String trimmers

[deserteagle71]

I'm not sure what model trimmer you bought... but unless you are running a premixed fuel, they still require lubricant mixed in the fuel... it's just a different blend. How many hours have you put on it without premix?

NOT! It is a Honda 4-stroke engine - has an oil sump just like a Honda car or ATV or any other 4-stroke. Nothing goes in the gas tank besides ethanol-free gasoline. Been using that way for many hours every summer for 25 years.

 

[RjCorazza]

NOT! It is a Honda 4-stroke engine - has an oil sump just like a Honda car or ATV or any other 4-stroke. Nothing goes in the gas tank besides ethanol-free gasoline. Been using that way for many hours every summer for 25 years.

I had a dead reliable 4 stroke trimmer years ago and actually wore it out over like 10 years (high hours commercial use). I should take a look at the Honda 4 stroke trimmer.

 

[def38]

I'm going to switch to 15w-40 motor oil in my string trimmer so I can run diesel fuel in the motor.

 

[LouNY]

^^^^^ sounds good but you could even try 5W-40 :laughing:

 

[def38]

^^^^^ sounds good but you could even try 5W-40 :laughing:

The 5w-40 is too expensive..I'm sticking with the 15-40. I also use 15w-40 in my Massey Ferguson's Perkins diesel engine. I prefer Mobile Delvac 1300 series engine oil.

 

[CMV]

I never closed the loop on this thread.....I ended up going with Echo SRM-266, but from Home Depot. After comparing to Echo models at dealers, the HD models are exact same ones at exact same price. BUT Home Depot gave 10% military discount. AND, from the dealer, once I bought it, it was mine. They'd fix it if broke, but otherwise stuck with it. Too heavy, not strong enough, hard to start, just don't like it? Too bad if bought from dealer. But from Home Depot, just return it. Also got an Echo CS-490 20" chainsaw at same time.

Both have been great! I use the .105 Echo diamond line and it cuts great and holds up well edging along concrete. The speed feed head refills super easy. Both start real easy if follow instructions & close choke as soon as a hint of sputter. But never more than a few pulls & either fires right up. The only complaint maybe is the chainsaw. at 50cc & 20" chain it can get bogged down at times I think it shouldn't. Maybe should have got the 60cc or I just am not a great operator, but it does really well even if I can sort of bog it down on something real fat.

I'm sure Stihl is great too, but after using for some time now, am very happy with the Echo stuff I got. However, i can't think of a good reason to get from dealer vs HD in that case. Dealers inflexible on price & were all the same - just said wait until a sale but otherwise pay full price. Not that huge a deal, but both together was almost $700 so 10% was nice - like getting string, spare chain, 2 stroke oil, for free and still money left over. But really, not entirely sure if I'd really like both so the option to return if they didn't meet my needs was huge. Also decided not going back to Kubota dealer who had the Echo & Shindawa since he flat out lied that their models of Echo were somehow better quality than what's at HD - all are exact same model numbers, exact same specs.

 

[TheMan419]

Will the local dealer service them if you bought them at a big box store? We have a local appliance dealer here w a good service department. However they will not service your stuff if you bought from a Big box store.

 

[RandyT]

Will the local dealer service them if you bought them at a big box store? We have a local appliance dealer here w a good service department. However they will not service your stuff if you bought from a Big box store.

If they are a listed dealer they can't refuse per their contract with the manufacturer. Now they don't have to give box store stuff priority, just normal flow which include their commercial customers, and stuff they sold first, which could be 6-8 week wait time. Same rules apply as if buying a new vehicle and getting warranty done at the non selling dealer.

 

[John Skull]

the Husqvarna 324L is a beast, using Oregon 22-895 Magnum Square .095 line. I wear my logging chaps and face shield with this combo cause it lays absolute waste to heavy weeds

 

[ArlyA]

the Husqvarna 324L is a beast, using Oregon 22-895 Magnum Square .095 line. I wear my logging chaps and face shield with this combo cause it lays absolute waste to heavy weeds

We've ran 155 string for years to clear trails with but Sthil came out with a head to run 180 in. I'm trying to get one. For taking out serious weeds, grass and and shoots bigger is better but they take power to spin.

