String Trimmer Finally Died

[mixerfixer]

My 20 year old Homelite string trimmer finally died. Looking for recommendations for a new one. Local choices are:
Ace Hardware Huskvarna or Chraftsman
Tractor Supply Poulan or Cub Cadet
Not sure what Lowes carries
Also have a local commercial dealer that carries Echo

I like a long straight shaft trimmer over the curved shaft trimmers. Also would like a pole saw attachment.

Thoughts?

 

[bhonshell37]

I have a Troybilt trimmer with the chainsaw attachment and edger attachment. The problem I have with the Troybilt trimmer is the balance. Is Stihl an option for you?

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[TURNA]

I have a Tanaka straight shaft for about 10 years thing is great never had an issue at all.

 

[thickhead]

EVERY landscaper's trailer in this area has 2 or more Stihl trimmers mounted on the side. No dealer in your area?

 

[couch67]

Be prepared for a lot of different opinions..... I had a homelite for a few years (bought around 2010) and it was nothing but trouble - easily spent more time working on it than running it. Surely a different vintage than what you had from 20 years ago.

I have an Echo now for the last 3 years and its been great.

couch

 

[Tp2177]

Echo is just as reliable as stihl in my book and also offers a "kombi" line of weedeaters with multiple different attachments. Comes with a 5 year consumer warranty and are professionally made. Husqvarna models are nice as well. Problem with other ones isn't so much about when they run. It's when they break. They will be hard to find parts for and hard to find someone who will work on them. No dealer support what so ever. To me you can't really go wrong with Stihl/husqvarna/echo. They are all great trimmers


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[Skunkape]

I've had an Echo for about 5 years now.. It's getting a little finnicky... When she finally dies, or I take a hammer to it, I'll probably go with a Stihl.

 

[CJM8515]

Ive used all the pro brands, redmax, echo, stihl and husky. Any of them would serve you well. Dont buy it from home depot or similar.

 

[mixerfixer]

Thanks for replies. There is an amish fellow kind of local that sells stihl. I forgot about him as he is kind of off the beaten path.
Agree with the statement about not when they run but when they break. The echo guys are the closest. Will have to wait for Tuesday to look around. Not too pumped about a big box store purchase as they are only ones open tomorrow.

 

[AFBud78]

Bought an Echo straight shaft from Home Depot back in 2003. Still cranks on the third pull, as long as I have the switch on. Still running the same spark plug it came with. Just put twine on it and Sta-Bil in the winter.

 

[TURNA]

If possible stay away from anything with a plastic choke.

 

[Mikeske]

I have ECHO for years and still going, I updated a couple years ago the trimmer head to easy loader head, Just feed the trimmer line from one side to the other and twist the bottom and auto loads. Love that feature

 

[Ryanbabz71]

I am sold on echo. In 5 yrs I went through 3 "cheap" trimmers. I run mine twice a week, trimmer, edger, and blower. At 6-7 yrs now no issues. I have the PAS 265


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[matt_i]

Stihl straight shaft. Worked hard for 17 years and has not complained yet. In those 17 years I've had the prime bulb replaced 2x for fail to prime but both fixes in 2 different states from 2 different dealers were under $20 parts + labor each time. Could not be happier with the trimmer and its line-head still works just as designed. I use the Ace Gator-Line with a steel string at the center of the nylon. Want to try out some square or x-shaped line in the future.

 

[mikegt4]

I had a Stihl curved shaft trimmer for 25 years. As I got older my back couldn't take the contortions that it required so I passed it on to my son. It was as reliable as a blacksmith's anvil. I have my doubts that todays product is as good.

I ended up replacing it with a ECHO SRM-266 which I really like. The only problem with the ECHO is that it is cold blooded. It starts easily but I have to let idle for about 30-45 seconds before giving it any throttle.

 

[zendriver]

I used a 25 year old echo today, that I purchased from an estate auction, last fall. Ran rough then but cleared itself out and runs great.

I have an echo brush cutter and chainsaw, seem to work great.

No reason to think a new one, would not get the job done.

 

[801cdw]

I have been very happy with my CORE Gasless for the last four years. http://coreoutdoorpower.com/products/power-lok-products/

 

[rjacobs]

Stihl FS90...

Although it looks like the FS90 is no longer and the FS91 series has replaced it.

So....

Stihl FS91

 

[Greyhorse]

Still, Husky or Echo. I have an Echo PAS 265 (takes different attachments) it's been no trouble for the 12 years or so I've had it, always starts after 2-3 pulls.

 

[Uncle Jimbo]

EVERY landscaper's trailer in this area has 2 or more Stihl trimmers mounted on the side. No dealer in your area?

^^^this! I've had a Stihl trimmer for many years and it has served me well. When it comes to 2-stroke power equipment I always look to Stihl first.

