String trimmer recommendations?

[IMCA38]

Thanks. That is something I have considered.
I did buy some of the "star" shaped line for my weed-eater. it does cut better, but still had some trouble with it breaking. The thing I noticed with this stuff, is that the star shape makes it easier to get caught underneath itself on the spool, then it won't unwind.
I'll probably hold out until they start puting this stuff on end of season clearance.

 

[trkbldr]

I also have a Stihl FS85 with bike handles and I love it. I have the brush cutter blade which I have been using to clear areas that have never been mowed so I can uncover any hazards before I use the tractor and bush hog. I had an old single line trimmer and the double line is much better ( maybe even twice as good /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) No problems with rewinding, it is just as easy as the single line. Mine was about $375 with brush blade, extra line, and a six pack. NO, a six pack of 2 cycle oil /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. Get a good brand and one that feels comfortable to you.

 

[rtimgray]

Can't dispute that Stihl, Echo and Husqvarna are great brands, but if you want to explore the other end of the spectrum you might check out Homelite. I've had a $60 Homelite gas trimmer for about 6 years and it finally died, so I bought another one (it was $60 at Home Depot). I don't know if I'll get another six years out of it but I'm willing to try. The only thing that I did to mine was replace the plug a couple of times and I did replace the curved shaft with a straight shaft that I bought off of eBay for $15 - I like the straight shaft better. I think the straight shaft will work on my new one, with a little modification to the handle. I also have two Homelite chainsaws that start and run great (one for seven years, the other for two) and have had only normal maintenance work done on them - I'm not a professional woodcutter, but do a fair amount of chainsawing in the winter. Again, I don't think that Homelite is quite on par with the big name brands, but for the money, they have been good cheap tools for me.

 

[fivestring]

That's what I'm wanting. Does Wallyworld have them?

 

[jdcook00]

Stihl, echo, husky's are all nice units. I have a shindawa. They make a homeowners unit for about $200. I've had 2 ryobi's and both were junk. Mine starts on first pull every time, and doesn't cut off until I want it to!! It has plenty of power, dual line (easy to refill) and runs on 50:1 mix (same as my husky saw). Just my opinion, but research all you can and ask some local guys that do it (cut grass etc.) for a living and see what holds up best. You'll get what you pay for. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Alan L.]

I'll chime in here as a very satisfied Stihl FS85 owner. I use a metal "saw blade" on brush and the regular head for weeds. It does eat line pretty quick, but it could be the tough jobs I use it for. There is NO comparison between this fine piece of equipment and the Ryobi and Weedeaters I had in the past.

 

[Slamfire]

When my Sears burned up this week I bought a Stihl FS 45 for $139.95. Haven't bought any of the super blades yet! But did spring for a spool of Shakespeare titanium string. Don't seem to last any longer. I've got some of the 5 sided line here but it is the wrong size. I guess that Stihl has about 2000 rpm more'n my old trimmer.

 

[jwstewar]

I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend the Ryobi. I've had mine since '97 and it has been used hard since '99. I have about 650' of front roadside ditch that I have to weed as well as a drainage ditch that run diagonally through the property that is about 500' as well. I usually use it every week around the house, sheds, and flower gardens. I then try to do the front road ditch every other week. I then do the drainage ditch 3 or 4 times a year with the steel blade. It is the 4 cycle version. I have the blower/vac attachment that I use periodically. I also have the cultivator attachment that I have used the crap out of. Also have the tree pruner attachment that I've used a few times as well as the hedge trimmer attachment that I've used quite a bit. When we first bought the property I mowed down about an acre of soy beans with it. I usually change the oil once maybe twice a year. I cleaned the air cleaner for the first time this year. Felt guilty and bought a spark plug for it. Finally stuck it in last week. I usually go through 3 tanks of gas (about 3 hours worth of weedeating) when I give up. The trimming isn't finished and neither is the weedeater - but I am. The only thing I found was once I quit buying the Ryobi prewound string and start rewinding them myself I quit breaking the string off in the head.

P.S. Did I mention that I just bought my tractor this year and I've used the snowblower attachment on it as well to keep our 150' driveway clear? BTW, yes I'll buy another Ryobi - I don't care that it is an MTD and not a Stihl or Huskee. Mine runs great and not a single problem with it.

 

[chrisjbell]

<font color="blue"> I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend the Ryobi. </font>

I went through two of the Ryobis - they just died on me. I love the attachments, though, and use them lots. I have the tiller, tree saw, blower, hedge trimmer, and of course trimmer heads. They're great and I'm still using the Ryobi attachments.

But now I use 'em with a JD motor - it accepts the same type of "Quic Link" connectors. It is also a two stroke, which provides more torque than the 4 stroke Ryobis did and is a bit lighter to boot.

I'm not trying to trash Ryobi, though, so don't get me wrong there. I have a drill / driver from them that has served me well for quite a few years and shows no sign of quitting. I kept both of the Ryobi motors - one of these days I may try to take parts from the two of 'em to create a single, running unit. Unfortunately, the motors are slightly different sizes so that may never happen.

Maybe I didn't change the oil often enough or something...

 

[jwstewar]

The Ryobi drills aren't made by MTD - which makes the Ryobi lawn equipment. There is no Ryobi company in the US. Just the name licensed out. The quick attachments will fit between Ryobi, Troy-bilt, and Craftsman because they are all made by MTD. I won't swear to this, maybe I'm confusing it with something/someone else, but I thought I remember reading that the JD string trimmers were contracted out to MTD as well - at least the ones designed for consumer use vs. commerical.. That wouldn't surprise me one bit. I also wouldn't be surprised if these all had the exact same motor with different color plastics.