string trimmer- who makes the best?

jose bagge · Jul 13, 2008

What have you guys had good luck with? My Ryobi has bit the dust, which is just as well because the string feed was junk. I'll pay good money for one-not looking for the cheapest- as long as the string feed works right and it fires reliably.
What are all these landscaping hispanics using? I never seem to see them tugging to start or reloading string!

Coloken · Jul 13, 2008

No question. Steil, however you spell it. And put on the plastic/metal cutter in place of string. My buddy keeps mine so the one I use and highly recomend for old guys is the 52 dollar electric, 18 volt, made in China, that Ace hardware sells.

Ray · Jul 13, 2008

Why do you want a string trimmer when you can buy trimmers with plastic knives that work great.
If a knife gets worn,just replace it with a scew and your back in bussiness.

Lanse · Jul 13, 2008

echo is nice. My dad had a little 20cc one, but he replaced it with an electric one since his old thing diddnt want to start and he said it would warm the globe when it did. He said it goes to me or the trash man. I got it and got it going. I use it all the time and its great. A little underpowered, but thats OK, just take your time and beware of a warmed globe

jose bagge · Jul 13, 2008

had good luck with those? I've seen 'e, but they always looked like something Ron Popeil would sell ( the pocket Fisherman guy). Do any trimmers come original equip with those?

Nikolas Britton · Jul 13, 2008

STIHL makes the best string trimmer hands down... only it's not a string trimmer... They use three plastic blades that are easier to change then string and last way longer too. They also have metal tipped blades for the PolyCut head that will take down a tree.

Nikolas Britton · Jul 13, 2008

Also... At one point in time I think we had 5 different trimmers on the farm, the only one still working is the Stihl. Same story with are Stihl chainsaw.

Pat H. · Jul 13, 2008

Stihl by far. I have had to throw away 3 Weedeaters because it costs more to fix them than buy a new one -- which is typical of so many of today's tools -- but the Stihl keeps on year after year. It took a while to figure out how to keep the drive shaft from turning when reattaching the head but took an old screwdriver and ground it down to do the job.

guido · Jul 13, 2008

Hello jose bagge
I just finished working on the 2 Sears units on the photo, I'm guessing they are 10 years old.
Both work very well.
It seems more important, to a certain extent, how you use/abuse them, and the care they receive, that the make and model.
Happy weed wacking!
Guido.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2008

I use Rex Max line trimmers in my business. They are very dependable. They are around 350.00. I use a head that takes .155 dia. line. The line is installed manually. This works great for heavy stuff, and the line will not weld itself together inside the head. For light stuff I have a trimmer with a tap head. I am sure there are others that are as good, but it is kind of like tractors we like one brand more than others eventhough most do the same job, and last as well. Stan

bison · Jul 13, 2008

I hear nobody talking about using the old fashioned scyte,works great,makes no noise,uses only human power and gives a much needed workout as well.and works just as fast or faster.
but then again,if it ain't using gas,or electric it ain't worth having eh.

J.C.in AZ. · Jul 13, 2008

I have wore out two Echo"s and now have a cheap Ryobi from HD and I would say of the 3 that this Ryobi will out last the other two. I agree the String System is not very good but as I am retired I have the time to fix any string problems. The Motor can not be beat I think. It has never failed to start and I know I have flooded it several times.But I am not comparing Apples to Apples here.The Echos were used on our 5 acre Home site in NC Ill. and the Ryobi is used here around our Grass less [If I can keep it that way ] 1/4 Acre Town Lot. Most of the Land Scapers I have noticed seem to be in favor of the Toro Line of Trimmers.

John - OH · Jul 13, 2008

Stihl is the way to go. Been using them for years in a commercial lawn/landscape business and no problems. As a matter of fact all the small stuff we buy, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, cement saws are all Stihl. General maintenance and one will last you a lifetime. And if you do wear the string head out you can buy the pieces you need to fix it individually. Just my 2 cents.

Roy Suomi · Jul 13, 2008

I'm on an ECHO kick this year..I purchased an Echo CS-346 trimming saw in the spring..And just last week I bought an Echo 230 string trimmer.. So far I've had great luck with them..Not to mention the 5 year homeowner warranty..I was able to get a better deal from Best Truck Equipment in Willoughby Ohio than Home Depot..

Red Dave · Jul 13, 2008

Why are these same string trimmers pictured in the "Help Identify" gallery?

Do you need them identified?

