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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Which weed trimmer?

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Dieselrider

05-24-2004 04:11:14




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I am looking to buy a new trimmer for trimming around pasture fences but, not sure which one to buy. I have a Ryobi now and it cuts ok but, the thing has a small gas tank and you don't get far on a tank of fuel. I used to run a Homelite and it had a larger tank which was nice- I wish it hadn't died. I also would like to get one that you can use blades on rather than just string. What advice can you folks give?

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Ron

05-27-2004 10:26:42




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
Honda... flat out the best one on the market. 4 cycle engine will last forever, very quiet, extremely powerful (I cut cattails with mine). I got tired of buying the $100 junk trimmers every year or two, replaced it with my Honda, and could not be more pleased.



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Chris Vangel

05-25-2004 22:06:21




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
I got fed up with Ryobi, burned up two power heads in two seasons, and I mix my two stroke a little on the fat side, oilwise. The motors locked up, even though there was ample lube. I did have the first one about 3 or 4 years, but the second couldn't be more than 2. I only use the trimmer for my house. I liked it for the click-link system of different attachments. I have a weed head, a blower, and a vac. I went to home depot and bought a John Deere. I know it's just a homelight, because they are identicle other than color and I believe that Deere owns Homelight. It was a factory reconditioned unit. It's a straight shaft with a geared head, the string rotates the opposite direction I'm used to using for the last 20 years. Other than that, it's the most powerful, easiest starting, and versatile trimmer I've owned. It too can change implements, and it even accepts my Ryobi attachments. I left last years fuel in it with no stabilizer, being an auto tech I felt kinda dirty about that, but it started on the third pull this season. I could be more happy with this trimmer.

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Chris Vangel

05-26-2004 10:41:53




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 Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Chris Vangel, 05-25-2004 22:06:21  
Sorry, I meant I couldn't be more happy with the trimmer.



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Greg C.

05-24-2004 22:41:24




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
Get a Tanaka I've had one for 16 years never had to do any work to it. Just the usual maintenance. They are very lightweight and powerful will go quite a while on a tank of gas too. They have several models to chose from curved shaft and straight and most will accept a blade too. Where are you located? I'm a Tanaka dealer in western PA so if your nearby I'd be glad to show you one.



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bob

05-24-2004 21:39:28




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
I drilled my muffler full of 1/4 inch holes. It was clogged with carbon. After that it mowed 3 times as long on a tank of gas. Loud but I use hardhat with screen & ear mufflers anyway. We had a Robin w/no holes & it needed filled all the time. The Stihl W/holes in muffler mowed 3 times longer. Before the holes were drilled, fill-ups were the same.



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Jeff

05-24-2004 19:13:29




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
I have a Stihl FS120, love it..



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Turtle Farm

04-05-2006 07:56:37




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 Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Jeff, 05-24-2004 19:13:29  
I bought a Stihl FS120. It is the biggest pile of crap on the face of the earth. I have to take it into the repair shop every 2 to 6 use hours, and spend from $20 to $100 to get it working right again. The repair guy tells me that there are several major design defects in it, and that the thing will never be right. It's also designed so tht one can't repair things such as the carbeurator - you just have to replace the whole unit for $90.

I am about ready to hang it from a tree and use it for target practice.

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Giles

05-24-2004 15:19:33




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
There are a lot of good trimmers on the market. I have worked on small engines all my life, since 12, and there is a big difference in the motors that are used. Buy a small two stroke engine with the starter rope on the outside. This means that the motor uses TWO crankshaft bearings instead of ONE, Much better performance with less vibration and breakage. That's why they cost more. just my 2 cents.

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ZK(WA)

05-24-2004 12:33:21




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
One of the neighbors has bought two Stihls and uses it 'bout as much as a commercial guy. The first one had the cable shaft - lasted about not quite a year, the second one had the solid shaft and has not broken or wore out after 4 years. He suggests that if I get a trimmer to get the commercial model with the solid shaft. I keep saying that I will (someday) but really don't need one for w while, the horses are doing a fine job of keeping the grasses trimmed under the bottom wire and what they miss, he gets just fine. Works for me, besides I wouldn't want to spoil ALL his fun:) Then we finish our wine and continue on....

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david stephenson

05-24-2004 11:52:56




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
i also brought a stihl hand held trimmer with the three head plastic blades and also have a craftsman 6hp two wheel trimmer that has two 24" .175 wiper blade edges on . i use mine to clean out around all the flower and vegetable garden and fences along our lots owned by neighborhood groups and have had good luck with both.



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evielboweviel

05-24-2004 10:39:27




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
RedMax recip 2 stroke pricy, and well worth it.
buy the new longer teeth disks for it.( havn't tried this yet)
friend of mine with a lawn care service only buys theese. says outlast anything out there and takes more abuse, ( his guys can destroy anything).
a big plus they will not throw anything, grass rocks, sticks etc. fantastic edger can't be beat
Ron



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andy b.

05-24-2004 09:02:09




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
i have a Stihl FS55. i had one of those Ryobi 4-cycle doorstops, and i should've saved the cash and just bought a Stihl the first time. the Stihl starts right up and the only reason it ever stops is if i shut it off or run out of fuel. the same could not be said of the Ryobi. for how much i use it i couldn't justify going with the FS85.

the FS55 has a cable drive. the difference is a cable drive is like a thick multi-strand cable that transmits power from the engine to the cutter head. the solid shaft drive is just that, a 1/4" solid drive shaft. the solid shaft is much more robust although it is said to transmit more of the shock from hitting things with a cutting blade back to the engine.

andy b.

