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

[bcp]

Push trimmers are nice on flat, smooth ground. On rough or hilly, they will tire you out more than a carried trimmer will.

Bruce

 

[ArlyA]

Tangoddess, I'd suggest some professional 2 stroke machine and from looking at your weeds, you may need to go with serious string as well. I'll we use is .155 type.

I stay far away from any push machines......

 

[Beltzington]

"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"

This perfectly describes my wife and I, she being the fit one. She just turned 60 and can run our Echo SRM210 for 4+ hours in 95-degree heat and do it again the next day. This is cutting fence rows, under trees, and pond embankments. Once you get the feel for the trimmer they are really not that heavy, if you are healthy enough to work in the dust and heat the trimmer is a secondary consideration.

I have used harnesses and t-handles and find them cumbersome unless you are running a saw blade and than they are necessary for control. Based on the pics of your weeds I do not think you will be happy with a battery operated trimmer.

 

[Tangoddess]

Tangoddess, I'd suggest some professional 2 stroke machine and from looking at your weeds, you may need to go with serious string as well. I'll we use is .155 type.

I stay far away from any push machines......

Thank you for these updates. Exactly, a push trimmer may not be suitable for us, because the terrain is not flat, and some of it has gravel, loose rocks etc. thus we may need to trim from a higher height than the ground.

Thank you @girlwhowantstractor, your thought is appreciated.

@arlya can you recommend 2-3 options please!?

 

[Tangoddess]

If a gas operated trimmer is the way to go, then are there ones which are 'easier' to start?

One of the issues we had with the 4 stroke craftsman was getting it started, so much pulling and yanking, led to a loose string a couple of times, and then cuts on the finger etc.

I would think that in 2018 we have trimmers which dont require a ritual and workout to get started?

 

[ArlyA]

Tangoddess, I'd suggest a Stihl or Echo. We run Echos but you might want to use whatever a good dealer might sell there. We have to purchase special heads to hold .155 string which doesn't spool. And I'd suggest wearing forestry helmets because the rocks and twigs shoot off like bullets!!! We wear double front pants to offer our legs some protection. No kidding.

Thank you for these updates. thus we may need to trim from a higher height than the ground.
@arlya can you recommend 2-3 options please!?

 

[thekkfan]

Tanaka 2stroke- Hitachi's upper line. Get at least 25-30cc. Been running mine for 7 or 8 years cranks 2nd pull after choked on 1st. Sips gas, runs all day. Also have pole saw attachment and brush cutter head w/ blade. CANNOT beat the warranty for residential.. 7 years.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

"1)....Based on the pics of your weeds I do not think you will be happy with a battery operated trimmer.

Well, mine was just used to cut down an overgrown field with grass 3 feet high and weeds up to 6 feet high with no problem. The power exceeds our Stihl gasser. And the operator wore out before the battery did.

 

[Beltzington]

Well, mine was just used to cut down an overgrown field with grass 3 feet high and weeds up to 6 feet high with no problem. The power exceeds our Stihl gasser. And the operator wore out before the battery did.

Fair enough, I made the recommendation based on old experiences, I have not used the latest generation of battery powered trimmers but my local Stihl dealer did not seem very thrilled with them, although that could simply be there is no money to be made on service. If they prove reliable and do the job I certainly would not miss the noise, fuel and fumes.

 

[ultrarunner]

My Stihl Dealer was not pushing them either... but, he had a unit and since we have the Christmas Tree Farm a deal was struck to give the battery chain saw a try...

After a few days... it was the saw everyone wanted to use... now I have 5 gas Stihls mostly sitting in the shed for back up...