cutting heads, a blower and the tiller attachment. The tiller works better than I expected and is good in tight areas. I've been pleased with the Deere as it starts without hassle.

Should the Deere puke on me, I'll try an Echo split boom next.

Mixing gas & oil is no big deal.

 

[OntarioCanada]

I'm very happy with my Stihl that I purchased in June. They call it "4 mix" technology. The only time I've seen smoke is when I took too long to take the choke off and it stalled, then had to start it up again.

Mixing is not difficult, especially using their bottles of oil........just put the full bottle in a container and add 5L of gas.

Purchasing a 6-pack of their oil also gave me an extra year warranty, although I seriously doubt it will be required.

 

[NorCalDelta]

I am looking to upgrade to a new trimmer for next spring. I want something that I can use attachments on, like a hedge trimmer and the like. Also want a 4 stroke, NO MORE MIXING.

Here is what I am looking at Husqvarna Outdoor Power Equipment - Trimmers - 324LDx

All opinions are welcome, as well as opinions on all other brands.

It will be replacing an Echo GT 200R. No complaints with it, just need something bigger, and a multi tool head is better.

Thanks,

Will

I bought the Husqvarna trimmer that's one model below, same spec's but no split shaft for attachments. Previously I used a Troybuilt 4 stroke with attachments and found them to be less than great.

The Husqvarna is very powerful, super reliable and pretty light. What I've learned is:

1) Probably should have got the shoulder harness, it gets a bit heavy after a few tanks of gas!

2) Although it came with .95 line, I ran some 1.05 in it and it pulled it just fine - doubt they recommend it but it cut great..

3) Not sure why, but it can be a bit tough to start sometimes. The air filter needs to be very clean (easy enough to do) - I'm still on the original plug, so that may be the issue.

4) I really like the way they build their tools at Husky. My chainsaw (Rancher) I bought in '89 is still a screamin' powerhouse, only had it serviced twice in that time.

 

[LBrown59]

I just love my Stihl FS 46.
Greatest trimmer I've ever owned.
Haven't seen anything to beat it.
L . B .

 

[amigauser]

I bought the Stihl Km130 combi unit this summer.

I just got the Stihl 110 combi unit and I second this opinion.

I will third
http://www.stihlusa.com/multitask/kombi.html
http://www.stihlusa.com/multitask/accessories.html

I have the Stihl 130 Kombi unit with the pole saw (with extension), straight shaft trimmer and straight shaft edger. The unit and attachments all work flawlessly. It is $$$ but it should last a life time.

 

[jinjimbob]

I picked up a Cub Cadet Trimmer/Blower Attachment (Model 41AJBT-C912) for $20 at Home Depot last weekend, on clearance, they had a bunch.

It actually works very well, can't be beat for the price, for the time I'm just edging the small lawn I have, and quickly blow the bits away.


The info:
* Convenient Shift Lever- simply shift from trimming to blowing in one motion
* 150 MPH Velocity Blower - makes quick clean up of clippings and leaves
* Time Saver Fixed-Line Head- reload line in seconds with nothing to take apart
* 16" Cutting Swath- trim more grass/weeds in less time
* Attaches to Cub Cadet and other split shaft trimmers
* 2-Year Warranty
* MFG Brand Name : Cub Cadet
* MFG Model # : 41AJBT-C912
* MFG Part # : 41AJBT-C912

 

[WilliamBos]

4) I really like the way they build their tools at Husky. My chainsaw (Rancher) I bought in '89 is still a screamin' powerhouse, only had it serviced twice in that time.

Here is a bit of an update, gave Dad his early Christmas present from Mom and I tonight, a new 55 Rancher, played with it a bit, man it is a power house.

Opinions on trimmers still welcome, will buy in early spring.