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Jim

05-24-2004 14:20:23




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 Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to andy b., 05-24-2004 09:02:09  
A lot of the cheap Stihls used to be made by Ryobi, maybe still are. The FS36,FS44 are 2 Ryobi Stihls.



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MarkB

05-24-2004 05:00:46




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 Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 04:11:14  
I have a Stihl FS85 that has held up well. Make sure whatever you buy has a solid shaft. Note that just because a trimmer has a straight shaft doesn't mean it has a solid shaft.



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Indydirtfarmer

05-24-2004 06:40:42




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 Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to MarkB, 05-24-2004 05:00:46  
I have the same model Stihl trimmer, and would highly recommend it. Stihl offers a lifetime warrenty on their trimmers, so don't worry about the shaft that much. Solid shaft trimmers do hold up to "torture" better than the "spring-shaft trimmers". If I was going to be doing a LOT of work with one, I'd have to look closely at the Honda 4 stroke trimmers. They are a bit heavier, but they should last a LONG, LONG time. A 4 stroke should be easier on fuel consumption also. Honda is a tough act to beat. John

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vineyardslave

05-24-2004 09:47:12




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 Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 05-24-2004 06:40:42  
Lifetime warrenty? On a piece of power equipment? I don't think so...not sure where you got that but Stihl's warrenty program is 1 year commercial and 2 consumer as far as I know.



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Indydirtfarmer

05-24-2004 10:28:00




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to vineyardslave, 05-24-2004 09:47:12  
Well, I mis-spoke..... somewhat. The driveshaft has a lifetime warrenty. I have the warrenty card in front of me now. I was concerned about the solid shaft vs. cable shaft when I bought mine. The dealer said as much as " What difference does it make? Break it, and we'll replace it". I do "commercial mowing" (Bush hogging, not grass cutting) I hammer the life out of weed eaters. The Stihl has lasted double what the best anyone else has made. Good equipment. John

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JP

05-24-2004 14:17:40




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 05-24-2004 10:28:00  
You obviously have never used a Redmax. I have used Echo, Stihl, Weedeater, Homelite, Ryobi, Jonsred, Redmax, you name it and I have yet to find a trimmer that is as easy to use or start and run as my Redmax. Redmax is the only trimmer I have found that is fuel efficient, without a catalytic converter, starts easy, has a good power to weight ratio. Why do I want the solid steel drive shaft??? peace of mind, and I do not want to take a chnce the speedometer cable will break in the trimmer and tear something else up, like the tube liner, and the warranty does not cover that, just the cable. I also do not have time to have my trimmer in a shop when I need to be trimming.
FS85 Stihl----- ----- -299.95-cable drive shaft
BCZ2600 Redmax----- ---299.95-solid shaft
The differance is obvious to me.

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MarkB

05-24-2004 15:37:35




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to JP, 05-24-2004 14:17:40  
JP,

I'm sure the Redmax is a good trimmer, because most of the landscapers around here use them. However, you are wrong that the Stihl FS85 has a cable shaft; I've had mine out and it is solid. You may have been looking at the FS75, which is identical to the FS85 except it has a cable shaft.



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RB/CT

05-24-2004 12:45:38




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 05-24-2004 10:28:00  
Bought a Homelite Zip Start at Home Depot for about $99. Works excellent. Yes I have Stihl products, and other top of the line stuff, but I wanted something cheap in price. The reason I bought this trimmer is the town my son worked for as summer help, buys this same trimmer, and they run them hard. After a few years of use, they throw it out, and buy another. Good luck.



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Dieselrider

05-24-2004 14:18:46




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to RB/CT, 05-24-2004 12:45:38  
How long does it run on a tank of fuel? One of my complaints with the ryobi is it only runs a short time on about a pint of gas and then you have to head back to the shed to refuel. Gets old quick. They really should have used twice the size tank on these. The old Homelite had a lot bigger tank and ran quite awhile on it.



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JP

05-24-2004 14:21:59




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dieselrider, 05-24-2004 14:18:46  
See my post 2-3 back. Ryobi trimmers are a reed port engine, needs bigger negine to develop same power as piston port engines, henceforth more fule consumption.



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Dick

05-24-2004 05:26:43




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 Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to MarkB, 05-24-2004 05:00:46  
Why a solid shaft?



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ray

05-24-2004 11:11:33




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 Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to Dick, 05-24-2004 05:26:43  
I just picked up a Sthil FS?? (have not memorized model # -- that gets committed to memory when I start needing parts). Ran it for 2 minutes,shut it down and went to get my logging helmet with face guard out of the truck -- the thing hucks debris at you --makes it more fun. I've had problems with the cutting heads getting stripped (not on a sthil) I was wondering if its because of the way I store them -- hanging by the cutting head or if I need to pack them with grease?? The stihl service manual says to grease annually -- which I will do--it was good to see real bearing down at the cutting head as well instead of bushings.

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RB/CT

05-24-2004 12:49:50




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to ray, 05-24-2004 11:11:33  
Cost no problem, Shindaiwa.



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Slowpoke

05-25-2004 00:54:32




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Which weed trimmer? in reply to RB/CT, 05-24-2004 12:49:50  
Shindaiwa used to make Green Machine. I picked one up at the dumps 6-8 years ago. It's probably 15 or more years old now. It needed a new fuel diaphram then and again last year. I think the gas is killing the diaphram. A straight shaft and heavy, but has plenty of power. No longer made. I don't care for curved shaft models, too hard to control. By the way, I would grease any fittings more than once a year, maybe every couple of hours. Those angle drives get real hot.

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