Old one dead..Shopping for NEW

[DennisArrow]

My 12 YO Ryobi has finally bitten the dust I guess. The fuel bulb must be shot and the crank gear when I pull the starter is skipping engagement half the time. Last year rebuilt the rubber bits and fuel hoses in the carb and I can't even get it to fire this spring. Yes, I always put it away dry with the gas burnt out of it. Anyway, wondering what is the best/cheapest going now? I use it maybe 10 hours per year.

Requirments are:

18" would be nice
Straight or curved? Whats the difference
2 cycle is NO problem. Is 4 cycle better?
Needs to last a few years
UNDER $200 would be nice
A string bumper feed that really works

Others?????..........thanks GUYS.............Dennis

 

[DennisArrow]

Golly.......nobody has recommendations and advice for a string trimmer replacement????

 

[Patches]

Golly.......nobody has recommendations and advice for a string trimmer replacement????

Not for under $200. I've got a 20 year old Stihl, FS36, that still runs like new, but, I think I paid more than $200 when I bought it, 20 years ago

 

[kenmac]

A good trimmer is going to cost more than 200. Husky cost me in the $300.00 range.My maruyama cost around $280.00 . I bought these several yrs ago. Prices have probably gone up

 

[2manyrocks]

The curved shaft is more difficult to control than a straight shaft, IMHO. Sometimes the curved shaft has a flexible thing in it that isn't as strong as the straight gizmo they put in a straight shaft and that can make a difference if you use it as a brush cutter.

Can't help with brand specifics. Last good one that I had was a Stihl FS80 that's now worn out, and it was more than $200 back in the day.

Just my personal opinion, but getting 12 years from a Ryobi is doing very well.

 

[kenmac]

The curved shaft is more difficult to control than a straight shaft, IMHO. Sometimes the curved shaft has a flexible thing in it that isn't as strong as the straight gizmo they put in a straight shaft and that can make a difference if you use it as a brush cutter.

Can't help with brand specifics. Last good one that I had was a Stihl FS80 that's now worn out, and it was more than $200 back in the day.

Just my personal opinion, but getting 12 years from a Ryobi is doing very well.

Yep, the curved shaft trimmers have that flex cable . Some of the st. shaft trimmers also use a flex cable. Which IMO uses up HP. Both of my trimmers uses the solid steel shaft. Everyone probably has an opinion on this. But, I wouldn't want 1 with flex cable

 

[/pine]

I've got a Poulan (Y25 I think) straight shaft trimmer that is over 10 years old...the thing has never failed to start...last summer I had to replace the string shroud...and later I had to replace the cable and liner...other than that I have never had a problem with it....

easy to get parts and easy to fix....I think I paid like $80 at Wal-Mart that long ago...

It's funny, every time I go into the place where I buy hydraulic fittings/hoses (rental/small engine repair shop)...they sell Husky and Sthil trimmers and it never fails when I'm in there someone will bring in one or the other (sthil or Husky) because it won't start...

I'm happy with the Poulan....I've also had a Ryobi even longer and other than new fuel lines and a primer bulb...it has never needed any repair shop time...

 

[arrabil]

Don't get a 4-cycle. That they can be used in any position is pure nonsense no matter what they say. I thought it was so cool until the tree pruner attachment fused the piston to the cylinder from a lack of oiling. In about ten minutes, only three of which were in a true "up" position.

I've been using my Troy-Bilt two cycle ever since (4+ years) and I use it with the multiple attachments at least two hours a week. I think it was $129.

You need to hold the straight and curved shaft to decide which YOU prefer. Its basically an issue of ergonomics. Except for maybe that its easier to get over and behind something with the curved one.

 

[jayhawkerroy]

Pretty happy with our Stihl FS-45. About $150 today. Replaced the bump head with a Weed Warrior head, because the bump head was hard to replace line.

 

[DennisArrow]

Picked up a Stihl fs55 on Saturday...........Right on my budget of $200....Seems to be just what I needed so far as I used it on a couple hundred yards of fence line yesterday. Typical hard to start weed eater or 2 cycle problems but works just fine. Whatever string they use is really good though.......only had to bump it a few times in the work I did even though I "trimmed" a bunch of T posts and rocks........The old one with heavy duty line would have gone through a couple of feet rather than just a few inches...........

Thanks for the thoughts guys...........Dennis

 

[aczlan]

Typical hard to start weed eater or 2 cycle problems but works just fine.

How are you starting it? I have always been able to pull-start small engines very quickly by following these steps:

1. Turn the killswitch to on
2. Press the Primer bulb 3 times
3. Put the choke to full
4. Pull the rope until it coughs or tries to catch
5. Drop to 1/2 choke
6. Pull the rope again and it starts within 2-3 tries

These steps normally let me start a 2 or 4 cycle small engine in 5-6 pulls.

Aaron Z

 

[DennisArrow]

Am pretty much following the same steps you outline. I guess I am just going by being spoiled by the ol "pre-EPA" tuned equipment. One maybe two pulls and off we go. My late 70's Troy bilt has the original B&S engine and STILL starts on the first pull or even older BMW 500 motorcycle starts every time on the first kick or push through the kick starter by hand.........OH well........thanks.....Dennis

 

[2manyrocks]

Some engines just seem to start better than others, too.

I really got good service out of my Sthil FS80. If yours is made as well as it was, then you've got a good one.