This. I have a weedeater that is pretty old but it uses the short strings and if I had known they were going to quit making them I'd have bought a spare. I wonder if another brand sells that kind it is the best for sure.
Weed Eater recommendation.
- Thread starter cyflier
- Start date
This. I have a weedeater that is pretty old but it uses the short strings and if I had known they were going to quit making them I'd have bought a spare. I wonder if another brand sells that kind it is the best for sure.
Guessed wrong, twice. I've spent more time on a weedeater than you probably have with a mower. Same with small engines. Stihl isn't what it used to be.
Consumer Reports disagrees with you. The top two trimmers are Stihl. Echo is 4th and no slouch, of course.
Wrong. The still FS 38 has an engine produced cheaply and is made in China. All other parts are produced in Virginia Beach, unless you special order from Germany. Any and all non eco friendly units are built the same as they ever were. So unless you've purchased the cheapest line, an easy start unit, or aren't sure of what you're doing, stihl has literally not changed their main line up in many years.
So when you say that it isn't like what it used to be, there's your only difference. I've spent more time around Stihl equipment than you have around your weedeater.
I have no faith in Consumer Reports from when I was in the TV business. They were giving high ratings to absolute garbage. They would also rate VCR's (yeah, I'm old) completely differently even though a couple of them came from the exact same plants, with the exact same parts, but with a different name and face plate on them.
everyone is crazy if they dont buy a battery operated one. Personally have the black and decker. I know, its not strong enough to do my bad ass yard. Jakes on you. Gave one to parents with 3 acre yard, mom (thats right, dad doesnt have to do it because it is battery operated and weighs like 2 oz.) can do all the trimming necessary. Never have to mess with oil and wife can do it because it doesnt weigh anything. Batteries are interchangeable with other tools. All is well. String comes pre spooled so you dont have to mess with it. All our gas trimmers are leaning on the shop wall now.
I have heard some similar things. I trust them enough to at least call Stihl and Echo a virtual coin toss.
I bought the Echo PAS 225 trimmer last year and love it. It is basically a power unit that you add attachments to. It came with the weed trimming and edger attachments. Since then I have bought the leaf blower, power pruner (pole saw), and hedge trimmer attachments and they all work like a dream.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-17-...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-204667049-_-202064228-_-N
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-17-...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-204667049-_-202064228-_-N
It's funny how the two 10 year old chainsaws and the pole saw have worked great but the weed eater hasn't beyond the first year and that's by far the newest piece of equipment. It's like a 111 or 113 or something. I didn't really care enough to look. I just know that I've had to work on the fuel system every year and I can't imagine someone who uses a trimmer for a total of 4 hours a year wanting to do that.
If you have a small yard and minimal trimming, electric is the way to go on these things.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Every time that I've looked at Consumer Reports, it comes down to the name on the product and the higher price more than the features or anything else, even in the cases where the internal parts are the same.
First of all, I do apologise for coming off as a **** last night. 4 hours of sleep plus beer and cf don't mesh.
For fuel issues, they have gone to a new carb 5 yrs ago or so) which is a little more finicky with old fuel and ethenol. If you use premium gas and synthetic two cycle oil (specific for outdoor equipment 50/1 mix) that will go a long ways. Also not leaving fuel in it over the winter. They are a lot more fuel efficient and produce less emissions, but require a little more care.
Not sure if echo has made similar changes yet, but I'm sure if they haven't, they will be. Obviously they are good equipment too.
I have 8600 sqft of yard and my black n decker lithium 20 volt auto feed is fan ******* tastic.
its funny listening to people argue about gas oil mix ratios and carbs and string when you could just buy a battery powered one for half the price and never have to worry about it.
Batteries turn to **** after awhile though, yeah it might be awesome for year one or 2 but then after year 4 that battery that lasted 30 minutes last 15... The people that cry they cant get theirs started dont use fresh fuel , dont dump the old fuel out in the fall and or dont use theirs enough to keep the fuel in the system from drying out leaving gunk behind.
Ya id hate to have to buy a $40 battery every four years. Just lol. Enjoy draining your gas and mixing oil and pulling your start cord and putting string in Meanwhile Ill be enjoying my battery operated Master Race life.
I had a black and decker weed trimmer for a while . What a turd, wouldn't even cut grass over 6 inches . Went in the trash after re battery would only last ten minutes . Not that hard to mix gas when you live on an acreage and alll your two cycle tools use the same mix . Sure electric is bad ass for your small lawns but if your in any rural setting you couldn't pay me to take one .
