Trimmer recommendation? Stihl? Echo? something else....

[YLee Kioti]

Well lots of YMMV anecdotes.
However, if you decide to make a big box purchase who will service it when the time comes?
I went to a local dealer and building up that rapport learned a bit from the service tech.
For the 2 stroke user he said use Sta Bil in the fuel. The ethanol eats up gaskets. Or get the ethanol free gas; From store, marina, airport , etc.
Size of property is also a factor to consider when deciding battery versus 2 stroke.
Will a set of batteries cut 1800 feet of fence line and run a cutting blade to cut down small sapling growth along the fence?
lots of variables. To say my electric runs all day long does not provide enough info to help make a decision.
After, about 9 years the PAS 230 finally had to have a new carb. I let the tech do it cause I know it will run correctly.
My ego had to take a back seat to the: I can fix anything with enough u-toob videos. ha...yeah right.
If you have a local small engine repair shop near by stop by and chat.
Ask them what the pros are using the most. Which machine/brand has the most/least issues, etc.
Then you should have enough info to help make a good buy.
Regards..

 

[4570Man]

Yeah, that was why I brought it up. I had the same issues as the OP.

Anyone who hasn't owned one of the newer battery operated trimmers or saws, might want to try it before they bash it.

I only needed to pick one up before I decided it wasn’t going to work. It weighs more than my gas trimmer and turns about 1/4 of the rpm. I would like to have a cordless blower to blow off trim and doors for painting, but the price is too steep for that one job.

 

[Aquamoose]

Well lots of YMMV anecdotes.
However, if you decide to make a big box purchase who will service it when the time comes?
I went to a local dealer and building up that rapport learned a bit from the service tech.
For the 2 stroke user he said use Sta Bil in the fuel. The ethanol eats up gaskets. Or get the ethanol free gas; From store, marina, airport , etc.
Size of property is also a factor to consider when deciding battery versus 2 stroke.
Will a set of batteries cut 1800 feet of fence line and run a cutting blade to cut down small sapling growth along the fence?
lots of variables. To say my electric runs all day long does not provide enough info to help make a decision.
After, about 9 years the PAS 230 finally had to have a new carb. I let the tech do it cause I know it will run correctly.
My ego had to take a back seat to the: I can fix anything with enough u-toob videos. ha...yeah right.
If you have a local small engine repair shop near by stop by and chat.
Ask them what the pros are using the most. Which machine/brand has the most/least issues, etc.
Then you should have enough info to help make a good buy.
Regards..

I second his advice.

Don’t forget to take care of it. Too often, homeowners neglect proper care of small engines, especially 2-strokes. I always use non-ethanol gas in my mix and at the end of the season, I dump the gas out, run it dry, take out the spark plug, squirt a bit of oil in the cylinder, pull the line once to let the oil coat the insides, reinstall the spark plug & store it.

I’ve had a cheap string trimmer in my early years that still worked but was too small for the job after I moved. I now have a Husky straight shaft & Echo.

 

[newbury]

Well we really need the OP to come back, hasn't been here since she posted.

Hi,

How is everyone enjoying the summer? Today I finally got tired of my trimmer, it was one I got from a Sears stor, 30cc, 4 cycle, uses gas, Craftsman brand I think.

It is barely used, but has given me a lot of issues. The fan broke, and I think the pull string got loose etc.

The problem is that it is really hard to start, and takes a lot of yanking.

I am thinking of getting a better/easier to turn on unit, which has a better warranty.

Decent battery unit would fix those problems.

We have pretty thick native weeds and a large plot of land, so quality, and durability is important. We need it to cut around the edges and in narrow spaces where the mowers do not fit.

Size matters, what does thick mean? Dense growth or stem diameter?
What is a "large plot of land" using Google a "plot" seems to reference a either a size unit used in Africa (less than an acre) or any size area. So the OP may be talking about an acre or hundreds, but she is talking about "where the mowers do not fit".

Which brand/model do you recommend? Echo? Stihl?

And what is a good sweet spot in terms of size, capacity, the Craftsman is 30cc...but I noticed that is on the higher end of the Echo trimmers?

Easy to start and not an earthquake on the body when operating is important

Thank you

And the OP wants one that compares to the Craftsman 30cc 4 stroke.
(Which weighs 14 lbs.)
And the OP wants easy start.

Well lots of YMMV anecdotes.

and one follows

However, if you decide to make a big box purchase who will service it when the time comes?
I went to a local dealer and building up that rapport learned a bit from the service tech.
For the 2 stroke user he said use Sta Bil in the fuel. The ethanol eats up gaskets. Or get the ethanol free gas; From store, marina, airport , etc.
Size of property is also a factor to consider when deciding battery versus 2 stroke.
Will a set of batteries cut 1800 feet of fence line and run a cutting blade to cut down small sapling growth along the fence?

The OP doesn't say anything about a third of a mile of fence line OR needing to run a cutting blade. I would think that much fenceline would require a refill, either from a fuel tank or another battery.

