Pathfinders
Well-known member
I have a Stihl FS 55 straight shaft. The trimmer came with the girl friend. Stopped buying from Craftsman sometime in 2009
Are Craftsman trimmers really this BAD!?
- Thread starter 700hpAMG
- Start date
Well, thanks for all of the replies. I went to return my Craftsman and trimmer attachment this morning. I asked the guy if they have many returns and while continually looking at the register just said. ," Ehh." Then proceeded to place my boxes next to another trimmer already behind the register area- appears someone else returned one earlier than me... I then found out the ShopYourWay points can't be used on the Husqvarna while it is sold on their website but not from Sears. So I will use the 300k+points on clothes and head over to HD for something comparable to a 223l or 224l in the Echo line. I prefer attachments so hopefully Echo has something to my liking.
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TruFuel is available at lowes and Home Depot
I only use about a quart or two per year
Check it out.
http://www.trufuel50.com
I only use about a quart or two per year
Check it out.
http://www.trufuel50.com
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Not to be insulting, but with the exception of some of the Echo equipment at Home Depot, what can someone really expect when they buy "Big Box" store, off-brand-relabeled "disposable" quality power equipment?
When I was a kid working at a power equipment place, people used to bring that stuff in & we wouldn't even give an estimate on repairing it. When it's cheaper to replace a machine than make a minor repair on it, what does that tell you about it?
Tommy
When I was a kid working at a power equipment place, people used to bring that stuff in & we wouldn't even give an estimate on repairing it. When it's cheaper to replace a machine than make a minor repair on it, what does that tell you about it?
Tommy
lilscorpion
Well-known member
I think the problem is the big box stores have the exposure and the consumers attention. You're already there for building products and maintenance products all of which are perfectly acceptable - lumber, lawn care, plumbing, etc.. When someone needs a trimmer or mower and don't necessarily have the experience to know if what they're looking at is junk or not they compare the $120 junk to the $199 junk and pick. Even doing research is problematic because "commercial grade" seems unnecessary so anything in that category is ruled out even though commercial grade, when it comes to lawn care in my opinion, really means "serviceable, rebuildable, and will last almost as long as you own your house." To make it worse, big box models now use the term commercial for their most expensive throwaway models to justify the higher price tag.
Without actually using my Shindaiwa first and being able to understand the difference when holding it, very few would pony up the $350 for it and will instead favor the $200 big box model.
raiderhillbilly
Well-known member
I have a husquvarna and I love it. I dont care for ryobi/craftsman string trimmers. I would also buy the poulan pro. In a lot of cases, the poulan machines have the same block/piston and carb as the husquvarna. Echo, Shihl, Robin, Kawasaki are all awesome too.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You should be able to find what you're looking for
ECHO Pro Attachment Series™ (PAS)
http://www.echo-usa.com/products/pro-attachment-series
You may want to consider making your purchase at a full service location if there is one in your area.
Store Locator
http://www.echo-usa.com/Store-Locator
Good Luck
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aka rotten
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Messages
- 154
Bought a darn weed eater brand 6 years ago off fleabay. Said factory refurb. Only changed fuel lines once and plug,Never leave fuel in it,and 3 pumps on prime and never had min trouble with it. At time I bought it to replace pos Ryobi I had. Figured I,d get rest of that year outta it and buy good one. Never had to yet, of coarse now that I brag on darn 36 buck Weed eater, well you know the rest. Oh did replace primer bulb also and use Seafoam in gas.Paul
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LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Last time I checked, Shindaiwa is owned by Echo... That being said, I also know the Shindaiwa commercial units are very good...
Tommy
I am looking to buy a new trimmer so if I buy the Echo does that mean I am getting re-branded Shindaiwa or the other way around.
Looking for best quality without spending more than $350. If I can get the job done without attachments that would be best so there are less things to break.
Please don't mention Honda/Husqy 4-cyl, it just weighs too much, and wife calls me butter-fingers for a reason, I drop things to due medical reason. When heavy things fall, they cost more to fix.
Also would like recommendation since I have a small 1/4 acre lot with a dozen fruit trees and st. Augustine grass. The yard only has a clear 2000 sf to mow, 200 lf of fence trimming and 100 lf to edge in front.
I want to skip the mower option since my 2 yr old $300 C-man mower carb was killed by ethanol 3 times so I plan to fix and sell. C-man has truly hit bottom, what a sad story for a 100+ yr old American company.
