I’m replacing an ancient Echo curved shaft string trimmer. Tentatively narrowed it down to an Echo or Shindaiwa. Think I’ll go straight shaft. Not a commercial user, 15-20 minutes weekly on our lawn and maybe the neighbors neglected weed patch.
What do y’all like? Or not like?
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
Replies
Two words: Four stroke.
I've got nothing but the chainsaw using pre-mixed - no way around that. Quite an accomplishment for an Alaskan household (boats, yard, forest, etc).
My weed whacker is Ryobi's 4-stroke. Has started easily everything. No blue smoke. Quieter than the 2-strokes (but still needs hearing protection).
No kiddin'? That good? I guess I dismissed them as heavy and expensive. Assumed they were made to satisfy EPA only. Like you, mixed fuel for chainsaw anyway, figured I could use same for wacker, blower. The only one that I even know anything about is a sort of hybrid that Shindaiwa makes. Valves like a four stroke, lubed by gas mix...maybe I should look closer. Wish I could give one a whirl around the yard before buying.
My experience in outboards was that the four strokes were heavy and kinda piggy compared to two stroke...either DFI or carbs. Two stroke outperformed in almost every way except fuel economy.PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Peter,
I like my 4 cycle Troybuilt. Bought the tiller attachment and it works great also. KK
Ditto on the 4 stroke, I was a mechanic in a past life. I'll get shot down for this but have the Ryobi and like it. You can put multiple attachements on the end: weedwhacker, hedgetrimmer, edger, blowermulcher all with one motor
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
I have a commercial duty Stihl, and while maybe that's not what you're looking for, I'll submit that if you have a chainsaw and are willing to go with a 2-stroke, it's convenient to be able to use the same oil mix for both.
BTW, My Stihl saws and weedeater have been maintenance free, barring replacing starting ropes and plugs.
I'm voten for the Echo straight shaft go for the bigger engine? I think 23cc? I'd have to look, but what a good running starting ideling little unit. I like it.
Pete,
I used to sell trimmers awhile back, and I can start by telling you to avoid Homelite (we got those things back constantly!), Toro isn't bad, but can be expensive for what you get. Ryobi, I don't know much about because we started carrying it just before I left and I wasn't able to get much feedback. But I can say that I don't remember any coming back with major problems. I highly recommend the Echo, although it's more money, they build those things for pros who use them constantly. And even you don't use yours constantly, you should want one that's made to handle that kind of use, right?
Go Echo.Justin Fink
FHB Editorial
I use a cheap 29 dollar B&D electic... not fancy but does the job..... its cheap enough so i can use it for a couple of years then toss it and buy another one.... for a HO its a lot more cost effective then buying a expensive one.
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
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Yeah, if you have a small yard and the weeds aren't that treacherous...the corded versions may be the way to go. No two stroke to deal with, and just like you said: it's much easier to part with when it kicks the bucket.Justin Fink
FHB Editorial
Another vote for Stihl.
But make sure you have dealer support, regardless of what you get.
I've had Stihl fo 10 years & I see they now have 4 cycle also,If you want a weed eater that will last - at least take a look at the Stihl.
I love my Stilhl equipment. Seems to last a lot longer than what my neighbors bought[various brands].
I don;t know much about string trimmers, but several years ago (maybe 8?) I bought a Ryobi 4-stroke. 26cc, I think the model is a 990 or eomthing like that.
Straight shaft.
Runs like a champ, starts on the first of second pull in the springtime, cuts great.
The quiet 4-stroke is nice, but better is the cleaner exhaust. Man, do I hate inhaling burned oil.
Peter,
I have the 4 stroke Ryobi with a straight shaft. It's great. No trouble to report. I like the fact I don't have to mix oil and gas anymore. My mower is also a 4 stroke.
BTW. I owned the 2 stroke Ryobi with a curved shaft. I sold it to a buddy who was building a remote control helicopter and kept the curved shaft. I have attached the curved shaft once. I found I didn't like as much the straight shaft.
I also have a number of attachments. All work great.
bought the new stihl 4 stroke-2cycle wheed wacker last year. works great and can put a saw type blade on it. great service from local dealer and that is what clinched it for me. Echo is also a great brand but more expensive than the stihl.
Got a Stihl, straight shaft, w/ blade, good heavy string that lasts, gosd machine. Sthil just came out with a 4 stroke, local Prov. Park has 2, work good, Echo is same company as Sthil! Like Johnsenred & Huskavarna! All thes companys make good products. Dealer support / parts sould be the deciding factor.
IF IT WAS EASY, EVERYONE COULD DO IT!
I've had my Cub CAdet for 3 yrs. I love it.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Sell your cleverness, Purchase Bewilderment"...Rumi
Another owner of the Ryobi 4 stroke 990.
Been a good solid machine for about 5 years now. Bought it reconditioned. Got the tiller attachment - good for adding compost of peat to a garden. Not the kind of thing you can break ground with. I have made a few new gardens by turning the soil with a shovel and then breaking it up with the Ryobi - not exactly quick and easy, but, good results.
I would think the Stihl would be a great machine as well.
I, as others have mentioned, like the reduced noise and polution of running a 4 stroke.
I used to have an Echo curved shaft, found out it didn't have enough power and was constantly getting tangled up. Traded it in on a straight shaft Echo and found out that the thing rotated the other way, which really caused me some distress.
I'd personally go back to a curved shaft Echo or a Stihl, especially with a small amount of trimming to do.
I took the plunge for the Echo last year and seems to do well and seems well made. I do use a cheap lil Ryobi that are always onsale at like Harbor frieght for $69 for the yard stuff . I have the tiller attachment which works great in small beds.Like it was said it cant break up sod but if u fork the soil up it does a great job.Even mixes concrete.
I guess there arent a lot around, but I have a Tanaka. Its commercial grade. It was a bit expensive, but is a killer machine. Ive hade it for years and never done any maintenance, just run it out of gas in the fall. It takes a heavy gauge string, a lawn mower style blade, and a circ. blade.
-zen
I've got the good ol' Stihl FS85, which I thought was the best ever until I tried my neighbour's new Stihl four stroker. Wow. Torque galore, idles like a car, and great throttle response. The only point against it is that Stihl doesn't rate it for commercial use. No biggie if you're not running it every day all day.
Scott.