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OT/Weedeater Purchase advice

F

Fudpucker

Member
I need to buy a new weedeater since my old Craftsman finally gave it up for the final time this morning. I went and looked at some Stihl and Echo products. I am looking at the higher end ones with the capability to run the cutting blade, plastic cutting fingers etc. They both look ok but was just wanting advise from anyone who has owned either product. Stihl is a little higher, but not much. Both places service what they sell and are good local businesses. Thanks for any advice.
 
FUD...I can't give any advice per se on the brands, but will offer up a comment on size.

I have a straight shaft Shindawia (not made/sold anymore)...not quite the largest made...that I put a blade on. This blade has "chain saw" type teeth and is more for heavy stalks/light woody stuff than it is for grass. That blade really works the unit...requires ALL the hp. I have and could actually use a bit more.

Heavy string and the plastic cutting fingers work great.

THINK BIG HP.
 
Haven't run a weedeater in years----plastic pump sprayer with a combo of generic roundup and 2 4 D. It's quiet too.
 
few years ago, folks on another forum was praising the stihl fs90. I looked for one and the local dealer made me a good deal on an fs130. Real happy with it. Never used anything but a blade tho.

Dave
 
I have had a Echo and wore it out after 18 years and bought a new one last year. I think they are the best. I work one pretty good with blade and string. Cutting fence rows and yard trimming on 80+ acres.
 
Two years ago I bought a Stihl FS 90. So far its been a good weedeater. Had to get used to straight shaft and the four mix engine is a little differnt than the old two stroke. Lot less engine noise.
 
atlarge54, I'm with you. After owning a few weedeaters I became convinced they were the work of the devil and would send you to hell faster than a woman. The pump-up sprayer and R/U are my friends. :) TDF
 
I vote for the Stihl. We've got some Stihl line trimmers at work that are 7 or 8 years old, get used almost everyday and still running strong.
 
I have an Echo PAS 265, it gets used with a brush blade and the tree trimmer chainsaw attachment more that as a grass trimmer. Don"t have any complaints with it so far.... think I"ve had it 4 or 5 years and it still starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull after it"s been sitting for months, first pull if it has been used recently.
 
Go with Stihl or Echo.I have a small engine shop and I have a box out back. Full of the cheapie ones. Can't find parts for some. The others. Parts and labor cost more than the thing cost new.
 
If you are going to spend a lot of time with it, look for the best power to weight ratio you can find. I'm 6'2" so I also prefer straight shaft over curved.

I can't comment on Stihl or Echo, both are decent brands. If you have a dealer in the area, take a look at Tanaka trimmers.

I bought a Tanaka TBC-230 this spring and consider it one of my buys of the year. They have a better power to weight than Stihl, Husky, or Echo (10 lbs with trimmer head, all others weigh 10lbs without guard or head). They also have a solid drive shaft, the others don't offer that. Sticker price was $350. I spend 2-4 hours a week with it, in heavy weeds, without issue.

Good luck.
 
whatever brand you get --get it with the converting shaft. i have a chain saw head for mine (toro) for trimming low limbs.
 
I have an Echo SRM 230 and a 400. Both do everything i've ever asked of them. The 230 cuts fence lines and gets used hard and never had any trouble. The 400 only gets used with the blade and will cut some pretty big trees. Someone ran over the 400 with a tracor (don't recall of hand who did that)and bent the shaft. Not the fault of the machine at all. New shaft and it's as good as new but if I couldn't get it fixed I was getting another just like it.
 
I purchased a 4 stroke husqvarna 3 years ago. Love it. Straight shaft, 17 inch cut, slip clutch. Has a ton of power. Makes the rest feel like toys. Starts very easy. Love the way you add string. No smoke. No need to add oil with the gas. Down side it weighs 13 pounds and cost around $500. Ever use one, you won't want the most popular ones.
 
If you have the $, go for the stihl, with a medium to large power head, and the split shaft. There is a raft of attachments available, including, pole saw, hedge trimmer, tiller, broom, weedeater, and the blower. I like that best. If you non't have the $, go with muryama, not as many attachments, but a good entry machine. Whatever you get, run high octane fuel, and throw it out after 30 days.
 
We have two tanaka"s and an Stihl. The newest oe is a Tanaka long shaft. If your tall or trim a lot of ditches and hilly areas you will love it. Everyone reaches for the long shaft first
 
We have a Echo because my neighbor who is a full time lawn mower has one. Don't use it any more. I mounted a 16 gal electric sprayer on my mower, what it can't mow I spray. I also have one on my golf cart with a 16 ft tip for roads and driveways. But I guess that isn't very green. Vic
 
i bought a stihl fs90r this spring, really like it. tons of power, cuts heavy weeds with just the string head. with the saw blade, it makes short work of brush and small trees. wear ear plugs, its on the loud side. it is 4 stroke, but you mix gas and oil. (havent figured that one out yet)
 
Thanks for the input. I too like to use the old pump up sprayer and herbicide. The wife wasn't too happy when I used it in the front yard around the house and walk last year. It sure saves time though!
 
Stihl with the "4 mix " engine.They run on 2 stroke fuel but have valves like a 4 stroke. They are a lot quieter than the shall we say 'normal' 2 stroke engines and have oodles more torque. I run a FR130T Knapsack Brushcutter and I love it to death.
 
By who? Thats like saying Chevy is better than Ford. There's several very good brush cutters on the market. Shindaiwa is one that hasn't been mentioned.
 
Probably can"t go too wrong with either of those. I will add a vote for Red Max. Really like mine that I purchased about a year ago.

Kirk
 
All we buy for the grass crew at work is Shindaiwa. We have 6 of them being run by college students. Use to replace two a year. Now we buy two every 3 to 4 years. My LT-20 that I trim 2+ hrs a week (yuck) with is 26 years old. I"m about ready to put my third head on it.
 
Every piece of outdoor power equipment I own is a Stihl, and each one runs great, just like the day they were new. I know some people like Husky, echo, other brands, but around here, there's a Stihl deal every 10 miles.
 
(quoted from post at 00:36:18 07/10/11) . I'm 6'2" so I also prefer straight shaft over curved.
Click to expand...


Amen to that! Being on the tall side myself I'd have to say that fitting a weed whacker to yourself is important.

I bought the Echo 17" 22.8cc straight shaft last year and so far it's fired up every time with no problems. (only have about 10 hours on it). It's got plenty of power and I rarely have to give it full throttle to trim grass. I use the round up around the fence line where the field wire likes to eat my string.

I'm a stihl fan and was looking into them but I ended up stopping off at home depot and they had a good deal on the echo I bought.

The only stihl I have is my ms290 farmboss chainsaw. That thing has been running strong for 10 years now.
 
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