Rewind97
Well-known member
Anyone here familiar with Troy-bilt 4-cycle string trimmers? Looking at the TB685 EC model they sell at Lowe's. It won't see a lot of action.
Troy-Bilt 4-cycle trimmers
- Thread starter Rewind97
- Start date
Don't.
Had one back in 06. Lasted three years and the plating in the cylinder disintegrated.
Buy a Stihl, Shindaiwa, Honda, Echo, Husqvarna, anything not made by MTD. You won't be sorry.
If I were to buy a new one today (to replace my current Stihl FS90R which is 8 years old), it would be a Stihl FS94.
Had one back in 06. Lasted three years and the plating in the cylinder disintegrated.
Buy a Stihl, Shindaiwa, Honda, Echo, Husqvarna, anything not made by MTD. You won't be sorry.
If I were to buy a new one today (to replace my current Stihl FS90R which is 8 years old), it would be a Stihl FS94.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
It will probably work fine for that. I have a Ryobi multi head trimmer from hd that I use part time professionally for at least 3-4 years now as a brush trimmer and hedge trimmer. If you use the proper mix and don't hold it wide open all day long, anything should work fine for your needs. My regular string trimmer is a Stihl and it is extremely powerful and lighter than any other I've used. Could look for a used one of those.
yamaha0343
Well-known member
I've had this Stihl for 3 years and have been extremely happy with it. I think it was around $150 if I remember right. Overkill for my yard but I wanted something good.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs40ce/
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs40ce/
Flathead Youngin'
Well-known member
When you said Troy-bilt and Lowes, I didn't read any further.....invest in a quality trimmer....Stihl, Echo, Honda, Shindawa, any of the big names....
You can get a decent trimmer for close to the same price..
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-ECHO-2-Cycle-21-2cc-Straight-Shaft-Gas-Trimmer-SRM-225/100675439
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200635983_200635983?
http://www.richardsonsaw.com/stihl-fs-56-r-c-e-homeowner-trimmer
If you want a full blown 4 stroke, Honda is the only way to go.
For 60 bucks, if it works for a year you'll have gotten your moneys worth. But I still wouldn't bother, they're a vibey, heavy POS if you ask me. Weedeating is ****** enough as is, don't need to make it worse with a crappy machine.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-ECHO-2-Cycle-21-2cc-Straight-Shaft-Gas-Trimmer-SRM-225/100675439
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200635983_200635983?
http://www.richardsonsaw.com/stihl-fs-56-r-c-e-homeowner-trimmer
If you want a full blown 4 stroke, Honda is the only way to go.
For 60 bucks, if it works for a year you'll have gotten your moneys worth. But I still wouldn't bother, they're a vibey, heavy POS if you ask me. Weedeating is ****** enough as is, don't need to make it worse with a crappy machine.
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gsmith22
Well-known member
I've got a TB575SS that is 4 cycle purchased at Lowes in 2005 and runs flawlessly. Have used it lightly around the house and has been perfectly fine. If you regularly put stabilizer in the gas and change the oil/regap the spark plug once a season and maybe change out the air filter every couple of seasons, I don't see how you would run into any trouble. The picture with scoring on the cylinder walls has got to be from running the oil dry and/or not changing it.
vavet
Well-known member
I owned a Troy-Bilt 4 cycle, bought new in ~2003. Piece of ****. I spent more time working on it than using it. Everytime I thought I just about had it. It would work for the day. Next time I used it, had to do something else to it. If it wasn't the string head, it was the spark plug. If it wasn't the plug, it was the carb. if it wasn't the carb it was the rocker adjustment....ya feel me?
My wife finally convinced me to spend the money on a new one. I warned her that if I did, it was going to be expensive. Her solution anytime anything breaks is to buy a new one. My solution is always to try to fix it. Both of us embrace our solutions to a fault.
Anyway...it lasted about 4 years when I finally bought an Echo from Home Depot. I still have the Echo. It's been great. In hindsight,I'd have been money ahead to buy the Echo from the start, but hindsight is 20/20.
If I was buying one today, I'd consider the battery powered units. I don't have any experience with them, so I'm not a strong advocate for them, but I'm a strong advocate for considering them.
To be clear - steer clear of the Troy-Bilt 4 cycle.
My wife finally convinced me to spend the money on a new one. I warned her that if I did, it was going to be expensive. Her solution anytime anything breaks is to buy a new one. My solution is always to try to fix it. Both of us embrace our solutions to a fault.
Anyway...it lasted about 4 years when I finally bought an Echo from Home Depot. I still have the Echo. It's been great. In hindsight,I'd have been money ahead to buy the Echo from the start, but hindsight is 20/20.
If I was buying one today, I'd consider the battery powered units. I don't have any experience with them, so I'm not a strong advocate for them, but I'm a strong advocate for considering them.
To be clear - steer clear of the Troy-Bilt 4 cycle.
