Lets talk string trimmers (aka weed eaters)

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I am a stihl guy, just to put that out there.

I had a straight shaft stihl FS55 for a long time, but it finally couldn't keep up with what I needed to do. My dad has a shindawia and seems to do pretty well.

So what are your recommendations for a string trimmer that will see more work than what a typical suburban home owner does, but not the same work a professional crew does.
 
Get a bigger machine. The 55 is just too small to be productive.

I have the FS80, bought it in ‘99 and have changed the spark plug once and occasionally check the filter. That’s it. Roll with a good sized stilh and you’ll be happy
 
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Yep just get a professional model and be done with it. Any of the top brands are fine as long as you use non ethanol fuel and Echo Red Armor 2 cycle oil.
 
Sold my FS85 on CL for $80, bought a Milwaukee M18, and haven't looked back. Cranks every time. Stops spinning when I'm walking from spot to spot, and I dont smell like 2 stroke exhaust when I'm done. I already have plenty of batteries, so that made the decision easy. It may not be enough for your needs, but I wouldn't rule it out. The FS85 had more power overall, but the M18 works much better for my needs.
 
I’ve been running the biggest straight shaft string trimmer I could get from Home Depot for the last decade. It runs strong and I’ve never changed the plug or even looked at the air filter. 1/2 acre of fence and rock edged planting. Takes me a couple loads of string and half a day if I take care of all of it.

That being said if and when I replace it, it will be a big ass commercial Stihl FTW
 
Bought a fs110r 10-12 yrs? ago. I've never done a thing to it. But last time I used it, noticed the primer bulb was torn. It still primed and ran but plan to fix it before using again. Even use a saw blade on it when needed.
 
I also switched to the Milwaukee from my Stihl. No heat on a hot day , lighter , quieter and no running to get two stroke oil.

I think I’m selling my stihl if you’re interested, it has the saw blade attachment for brush as well.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Sold my FS85 on CL for $80, bought a Milwaukee M18, and haven't looked back. Cranks every time. Stops spinning when I'm walking from spot to spot, and I dont smell like 2 stroke exhaust when I'm done.
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What's the runtime like? The internet says 20 minutes.

It takes about 40ft of trimmer line and two tanks of gas to do my yard with an Echo 2 stroke.
 
shawn said:
What's the runtime like? The internet says 20 minutes.

It takes about 40ft of trimmer line and two tanks of gas to do my yard with an Echo 2 stroke.
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Dang....round up! @BigClay your Stihl loyalty is now shady for asking other than...how big should I go?
Remember my Echo? Well my wife's backpack blower has me leaning toward the Dark side. I mean Stihl! I've never owned a easier opperating 2 stroke.
However dude I worked with came in with a Milwaukee chain saw. If the weed eater is half as impressive I'm sold. I also in @jeepinmatt. Boat...plenty of battery stock.
And seriously, if I got to weed eat more then 20 minutes or so.......chemicals are coming out.

The saw will be my new truck, jeep, tractor saw for quick work. No spills, and super sneaky quiet.
 
shawn said:
The 4 gallon Solo backpack sprayer is in addition to trimmer time.
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I am truly sorry....can you tell yard work ain't my thing?
Now a big nasty tractor and a bush hog, hours can be wasted.
 
You can get a Milwaukee trimmer and get a Milwaukee backpack sprayer as a bare tool to go along with it. The backpack sprayer is really nice.
 
Only advice I have is to get one that you can put different heads on. Sometimes the string is enough, sometimes you need a blade.
 
shawn said:
For $300, it better go kill the weeds its own-damn-self.
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It's $400 with the battery and charger. The extra tanks make it really convenient, and it really works awesome and the design is top notch compared to the other battery operated stuff on the market. It's really a commercial unit for the price though, I just bought one on behalf of my neighbor a few weeks ago because he doesn't shop online. May have to sell it on his behalf too, as he's in the hospital at the moment and out of the lawn care biz for a while.
 
I've been using Echo since I was big enough to hold a weedeater. I think the first one I used was 10 years older than me and made it to 23 years old before the flywheel broke in half...somehow? Then I got an Echo SRM 230. Not a bad little trimmer, but as I got to mowing more and more yards, I decided to get one of my own. I think I've had my Echo 266T for 6 or 7 years now. It's got a lot more ass than the 230 does, although I believe both are commercial grade. I gave up on buying stuff from box stores a long time ago.

You probably can't go wrong with a Stihl either. They're my preference for chainsaws.

FWIW, I don't use non ethanol gas or do anything special with my 2 stroke stuff. I DO run the shit out of it pretty much year round though. I literally just put the first primer bulb on the 230 and it's over 10 years old.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
FWIW, I don't use non ethanol gas or do anything special with my 2 stroke stuff.
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This. I try to buy high test for the two-stroke cans, but that doesn't always happen. They all start on the 2nd or 3rd pull, Stihl/Husky/Echo.

Also, forget about the "smell" or the "noise". You're going to be wearing earplugs, and you're going to be covered head to toe in little bitty pieces of grass and dirt regardless.
 
sawdoff said:
Bought a fs110r 10-12 yrs? ago. I've never done a thing to it. But last time I used it, noticed the primer bulb was torn. It still primed and ran but plan to fix it before using again. Even use a saw blade on it when needed.
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This... I got 2 years ago an love it... it’s not a small machine or the biggest one either. If you know a landscape company that will buy it for you and you pay them back usually they get a big break on the price...i did this an got the 110r for the price of the 90
 
shawn said:
What's the runtime like? The internet says 20 minutes.

It takes about 40ft of trimmer line and two tanks of gas to do my yard with an Echo 2 stroke.
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No idea. I only need like 10-15 minutes, and it's usually still at about 2 bars of battery. I also don't trim along razorwire, so I only use 2-3ft of line per session.
 
shawn said:
This. I try to buy high test for the two-stroke cans, but that doesn't always happen. They all start on the 2nd or 3rd pull, Stihl/Husky/Echo.

Also, forget about the "smell" or the "noise". You're going to be wearing earplugs, and you're going to be covered head to toe in little bitty pieces of grass and dirt regardless.
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Besides, using a good 2 stroke oil and good gas you smell like racing exhaust when it’s all said and done.

Not saying staying away from ethanol gas is a bad thing, but 2stroke mix fuels tend to tolerate long term storage better.
When I fill my generator or pressure washer I’ll pour a quart of 50:1 mixed gas in with regular fuel. Haven't had issues starting anything in years.
Another thing to watch is having a fuel caps on your cans and tanks that actually seal. Condensation is the larger issue in unsealed containers.
 
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