Gas String Trimmer

[CyinCo]

I want to buy a trimmer for my yard. I have a small yard but I have lots of landscaping, a playset, fencing, etc. I have had a rechargable cordless Black and Decker trimmer for years and it did well but now is to the point where it will trim for about 10 minutes before it is ineffective.

I want to replace with a gas trimmer. Who has one they really like? I'm willing to spend about $150-$200. I want one that will last years. I really like the Husqvarna products lately. It looks like ECHO might have some good products at Home Depot.

Any advice on the straight shaft versus bent? Bump line versus fixed? CC size?

Thanks for the help!

 

[dmclone]

I have a cheap homelite string trimmer. I will pay more for a good mower with a lot of features but I don't have an urge to spend a lot on a trimmer. As long as it starts and trims, it's good enough for me.

 

[Wesley]

Ear protection...

 

[SplitIdentity]

Stihl. Expensive, but they last for 20 years.

When buying equipment like that at Home Depot, be careful. They typically don't service their products, and if they do, they take forever. Check out local small businesses first.

 

[Sterling4Cy]

I recently purchased a new gas trimmer. Did a ton of research on them. I ended up getting an Echo from Home Depot. They have a 5 year warranty on them. Most other brand name trimmers only have a 2 year warranty. The customer reviews were great.

String Trimmers, Curved Shaft Lawn Trimmers, Straight Shaft Yard Trimmers - ECHO USA

I bought the SRM-225. It has the "U Turn" head. This makes putting stirng on simple.

 

[Eddyclone]

Wal-Mart. Get a weed-eater. Cheap, lasts long time. They carry the oil mix and line spools. 2 cents

 

[Ames]

Stihl. Expensive, but they last for 20 years.

When buying equipment like that at Home Depot, be careful. They typically don't service their products, and if they do, they take forever. Check out local small businesses first.

Stihl for sure. I went through a lot of cheap ones before I finally broke down and bought a good one.

 

[ISU_phoria]

Stihl & Echo brands are what the pros use. They're about top of the line, but you'll pay for that kind of quality too.

I bought a Ryobi from Home Depot a couple years ago had tons of trouble with it starting consistently. After I had the problems, I went online and read a bunch of reviews, many of which had the same issue. I'd recommned staying away from Ryobi.

I ended up returning the Ryobi and going to Menards and got a Yard Man. The reviews were all pretty good, I had a Yard Man mower for about 6-7 years and loved it, so I thought I'd give their trimmer a try. I am only starting my 3rd summer with the Yard Man trimmer, but it has worked perfectly every time, even the first start each spring.

For me it was the perfect choice between high cost and low quality options. I think I paid $139 for it. So far, I have no complaints.

http://yardman.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10201_16503_89499_32805_-1#

 

[CyinCo]

I recently purchased a new gas trimmer. Did a ton of research on them. I ended up getting an Echo from Home Depot. They have a 5 year warranty on them. Most other brand name trimmers only have a 2 year warranty. The customer reviews were great.

String Trimmers, Curved Shaft Lawn Trimmers, Straight Shaft Yard Trimmers - ECHO USA

I bought the SRM-225. It has the "U Turn" head. This makes putting stirng on simple.

does the U turn head mean you cut a piece of string and thread it though to replace the string? Does that make this a "fixed" string as opposed to bump line?

I read lots of reviews as well. At HD, ECHO seems to win in the price range I'm looking.

 

[isuarch80]

bump feed is definitely the best way to go. it's a real pain in the *** to keep inserting new line.
i prefer bent - makes it easier to driveways/sidewalks/trees everything!

 

[tiberius]

I would look into replacing the battery in your cordless. Interstate batteries had a battery that fit mine.

 

[CyinCo]

I would look into replacing the battery in your cordless. Interstate batteries had a battery that fit mine.

I was looking at this a while back. The unit doesn't look designed to have a battery replaced. It might be possible. I also had no idea where to check. I"ll check Interstate.

 

[josh777]

Bump feed and curved shaft are two features I recommend. I have a straight shaft (that's what she said) and you have to lift up the trimmer to get to certain angles that you wouldn't with a curved one. For $150-200 you should be able to get a quality one.

I love roaring to life the gas trimmer. Some folks in the neighborhood are all Gore friendly with their wee-little electric trimmers and mowers (a plug-in mower?? seriously?). I give it some revs while walking in between spots just for kicks...yeah, it's my replacement Harley or something.

 

[psycln11]

I have a 4-cycle Troy Built similar to this...

Shop Troy-Bilt 29cc 4-Cycle Curved-Shaft Gas String Trimmer at Lowes.com

I also bought the garden cultivator and the sidewalk edger attachment and love them both. I like 4-cycle because I don't have to have a gas/oil mix and can use the same gas for my trimmer, lawn mower, and snow blower.

 

[CyinCo]

I have a 4-cycle Troy Built similar to this...

Shop Troy-Bilt 29cc 4-Cycle Curved-Shaft Gas String Trimmer at Lowes.com

I also bought the garden cultivator and the sidewalk edger attachment and love them both. I like 4-cycle because I don't have to have a gas/oil mix and can use the same gas for my trimmer, lawn mower, and snow blower.

I have a 50:1 mix for my leave blower already. I'm good either way as long as the proportions are the same.

 

[mj4cy]

I went with electric. It does amazing and is lighter than a gas one. For what I need, electric is cheaper and works great.

 

[Sterling4Cy]

does the U turn head mean you cut a piece of string and thread it though to replace the string? Does that make this a "fixed" string as opposed to bump line?

I read lots of reviews as well. At HD, ECHO seems to win in the price range I'm looking.

No, the U turn is in reference to loading it.

check out the video on this link.

Easy Line Winding Trimmer Spool U Turn Trimmer Head - ECHO USA

 

[CyinCo]

No, the U turn is in reference to loading it.

check out the video on this link.

Easy Line Winding Trimmer Spool U Turn Trimmer Head - ECHO USA

Cool!

 

[Racer68]

The ECHO brand carries a 5 year warranty and is a commercially rated piece of equipment. The comparable Stihl unit is only a homeowner rated unit with a 2 year warranty. The ECHO engine received the highest EPA rating of 300 hours/category A...most other brands, including Stihl, Ryobi, Weed Eater, Homelite, etc. at that price range are only EPA rated at 50 hours/category C. That rating can be found on any 2 and 4 cycle piece of lawn equipment, just look for the engine sticker and notice the differences.

Note: if you opt to buy an ECHO unit at Home Depot, you do not have to go back to them for service...there are some great ECHO servicing dealers in the Des Moines metro area that are more than willing to work on your unit.

Good luck!

 

[aeroclone]

I purchased an ECHO trimmer from Home Depot 3 years ago. I can't remember the model number off the top of my head, but it was the cheapest model they ha that had the straight shaft on it. I have no regrets about it at all and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.