Weed eater brands to avoid buying used?

[Magnum440d100]

Looking at buying a second hand weed eater to clear the back “hill” of my property, as well as regular general weedeating duty (around trees, some edging, under fencing, along the creek tree line, etc). I have 5 acres.

In the used market, what would be the brands to avoid vs brands to look for? I know well maintained cheap brands > beat to hell “expensive” brands.

Roughly $100-$150 budget.

Thanks in advance!

 

[finn]

Buy new. Used are hit or miss.

I regret buying a used Stihl. It’s fine when it works, but I had to replace the coil after a little use and now it needs a kill switch a year later. I really don’t have the time to mess around ordering and replacing parts every year for a stupid weed eater.

Multiply weed eater by lawn tractor, mower, tiller, generators, multiple chain saws, splitter, chipper, and then real machinery, and used junk quickly becomes a full time maintenance and repair job.

Let the original owner keep his junk.

 

[seber]

On the other hand, I found a Stihl 131 at auction that was black with exhaust **** and the auctioneer's helper could not turn it over. It's a four stroke and needs to be on the ground to pull it. I paid five dollars and have been using it with zero problems for years.

 

[Davefr]

Looking at buying a second hand weed eater to clear the back “hill” of my property, as well as regular general weedeating duty (around trees, some edging, under fencing, along the creek tree line, etc). I have 5 acres.

In the used market, what would be the brands to avoid vs brands to look for? I know well maintained cheap brands > beat to hell “expensive” brands.

Roughly $100-$150 budget.

Thanks in advance!

Echo straight shaft, 30+cc. Echo's are well built, reliable and easy to get parts for. For what you describe I'd avoid trimmers <30cc. I'd also get one with handlebars and a really good harness. A good harness is worth it's weight in gold for sustained trimming. Shindaiwa's are also excellent trimmers.

For 5 acres I'd probably prefer buying new.

 

[Showkey]

Clearing the hill………….there’s a huge difference from a “weed eater“ and “brush cutter” ( clearing where it’s more than grass or weeds). Small Line cuter might be many hours of work compared to minutes ?
Is this grass and weeds 6” or 36” with brush mixed in ?

Major difference is power and the ability to use blade vs line. The ability to handle woody brush, small trees etc. Brush units usually have two handle ( some call then bicycle bars). Blades come is variety for forms.

$150 does not buy much a clearing brush saw…….grass trimmer yes.

Used …….its a roll of the dice.

 

[RRich]

Absolutely avoid Ryobi gas powered anything. I've had great luck with used Husqvarna weed wackers, blowers, and chainsaws.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Clearing the hill………….there’s a huge difference from a “weed eater“ and “brush cutter” ( clearing where it’s more than grass or weeds). Small Line cuter might be many hours of work compared to minutes ?
Is this grass and weeds 6” or 36” with brush mixed in ?

Major difference is power and the ability to use blade vs line. The ability to handle woody brush, small trees etc. Brush units usually have two handle ( some call then bicycle bars). Blades come is variety for forms.

$150 does not buy much a clearing brush saw…….grass trimmer yes.

Used …….its a roll of the dice.

It really is just mostly grass.

If it weren’t peppered underneath with fallen twigs and branches, I’d just run my mower through it.

I’m mostly looking for something to knock down the tall grass so I can get in there with a chainsaw and start clearing up the branches and limbs that have fallen in the past couple of years.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Absolutely avoid Ryobi gas powered anything. I've had great luck with used Husqvarna weed wackers, blowers, and chainsaws.

I totally agree actually lol.

Way back when, I bought a curved shaft ryobi weed eater brand new for like $100. It worked GREAT! For the first couple of days lol.

 

[yatg]

Looking at buying a second hand weed eater to clear the back “hill” of my property, as well as regular general weedeating duty (around trees, some edging, under fencing, along the creek tree line, etc). I have 5 acres.

In the used market, what would be the brands to avoid vs brands to look for? I know well maintained cheap brands > beat to hell “expensive” brands.

Roughly $100-$150 budget.

Thanks in advance!

Would recommend Honda if you buy used. Picked up a used Honda HHT35 for $200 for about the same reasons as you. Its been good so far this year. Lots of power, no oil mix to futz with.

 

[Showkey]

It really is just mostly grass.

If it weren’t peppered underneath with fallen twigs and branches, I’d just run my mower through it.

I’m mostly looking for something to knock down the tall grass so I can get in there with a chainsaw and start clearing up the branches and limbs that have fallen in the past couple of years.

