Weed eater / trimmer

benXJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2005
Location
Raleigh NC
What kind of weed trimmer would you get if you cut 10 yards every 2 weeks? I've looked at the convertible ones, but I think I will just stick with a regular straight shaft. I've looked at all the brands, from $100 and way up. I know you get what you pay for, but I need one now in the <$200 range. I've been eyeing craigslist, but can't find anything I like.

Thanks for the input
 
For the price the Ryobi 4 cycle is nice, plus you can get almost every attachment known to mankind. If quality is what you want and your budget is large then I would go with a Stihl (spelling?). I used one of these growing up for years. Practically indestructive. I have heard good thing about Husqavarna (spelling?) as well.
 
yea...i've looked at the trimmers with the attachments but don't know how they hold up. I'll probably get a Stihl eventually, I've used them and know they are great. Husqvarnas are on the short list as well. I think I'm gonna stay with 2 stroke as well. it's a proven design.
 
I use an ECHO 4 to 5 days a week. They are 250 to 400 dollars. Most of the semi-commercial users in the area use ECHO's or STIHL. I don't think you can go wrong with either!!
 
Stihl is they way to go. But most importantly I would look to see how long a line change will take you. You dont want to spend 10 mins of down time changing line.
 
get a stihl commercial trimmer or look in the pawn shops for them, but id stick with a stihl.
ive got a husquavarna and the stihls are 10x better, more power and if you string out to much line they dont bag as much as the husqua. JMO
 
benXJ said:
yea...i've looked at the trimmers with the attachments but don't know how they hold up. I'll probably get a Stihl eventually, I've used them and know they are great. Husqvarnas are on the short list as well. I think I'm gonna stay with 2 stroke as well. it's a proven design.
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2 Strokes just add to your time on the job. Gotta keep oil around and then a seperate can to keep the mix in. 4 stroke is so much easier. Same can runs the mower and weedeater and your truck if needed. No oil that needs to be mixed and/shook up when you need to use it. More of a pain in the ass IMHO
 
echo or stihl.....
 
I have been running John Deere for 3 seasons on all my 2stroke equipment (commercial). Cranks on the second pull everytime and I beleive could bring down a lightpole. Part #XT140, Mitsubishi engine. $375.00 so out of your price range. Stihl & Echo are pretty good. Just make sure you get something from someone who has parts. Look for pawn shops starting in a couple of weeks. Stihls will be everywhere
 
I was just in the same dilemma last week, except I just cut my yard, once a week. But I like to have good stuff. I just started looking on Craigslist and ebay, and a western NC classified site. When I found something I would look it up and learn about it. I wanted a 2 stroke with a straight shaft, and basically narrowed it down to a Stihl FS80 or FS85, or a Shindaiwa, Dolmar, Redmax or Tanaka unit. Since nobody around here knows what those are, they don't own them, so I couldn't find any used.

I ended up finding a Stihl FS85 for $125. Called the guy and talked to him, he said come get it for $100. When I got there, he threw in a Homelite weedeater and a hedge trimmer attachment for the Stihl, and took $80 bucks for it. I did have to replace the throttle cable for $20, but other than that, it cranks and runs like a champ! I spent about 45 minutes with it this past weekend and it beats the heck out of my dad's Ryobi 4 stroke and my old Homelite 2 stroke.

Hope thats helpful. The 2 stroke is a good bit lighter, and has a lot more power than the 4 strokes that I have used. Mixing fuel isn't a big deal, make it a gallon or more at a time. I used about 1/3 tank in the 45 minutes that I was running mine.
 
When I was about 3 Mama bought Daddy an Echo. This past summer I broke the cord return spring, and it went to the shop for the first time. Im 24 now, so I think that says something about Echos. Granted, it not a commercial application, but 20 years on the same weed eater with only minimal maintenance says a lot to me.

Duane
 
thanks for the replies....i've been watching craigslist daily, and have found a few stihls, but they get sold before i can get to them. I've used quite a few different high end brands before and know that they are nice, i just want to get the best for the money. has anyone used the craftsman profesional or the poulan pro? they seem to be pretty decent units for about half the price of stihl and echo. (new) i hadn't thought about pawn shops, i'll check those out.
 
i say since your gonna be cuttin yards more then most home owners get a good quality trimmer.
 
I've been quite pleased with my Troy-Built 4 stroke. Cuts through the heavy weeds pretty well. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to get a Stihl either. But 4 stroke no matter what. I won't do 2 stoke anything anymore unless there's no option. and Straight shaft only.
 
Futbalfantic said:
Stihl is they way to go. But most importantly I would look to see how long a line change will take you. You dont want to spend 10 mins of down time changing line.
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I have a Stihl FS 80 and love it. I've had it for about 10 years and have done ZERO maintenance (not even changing plugs) to it and it starts and runs like it did from day one.

My father has an older Stihl FS85 he got back in the early 80s. Only thing he has had to do was change the plug... We've used it on our yard, 5 yards in my neighborhood for 6 years while I was in school, each weekend at the mobile home park he owns, and 2 apartment comlexes and it still keeps going without any issues!

Stihl is by far the best for the $$$. I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

Oh yeah, the Stihl has a super easy way to lengthen the line!
 
My dad sold Stihl and Echo for 20+ years. Stihl all the way.

That being said I was out of town about 8 years ago and bought a 39.99 wal mart special thati have literally ran the piss out of. Still going even with no air filter and will cut through anything.
 
Only problem with a 4 stroke that i can see is that if you want to edge beds or driveways with your trimmer as some people do when you turn the motor on its side your going to run into oiling issues, that being said stick with 2 stroke for reliability.
 
we have a stihl at work and it has had the hell beat out of it with no problems to speak of yet.
 
Just want to add that I and my bro in law have both had problems with our 4 stroke Troy built. I made it a year without issues and he bought his. His did not last the summer and mine died shortly after. Also it is a good bit heavier, If your cutting a lot I would not buy one.
 
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