Gogo300
Well-known member
I have the same string trimmer. I've had it for 9 years. I rebuilt the carburetor 2 years ago and empty the oil and run it out of gas at the end of every summer. It starts up when my neighbors wear themselves out trying to start theirs and end up buying a new one. No problems or complaints.
gsmith22
Well-known member
my experience with anything mechanical is if there is no maintenance, it won't last. Troy-Bilt is probably the HF equivalent of lawn equipment so it isn't shocking to me that people have had trouble. but simple stuff like changing the oil goes a long way. I know this is GJ so logic has probably left the building, but why spend $1000 for a $10 job. which is the OP's point (I believe). Anyway, in my experience with some preventative maintainence it should work out fine. Mine is 12 years old and will fire up right now straight out of winterization (which amounted to spraying fogging oil into the cylinder head while I regapped the original spark plug).
Both my current trimmers are troy built. One 2 cycle and the other a 4 stroke. Both do the job. I only have them cause they would not run for the previous owners. Both were in the trash. A little carb cleaning and plastic welded the tank on the 4 stroker and they have been ok for 8 years.....The heads are junk and they are heavy. If these were not free my money would be spent on a Echo if on a budget or a Stihl. The Hondas seem to get great reviews also.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Funny comments.
I picked up a Troy-Bilt 4-stroke trimmer from a guy one afternoon for $50 bucks - had a full tank of gas, a full spool of line, and came with a little bottle of oil.
Ran the piss out of it for four years and the only thing I did was put gasoline and new line in it. Worked great. Started every time.
String head finally went wonky on me and it's been hanging on a hook out in the garage for a couple years now.
Was definitely worth the $50 it cost me. I suppose I should go get a new head for the thing but I just don't use a trimmer here enough to warrant fixing it.
I picked up a Troy-Bilt 4-stroke trimmer from a guy one afternoon for $50 bucks - had a full tank of gas, a full spool of line, and came with a little bottle of oil.
Ran the piss out of it for four years and the only thing I did was put gasoline and new line in it. Worked great. Started every time.
String head finally went wonky on me and it's been hanging on a hook out in the garage for a couple years now.
Was definitely worth the $50 it cost me. I suppose I should go get a new head for the thing but I just don't use a trimmer here enough to warrant fixing it.
Look at the pics again, there are no vertical marks like there would be from scoring due to lack of oil or overheating.
You can clearly see where the plating separated from the cylinder walls.
I don't have the piston anymore, but there was no scoring on it either, and all the rings were broken.
I did change the oil a time or two in its short life.
Had similar trouble with mine, right after I swapped the head is when the cylinder **** the bed.
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four.cycle
Well-known member
^ I probably would have forced myself to go to Lowes and get a new string head thing for it, but somebody gave me a little 120V Black & Decker "Grass Hog" electric line trimmer right after the Troy-Bilt went wonky so I used it for a couple years until the string head thing went wonky.
Didn't really figure either of them were worth the time money and trouble to fix, and (again) for as much as I need to use one any more it isn't worth fooling with.
Used to run a big Stihl commercial model - the one with bicycle handlebars - but got tired of pouring money into it for parts and dumped it on some fool for $50 bucks - had a gazillion attachments for the business end. Just got tired of hassling with it.
Didn't really figure either of them were worth the time money and trouble to fix, and (again) for as much as I need to use one any more it isn't worth fooling with.
Used to run a big Stihl commercial model - the one with bicycle handlebars - but got tired of pouring money into it for parts and dumped it on some fool for $50 bucks - had a gazillion attachments for the business end. Just got tired of hassling with it.
trekgod3
Well-known member
I had a 2 cycle troy bilt trimmer from ace hardware and it was a piece of junk. It was hard to start and keep running. It would shut down if I didn't keep it oriented in the exact correct position. I tossed it and upgraded all my yard equipment to Echo. Haven't had a problem since and I can use the same tuneup kit on all my equipment.
lightning02
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2013
- Messages
- 2,677
Echo ftw.
iv had 2 troy bilt trimmer take a **** on me. i was done with the home grade **** after the 2nd one. i bought the echo and its in a diff leauge of these home grade junk. as **** breaks i replace it with echo stuff. have never been disappointed yet.
iv had 2 troy bilt trimmer take a **** on me. i was done with the home grade **** after the 2nd one. i bought the echo and its in a diff leauge of these home grade junk. as **** breaks i replace it with echo stuff. have never been disappointed yet.
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Exact same machine that I have from around the same time of purchase. Have had no problems. I made sure maintenance was done annually. This thing only holds about thimble full of oil. I have used it to trim grass, edge and even rotor till the wife's garden with no problems. Probably not as good as some of the commercial trimmers but does what I need it to.
I think stihl is the best due to the chrome cylinders (chain saws used to be, I assuming all their stuff is). They're not convenient for me to get, so I buy all Husqvarna and am happy with them. Too easy to get at Lowes.