String trimmers

[Cougsfan]

I am on my second Echo GT225 trimmer. The first one I had for several years. I loaned it to a friend and they ran a couple of tanks of straight gas through it (even though I left them a can of 2 stroke gas)!!! :irked: Never ran good after that. That was 5 years ago. I really liked the string setup (no un-winder spool, you just put heavy duty straight 8" pieces of string in) so I bought another Echo GT225. Kept the first one for parts (haven't used any yet). It gets a LOT of use and has always ran flawlessly, always starts easy, even after setting all winter. I think the secret to keeping the carbs clean is to; 1) only use non-ethanol fuel (if you can find it). 2) Always add fuel stabilizer to the fuel, and 3) don't put too much oil in the gas (40 to 1 is borderline too much, 50 to 1 is better). I always store it with a full tank of gas.

For the really heavy stuff I have a Husqvarna HU625HWT wheeled trimmer. It will cut through anything but I don't particularly like to use it because it is too hard to push, and it covers itself and me with weed-slime. It is a 4 stroke, and it generally harder to start than is the 2 stroke Echo.

 

[ultrarunner]

The premium 2-stroke mix like Stihl are suppose to have fuel additives like stabilizers or so I was told.

When I bought the warranty was doubled if I bought Stihl mix and I did.

Don't use a lot as much is seasonally used... but, in season, I go through about 20 gallons of mixed fuel and it is the only time I mix large amounts... rest of the year it is gallon size mix.

 

[DieselBound]

I've got nearly 10 years on my Stihl FS130 and I've done NOTHING to it but add fuel. Yeah, still on original plug! I just got done whacking about 2,000 linear feet of fence line: I can only get so close with the tractor. Blackberries around here are "The Enemy," and they are heck to cut, but the Husky Titanium line holds up extremely well (best stuff I've found yet).

I don't like gas engines, but kinda stuck when it comes to small engines. But I am only using ethanol-free gas. Never have had a gummed up carb; and, I'm not all that religious about draining fuel (generally don't). I will add some Stabil here and there, if I remember to.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thanks for the tip on the titanium line...

 

[DieselBound]

Welcome!

I am trying to recall whether I'd read any reviews before buying (available at my local Lowe's). But I was curious just now and looked on Amazon and see it has 421 reviews and is rated near 5 stars. I only read one comment and it's all one really needs as I think it speaks enough:

Best String out there, I have used every brand made and not one come close to the Titanium string, I work for the National Park Service and we cut miles of campgrounds, roadsides, and unbelievably rough country, get this if you want the best.

Careful, though, as this stuff is strong and will easily trash stuff. AND, of course, use good face protection!

 

[searcyfarms]

fs-40 stihl, bought it in 90 - been thru one auto head bought a dual line tapper to replace it, havent even put a plug in it, just prime, choke, start and go i also have a ms260 saw bought it prob 15 yrs ago, nothing but gas in it and a muffler mod, lots of chains and a couple bars. i cut about 6 to 8 chord of wood a year with the saw. I love the stihl stuff. Got a stihl pole saw too, it was spending but worth every penny from what i have used it. It uses premix fuel but sounds different than a regular 2 stroke

 

[Spiros]

DeWalt makes a wicked battery string trimmer.

 

[Bird]

DeWalt makes a wicked battery string trimmer.

Never used, or seen, the Dewalt, but I sure do like my EGO battery powered string trimmer. I think more and more of the manufacturers are now selling battery powered ones.

 

[Bute56]

Ego 56v

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have an 80 volt blower. It will peel paint. Batteries have come a long way.

 

[hks003]

I have a straight shaft echo with removable attachments, and I love it. I have the string trimmer head and the brush cutter head that I use the blade at the link below on. For clearing lanes at the dear lease, it's amazing. I'll take it over a pole saw because it's running at such a high rpm that it just slices right through anything 3" and less and I wasn't scared to take on anything 6" or less (except an iron wood tree limb, that won the battle and needed a chainsaw). It does well on grass that would get in the chain housing of a pole saw and eats blackberry briars for lunch. One downside is if you are cutting with the right side of the blade, it throws things. Woodchips, chunks of briars, a snake once, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Forester-Cha...ocphy=9025626&hvtargid=pla-379017052964&psc=1

 

[Atchuuu]

DeWalt makes a wicked battery string trimmer.

