String trimmers

[JRobyn]

I say it on TBN everytime string trimmers come up. If you're going to be working with one for any more than about 30 minutes, get yourself one of these and adjust it right for your body and trimmer. Your back will thank you for days and days.

Amazon.com : HIPA 4119 71 91 String Trimmer Full Harness for STIHL FS, KM Series String Trimmer : Garden & Outdoor

 

[ArlyA]

We used and still own 2 Hondo's with harnesses that look just liker the stihls you show. The Echo's we use today are a tad lighter than the Hondo's and we will run them for 8 hours with just a padded shoulder strap type belts. Like these

Padded Adjustable Shoulder Strap, 37 to 55-Inch, for Klein Tools Tool Tote and 53 Series; Klein Tools 58889 - Securing Straps - Amazon.com

I say it on TBN everytime string trimmers come up. If you're going to be working with one for any more than about 30 minutes, get yourself one of these and adjust it right for your body and trimmer. Your back will thank you for days and days.

Amazon.com : HIPA 4119 71 91 String Trimmer Full Harness for STIHL FS, KM Series String Trimmer : Garden & Outdoor

 

[ericm979]

When we bought the FS240 I got the high end Stihl harness for the wife to use with it. Turns out that she's smarter than I am and refuses to use the 240 saying it's too big. I ended up using the harness. Even the standard one that comes with the 240 is far better than the strap on the FS85. The fancy harness is even better though I'm not sure it's so much better that it's worth the price. However since I have it now, I use it.

 

[goeduck]

I have owned one of these Amazon.com : Tanaka TBC-255PF Commercial Grade Gas-Powered Straight-Shaft Grass Trimmer/Brush Cutter 25cc 1.3 HP 2-Stroke (CARB Compliant) : String Trimmers : Garden & Outdoor Since spring of 2012, to this day starts on second pull and will blow any Sthil or Echo away in power without a doubt the best weed eater i have ever owned in my 53 years

I see the Tanaka has 3.5 stars on the link you provided whereas the same size Husky has 4.5 stars. Same link. Lots of good brands out there. Honda is another good brand seldom mentioned.

 

[goeduck]

I say it on TBN everytime string trimmers come up. If you're going to be working with one for any more than about 30 minutes, get yourself one of these and adjust it right for your body and trimmer. Your back will thank you for days and days.

Amazon.com : HIPA 4119 71 91 String Trimmer Full Harness for STIHL FS, KM Series String Trimmer : Garden & Outdoor

I have one of those and it works well. That is after I spend 15 minutes getting it on correctly. It always seems I put it on backwards at first :confused3:. Like you say, it helps your back.

 

[Doofy]

Sure can't beat that price.

 

[two_bit_score]

I say it on TBN everytime string trimmers come up. If you're going to be working with one for any more than about 30 minutes, get yourself one of these and adjust it right for your body and trimmer. Your back will thank you for days and days.

Amazon.com : HIPA 4119 71 91 String Trimmer Full Harness for STIHL FS, KM Series String Trimmer : Garden & Outdoor

Worth the money! :thumbsup:

 

[goeduck]

If I can high jack this thread? A question for Stihl operators. We mostly use the "power head" type adaptable type of units, by Echo. When I looked at the Stihl KombiSystem they looked like they might be on the weak side. If you have this system, how has it worked for you? And what attachments have you used with it.

I have the Stihl Kombi 130. Pro model engine. I have the pole saw attachment, string trimmer, blade trimmer and scythe (4 total attachments). I like it and for serious homeowners it is a good choice to avoid all those engines. Like all my Stihls, it has not given me any issues. If I were a pro landscaper I would have dedicated units.

 

[CMV]

So went and looked at some today. Dealer only had Echo and Shindaiwa - which were identical to each other mostly. Only models were SRM2620 and SRM225 along with the Shindaiwa similar models of those two.

I left failing to understand difference between those or an Echo SRM2620 or Echo SRM225 sold at Home Depot. Dealer claimed these were "heavier commercial models" compared to what HD sells. Look identical and same model #s....

Will try a different dealer that also carries Stihl later this week. Choosing/comparing between Echo and Shindaiwa - at least for the selection I just looked at - was basically choosing red or black version of same thing.