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2008

I use my string trimmers around rocks, and steep banks where a tractor would never go. A scyte would never last on the rocks. I would also have a hard finding finding someone to operate a scyte hour, after hour. The weed cutters all have their place. Stan

Mathias NY · Jul 13, 2008

I'm probably going to catch some flack for this, but I wouldn't go with a Stihl for a string trimmer. They are good quality, but they are heavy and over priced.

I would recommend a Tanaka TBC-230 ($230). It weights 10.2 lbs with cutting head. The similar Stihl FS55R ($200) weights 10.6 lbs without the cutting head. The Stihl also has ~10% less power. The Tanaka has a solid drive shaft compared to the straight-flexible one on the Stihl. This Tanaka is actually a light commercial model, to get the same solid shaft and anti-vibration will cost you another $100 and another pound in a Stihl (FS90R). The Tanaka also offers several attachments (cultivator, broom, chainsaw, hedge trimmer) that will bolt directly onto the original shaft. Stihl only offers this for the more expensive model.

As for reliability, my parents have owned a pair of TBC220's (predecessor of the TBC230) for about 15 years. They have seen heavy use mowing orchard grass around 2000 fruit trees for most of their life. 3-4 hours of heavy continual use is normal. In 15 years we have only had the rebuild the carburator on one and change the fuel cap on the other. They still start on 2-3 pulls, even after stitting out the winter months with zero prep. But that is just my 2 cents, good luck.

Ray · Jul 13, 2008

I've got a huskvarna with the knives that's 15 years old ,no problem.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2008

The best thing to do with a string trimmer is throw it in the junk. Most landscapers use the trimmers with the plastic knives.They last forever unless you hit something hard,then you just replace the knives.

Uncle Ernie · Jul 13, 2008

Shindawa makes the best string trimmer in the commercial business.

evilboweviel · Jul 13, 2008

Red Max
take a look at the reciprocator, not cheap but very nice for the right application
good assortment of string trimmers all seem to hld up well
Ron

KYfarm · Jul 13, 2008

I've got a couple of years in to a Stihl, I think the model number is 80R or something like that. Hasn't given me any trouble and get used on a farm, not a neighborhood house. Used multiple trimmers before the Stihl. Never buy anything else now

MN Scott · Jul 13, 2008

My grandmother gave me her Shindawa when she moved to an apartment several years ago. The thing is 15+ years old and always starts on the third pull. The best thing I like about it is it has a clutch so the head does not run at idle. Much nicer than the cheapos I was using before.

ericlb · Jul 13, 2008

jose, id go with a stihl, get the straight shaft ones that you can also use a brush saw with, not only is the saw great for thick scrubby stuff but the whole unit is beefier,i used one for 5 years and never had a problem with it until it walked off this year,i bought a craftsman to replace it in a crunch, but its not as good a unit, ill go back to a stihl when i break this one down in a few months

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2008

Jose, All the trimmers mentioned are good if properly maintained. Like Eric said, be sure to get the straight shaft so you can add attachments. I would suggest you buy from a dealer so you can get it serviced if needed.

sammy the RED · Jul 13, 2008

Shindawa makes the best string trimmer in the commercial business.

The above is incorrect. ..... Stihl ... The One ! 8)

john in la · Jul 14, 2008

I think Stihl and Echo both make a quality unit.
The 5 year warranty Echo is giving now may be a deciding factor.
What ever brand you get make sure you get a straight shaft model.

I have owned a Echo model SMR-210 for years and I am very happy with it. Other than a factory recall on the gas line I have had no problems with it.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 14, 2008

Echo, best there is. Tom

kmcampbe · Jul 14, 2008

I've got a Husquavarna that runs like a top, the only reason that I've had to replace it is that it flipped out of the bucket on the tractor and ran over it.

I've also attached the grass gator with the metal blades to clear out thick weed patches. if the line or blade will cut it it'll the engine will cut it down.

Mike (WA) · Jul 14, 2008

I just bought a Stihl "Kombi" setup- Power head and half the shaft, and there's about 15 attachments you can get, with the other half of the shaft (disconnects with a simple thumbscrew). I needed a new trimmer, but also wanted a hand-held little rototiller to cultivate between rows (too narrow for my Troy-bilt). I'm real satisfied with both implements (I got the string trimmer, but I had the three plastic blade type on my last one. May go back to the plastic blades. I do OK with the string, but the Missus seems to try to push it too hard, and keeps breaking string. Its important that she not become disallusioned with it.)

string trimmer- who makes the best?

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