The other solution ……….rent a walk behind brush mower for 4-8 hours. One pass and your done small trees, branches, weeds everything is mulch. Home Depot and rental places everywhere.

As side bar…….two years ago. Had a guy witha large skid steer and brush hog on the front. He “mowed” an acre with up to 4” trees it was $100 per hour, he as done in 4 hours. Not sure $400 goes that far today.

 

[Xcursion88]

Three suggestions if buying used...

#1 DR Trimmer
Electric start, built heavy....Definitely could serve you well and looking at your picture it could be perfect. Huge wheels in the back make it the easiest thing to push or pull

#2 if you can find (and you can] Husqvarna straight shaft!!!!
That's the best in the weed whacking business of the hand held trimmer's

#3 do NOT buy a curved shaft type from any mfg

 

[jonshonda]

Just buy an old scythe or new grass shear. No need for mechanized equipment imho. Plus it's a great workout

 

[imagineer]

Based on my own experience, avoid Homelite.

 

[autobon7]

Bought a old used Poulan about 5-6 years ago from a guy. Started easy the first handful of times I used it.....after that it was nothing but a PAIN. Didn't change anything in regards to how I started it, fuel/oil etc. Gave it away and bought a new Echo which has been nothing but reliable.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Homelite. I bought one new from a liquidator, still in the box. It wouldn't trim 5 ft before the line was snarled. I put on a three bladed adapter and it worked ok. For a season. Then it never ran right again. I finally gave up in frustration and smashed it into the ground. The I put it on the corner of the lawn where someone snagged it. Off it went to torment some other sucker, who no doubt couldn't believe his good fortune in finding a free power head.

 

[rekmadam]

I think get a new Echo

 

[Xcursion88]

Homelite and Poulan are possibly the two worst power equipment items in the world.

 

[oldwino]

Buying used is a **** shoot. You have no idea how it has been used, maintained, or abused. That said I have a Stihl used on the ranch with over 300 hours and still runs like a champ and starts second pull.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Homelite and Poulan along with Campbell Hausfeld are on a hand written list of brands the local small engine repair shop refuses to service, due to the wasted time spent diagnosing problems, only to have the customer abandon it as being not worth repairing.

Having said that, my friend's JD 110 hasn't been much of a bargain to get running properly. Last outing saw the transaxle refusing to move, along with some belt squeal, so it's probably not long for this world. I believe it's the notorious K46 Tuff Torque. It smartened up and ran ok after a few minutes. Maybe a pre-emptive service is in order.

 

[vavet]

Would recommend Honda if you buy used. Picked up a used Honda HHT35 for $200 for about the same reasons as you. Its been good so far this year. Lots of power, no oil mix to futz with.

Didn't know Honda was in this market, but if I was buying, it would be on my short list.
I'd think what you'd want to look at is a pro-sumer level unit from someone who is either moving to a smaller place with maintenance included or making the leap to electric equipment. I have a Home Depot Echo string trimmer I bought ~15 years ago. It doesn't get a lot of use because I'm just maintaining my yard with it - not using it professionally. It's been a wonderful unit. I just experienced the first problem with it. The grommet that goes into the fuel tank that the 3 tubes come through had a crack and leaked fuel when I turned it up sideways to trim along the edge of the driveway. That's it. I ordered new parts from ereplacement parts. I added a tune up kit (fuel filter, spark plug, air filter) to the cart while I was at it.
This Echo replaced a Troy Bilt 4 cycle that was problem after the first year. The carb gummed up, the stging head wouldn't advance, etc.. It just never worked right. I could always fix it and that kept me going with it for longer than I should have. My wife finally convinced me to buy a new one and I'm so glad I did.

If I was buying today though....I'd have a hard time not buying a battery electric unit.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Thank you guys for the advice!

I actually started to knock some of it down with the cheap POS mower I picked up yesterday.

Ended up killing the mower (junk in the carb bowl), but got some of it knocked down.

I included a pic of what I’m talking about when I say that there are branches and limbs in and under the grass.

My hope is to weed eat enough to clear the way to clean up the limbs, rinse repeat until I get it all clear.

Looks like I’ll have to increase my price range and go new, if I can’t find any good used ones (ie Honda as recommended by Yatg)

 

[d.mcfarland]

I'd spend the $200 and get a new one of your preferred brand. People sell used lawn equipment because it is problematic, not because they "don't need it".

 

[Steve_P]

Unless you are going to pull the muffler to inspect the piston, do a compression test.... I'd avoid used. Unless you know the person selling it and the history...