And more YMMV ancedote

lots of variables. To say my electric runs all day long does not provide enough info to help make a decision.
After, about 9 years the PAS 230 finally had to have a new carb. I let the tech do it cause I know it will run correctly.
My ego had to take a back seat to the: I can fix anything with enough u-toob videos. ha...yeah right.
If you have a local small engine repair shop near by stop by and chat.
Ask them what the pros are using the most. Which machine/brand has the most/least issues, etc.
Then you should have enough info to help make a good buy.
Regards..

The OP doesn't indicate they need a "pro" solution to cut down saplings. And a battery solution won't need a new carb - EVER. Might need new brushes.
But how often do we read here about fuel systems failing due to alcohol or bad mix.

If the OP needs to cut down saplings they probably need more power than present battery operated trimmers offer, but if the OP just needs to do what was done with the Craftsman with trimmer line many battery operated units will do.

I've a 40V battery operated chainsaw and a 35CC Stihl chainsaw. I'd rather use the 40v for suitable tasks. But when I need to take down a 30" diameter tree I go to a 90CC Stihl.

And

<snip>
Don’t forget to take care of it. Too often, homeowners neglect proper care of small engines, especially 2-strokes. I always use non-ethanol gas in my mix and at the end of the season, I dump the gas out, run it dry, take out the spark plug, squirt a bit of oil in the cylinder, pull the line once to let the oil coat the insides, reinstall the spark plug & store it.
<snip>

With my battery operated tools I neglect ALL of that.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I bought a Shindaiwa T270 about 15 years ago or a bit longer. I have run just over 20 lbs of line through it and it is still performing extremely well. I have replaced the carb once, the fuel bulb twice, reattached the fuel line in the tank once, and the fuel cap has started to leak a bit. I have used it to mow almost two acres while the lawn mowers were down. It is heavier than the OP wants but I wish all my engines were so reliable.

My dad has both orange and gray Echo trimmers and chainsaws that range in age from new to 30 years old. He uses avgas 100LL and his machines sit idle a bunch. All his are featherlite and they have been rock solid performers.

Stihl makes fantastic and ho hum chainsaws. Their other products I have found to be overpriced duds.

 

[dalola]

Nothing beats a Honda!

After fighting 2-stroke trimmers for years I had enough and bought a Honda 4 stroke string trimmer 20+ years ago. Light, strong, and like any Honda engine, absolutely dependable. Never had to do anything to it in the years I've owned it but pour in some gas and change the oil once a year. Come late October I'll put it up in its rack and next spring I'll pour some fresh gas in it; two pulls on the cord and it will fire up and runs smoothly.

It was more expensive than the 2-stroke trimmers but now I know it was well worth it!

+1 on the Honda! Can't speak to the other brands, since I've never owned one, but the Honda is fantastic. Yes, more money up front, but should last a lifetime, and easy to use & maintain. I also have a couple of the Honda portable generators (EU2000), and they are equally impressive. Love Honda power equipment!

 

[Tangoddess]

Thank you this is very good information I am going to read through it and get back on here in a day or so

 

[Wagtail]

I run a STIHL 2-stroke, straight shaft with harness and the 'bicycle' handles. Swap between trimmer string & a triple blade (depending on the job). A major reason for going with STIHL is that there's a local shop that sells & services. I've had zero problems with it.

I did have a non-harness Echo 2-stroke prior to this but the vibration from holding it made my hands go numb and ache for days after using it! I tried using foam-neoprene 'diver' gloves whilst using it, to no avail. Otherwise, the Echo was a dependable unit.

A harness distributes damaging vibration and is easier on the body... whatever your age.

 

[Tangoddess]

Ok so here are some updates and thoughts based on the comments posted here.

I am also posting some pictures of the weeds that we have along fences within the property (i.e not the fence between our and other properties, but internal fences) and also weeds in areas which are too narrow to use even a handheld mower.

Of course these have not been trimmed in a month or so, thus the expansive growth.



Here are some updated thoughts from our end:

1) As the trimmer will be used by fit and less fit individuals, weight is of importance, something that is not too heavy is preferred, hopefully while not sacrificing on performance

2) Honestly, the trimmer will be used a couple of times a week, for maybe a couple of hours each time. this is not a commercial 5x a week 6-8 hours a day type need

3) However, as the plot is about 8 acres, but we just need to trim around the occupied areas, e.g home, playground areas, animal barns etc. it may be couple of acres to trim

4) I feel that a off the shelf mid level trimmer from a BB store may not make it as the growth is native grasses etc and of course servicing becomes an issue

5) So...maybe a trimmer that is between commercial and home owner level or an entry level commercial? We do not mind paying a premium for quality

6) Is battery the way to go?

Your thoughts please?

Thank you

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

1) As the trimmer will be used by fit and less fit individuals, weight is of importance, something that is not too heavy is preferred, hopefully while not sacrificing on performance

They make wheeled trimmers. I've always wanted one, as trimming is hard on the arms, back and shoulders. This is a Cub Cadet, but Husqvarna, DR Power, and other brands also make them.



If you're worried about *snakes* in the grass, this puts the machine in-between you and the critters.

Your weeds look manageable. You might have to use lopers for the pokeweed.