String trimmers

[ErikC]

  I have a Stihl FS250, with bike handles. It's a string trimmer/medium duty brushcutter I guess. I think it was about 500 bucks, but I was buying a $150 model every other year anyway. Not much gets in its way, and with the harness I find it easy to run. I don't have to push it at all to cut anything you can cut with string, so it should last a while. It does a good job with the blade too, and it seems heavy duty enough to take it.  Started on the 2nd or 3rd pull after all winter, this will be it's 3rd summer, and I use it a lot.

[Modat22]

I have an echo straight shaft trimmer that I believe is almost part exchangable for the stihl line (not completely sure though). Been a great weed wacker over the years (5 years). Only Modification I did was to drill the string hole out a little so I could use the 1.0 line

[Raider Bill]

I have an echo straight shaft trimmer that I believe is almost part exchangable for the stihl line (not completely sure though). Been a great weed wacker over the years (5 years). Only Modification I did was to drill the string hole out a little so I could use the 1.0 line

Well that figures, if theres a lemon out there I'll get it.

[John Woodworth]

I've had my Stihl for 15 plus years without a problem, have cultivator and hedge pruner attachments with it and has run flawlessly every time. I wouldn't ever concider any other brand, had a Shindawa oonce and was the biggest piece of crap I've ever seen and gave it away when less than a year old.

[SamB]

Bought my first string trimmer in the late seventy’s, it was an Echo brand straight shaft. Ran well once you got it started but could be a little stubborn to get going. It finally gave out about 86 probably the ignition module, there was no spark. Didn’t get it fixed, gave it away, since I’d inherited a Green Machine brand straight shaft. Ran the Green Machine until about 95 when it gave up, it was a lot like the Echo in that it ran well after it initially started. Next was a Shindaiwa straight shaft ran well and started easy thanks to a primer bulb in the fuel line. It died last summer, no spark, went to price an ignition module and get a second opinion on the diagnosis. This was at the dealer where I purchased it, he said he’d take it on a trade in for a new one. Thus he knocked off $75 on a new $300 trimmer and I’m on my second Shindaiwa. So far it has been a good machine I used it for five hours today and I didn’t finish all my trimming, just to give you an idea of how much it’s used. I wanted to try a Stilh this time, but couldn’t turn down the deal on the Shindaiwa. IMO you get what you pay for the upper end machines are engineered to run a little longer and take a little more abuse. If you’re as good as I am at finding yellow jacket nest and snakes you probably want to get one with straight shaft.

[thecfarm]

I'm waiting for my 20 year old Echo to die so I can buy that Stihl model with all the attachments.  All that I ever replaced on that was spark plugs,the head and an air cleaner.But this model is 20 years old,doubt a new one would last. And I have used this a lot and hard too.It's not a big one or a small one either.Just the right size to use for 2-3 hours steady.

[ErikC]

I'm waiting for my 20 year old Echo to die so I can buy that Stihl model with all the attachments.  All that I ever replaced on that was spark plugs,the head and an air cleaner.But this model is 20 years old,doubt a new one would last. And I have used this a lot and hard too.It's not a big one or a small one either.Just the right size to use for 2-3 hours steady.

 I haven't owned one, but the saw shop I go to all the time sells Echo and Stihl both, and said for the midsize and small size trimmers, Echo is as good as they get. I don't think they make a thinning saw type. Anyway, his opinion of the Echos is pretty high.

[KGNC]

I have a Husky straight shaft I bought about 3 years ago and it has been a constant problem. It has never run right for more than 1-2 tanks of fuel. I have try to adjust the carb many times, gave up and took it to the local Husky service shop and it's still not right. I'm wondering if it could have a bad crankshaft seal like can happen on a Chainsaw.

[SwampDonkey]

I haven't owned one, but the saw shop I go to all the time sells Echo and Stihl both, and said for the midsize and small size trimmers, Echo is as good as they get. I don't think they make a thinning saw type.

Yes they do actually, and it has the most power of any currently made professional brush saw we can get here in Canada at least. The old Husky is no more and have downsized a bit in weight and power to match Stihl's FS550 and is 1 lb lighter than the Stihl. We have a fellow on the crew that has owned three Echo brush saws now. He's hard on stuff so can't judge nothing by him.

[Carries-Mom]

There's a new one out there...don't know the brand name, but it runs on propane...no gummin' up the parts...costs under $200.  Runs off of the little canisters and can buy them at home depot...hope the info helps...

[ADAMINMO]

I googled the propane weed eater and looks like Craftsman has one powered by LEHR, Sell the at most Sears stores for around $220.00. That is cool. Wish I would have known that a couple weeks ago and I would have got one4 of thos instead of the Stihl FS45 that I bought. O well It works great also. Looks like they do alot of propane changeover for enviro friendly stuff.  http://www.golehr.com/