 

[MidTn Mark]

Love my new DeWalt 60 volt trimmer. My old shoulders are about done starting little gas engines. It is very responsive and by far the best balanced trimmer I've ever used. I also got the 60v chainsaw. It is perfect for hopping on and off while clearing trails.

 

[Tractorable]

Love my new DeWalt 60 volt trimmer. My old shoulders are about done starting little gas engines. It is very responsive and by far the best balanced trimmer I've ever used. I also got the 60v chainsaw. It is perfect for hopping on and off while clearing trails.

Do the 40V and 60V Dewalt tools have more power than the 20V or just a longer run time?

 

[Wsmitty]

I was in the same boat. Always bought the cheap ones only to have them die after 1 or 2 seasons. Usually they just wouldn't start at the beginning of the season. Can't tell you how many of these POS trimmers I've gone through. Finally wised up, did a ton of research and ponied up and bought an Echo SRM-230. I did buy mine from Home Depot.

6 years and still going strong. 2 Pulls and this thing starts every time. I went with an Echo chain saw for the same reason.

 

[ArlyA]

We have a good Echo dealer here who has serviced us well. If they didn't, we be looking at Stihl's or some other quality machine. We buys tools to use and we use them hard and long. When they break and we have them repaired. Low cost tools don't cut it for us.

I was in the same boat. Always bought the cheap ones only to have them die after 1 or 2 seasons. Usually they just wouldn't start at the beginning of the season. Can't tell you how many of these POS trimmers I've gone through. Finally wised up, did a ton of research and ponied up and bought an Echo SRM-230. I did buy mine from Home Depot.

6 years and still going strong. 2 Pulls and this thing starts every time. I went with an Echo chain saw for the same reason.

 

[ultrarunner]

No luck today at Echo Dealer Day.

My intention was to buy a new SRM410 and a PPF 225.

Called ahead to confirm and arrived to find the items I want would need to be ordered with no way to see/hold before buying.

No luck calling Echo and Distributor to find a stocking Dealer... they have no way to know... at least this is what I was told.

A trimmer is something I use all day so the fit/feel is important.

Not going to spend a thousand plus dollars sight unseen.

The good thing is the dealer did have a new rope pull "Clock Spring" for my 36 year old Echo SRM 300 Brush Cutter!

 

[Fastball]

Ditto on the Stihl FS 90.
I bought the head that you can attach 3 poly-cut blades. I have a lot of tougher stuff that results in me replacing string all the time. Those blades will cut some serious spit down.

 

[goeduck]

Ditto on the Stihl FS 90.
I bought the head that you can attach 3 poly-cut blades. I have a lot of tougher stuff that results in me replacing string all the time. Those blades will cut some serious spit down.

Probably create less sparks than my triangle blade too :confused2:

 

[ultrarunner]

We actually have a prohibition on metal blades when "Red Flag" is declared due to high fire danger.

Every year there are numerous fires started by property owners doing required weed abatement.

If you start too early you have to come back... start too late and problems with fire... sometimes it is hard to time it right when the perfect time is short and lots of abatement needs to be done.

For me the sweet spot is around tax time April 15th...

Last year a tractor operator was killed when his tractor with disc upset... it was a neighbor of my brother and I came upon the scene just as the ambulance arrived... operator was crushed.

California has nurtured an entire cottage industry to address vegetation fire hazards... thing is the public lands are nearly exempt... private... no chance.

 

[ArlyA]

We tried the triangle blade type blades for years but gave up on them. We called them "boomerang" blades. We subsequently switched to blades that are about 9" diameter with cutting teeth in them, similar to what a plain wood saw would have. Not carbides granted, but simple cutting notches (sorta) in the steel. We got rocks everywhere here and they spark often. Do note, the cutting speed is so slow, we only use these steel blades when the tree shoots are to large for the .155 string to handle. The cutting radius is just to small for grass and the 155 string head are preferred and used 90% of the time which cutting radius is quite large. Speed is your friend when you have much to do.

Probably create less sparks than my triangle blade too :confused2:

 

[Doofy]

Anyone use the wheeled string trimmers? Sure seem like they would be less work than the hand units.

 

[bcp]

Anyone use the wheeled string trimmers? Sure seem like they would be less work than the hand units.

Maybe less work on hard, flat ground. More work on my hills and soft ground. Haven't used it for a couple of years. Echo is easier.

Bruce