Which one? You can't be thinking of the 20v Dewalt.

 

[DieselBound]

I don't know about others, but when I set out to do trimming I want to get it all done in as few shots as I can. Multiple restarts (waiting for a battery to recharge) means it'll take longer to get the job done, perhaps stretching out over several outings. I want to reduce the number of times I have to get totally filthy (and all the clean up). Packing out a gallon of fuel allows me to work until I tire (not the machine). I recently trimmed about 2,200' of fencing (about half, both side of half my total) and that took me a couple days (not full days, but many hours); I'd have had to have multiple batteries and multiple trips back to the shop to do this.

One thing I noticed recently between our battery and gas trimmers was that the battery trimmer take longer to bring up to full RPMs, and I am on and off the throttle quite a bit. I need to see who the manufacturer of the battery one is (my wife got it -it was reviewed highly, which I'd concur it seems to work really well- and what the voltage is). Without a doubt, not mixing and pouring fuel or smelling exhaust fumes is a big plus.

It wasn't until about three years ago that I bought cordless drills (20v) and one of the batteries crapped out after about two years (and I was alternating between them). Didn't seem to give me any sign of impending death, just all of sudden refused to charge. Keep meaning to buy another battery. Don't think they're too expensive. The newer, higher voltage batteries, on the other hand, can't be very cheap.

 

[chim]

I have a Stihl string trimmer, Stihl Power Scythe and a DeWalt 20V string trimmer. Each has tasks it's better at than the others. The key to happiness with DeWalt 20V tools is using the 5AH batteries.

 

[sawtooth]

Yes get a commercial model for sure. I have 4 trimmers that we use on our farms and our house. One small Shindawa (called Home-pro) thats 20 years + old and still runs great, one Echo commercial can't remember the model either though, and two Stihl FS 94R units. All but the Shindawa get used about a hour at a time once we start. The 8 year old Echo has been pretty good but did need a new carb last year. Personally I like the Stihl's the best as they have great power and are very light in weight. Only had them for a little over 2 years now but so far not a single issue and crank on a dime. They are extremely balanced too so combined that with the light weight and great power they are hard to beat. Unless you need a super powerful trimmer for cutting really tall thick stuff I would look seriously at the FS 94R. By the way its one of their few 2 stroke models as well. Many of their units are now moving over to newer 4 stroke hybrid design. They have been making the 4 stroke design for many years now but seem to keep moving more and more products over to that design. I believe this is for emission purposes but the valves do need to be adjusted at so many hours of use. Echo's are also nice though and make great equipment so if it were me I would buy one of those two brands. One more note Echo has like a 4 year consumer warranty where Stihl only has a 3 year warranty plus you have to use their synthetic oil mix. I think either unit though will last a very very long time.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I have a Dewalt 20 volt with a 5ah battery. Gave up on my Stihl gasser 5 years ago.
The Dewalt has done everything I have asked of it and more. Never looked back.
Im sure the new 60 volt will do more.
Saved enough on gas and oil and heartache to gladly buy another (bare tool) if ever needed and stay happy!!

 

[Doofy]

I have a Dewalt 20 volt with a 5ah battery. Gave up on my Stihl gasser 5 years ago.
The Dewalt has done everything I have asked of it and more. Never looked back.
Im sure the new 60 volt will do more.
Saved enough on gas and oil and heartache to gladly buy another (bare tool) if ever needed and stay happy!!

There is an enormous savings by buying "Bare Tool". My favorite tools are 18volt Makita and 20-40volt Worx. The tool is almost free without the batteries and charger.

 

[ArlyA]

Some of us, use trimmers and pole saws hard and for hours on end. Battery technologies have not yet come along enough for users like us, at least at this time.

 

[Rebeldad1]

There is an enormous savings by buying "Bare Tool". My favorite tools are 18volt Makita and 20-40volt Worx. The tool is almost free without the batteries and charger.

Last month CPO tools had the 20 volt bare tool string trimmer on sale for $99.00 with free shipping, no sales tax! Put a 60 volt Flexvolt battery on it it should easily run 1 hour and more on a charge. I have 5 Dewalt 20 volt batteries that are 4-5 years old and still going strong. The 20 volt chainsaw is amazing!!

 

[Doofy]

The Wife received her new Worx 40 volt cordless lawn mower today and absolutely loves it. Quiet and lightweight. No more gas and oil and stink and noise!