Looking for best quality without spending more than $350. If I can get the job done without attachments that would be best so there are less things to break.
Please don't mention Honda/Husqy 4-cyl, it just weighs too much, and wife calls me butter-fingers for a reason, I drop things to due medical reason. When heavy things fall, they cost more to fix.
Also would like recommendation since I have a small 1/4 acre lot with a dozen fruit trees and st. Augustine grass. The yard only has a clear 2000 sf to mow, 200 lf of fence trimming and 100 lf to edge in front.
I want to skip the mower option since my 2 yr old $300 C-man mower carb was killed by ethanol 3 times so I plan to fix and sell. C-man has truly hit bottom, what a sad story for a 100+ yr old American company.
WVUTampaAlum
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2008
- Messages
- 26
Think craftsman trimmers are bad? Check out the complete **** of troy bilt line at lowes.
Danver
Well-known member
Last year I bought a Stihl FS90 after miserable experiences with the last two box-store trimmers. I've used only non-ethanol gas and Stihl oil and this thing has been amazing.
Along with the standard string trimmer head I have a brush blade and a chisel tooth blade that I have cut down small trees around 2" in diameter with.
I had also heard good things about Husqvarna and Echo, but honestly what sold me on the Stihl was having a dealer in my small home town that offered fantastic customer service and not only knew the product completely but took the time to really explain what I was looking at without just trying to upsell me to the most profitable item.
Along with the standard string trimmer head I have a brush blade and a chisel tooth blade that I have cut down small trees around 2" in diameter with.
I had also heard good things about Husqvarna and Echo, but honestly what sold me on the Stihl was having a dealer in my small home town that offered fantastic customer service and not only knew the product completely but took the time to really explain what I was looking at without just trying to upsell me to the most profitable item.
TruFuel is like $8 a can and that comes out to $32 a gallon. Is there an additive that counters the effects of ethanol?
I've been reading posts for a month now in a dozen websites and the Maruyama has only been mentioned in 2 posts by the same owner plus yours. It seems to be good and I have 6 dealers selling it just 5-7 miles away, but not many people talk about them. That's intriguing.
Last year I bought a Stihl FS90 after miserable experiences with the last two box-store trimmers. I've used only non-ethanol gas and Stihl oil and this thing has been amazing.
... but honestly what sold me on the Stihl was having a dealer in my small home town that offered fantastic customer service and not only knew the product completely but took the time to really explain what I was looking at without just trying to upsell me to the most profitable item.
I have read many problems with 4-mix models and the FS-56, so I would be worried to get a Stihl. Guess I will investigate the FS-90 a little closer.
I started another thread with yard pics earlier bc I did not want to hijack this one, sorry to the community. The other one is here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255707
Not aware of any 3rd party additive to 10% ethanol pump gas that counters/prevents the damage ethanol does in 2 cycle lawn equipment, other than just eliminating ethanol from the fuel mix.
Fortunately, there's a couple of local stations that sell 100% gas, so I just mix my own. Precious little hassle IMHO (measuring type oil bottles help a lot with this), and what little there is, is well worth the savings it generates.
Should you get a junked up carburetor for some reason, there are rebuild kits available for commercial machines, unlike the cheap homeowner specials at the big box home improvement stores.
Please understand, I have high expectations with this level of equipment, and it's done extremely well for me. So I highly recommend giving it a serious look (the dealers might offer a zero hassle test drive period, as mine did). Very effective sales tactic IMHO, as the machines really are that good IME (actually live up to the marketing).
AFAIK, they still offer the longest commercial warranty (5 years), although there are a couple (Hitachi/Tanaka & Echo) that give a little longer with homeowner use under certain conditions/provisions (must get it from an authorized dealer, and prove you're using their brand of oil types of things).
Build is simple, but very sturdy with top quality parts. Maintenance has been quick and easy, so I don't have to pour in lots of hours to keep it maintained. Not sure on repair parts costs, as I've not had to replace anything (other than a spark plug).
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
From what I understand, they're eliminating the bottom sellers form both brand lines & keeping the best match for the segment. If you're going with a Shindaiwa, that price range is about where I'd look. Their lower level units aren't what they used to be, even before the buyout.
Tommy
f150skidoo
Well-known member
We have a a stihl straight shaft weed eater that's probably 16 years old now and has had 0 maintenance and will always start after 2 pulls.
Danver
Well-known member
I read about a lot of problems with the 4-mix but it seemed like most of them were with the early models and often traced back to using gas with ethanol and using cheap oil. Mine doesn't get used a heck of a lot but it always starts right away and runs smoothly--lots of torque.
Time will tell I guess. Mine is only just over a year old so I may still end up with problems. But it does have a 4-year warranty if I need it.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
FWIW, most local landscaper company owners I know & my grounds guys at work all like Redmax Line trimmers, but only because they are less expensive than Stihl, which they seem to all agree is the very best. That being said, my home unit is an Echo SRM210. I know & can trust my local power equipment guy. He spec'd that machine out for me based opon my real world usage & it has been flawless for at least 8 years. I know it's not a commercial unit, but I run it maybe twice a week for 15-25 minutes.
Moose02
Well-known member
ok while on craftsman I have a p2 that was working fine till the starter rope jammed. took apart ahd the spring un wound and am having a hell of a time reinstalling it any help anywhere on how to get it back in tia
Get a new recoil assembly, it will include everything you need, It is almost impossible to get the recoil spring back in. www.jackssmallengines.com probably has a kit to fit your engine.
LS6 Tommy;4116030.....my home unit is an Echo SRM210. I know & can trust my local power equipment guy. He spec'd that machine out for me based opon my real world usage & it has been flawless for at least 8 years. I know it's not a commercial unit said:This is the real world usage I would see too, but I got a feeling that when the family sees my new gear... it's gonna get a workout
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
IDK. I'll have to ask next time I'm at the shop. Mine's always been stored hanging vertically against the wall with the string head down...Tommy
CDD
Well-known member
I have a craftsman 32cc 4 cycle for 10 years now and still going strong.
Briggs & Stratton motor.
I have only replace primer bulb, clutch, oil, gasoline.
I did have to put the carb in ultrasonic bath once for not being able to accelerate correctly.
Always remove oil and gasoline for storage.
Briggs & Stratton motor.
I have only replace primer bulb, clutch, oil, gasoline.
I did have to put the carb in ultrasonic bath once for not being able to accelerate correctly.
Always remove oil and gasoline for storage.
s10xtremist
Well-known member
I have an SRM 210 as well. My neighbor scooped it up off the road when it fell off a lawn cutting trailer that was headed the opposite way. He said it skid in his lane and he drove over it but didn't hit it. The truck never stopped, so he picked it up. He used it until it wouldn't start any more, then stored it in his shed for 3+ years. He gave it to me one day when I spied it under dust and cobwebs. I took it home and had it running in about 15 minutes. After replacing the missing air filter and cover (he ran it like this, just as he found it), a new primer bulb, and swapping the Stihl shaft that was rigged on it with an Echo shaft from a $10 Craigslist trimmer, I have less than $30 invested in it. When cold and choked, it starts on the second pull every time. When warm, it starts almost by accident. I can pinch the pull handle with my thumb and pointer finger and give it a half *** tug, and it fires right up.
Cato
Well-known member
I wouldn't blame Craftsman too much.
Ryobi is the company that makes sketchy lawn equipment. Did it look like it was a quality product when you looked at in Sears?
I've handled those rebadged Ryobis and they are build very poorly. For just a hundred dollars more you can get a really awesome Echo. I find Echos are as durable as Stihls and easier to start. Plus you can get parts at any Home Depot.
Ryobi is the company that makes sketchy lawn equipment. Did it look like it was a quality product when you looked at in Sears?
I've handled those rebadged Ryobis and they are build very poorly. For just a hundred dollars more you can get a really awesome Echo. I find Echos are as durable as Stihls and easier to start. Plus you can get parts at any Home Depot.
Jiles
Active member
I have worked on small engines for many years.
When someone ask me what Trimmer/Blower etc. to buy, I always give this advise:
Select a model with the pull cord on the outside end of engine. By this I mean that with string trimmer, the pull cord will not be between the shaft and power head. It will be located on the opposite end of engine.
Generally, it is cheaper to manufacture with start cord between engine and output. There will be two bearings, close together, on one end of crankshaft.
I would much rather have one bearing on each end of crank.
This makes for a stronger more balanced setup but is more expensive to manufacture. With this setup, crankshaft must be pressed apart to change connecting rod.
This is a little hard for me to explain, so bear with me.
