String trimmers

[LouNY]

I'm pleased with my Stihl FS130, it replaced a Robin which made over 15 years.

 

[RjCorazza]

I’m in the Stihl camp. I have a KM110 straight shaft that accepts different tool heads.
I gave up on cheap string trimmers and other landscaping tools years ago.

 

[Thomas]

Not sure if its true or not but heard more than once box store quality name brand not as good as dealer quality name brand. :confused3:

 

[Maxify55]

I've owned my Stihl FS110 fort over 10 yrs now.

I found a mower service going outta business and bought it for $150.

 

[Omega Woods]

Daughter wanted a string trimmer for her birthday.

Some people have all the luck!

I have an Echo that I love.

 

[ArlyA]

We have a couple of Hondo's that are two heavy for my dearest to run. Run OK but they are up FS. We are about to purchase (personally) our third Echo and one is well over 10yo and still runs great. Its done lots and lots of hard trail work and been repaired many times. When will it fail? The organization I do trails for (a job) also have several Echo's. They are not perfect, but commercial built machines that are well worth repairing.

 

[dnw64]

Switching to a blade is a hassle because you need to change the guard to the small one if you want to be effective.

What's a "guard"?

 

[4570Man]

I’ve had Stihl, echo, Husqvarna, Redmax, Shindiawa and a few cheaper models. The Shindiawa is by far the best and the self winding bump heads on the Shindiawa and Echo trimmers makes and other head look like a 3 legged man.

 

[Will_C]

I have a
Sthl FS 85-16 years old, had to replace the ignition module last year.
Stihl FS 250 with line, blade, and saw heads- 7 years old-did have to replace the carb, supposedly Stihl got a bad bunch of carbs according to my dealer.
Stihl KM 130 with the line head, paddle, and pole saw- 3 years old.

Won't comment on other brands, but I have been very happy with mine-and I use them for a lot of work.

Will

 

[ArlyA]

When you run blades, the guard is added for somethings protection. We only use them with our steel brush cutting blades.

What's a "guard"?

 

[ArlyA]

Gee, we don't hardly run any "bump heads". For string we normally use .155 which is to large to run in them.

I’ve had Stihl, echo, Husqvarna, Redmax, Shindiawa and a few cheaper models. The Shindiawa is by far the best and the self winding bump heads on the Shindiawa and Echo trimmers makes and other head look like a 3 legged man.

 

[deserteagle71]

I too got tired of two-stroke units that only lasted a few years. Bought me a Honda 4-stroke trimmer 20 years ago and couldn't be happier. All I have to do is put gas in it, and change the oil once a year. After all these years, when I dig it out to use it for the first time in the spring all I have to do is put gas in it and on the second pull it fires up and just purrs. With the 4-stroke torque it puts out most of my cutting can be done with setting the throttle to high idle. Absolutely trouble-free all these years. One of my better investments!

 

[CMV]

So a lot of stihl or echo recommendations. But is a stihl or echo from TSC, lowes, Home Depot, etc the same as a stihl or echo from the local Kubota farm equipment dealer? Is it like the riding mowers where a jd or husqvarna from big box is a pile where one from dealer is a sturdier model and great machine or is a stihl or echo trimmer good regardless of where it comes from?

No battery for me. My remote property has no utilities and dragging out generator just to run for 45 min or so and wait for battery to charge not good for me. Gas and go.....

Oh...and sorry for all the gibberish in first post....I forget on iPad not to use apostrophe or quotation marks sometimes...

 

[Doofy]

Bought a refurbished Homelite for $79 some 30+ years ago. Never had a problem and works as good today as day one. Must be a fluke.

 

[RjCorazza]

So a lot of stihl or echo recommendations. But is a stihl or echo from TSC, lowes, Home Depot, etc the same as a stihl or echo from the local Kubota farm equipment dealer? (snip)...

Stihl products are only sold by servicing dealers.

 

[ArlyA]

They are fine units but per HP, 4 strokes weight more.

I too got tired of two-stroke units that only lasted a few years. Bought me a Honda 4-stroke trimmer 20 years ago and couldn't be happier. All I have to do is put gas in it, and change the oil once a year. After all these years, when I dig it out to use it for the first time in the spring all I have to do is put gas in it and on the second pull it fires up and just purrs. With the 4-stroke torque it puts out most of my cutting can be done with setting the throttle to high idle. Absolutely trouble-free all these years. One of my better investments!

 

[ArlyA]

Here are photos taken today of Echo's in the field and at work. (One is from last fall) In the 1st photo, one of these is my personal machine that's about 15yo. These will show .155 string, brush cutting blade and pole saws in use.

 

[jaxs]

I noticed most if not all rave reviews posted were about really old trimmers. My trouble didn't start until government decided all states needed corn squeezings in gas and California compliant engines. Since that came about,I've had carburetor problems every time I turn around. Most shops around here will not take string trimmers for repair unless they are a warranty station and it's in warranty.

 

[ArlyA]

Our Echo units range in age from 15yo to new. We have about 6 of them. We do this for work and I own some as well. They've been serviced at the same shop we purchased them at. Does that count?

 

[rekees4300]

Well, I'm in the Stihl camp on this one.

Add another vote for Stihl. Bought a FS240 3 years ago and it has never failed to start on first pull! Awesome machine with all the power you will ever need. Will cut everything from grass to 3 inch trees.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/general-lawn-garden/345050-stihl-fs240.html?highlight=stihl

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