 

[Nexussian]

Stihl, I've got a FS90 (not the FS90R), according to their web site the "new" FS91 is even better.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/professional-trimmers/fs91/

 

[IMCA38]

I had a Homelite, was a pain from day one.

Got an Echo a couple years ago and have been very happy. That thing is a beast!

 

[SiGmA_X]

I have a Stihl KM131R with a straight shaft trimmer that I have been using this season at home, I love it. I also picked up a Stihl extension and Ryobi pole saw and hedge trimmer for it. The Ryobi accessories aren't as nice as the Stihl but they were around 40% the cost.

Being Stihl and Echo are about the same price, I would go Stihl, even if it is a little more. Friends and family have had good luck with both brands and as far as I can remember, no real issues with either brand, ever.

 

[Trey T]

Go with electric trimmer.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I've heard good things about the Stihl's....

I've gone though a few echos over the decades, but they were basically used almost daily during the summer... Those + large diameter gator line and I honestly couldn't ask for a better trimmer.

My one at home was acting finicky and liked to try and die, there's no L/H carb adjustments like you usually see. They hid the High adjustment behind a plastic plug that you can heat up a small screw, jam it in the plastic, let it cool, then pull it out. Then you are free to access the adjustment screw. After a good cleaning and tweaking it now runs as good as it did like 10 years ago.

 

[rt dak]

Out of the original options you posted I would go with Echo for sure.

http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Pro-Attachment-Series

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Around here the Pros seem the be split 50/50 between Stihl and Redmax for trimmers and backpack blowers with some occasional Echos. 100% Stihl for saws. I have a 15+ year old Echo SRM 210. Never had to do anything except put fuel in it and replace the line. The original air filter is even still clean. I got it at my local commercial equipment dealer. I have had a good relationship with him for over 20 years and he knows I have some background in the industry, so if I ask him his opinion on something I can pretty much trust it.

When (if?) it goes, I will probably look into one of the Stihl 4 Mix Kombi tools.

Tommy

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have switched all my OPE to Stihl, it's the brand I trust and have had good luck with.

 

[PeterT]

I bought a Hitachi string trimmer 3 years ago, and i only use the canned mixed 2 cycle gas and that trimmer starts on the first pull every time. Never any special treatment during the winter. My father has went through 3 stilh trimmers, always something with the carb, he swears he only uses gas that does not have ethanol. Nonetheless, my Hitachi always runs when I need it. I don't really like the string/feed mechanism but I can live with it.

 

[mixerfixer]

Thanks for the replies.

I went with the Stihl Kombi system from the Amish dealer as they were open today. We trim a fair amount of banks and ditches on the property. Didnt want a heavy weight trimmer just for that reason went with a mid weight trimmer.

Ended up buying the KM91R power head for $310. Dealer day special string trimmer attachment was $40. Also bought a gallon of their premix gas for $30 that added 2 years to the warranty.

A fulltime landscaper was there. He said all he runs are the 90 series. Plenty of power for everything he does.

Later will get the pole saw attachment when i have a need. It was $200. They also make a paddle broom attachment for sweeping gravel out of grass and back into a driveway. The landscaper guy said it was the sh#t for cleaning snow off sidewalks also. It was a bit pricier at $400.

Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate your efforts

 

[rt dak]

Thanks for the replies.

I went with the Stihl Kombi system from the Amish dealer as they were open today. We trim a fair amount of banks and ditches on the property. Didnt want a heavy weight trimmer just for that reason went with a mid weight trimmer.

Ended up buying the KM91R power head for $310. Dealer day special string trimmer attachment was $40. Also bought a gallon of their premix gas for $30 that added 2 years to the warranty.

A fulltime landscaper was there. He said all he runs are the 90 series. Plenty of power for everything he does.

Later will get the pole saw attachment when i have a need. It was $200. They also make a paddle broom attachment for sweeping gravel out of grass and back into a driveway. The landscaper guy said it was the sh#t for cleaning snow off sidewalks also. It was a bit pricier at $400.

Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate your efforts

You'll be happy with that, I have a KM90R which i'm assuming is what yours replaced since I don't see it on their site anymore. I have the straight trimmer, 135 degree hedge trimmer and blower attachments, plus the brushcutter blade.

 

[Tp2177]

While I did recommend any of the major brands I do love my fs90 and fs80. Fs80 has been running strong semi commercially for 20 years.


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[rburke65]

I bought a Stihl 2 years ago. Thought I'd try a commercial one for a change. Happy with it.

 

[Keith_MN]

Looking back, the day my Homelite died was a great day. Forced me to buy a new trimmer, Stihl Kombi, about 5 years ago. It has worked great since.

 

[DCarr2]

I love my homelite straight bar trimmer