When someone ask me what Trimmer/Blower etc. to buy, I always give this advise:
Select a model with the pull cord on the outside end of engine. By this I mean that with string trimmer, the pull cord will not be between the shaft and power head. It will be located on the opposite end of engine.
Generally, it is cheaper to manufacture with start cord between engine and output. There will be two bearings, close together, on one end of crankshaft.
I would much rather have one bearing on each end of crank.
This makes for a stronger more balanced setup but is more expensive to manufacture. With this setup, crankshaft must be pressed apart to change connecting rod.
This is a little hard for me to explain, so bear with me.
This sounds interesting but what brands have this feature?
Jiles
Active member
Danver posted a photo of his Stihl FS90 This is a quality machine. Notice that the start cord is located on the outside end of the engine.
If it were located between engine and shaft, there would be a cover plate on the outside end of the engine--with no bearing!
I am only referring to machines I am familiar with and details could be different on newer models.
There is nothing wrong with having the cheaper design but they vibrate more and sometimes have oil leaks.
Tomorrow, I will post a photo of each design and try to make my statement clearer.
smokey0810
Well-known member
Went with a Craftsman 'Professional' weed eater here a few years back. Run the pre-mixed fuel in a can, doesn't have a tap & feed head (which I hate them) and it kicks some major grass. I like the speed start that craftsman has on the higher-end equipment. Put a bit in my drill, and starts the weed eater right up. My wife does the yard work, so she uses it more that I do, and she loves it. Got a Craftsman mower with a Briggs engine that is awesome too. Didn't drain gas this winter and it started right up, first pull. Someone mentioned in an earlier post that the gas is what's causing motors to go to ****, which is true.
Cato
Well-known member
The pre mix stuff doesn't have ethanol, that's why it started right up after winter. There was no gum in your fuel lines or carb.
Is premix a lot more expensive than mixing your own fuel?
Unfortunately, Yes (cans end up costing ~$32/gal).
Mixing your own using non-ethanol gas is definitely cheaper (non-ethanol gas sells for more than 10% ethanol, but not horribly so). Just not as convenient.
Pure-gas.org can show you where to find any non-ethanol stations in your area.
jimindm
Well-known member
I think it boils down to what the average home owner expects. Many products that you find at big box stores are for light use. Many only have ratings of 50 or 75 hours of use.
When I got married and bought our first house we bought craftsman out door power products. Seemed like much of it would make one season, but not two.
The mower was the first to act up. Dealt with it for a while. Ran across a silver deck JD push mower at a garage sale, and bought it. We are still using it 15 years later.
The blower-vacs seemed to be about one a year. Much more use required in fall for the leaves. Bought an Stihl at an auction several years ago and have never looked back.
The trimmer did last the longest, but has long been replaced by an Echo.
I know that quality products cost a little more. The fact is that most people buy on price alone. As long as the sell enough of each, they will just keep making them. I hope that the market stays good for the manufacturers of the upper end of equipment for a long time.
When I got married and bought our first house we bought craftsman out door power products. Seemed like much of it would make one season, but not two.
The mower was the first to act up. Dealt with it for a while. Ran across a silver deck JD push mower at a garage sale, and bought it. We are still using it 15 years later.
The blower-vacs seemed to be about one a year. Much more use required in fall for the leaves. Bought an Stihl at an auction several years ago and have never looked back.
The trimmer did last the longest, but has long been replaced by an Echo.
I know that quality products cost a little more. The fact is that most people buy on price alone. As long as the sell enough of each, they will just keep making them. I hope that the market stays good for the manufacturers of the upper end of equipment for a long time.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
There is no ethanol-free gas in NJ and I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay upwards of $8.00/Quart for premix. Other than the free Stihl chainsaw I got that needed a carb rebuild & the crank case cleared of old fuel, I have had no personal problems from ethanol gas, but I use my 2 stoke fuel up pretty quickly. The longest it ever sits in the machines is just over the winter.
Tommy
Tommy
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Jiles
Active member
teal95
Well-known member
I believe that you can remove the ethanol from gas by adding water to it. Shake it up, let it settle and siphon the gas off of the top. The ethanol preferentially attaches to the water. At least that's how we test for ethanol in gas for our race cars.
wnstwolf
Well-known member
With all the nay sayers on the Ethanol I was amazed that my local sunoco now has their premium labeled as 100% ethanol free. $4.08 92 Octane.... YMMV