String trimmers, which do you use, are you happy?

[PineRidge]

<font color="blue"> bought the Troy Bilt unit wiht the intechangalbe attachments. I love the chain saw one for trimming branches. I chose mine because I wanted to run regular gas and not mix. It has a four cycle engine. In two years it's started everytime and has plenty of power. No complaints other than it is fairly heavy. I use the strap for support.
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Eddie I would imagine that a four stroke engine has to be a heavier tool to lug around. Do you notice the difference in weight when you are trimming?

 

[Bird]

Down in the country, I bought what I think was next to the biggest Stihl; can't remember a model number but gave about $360 for it in '95. I also had the circle saw blade for it, and had the "J" handle instead of the bike handles. It always worked just fine; I think I had to adjust the carburetor once on it, but after having carpal tunnel surgery, I sold it to my brother and bought the biggest electric start DR trimmer/mower, including the Beaver blade. Of course, that Stihl worked fine for my brother for a few years, too, then he sold it in a garage sale when he went back to full time RVing.

Now, in town, with nothing but grass and an occasional small weed, I'm using a $50 Black & Decker electric that works just fine, but I don't like having to drag that cord around, so I'm thinking of buying a Stihl FS55. I want the lightest weight I can find with the straight shaft, and so far I haven't found anything lighter.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I have 3.

A Weed Eater Featherlite. I is too small and do weak to handle heavy weeds. We've had it for years, and it was fine when we had a small house in an urban area, but can't deal with rough weeds.

I have an older JD commercial unit. It is touchy, but very powerful and will cut through anything. It is also large and somewhat heavy. For someone with the need for a trimmer that will run saw blades as well as line or wire it is a good unit.

I recently purchased a small Echo (GT200) unit with their easy start system. It is not much bigger than the Weed Eater unit, weighs about 9# empty, starts easily, and it is powerful for its size. It easily cuts weeds that the Weed Eater unit will not cut, but it is not as powerful as the JD trimmer.

 

[slowrev]

I have been using an old green Weed eater trimmer for over 15 years. Still going good. Clean the air filter once a year and I have changed the plug once and had to replace the diaphram in the carb last year ($9.99). Paid 69.95 for it and have had no complaints. I also picked up one of the featherlight trimmers a year ago for $25.00(used), It is good for trimming the lawn only, not much power or swath. Got it for the wife she likes the light weight....caught her pouring straight gas! in it today for a church project. The oil mix can says "For weedeater only" on it, go figure. Guess I will have to mark "NOT for Weedeater" on all the rest of my cans.

 

[dmccarty]

timb,

For around rock walls and edging I use the attachement that has four plastic blades. I bought this at the Stihl dealer years go. The bladeds get eaten up quickly if I'm edging. But I can finish the job and I don't leave string all over the place. If I keep the blades away from the rock walls they last a good long while. Much better than string. String is a waste of time and money in my yard.

Later,
Dan

 

[daedong]

I have a Kawasaki bought it back in about 1993 still goes stong only been used 11 time though (once a year) not much rain here /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ronjhall]

I have a Stihl FS85R. I use the PolyCut head (three blades) for trimming. Depends on how tired I am whether I use the belt or not. I also have the hedge trimmer, pole saw, and metal blade attachments for it. I would recommend this trimmer to most small estate owners.

 

[ScottAR]

How well does the pole saw work? I need one, and I'd like a more powerful trimmer as well...

 

[Will_C]

Another happy Stihl 85 user here. I also have a Husquvarna that is about 10 years old that still works well, I think it is a LC 120, but I sure that model number has not been carried in many years.
Will

 

[jwstewar]

I have a Ryobi 4-cycle. I think it is an 895R. I bought it back in '97 because I thought I had burnt up my Dad's Craftsman. Turns out I didn't so I kept the Ryobi. I have several of the attachments for it. Absolutely love everything about it - except the weight. Plenty of power to gut down some pretty tough weeds, if the weeds get to meaty take the string off and put the blade on it. I've cut down trees that were probably 2" in diameter before I had my chainsaw. Never had any problems with it. I've changed the plug in it one time. Never anything else. Has never failed to start. Wife uses it a lot to till her flower gardens up. I blow snow off the deck and sidewalk with it. When I trim I usually go through about 3 tanks of gas and about 3 hours. Usually do that every 2 - 3 weeks. My F-I-L also gave my wife a WeedEater Featherlite. It is light, but the string is so thin I don't think it will even cut a single blade of grass. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I think she used it one time.

I believe all of the Ryobi attachments will also work with Craftsman, Snapper, and John Deere.

On a side note: Last time I was trimming I found a small snake in the road ditch (now remember to me all snakes are deadly - if they touch me I'll die) and it started coming at me (I'm serious - it was charging at me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). I had to introduce him to Mr. Ryobi. The snake didn't seem to like him too well going through the air with his body going to other direction. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif