Need weed eater recommendation

drkelly

drkelly

Dipstick who put two vehicles on jack stands
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Oak Ridge/Stokesdale, NC
I got a new Craftsman weed eater back in 2005. It was always hard to start and never ran right even after cleaning the carb and modifying it so I could adjust the mixture. About three weeks ago I finally got fed up with it and stuck it in the garbage can. I am now in the market for a new weed eater. Anyone want to recommend a weed eater?

Thanks,
Danny
 
I tend to over buy on tools like that, but they outlast less expensive alternatives. I have an Echo and it has never missed lick. A friend in the landscape biz swears by Red Max.
 
Hitachi makes some strong equipment for the money. Haven't used their trimmer, but I'm really happy with the leaf blower I got. did a lot of research, and it was well reviewed for blowers in its price range.
 
I've been seriously eyeing one of the new lithium ion cordless ones. I have a big yard but not a whole ton of weed-whacking to do at a time... I'm thinking that not having to mess w/ the gas or shlepping out a 150 ft cord would be nice. My impression thus far from reading is that the higher voltage ones are pretty decent, but obviously you're not going to get super power or a long usage time out of them.

... bonus if it uses the same battery as other power tools in the shop...
 
Shindaiwa is what I have. It is about 10ish years old and starts on the 2-3pull every time. As far as weedeaters go I haven't seen one do better.
 
drkelly said:
I got a new Craftsman weed eater back in 2005. It was always hard to start and never ran right even after cleaning the carb and modifying it so I could adjust the mixture. About three weeks ago I finally got fed up with it and stuck it in the garbage can. I am now in the market for a new weed eater. Anyone want to recommend a weed eater?

Thanks,
Danny
Click to expand...

Hey I'm glad you posted this I was thinking about asking the same question. Not to hijack your thread , but I thought I'd toss in one more question.

What are y'alls opinion on 2 stroke vs. 4 strokes ?
 
When I was 3 my mom gave my dad and Echo. 25 years later, it still starts easy and runs strong. I currently have a Craftsman that was free, and it works pretty good too, but it's only a year old.

Duane
 
I bought 2 or 3 sears/lowes trimmers and had them last mabye a year at best. I got fed up with it last year and bought a commercial echo trimmer and it is so much stronger it isnt even funny. Starts on first or second pull everytime.
 
Since I've been a home owner I've had a Ryobi with a few attachments, and a Troybilt 4stroke ( which happen to allow the same attachments ) and am currently using a Stihl ( it had problems in the beginning, eating string, this has been somewhat cured )

The Ryobi worked ok the first few years, then the hoses and primer bulb rotted, replaced those and it didn't really run right after that, I suspect a piece of plastic or rubber from bulb or hose got in the carb

The Troybilt worked, it was a 4stroke, it didn't spin like the 2stroke, and didn't have the knockdown the 2stroke had. forgot to treat the fuel and fubared the carb.

The Stihl FS 56RC I currenly it's a power house, it's just under the commercial grade. when I first got it it would eat the string off, tried several different sizes and types, I got pretty frustrated as I'd have to rethread the string every few feet especially in heavy or tall growth. , finally the Oregon Gatorline Magnum .105" square line has been the best performing, longest lasting. ( I buy the one pound donut and that will last a little more than a season )

Trimmer works well, easy start. My only complaint is the same I've ever had with any trimmer, they are made for SHORT PEOPLE !! another foot or so of driveshaft and it would be comfortable for me to operate for a good amount of time. Currently I have to hunch over and my back starts killing me after about 20-30 min. ( the shoulder strap isn't long enough to drop down any lower ) I should have paid up and got the FS-56C, it has handle bars and throttle mounted on the right grip
 
My father bought a Stihl (I think FS40) 3 years ago. He's always been a Stihl fan for their saws. However the trimmer seems to be a piece of crap. Very uncomfortable for me to use and more frustrating is he just had the coil go bad. The wire literally broke off the plug end. Kinda a pain to try and solder. He has a small lot so it hadn't had much use. The coil is about 70 bucks and Stihl apparently doesn't allow sales other than through dealers :flipoff: . I think he's gonna give up on it and go buy a cheapo. I've had a Ryobi and Troy built, both on the cheaper side. I have beat the hell out of the Ryobi mowing a 1300 ft ditch along with my normal yard trimming and an ongoing war with brush and kudzu. The Ryobi just died after 14 years and Troy built is now gonna get the test.
 
After YEARS of fighting with finicky gas trimmers and electrical cords I now have a Ryobi 18V Lithium that I really like! It might not work for someone that really has a LOT to trim but it works great for my application! The ease of use is unparalleled, literally plug and go! I do 150' of driveway both ways or 300', 50' across the font of the house and about 200' of edging in the back yard. Have never ran out of power on a full charge.

I think they sell a Frog Gigging attachment too :driver:
 
Stay away from curved shaft trimmers. I got my Echo SRM-225 at Home Depot last year. Starts second pull every time. It seemed like the $200 mark was where quality stepped up & weight fell. The 4 strokes I borrowed where too heavy to my yard. You'd be surprised what little difference that makes.

I was also suggested Redmax, but the start around $275 & just don't use it often enough to justify the cost. I was also told to stay away from the ones that hav quick attach components. .02
 
I got an echo that I've had for about 7 yrs. I've never done anything to it till this yr had to replace primmer bulb but it still starts 2nd pull everytime. I used to mow 5-7 yards a week for a little extra money for at least 4 of those yrs. I don't have one bad thing to say about it been a great trimmer well worth the extra money I spent on it day one.
 
stihl fs 55 R here. very happy and ace hardware gives me great service on it. Echo is super high quality too. I would buy whatever of the two I can get serviced the easiest.
 
hurt4x4 said:
Shindaiwa is what I have. It is about 10ish years old and starts on the 2-3pull every time. As far as weedeaters go I haven't seen one do better.
Click to expand...

X2. Bought my Shindaiwa used off eBay about 10 years ago & have done minimal maintenance on it. It just keeps running & running. Great piece of equipment.
 
Just checked and I have Echo SRM-230. I use mid grade and Stihl synethic mix (cause that's what the chain saw runs). I don't use ethanol free and going on 5 yrs. It sits in the garage all winter with leftover fuel and starts 2nd pull. Never changed a plug either.

I too have been told to stay clear of the ones with attachments.

I have no real reason for my disdain of 4stoke weed eaters, but I would'nt have one unless it was free.
 
Just watch out each brand like stihl and husqvarna have economy versions like they sell in lowes and commercial versions sold at actual dealers. I swear by redmax as well been using for years and never missed a lick. I do however only run pure gas and none of the e10 in my small engines.
 
Back
Top