In the market for a new string trimmer

[ezmobee]

I'm looking to buy a new 2 cycle string trimmer. Who makes the best one? I'm thinking Echo but I'm not sure. I have no interest in any crazy attachments or anything like that. Also, what's the difference between a curved shaft and a straight shaft (besides the obvious)? Is there an advantage to one over the other?

 

[tommays]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

The straight shaft is the better unit BUT its not like the curved wont last a long time

I have a roybi that has been fine and you can get parts no problem even at 8 years old

 

[Laddies]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

After may years of struggle with lesser brands of one of my sons bought me a Sthil trimmer about 10 years ago and we have a large yard 5+ acres with a lot of trimming so far the only thing we ever put on it is string and fuel. I LOVE the thing!

 

[i386]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

After may years of struggle with lesser brands of one of my sons bought me a Sthil trimmer about 10 years ago and we have a large yard 5+ acres with a lot of trimming so far the only thing we ever put on it is string and fuel. I LOVE the thing!

That's pretty much what I hear from everyone I know that bought one.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

Ah, Sthil is the other brand I was thinking of. Echo seems to be offering a 5 year warranty though which is nice. tommays, funny you should mention a Ryobi....that's what I have now. It's my father-in-law's old one and it WILL NOT DIE. However, it is so worn out that it smokes like a house on fire. I would keep using it but it's kinda obnoxious to the neighbors and my wife wants me to get rid of it. I won't throw it out though, I'll put it at the end of the driveway with a free sign on it. So is the straight shaft more reliable? I know the pro Toros I used when I worked the lawn crew at an apartment complex were straight shaft.

 

[Laddies]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

If you don't want to use a brush cutter on it the flex shaft eliminates a gear box that could cause trouble down the line.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

To take any guess work from knowing which one is very good get a sthil. I prefer a comercial model.straight shaft. It has a heavy duty cluth made to run all day and not over heat Cost more than some off brand but you get what you pay for. My last one lasted 13 years and was still doing the job until it was stolen. I went back and got another one just like it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

The straight shafts are a plus when it comes to getting along fences and under bushes and things.
The Stihl would be the way to go but i have a 10 year old Echo thats only got a couple new spark plugs and air filters and still runs strong.I wish it would die so i had an excuse for a Stihl...

 

[JB]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

Around here the pros seem about evenly divided on Stihl and Echo for doing homes. The gent I see regularly trimming along about a mile of fence on one of our local Bazillionaire horse ranches uses a Stihl. I think he has been using that same trimmer for about 10 years.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

How much land are we talking about? My wife uses a Black and Decker cordless model just around the house and a gas model along the road. Yeh,I said wife. She does the trimming work.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

I have a just turned 20 y/o Echo. It has never failed to start. I use it regularly but just to trim a manicured yard with very little heavy brush cutting.

For twenty years I have run 100:1 synthetic oil in it (along with my blower) and have NEVER even had to change the spark plug. I just keep filling the string thingy.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

Thanks everyone. I'm going to get either a Stihl or an Echo. The base model curved shaft should do it for me. I'm not going to be doing any heavy brush cutting. Just trimming along my sidewalks and house. The Stihl seems to be a few bucks cheaper than the Echo and has a larger CC motor. I do like that Echo 5 year warranty though. I think Stihl's is only 2.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

I have a Craftsman straight-shaft that has served me well for several years. Manufacturer unknown. Stihl makes quality products. Most of the commercial yard folks here use Shindaiwa - not cheap, but quality.

 

[bandit86]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

just bought a cub cadet 4 stroke. $200 from home depot. I'll never go to 2 stroke again.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

I've had an Echo for just over 4 years and never had a problem. It's a straight shaft and one of the few yard tools I've lent out that always comes back running.

 

[bhammer]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

Echo or Sthil would be a great choice. The straight shaft allows you to get under overhangs while the curved will not as easily. The straigh shaft is also a little more unballanced and heavier to use but you can adjust the hadle for unballanced.

All the yard crews in my neck, use straight shaft and some of the smaller guys, wish they had the smaller curved shaft because after a couple yards, they feel it.

 

[i386]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

I'm 6'1" and have used both curved and straight. The curved ones make me slump over which kills my back. I can stand up straight with the straight shaft and still reach everything. I'll never buy another curved one.

 

[dave11]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

I went through 4 weed eaters at home. The last one I bought from Home Depot worked three times. Sometimes it would start, sometimes not. I took it to their warranty shop, a hole in the wall repair shop, and they said it was just fine. They were going to tune it up for me for $75 plus parts. This on a new weed eater with less than 2 hours on it. Home Depot wouldn't take it back, because I had bought it 32 days before. I finally bought an Echo straight shaft model SRM 210. What a joy. It has heavier cord and it really lasts longer. It has a nice deep growl to it. I have never had to do anything but put 2 cycle gas in it.

 

[dave11]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

BTW I did not buy it from Home Depot. I bought it from a local dealer that (What a concept!) has their own service department.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: In the market for a new string trimmer

Well I just found a semi-close by dealer that carries both Echo and Stihl so I'll go and check out both and maybe get an unbiased opinion. As a bonus, I see on Echo's website that they make sprayers. I have the worst luck with those things and I need a new one and Echo's is only like $40 with a 5 year warranty!