I would buy a new Echo or Still all the way. Straight shaft for your usage.

Edit- funny, I didn't know Homelite still existed. They made great chainsaws up until the mid 1980s when I guess they got bought out, or whatever. Then they were junk. In the 80s they had a weedeater with the engine at the bottom, just above the trimmer head. OMG, what a POS that was. I worked at a OPE dealer that sold Homelite, and all the major brands, (they phased out Homelite when they went to hell) and we wouldn't even take those weedeaters in for repair.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Reliable, can handle most type of grass, weeds, and even small brush. No need for gas, no fumes, no engine noise. Faster than you think.

 

[robert6715]

Avoid anything that has a fuel/oil ratio of 40:1, the cheaper homeowner 2 strokes are all 40:1 to compensate for engines that are junk when new.

You want 50:1, I.E. Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna.

 

[zendriver]

Other than an estate sale, why would anyone sell a used trimmer that is working good?

 

[bwringer]

I've grown to despise, loathe, and detest anything and everything 2-cycle, not just the assorted MTD garbage peddled under 101 brand names.

I would not even buy a "major" brand used, but if you must make sure you see it start and run well first, and don't expect much.

 

[zeke67]

Stihl curved shaft D-handle brand new is in your price range, so why get used? For about $200 you can get into new straight shafts, which is what you should really have.

 

[CJM8515]

id not waste my money on used, total crapshoot unless you buy it from a power equipment dealer. Avoid the home center junk, all made by poulon and garbage.

husky, stihl echo, tanaka, red maxetc. from a REAL power equipment dealer. yes its gonna cost 300 bucks, but yes it will work well and forever. if all you ever plan to do is this once, maybe twice maybe you buy the ryobi pos at home cheapo, use it 3x and be happy when it fails next year?

 

[Xcursion88]

Other than an estate sale, why would anyone sell a used trimmer that is working good?

People downsizing homes...going battery powered just to name a couple

 

[nbpt100]

Homelite and Poulan are possibly the two worst power equipment items in the world.

Coincedentlly they are made by the same company, Husqvarna or HOP. Going back about 25 yrs ago Homelite use to be a good product. When Husqvarna acquired the brand they turned it into trash.

 

[Sumboodie]

Weed Eater is a brand.

It's like asking what brand Stihl is the best?

 

[nbpt100]

Weed Eater is a brand.

It's like asking what brand Stihl is the best?

Right, it is used like people use the word Kleenix. People use it as a general noun. Not a proper noun as it realy is. A low end brand owned now by Husqvarna. Avoid unless it is free. Then do not fix it if broken beyond a leaking fuel line or broken pull chord.

 

[Sumboodie]

Right, it is used like people use the word Kleenix. People use it as a general noun. Not a proper noun as it realy is. A low end brand owned now by Husqvarna. Avoid unless it is free. Then do not fix it if broken beyond a leaking fuel line or broken pull chord.

I normally hear them called string trimmers or sometimes weed wackers (also another brand)

 

[CR888]

Avoid anything that has a fuel/oil ratio of 40:1, the cheaper homeowner 2 strokes are all 40:1 to compensate for engines that are junk when new.

You want 50:1, I.E. Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna.

But all the 'good' brands you advise say in their manuals to use 25:1 if your not using their brand name oil but 50:1 if you use their OEM oils. I run 40:1 in pro grade gear. How exactly will 40:1 prevent a 'junk' engine design prone to failure from failing. Stihl Husky & Echo all make homeowner grade equiptment, farm/ranch grade & Pro grade. Usually pro grade equiptment had a 300hr EPA compliance plate....usually.

 

[Xcursion88]

Coincedentlly they are made by the same company, Husqvarna or HOP. Going back about 25 yrs ago Homelite use to be a good product. When Husqvarna acquired the brand they turned it into trash.

I thought I posted that on here but it never made it.

One is green, one is red...
Both are ****

 

[Xcursion88]

Weed Eater is a brand.

It's like asking what brand Stihl is the best?

Indeed...
We had the first one in the neighborhood in the mid-late 70's I believe

Weedeater green

 

[RRich]

Other than an estate sale, why would anyone sell a used trimmer that is working good?

People age, become disabled and hire a lawn service. Quite common.

 

[nh_yota]

Other than an estate sale, why would anyone sell a used trimmer that is working good?

If they decide to upgrade.

 

[Showkey]

Reliable, can handle most type of grass, weeds, and even small brush. No need for gas, no fumes, no engine noise. Faster than you think.

One catch …………recovery and rehab from rotator cuff surgery is a *****