String Trimmers

[HOSS]

Anybody have any recommendations? Medium duty work, fence lines, yard etc. I have been looking at the Cub Cadet 27cc 17" model at TSC or the Homelite at Lowes. I like a straight shaft and interchangeable heads. Probably a 2-cycle as well. I want to keep it under 150.00 so the professional models are out of the question.

 

[red angus 2010]

Very happy with ECHO SRM 2500

 

[skyhightree1]

straight shaft saves your back. I love stihl products but on a trimmer since I dont use one that much I like troybuilt 4 cycle units. I also like ryobi as well. I have an older homelite that works great but is a heavy sob. I would hold the ones you like get a feel for it and see which is the lightest and has the best feel. I would like to find a nice used push trimmer one of the days. Make sure its not the freaking head you tap to get string out like mine when I was doing lawn care we had the heads that u slide the string in and went about your business no winding up cord but I kept my old homelite and sold the trimmers I had then " craftsman". Craftsman had good trimmers.

 

[J&D Cattle]

Stihl. A straight shaft would probably bust your budget though. I have a Husqvarna that I like awful well but wish I would have bought the Stihl so I can put the metal blade on. Buddies makes quick work of briars and such under my fences.

 

[highgrit]

Hoss, the Homelites with the straight shaft is a alright trimmer.

 

[HOSS]

Cub Cadet also has a 4-cycle. That would be nice to just have to use straight gas but I don't think it will have the power of the 2-cycle.

Troy-Built is another I plan to look at. I hope to buy one this weekend.

 

[ga.prime]

I have a Stihl FS 55, I think it's 27 cc. Had it since '07 and you can't wear it out. In addition to regular weed eating, I've put a saw blade cutter head on it and cut down literally thousands of pine and hardwood saplings up to two inch diameter. I also have a Stihl 110 but it costs more. A little more power with the 110. The 55 is less than $250. Every other weed eater I've had (Ryobi, Poulan) lasted about two years and that was only using it to weed eat.

 

[backhoeboogie]

Stihl all the way. Best thing I ever did was go to Stihl. I have had one for 15 years or longer. Thought it finally died. Bought a new one. Dealer asked me what was wrong with the old one and I told him I could get it to fire, but not run. New plug, filter, primer etc. He told me to bring it in. I used the new one to do what I needed done.

A couple of weeks later I had time to take the old one in. The tech in the shop said, "I see what's wrong" and he was 15 feet away! ??? He walks over and sticks a phillips screw driver in the exhaust and busts out a dirt dobber nest. What the heck. That old POS fired up and ran like a champ. So I stuck my chain saw attachment on it and use it for that now.

Nothing has ever lasted that long for me. Now I have two and love them both. Different models but they are both great. Love their chainsaws too.

 

[M.Magis]

I replied to this once, I’m not sure where it went to…
Anyhow, I’ve had a Cub Cadet from TSC for more than 10 years. The only issue so far was that the primer bulb cracked last year. It starts without priming, so not a big deal. I just use it around the house and occasionally clean under electric fences. It’s been a very good machine, especially considering I don’t baby my things.

 

[Bigfoot]

Stihl is the way to go, and get a strait shaft. They sell a head that goes on it, that you stick your own line in. hard to explain, but you buy a roll of their most industrial line, and cut a couple pieces, and stick them in it. mine will weed eat, for nearly an hour on two pieces. You dont have to do the winding. I would go ahead, and spring for the blade attachment. Mine is in the shape of a star. It's great under fences.

 

[f150fatboy]

I got a Poulan Pro as a gift 4 or 5 years ago and it still works good. I've always used the ethanol free gas in it. Not sure if it makes a difference or not.

 

[MudHog]

Stay away from "namebrand" from big box stores. They are not the same namebrand products as going to a dealer. Couple years ago when I was looking for a trimmer I was looking hard at Stihl and Husky. I'm 6'2" so I tried to find the longest straight shaft, but also didn't want something that would wear me out. I ended up buying a Shindaiwa T242 and have not looked back. Highly recommend the Shindaiwa line.

No matter what, but what is available in your area to be serviced.

 

[Limomike]

I agree with the Stihl FS55 or FS56 pro style. Best going.. and they are interchangeable with brush blades besides the string. My crew uses them at work, and I use them at home too.

 

[jltrent]

Here is a nice one for under the $150 you said and it also will use different attachments.

http://www.tylertool.com/poulan-pro-966 ... 98294126-2

 

[Dave]

Stihl. I made my living for a lot of years running about 2 gallons of gas a day through chain saws. The most durable, cost effective small motor equipment is built by Stihl. End of story.

 

[skyhightree1]

Stihl. I made my living for a lot of years running about 2 gallons of gas a day through chain saws. The most durable, cost effective small motor equipment is built by Stihl. End of story.

agreed Stihl plant is here in Chesapeake

 

[Hook]

Stihl makes great stuff. And any small engine doesn't need the ethanol cr*p fuel in it. Or run the stabil for ethanol. That junk eats up the primer bulbs, lines, and leaves a white residue that gums the while works up.

 

[Dave]

Stihl makes great stuff. And any small engine doesn't need the ethanol cr*p fuel in it. Or run the stabil for ethanol. That junk eats up the primer bulbs, lines, and leaves a white residue that gums the while works up.

Absolutely agree. There is one place near here that I can get ethanol free gas. All of the small engine gas comes from them. And no more than I buy anymore I spring for the supreme too.

 

[tom4018]

I bought a Stihl FS70 a couple years ago, has the Easy Start on it. So far it has been a great trimmer.

 

[torogmc81]

1. Shindawa 242. Basically dead even with Stihl, but one big plus is Shindawa's patented speed feed head. Worth every penny. A hair bit lighter than the Stihl too at the same power and price. We own 14 of them for a reason. They get the job done and are user friendly.

2. Anything Stihl in the $275-375 range (comparable to the 242). Solid, commercial grade, built to last for years


3. DO NOT buy a trimmer from anywhere but a local dealer or a reputable farm store. Do not buy at Lowe's, HD, Sears, Menards, etc.