String trimmer time

[MESSMAKER]

Ordered a brand new Husqvarna 223 off E-Bay. I got it for about $65 less than I could find local. It was the only string timmer that nobody said a bad word about. We will see. It was over $100 less than the same size Echo.

 

[whistlepig]

When buying Stihl its well worth the few extra few dollars to go for the "Pro Series". Not much there in extra features but well worth it in the longevity.

 

[aczlan]

Time to try another brand. I have an old weed eater that still runs. I find I end up using it because I can't get my Stihl started. This is the second one and neither were reliable. I have a chainsaw that is bulletproof. Husky,Echo and Shindaiwa are sold in my area. What are you guys using?

We have 2 stihl weedeaters (one with line and one with a brush blade) and a chain saw. They start fine no matter how long they have sat.

My starting method for all 2 cycle equipment is as follows:
1. Make sure the gas is on
2. Pump the primer bulb 3-5 times (depending on what I am starting)
3. Put the choke on full
4. Turn on the shutoff switch
5. Pull the rope till it kicks or coughs (normally 3-5 pulls)
6. Move the choke to 1/2 choke
7. Pull the rope again
Using this method, I normally only pull the rope 2-3 times in step 7 and it is ready to go (other than the cheap POS Huskvarna at the hotel which has an auto shutoff choke and needs to be replaced)

Aaron Z

 

[EddieWalker]

I have two Stihl chainsaws, one Echo chainsaw and an Echo weedeater. I can't tell you if there is a better weedeater out there then the straight shaft Echo because it's my first good quality weedeater that I've ever owned. Spending less and then not being able to get them to start just became too much for me, so I went out to buy the best that I could find.

I've owned half a dozen other brands and I've never had anything as easy to start as Echo. I never use any fuel stabalizers. I just run it empty and fill it up when I use it.

I'm a HUGE fan of Echo and when my Stihl chansaws die, I'll replace them with Echo.

Eddie

 

[Bird]

I've owned half a dozen other brands and I've never had anything as easy to start as Echo. I never use any fuel stabalizers. I just run it empty and fill it up when I use it.

I've heard nothing but good things about Echo and several years ago, nearly all the commercial operators I noticed (no scientific survey) were using Echo. But in more recent times, it appears to me that they're using more Stihls. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

However, I do the opposite from what you do. I do use Stabil in all my small engine gasoline and I never run them out. I used to run all my 2-cycle stuff dry before putting them away, but I quit doing that a couple of years ago. My 6 year old Stihl has their "Easy2Start" system (or as the salesman called it "the granny start system") and it starts just as easily this month as it did 6 years ago. I changed the spark plug, just as preventive maintenance, after the first year and decided that was not necessary, so the one I'm running now is 5 years old.

 

[2manyrocks]

I caved in and bought a Echo 265U for $369 plus tax. It came with a metal saw blade and the string trimmer head. The salesman said to choke it once and then take the choke off to start or it would flood. So far, it is starting very easily and running nicely. It reminds me of my old Sthil FS80.

I looked at the Sthil FS90, but didn't like the balance of it compared to the Echo. The powerhead seems more bulky than my old FS80.