Recommendation needed for weed eater

[Tyme2fish]

Mrs. Tyme wants a new weed eater. (No kidding, she really wants one). I've been on the internet reviewing several models and have no idea which brand or model to purchase. Most models/brands will have several good reviews and then reviews that say the item is a piece of junk. That just gets me more confused.

I'm trying to talk her into getting a 12 or 24 volt battery model but she seems set on a gas model. Once she gets to weed whacking she's a terror on our 5 acres. She evens creeps over to the neighbor's property and trims around their trees. I think that's the reason she doesn't want a short duration electric model.

So, fellow members, what are your recommendations? Keep in mind that Mrs. Tyme is 5'4" and weighs about 140lbs.

4-stroke?
2-stroke?
24 volt?
Plug in extension cord models will not be applicable for her

All suggestions are appreciated.

 

[888]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

easiest and most affordable is called roundup.Spray it once every 3 months and weeds be gone.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

I've had a 2-stroke Cub Cadet for around 10 years. I've put it through hell and have only needed to replace a clutch and guard.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Since you're on a five acre spread I'm with Mrs. Tyme on gas powered. Can't go wrong with Stihl. Only marginally more expensive and they have noncommercial models. A bent shaft would suit her best of course.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

2 stroke since I have heard and seen problems with the 4 strokes........ get only a straight shaft model.

I have a Toro 2 stroke with multiple attachments which has been serving my needs just fine. Easy to start and I have a small chain saw. a brush cutter and the string head............ going on 7 years w/o problem.

 

[MolsonCanadian]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

straight shaft.

Stihl would top my list

 

[rbh]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Since you're on a five acre spread I'm with Mrs. Tyme on gas powered. Can't go wrong with Stihl. Only marginally more expensive and they have noncommercial models. A bent shaft would suit her best of course.

YUP to what Coop said (except for the commercial part and bent shaft)!
We have a stihl, commecial grade FS250 with the handle, http://www.stihl.ca/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductID=16&x=jbgV+BLBDuaDtR+4B+6sQw#
We find that we use the blade as much as the line for cutting around here and with the harness it is great, and the wifes 5'2" and she has no issues.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

The only weed eater I ever had that I despised was an electric one. I got a Ryobi 4 stroke with a edger attachment 2 years ago and its great! All I have done is put fuel with a little seafoam in every once in a while. I think you should take Mrs. Tyme to the stores and get her to hold both the straight and bent to see which one she likes.

I may have missed it but tell us again how you managed to find a woman that would trim the weeds?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

I bought an Echo straight shaft 2 cycle edger in 1988. I still use it today. A couple of years ago I had to have the carburetor rebuilt (tried to do it myself, to no avail) Other than that the only thing I have had to do is replace the string. It gets a seasonal workout.

....and oh, I should not fail to add that after the first tank of gas, the edger has run on 100:1 2 cycle synthetic oil ever since. I changed the sparkplug once, at 20 years, and that was only for 'just because'. It still looked serviceable.

I might also add that since I had the carburetor rebuilt, I seek out only non-ethanol gas for all my yard implements, chainsaw included.

 

[Alan_Scott]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

There's no way you can work in the "Original Weed Eater"?

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

There's no way you can work in the "Original Weed Eater"?

View attachment 138394

LOL. Believe me, we've thought about it, but what do we do with it in the off season?

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Make the trip over here I will give you one, I don't use it anymore

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Make the trip over here I will give you one, I don't use it anymore

At $4.00 a gallon for gas, I can probably buy a new Stihl,Homelite,and a Huskvarna for what the gas would cost me.

Thanks anyway.

 

[mscher]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

The only weed eater I ever had that I despised was an electric one. I got a Ryobi 4 stroke with a edger attachment 2 years ago and its great! All I have done is put fuel with a little seafoam in every once in a while. I think you should take Mrs. Tyme to the stores and get her to hold both the straight and bent to see which one she likes.

I may have missed it but tell us again how you managed to find a woman that would trim the weeds?

I'll second a Ryboi 4 stroke, eve though they get badmouthed.

I have had the 875r for 15 years. Other than the safety trigger getting worn, the only time it won't run, is when the fuel system gets crudded up.

 

[royal0014]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Another vote for Stihl. I have the lower-end curve shaft, would love to have the higher end multi attachment version.


<<)))(((>>

 

[bigdee]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Sling blade! reliable and saves the cost of a gym membership

 

[lncoop]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Sling blade! reliable and saves the cost of a gym membership

Some folks call it a Kaiser blade.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Some folks call it a Kaiser blade.

Yeah,and "it ain't got no gas in it"

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

I'm with Boom on this one. I bought an Echo several years ago and have never looked back.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Recommendation needed for weed eater

Reviews by Harry Homeowner are, for the most part, useless evaluations of power equipment. Most do not run the equipment hard enough to make a difference one way or another. A trimmer that works well for Harry working in his 850 square ft. back yard probably will not perform as well for the person trimming a half mile of fence line.

If you want a real review, stop off and see what brands the local pros are using or stop by a commmerical supplier and ask them. A good friend of mine runs one of the larger landscaping businesses in the area and he runs nothing but Shindiawa trimmers. The Stihl trimmers work OK, but they have a lot fewer problems with Shindiawa