which string trimmer?

[stickshift]

I'm in need of a string trimmer for occasional weed whacking. I was mostly looking for corded because it will only get occasional use. But I have Ridgid batteries and an adapter to use those batteries on Dewalt 20V Max tools, so I also looked at tool-only Dewalt trimmers. Not really looking to get into a whole new battery line.

corded, B&D, push-button line feed: https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-D...with-Push-Button-Line-Feed-BESTE620/305091405
corded, B&D, auto line feed: https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-D...-Edger-with-Automatic-Feed-BESTA510/305081890

cordless, Dewalt, bump feed: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...d-String-Trimmer-Tool-Only-DCST925B/311471208

[update, this Ryobi cordless looks intriguing, since it's about the same price as the corded trimmers, and for roughly the same price, obviously the convenience of cordless is a huge edge. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...rimmer-and-Edger-Tool-Only-P2003BTL/203838315
And I think I can use this adapter to adapt from Ridgid battery to my Ridgid-to-Dewalt adapter to this Dewalt-to-Ryobi One Plus adapter to the Ryobi One 18v tool: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099NJSGLC/?tag=atomicindus08-20 ]

I don't know anything about string trimmers. Which of these line feed systems is less prone to issues - push-button, auto feed, bump feed? Leaning toward one of the corded models because they're ~1/3 of the price of the Dewalt cordless.

When checking reviews of various trimmers, seems they all are somewhat prone to feeding issues. Or is there a lot of user error going on with string trimmers?

 

[speed bump]

I have the DeWalt 60v trimmer and with a 6ahr battery it lasts as long as I feel like trimming with it and it has enough power that I haven't started my echo gas trimmer since I got it. The biggest reason I went with the 60v over the 20v was at 6'1" I can comfortably use the 60v versus being hunched over with a lot of trimmers that seem to be made for someone about 5'7".

As far as string feed it has the bump feed and while it isn't as good as whatever I have on my Echo it's been fine.

 

[engineer2]

I've heard not to get auto-feed unless you like to go through a lot of line.
If you have a normal sized suburban lot (.25 to .5 acre), a battery powered unit is the way to go.
Higher voltage/commercial grade battery powered if you have over half an acre.
5 acres then a 2-cycle Stihl is the way to go.
The bump button and spool are wear-and-tear items, so make sure they are readily available on the cheap.

 

[cvairwerks]

Bought an Ego with the auto feed and have pretty much parked everything else in the way of weedeaters I've got, including my big gas Echo.

 

[Willie Makeit]

ECHO ... cause i aint usin' no sissy 'lectric $hit

 

[Bubba Fett]

Not a fan of auto-feed, because they often jam or feed too much line.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Whatever you get, put an Echo self-loading head. I had to 3D print a couple pieces to get it working on my old 18V Makita, but it was more than worth the effort.

 

[Wakefield]

ECHO ... cause i aint usin' no sissy 'lectric $hit

Is it easier to get parts for Echo than for Stihl because of Stihl wanting you to have to go through the dealers?

 

[Willie Makeit]

Is it easier to get parts for Echo than for Stihl because of Stihl wanting you to have to go through the dealers?

I order everything i've ever needed online. Never been inside an ECHO dealer's building ... other than Home Depot and Iconsider them a reseller and not a true dealer.

 

[dogdog]

I got my dad the Kobalt 40V trimmer and mower .. it lasted him the whole day and light weight than gas counter parts. The Ryobi line of trimmers are also popular for home owners I would go with their higher voltage ones. Not too sure about dewalt.

 

[GrantCee]

When checking reviews of various trimmers, seems they all are somewhat prone to feeding issues. Or is there a lot of user error going on with string trimmers?

Most feeding issues come down to the line in the head, rather than the head itself. I've had bump feed heads from Shindaiwa, Echo, and now Makita, and all work fine with certain line and not so fine with others.

In general, the more "edges" the line has (like square or triangular cross sections), the more trouble you're going to have. The only string I've found that works flawlessly in everything is the Oregon Magnum Gatorline Round, and Husqvarna's Titanium Force and Titanium XPRO products. Everything else will be a crapshoot.

 

[DRider]

I have a Stihl gas powered weed eater - I believe it is the 131. It has a ton of power, runs great and will eat through anything. Also have an Ego with the auto feed feature and I am impressed with it. Both are excellent. If you have batteries that will work with DeWalt, then that might be the way to go to save money. Always prudent to add on power tools if you are already invested in one particular battery powered brand.

 

[TdK71]

Stihl FS91R, Beast Mode.