 

[big bubba]

FS 250 Stihl w/bicycle handle. out powers & performs anything i've run across. yes heavy @ 15+ lbs, but w/harness & bcy handle a cakewalk.
plus some smaller backup models for lighter work. this one does the job around my 3 ponds, etc. would never consider anything else. personally would never consider a loop handle in a model this heavy, counter productive

for my work, battery powered models, or homeowner grade trimmers are a joke, but understand they fill the needs of light duty homeowners tasks

 

[ArlyA]

We've used string whackers professionally for years so our opinion may not apply to you. We discontinued the use of Honda because of there extra weight. Yes a good machine, but when you carry it all day, you don't get any extra work done. That extra weight is not a plus and my spouse refused to use them any more. We also don't use the "bicycle" handles any longer. Not necessary and to hard to transport in limited space. YRMV

 

[crazyal]

NOT! It is a Honda 4-stroke engine - has an oil sump just like a Honda car or ATV or any other 4-stroke. Nothing goes in the gas tank besides ethanol-free gasoline. Been using that way for many hours every summer for 25 years.

Actually the small Honda engines don't use an oil pump. Once the engine is started the oil is turned into a mist that coats everything. I was skeptical when I bought my Honda but after reading up on their engines, RC guys have been using them for some time now in their planes and fly them upside down all the time, I figured I would get one. I just wish Honda would go all in and make all the attachments that other brands have.

 

[TractorGuy]

I had a Homelite ST275 that was great for 30+ years. I messed up and cut the string head adapter bolt trying a Oregon trimmer head that was pure junk. Then I found out the adapter bolt I cut was not available.

I broke down and bought a 20v DeWalt trimmer. I am very happy with it. I had to adjust to the shorter string and reverse rotation but I finally got use to it. Never going back to gas.

 

[two_bit_score]

I had a Homelite ST275 that was great for 30+ years. I messed up and cut the string head adapter bolt trying a Oregon trimmer head that was pure junk. Then I found out the adapter bolt I cut was not available.

I broke down and bought a 20v DeWalt trimmer. I am very happy with it. I had to adjust to the shorter string and reverse rotation but I finally got use to it. Never going back to gas.

Shorter string!? Reverse rotation!!??

 

[lennyzx11]

I’ve had good luck with my Stihl Kombi system. String trimmer, brush cutter, and pole saw attachments. I had bought a big spool of .105 line from Stihl at time of purchase but that may be a little large for it to pull. Doesn’t seem to pull up cleanly into the higher rpm I expected.
This year I loaded some .090 in the spool and am going to compare.

Also have the Milwaukee 18 volt trimmer as I have a lot of those tools and the blower. With the high demand 9.0 amp battery in it, it will work longer than I want to at one round!

 

[Myz28u]

I have been using a Kawasaki string trimmer for about 11 years. It runs good once it gets started. The wife decided she wanted to mow our yard around the house while off during this virus but she couldn’t get the trimmer to start. So I decided to try a 60V Greenworks trimmer from Lowe’s. I’ve been impressed. It has 2 settings. One for lower power and one higher power. The low power setting we get 4 uses out of a battery at about 30 min of use each. High setting is more powerful than my gas trimmer but it does tend to eat the battery a lot quicker. For everyday trimming the lower setting is great. I had to swap the line for the first time last week. Man, it was a piece of cake compared to my Kawasaki. You turn the bump knob to the mark indicated, put the line in a hole and pull through to desired length. Cut it and use the bump knob to rotate it all back into the head. Took less than a minute to restring.

 

[ArlyA]

I’ve had good luck with my Stihl Kombi system. String trimmer, brush cutter, and pole saw attachments. I had bought a big spool of .105 line from Stihl at time of purchase but that may be a little large for it to pull. Doesn’t seem to pull up cleanly into the higher rpm I expected.
This year I loaded some .090 in the spool and am going to compare.

We wanted to get on of these units with the largest engine they offer. Last fall Stihl came out with a head to hold .180 string which we would really love to try. Tree shoots , we will destroy you! :laughing:

 

[woody]

I’ve had good luck with my Stihl Kombi system. String trimmer, brush cutter, and pole saw attachments. I had bought a big spool of .105 line from Stihl at time of purchase but that may be a little large for it to pull. Doesn’t seem to pull up cleanly into the higher rpm I expected.
This year I loaded some .090 in the spool and am going to compare.

Also have the Milwaukee 18 volt trimmer as I have a lot of those tools and the blower. With the high demand 9.0 amp battery in it, it will work longer than I want to at one round!

we just got the Milwaukee a couple weeks ago and so far I like it. it last longer than I do on one battery. I wish my other accessories that I already had would fit it but the shaft looks different.

 

[aczlan]

we just got the Milwaukee a couple weeks ago and so far I like it. it last longer than I do on one battery. I wish my other accessories that I already had would fit it but the shaft looks different.

Interesting, we have a Kobalt 80 volt power head that came with a weed eater attachment and I picked up a couple other Ryobi branded attachments for $7-10 each at a yard sale which fit perfectly on the Kobalt powerhead.

Aaron Z