String Trimmers

[98ramtough]

Do yourself a favor and go try a shindaiwa before you buy one. I bought a new one a couple weeks ago. It has the C4 engine, its like a 4stroke. Quiet, smoothe, and no vibration to the hands. Its a beast and well balanced. think I paied about $270, but it is SWEEET.

 

[coasterez]

Straight shaft is the way to go. I hate the curved ones - always in the way. But, you don't have to spend $200+ to get a descent trimmer. I paid $130 for my McCulloch straight shaft and it included both string and brush cutter attachments. Of course, my cost was several years ago.

 

[montanaman]

Like many have said, don't assume the box stores are cheaper on products that you can compare closely. They will always have cheaper saws and trimmers than I do but if you compare their better lines with my Stihl products, my prices are right in line and often better. I sell a product that I am well educated on and authorized to repair, things the box store can't give you.


Ken

 

[nolefan]

Good advice in this thread. I buy almost all of my lawn equipment from a tractor and power equipment dealer and they are almost always the same price or less than the big box stores, and if not, all I have to do is mention it and they will usually work with me. He is both a Echo and Stihl dealer. Either one of their straight shaft trimmers would be a fine choice. I own mostly Echo equipment but recently bought a Stihl FR80 and am very happy with it. I think spending a little more up front will be money in the bank a few years from now.

 

[Bird]

don't assume the box stores are cheaper on products that you can compare closely

Very good advice. When the Cub Cadet lawn tractors first showed up in the box stores, I checked with two local Cub dealers; same price on the same models. And I just recently bought a new Toro mower; same price at the local dealer who services them no matter where you bought it. As with most things, you just need to take the time to check and compare.

 

[KubotaSteve]

I've got an Echo (can't remember the number) but it is the smallest straight shaft. I've had it for four or five years and the only thing I have done to it is add fuel and string. Every spring I pull it out and it fires off on 2nd pull. I like it because it is very well balance and light. I can hold the grip with one hand and put in straight in the air and then lay it on my shoulder and it stays balanced there even while walking. I like the lightweight because I do quite a bit of trimming around my yard and don't want to be carrying a small lawnmower around . You don't even need a neck strap with this one.

I used to mow quite a bit of grass when in school and bought several trimmers: homelite, poulan, craftsment (from Sears), and a couple off brand that I can't remember. All of them were a pain to keep running and just didn't last.

 

[Bird]

I like the lightweight

At my age, that was definitely a consideration when I was shopping. The lightest weight Echo straight shaft was 11.3 pounds and the lightest weight Stihl straight shaft was 10.6; not a lot of difference, but Stihl won out for me. Actually they were close enough that I'm sure I'd have been happy with either one.

 

[KubotaSteve]

At my age, that was definitely a consideration when I was shopping. The lightest weight Echo straight shaft was 11.3 pounds and the lightest weight Stihl straight shaft was 10.6; not a lot of difference, but Stihl won out for me. Actually they were close enough that I'm sure I'd have been happy with either one.

The Echo dealer was closer for me and was someone we dealt with quite a bit so I was in the same boat as you Bird

 

[thingy]

You can't beat an echo trimmer,those shindawas are good ones too,,sthil maybe 3rd place,maybe not even third,,,,thingy

 

[Bird]

You can't beat an echo trimmer,those shindawas are good ones too,,sthil maybe 3rd place,maybe not even third,,,,thingy

I certainly cannot say you're right or wrong, thingy, because I've never used or owned an Echo or Shindawa. I would expect the Shindawa to be a fine machine, but in this area we have lots of commercial lawn care companies, in addition to the local governments with parks and lawn care employees. It used to be that the vast majority of the workers I saw with string trimmers and edgers were using Echo. I think now I see even more Stihl than Echo, but it's always one or the other. I'm sure there has to be some exceptions, but I can't recall ever seeing a pro using anything but Stihl or Echo. So to me, Stihl and Echo are a tie. I don't know a ranking for the others.