Best String Trimmer on a budget

[RubyClone]

Do the straight ones work better for taller people? I find that I'm constantly bending my back while using mine.

yes - without a doubt. I did 4 yrs of trimming for Ames P&R where we had straight shaft trimmers. Then inexplicably (not paying attention) I bought a curved shaft craftsman trimmer. It worked fine - but same problem as you and I'm 6'3".

A few on the market (electric) have adjustable length. I know the B&D one I just got did. Noticed a couple others did as well.

 

[kirk89gt]

FWIW, I just bought a craftsman trimmer last year (straight shaft). Prior trimmer was a Weedeater (wal mart $100 version, curved shaft). Honestly, wish I would have bought another Weedeater. Lasted about 8 years, no real issues other than regular end of season maintenance, had automatic line feed vs. craftsman change out individual lines one at a time (even with an after market Shakespeare bump head, not overly impressed). As to straight vs curved, I prefer the curved. Prior trimmer had better balance and my hands didn't get overly fatigued while using it. With the new trimmer and the line issues (constant change out and/or trouble shooting the bump head) it takes me longer to do the work (30 minutes vs. maybe 15 minutes before). Doesn't sound like much, but it adds up and its frustrating fighting the trimmer.

 

[CyCloned]

neighbor has one of the D & D battery units, 18 volts I think, and I borrowed it one time to trim the back yard. I was surprise that it had decent power and adjusted to the height I needed. He got it really cheap at Menards on some super rebate sale. I think it was $40 after rebate and came with 2 batteries. I am still using the old beater gas one, but if I see a great deal on a battery one, I will make the change. Tired of fighting with getting the gas one started, etc.

 

[1100011CS]

I used a B&D Grasshog battery powered for a very long time (10 yrs maybe) and it always did the job. We have about .25 acres. It finally died on me last week so I bought the 20V B&D that comes with two batteries. It seems like it's not quite as powerful but it is a lot lighter so my 12yr old son can do the trimming now. Win-win.

NOTE: just saw in the Theisens flyer they have the same one for $89 right now. I paid $99.

 

[VeloClone]

I got tired of nursing along my ancient electric string trimmer so I got a Ryobi dual power 18V model cheap at Home Depot. I've only used it once but I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked and how much quicker the job went than with my old trimmer. This one isn't for large jobs - I only have a third acre lot - but it finished the job without any issue. I haven't even tried the corded feature yet.

 

[OPButtrey]

Just bought a ryobi at home depot that runs on a lithium battery but also can run from a cord when the battery dies. Have only used it twice but I like it so far.

 

[mramseyISU]

If you're buying a gas one get a Stihl or an Echo. Echo has a little better warranty but I'd trust the stihl more. One of my chainsaws is a stihl 051 I bought my first house and needed a saw so I went to my grandpa's shed where he had a couple extra powerheads laying around and found my old one from high school (15 years prior to this). I noticed there was still gas in it so I figured what the heck I'll give it a couple pulls and see what happens. It fired right up. So I tell grandpa I grabbed a saw from the shed and it runs fine he didn't believe me because it had been sitting there since I'd graduated high school with the same gas in it from when I parked it.

 

[aeroclone]

If you're buying a gas one get a Stihl or an Echo. Echo has a little better warranty but I'd trust the stihl more. One of my chainsaws is a stihl 051 I bought my first house and needed a saw so I went to my grandpa's shed where he had a couple extra powerheads laying around and found my old one from high school (15 years prior to this). I noticed there was still gas in it so I figured what the heck I'll give it a couple pulls and see what happens. It fired right up. So I tell grandpa I grabbed a saw from the shed and it runs fine he didn't believe me because it had been sitting there since I'd graduated high school with the same gas in it from when I parked it.

I've had good luck with my Echo. I've had it for 7 years, haven't done a thing but put gas in it. I'm taller and went with the straight one and I find it pretty easy on the back.

 

[1100011CS]

Just bought a ryobi at home depot that runs on a lithium battery but also can run from a cord when the battery dies. Have only used it twice but I like it so far.

I wish I would have seen this dual-power option before I bought my battery only trimmer. I could see it coming in handy after I've trimmed the yard and want to do some edging around the driveway.

 

[Trice]

Along these lines, I'd be curious if anyone has tried those multiple-function tools with switchable heads. Stihl makes one, maybe Homelite and I'm sure other brands. You have one motor and can swap out a different head for trimming, edging, a blower, and a number of other things.

I have a .4 acre lot so by the time you account for all the landscaping, I'm out there trimming for 20-30 minutes. I'm in the market for a trimmer too but have only barely begun to research my options.

 

[twistedredbird]

I've had an Echo string gas trimmer for 10 years. Still starts 1st pull. Been as reliable as my Honda mower. The one thing I do suggest though is getting an insert head versus the winder. I love it, and I buy the big roll and cut my own. Saves tons of headaches and wear on the machine.

 

[DollaDollaBill]

I bought this one on sale at Home Depot last year for like $120 and it's pretty bad ***. I can trim twice on a charge and the edger works great. http://www.toro.com/en-us/Homeowner...d=24V-Max-12inch-Cordless-Trimmer-Edger-51486

 

[peteypie]

I just bought the 20V lithium Black and Decker last week. Only used it twice - but for my fairly lightweight trimming it has been more than sufficient. And the first time around, I had to take down some sizeable grass and weeds as I hadn't trimmed yet.

The battery charger leaves something to be desired and the string is a lighter weight than my old craftsman gas trimmer - so I may be burning through that faster than I realize. But for my smaller city lot - it's I'm plenty happy.

I was hoping being that B&D owns Dewalt, that I could interchange the batteries with my 20V drill/wrench combo. But it would seem B&D thought of that and even though the batteries are near identical - they have slightly different track alignments so no joy there.

As others have said - I just got sick of the issues and upkeep with the gas trimmer.

I got the same one as I have the black and decker 20V drill. So I have three interchangeable batteries now and two chargers.

Crazy thing is with the auto feed, even with lighter string, I haven't changed the cartridge in over two years of using it, and I have a fairly sizeable corner lot that will run down one battery for the whole trim. The auto feed actually helps you save a ton of string in my experience.

 

[Cyisone]

Along these lines, I'd be curious if anyone has tried those multiple-function tools with switchable heads. Stihl makes one, maybe Homelite and I'm sure other brands. You have one motor and can swap out a different head for trimming, edging, a blower, and a number of other things.

I have a .4 acre lot so by the time you account for all the landscaping, I'm out there trimming for 20-30 minutes. I'm in the market for a trimmer too but have only barely begun to research my options.

I have the Stihl Kombi and it is wonderful. Has a power unit and about any attachment you could think of. I have used it for all of my yard work for years and it still runs perfect and starts on the first pull. I would highly recommend it.