Can anyone recommend a good string trimmer?

[WI_Wino]

I had a Poulan pro and it was junk. Didn't work out of the box, had to get it serviced right away for it to start (under warranty). Then after three seasons the main bearings burnt out.

 

[fsr_racer]

Husqvarna or Stihl, gas powered, straight shaft. Both extremely dependable. I used to work for a yard maintenance company and we would put those trimmers through a lot, but they keep on kicking.

+1 on the Husqvarna. Mine has the ability to accept other attachments (pole saw, edger, tiller, etc...) and runs like a beast.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

The HD by me has Ryobi 2 cycle trimmers on clearance for $33! I guess they're changing the color or something. Think I heard Milwaukee bought them out. Dunno for I .

Either way, I'm gonna beat this thing to death for $33!!!

I had one of those - they are crap, too.

 

[Homercidal]

I had a Poulan pro and it was junk. Didn't work out of the box, had to get it serviced right away for it to start (under warranty). Then after three seasons the main bearings burnt out.

I bought a Poulan Pro used for $75 years ago. It ran fine for several years until the fuel line needed replacing. The next year it started to run funny again and I got tired of messing with it. I limped along with that and a yard sale trimmer until last year when I bought a new Echo.

I used the hell out of that thing when I had it! Still, I didn't choose to buy another when I bought new. Too many people recommending Echo and Husqvarna.

 

[ChefDougAU]

I bought a Shindiawa T254 two years ago... the four stroke engine took a little getting used to, but it is a beast. It is my second Shindiawa... the first left me in a divorce after 10 years and was still running strong. NO ETHANOL... EVER!!!

 

[illinoisbrassman]

Echo. Stihl are a nightmare to work on if you ever need anything done.

Take a look around your area at the local lawn services, Here at least most use Echo exclusivly, they use them every day and they last for years. It should be no problem for a homeowner. Just remember to drain gas if you are going to store it for a time. The Ethanol in the gas is what really messes them up.

 

[KayaBrew]

Opinions are like a**holes...

That said, Stihl all the way. I have 2 Stihl chainsaws, A trimmer/brushcutter, and a big leaf blower. Reliable, tough and start every time. We have 4 Stihl saws at work, 2 of them date back to the late 80's. They only sell through Stihl dealers-unlike Huqvarna who sells through big box stores as well as Husky dealers. Don't buy a trimmer at Lowes or Home Depot. Go to a dealer.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Around here, the pros mostly use Stihl. But I don't. I run Husqvarna.

Here are my views:

Echo: I had an echo edger for 10 years, replaced the carburetor once (****ty alcohol fuel, and the head got floppy and would not hold in place anymore. Unrepairable. The string trimmer I had worked fine, but I had to change the carburetor on that one as well.

Poulan: Waste of time and money.

Homelite: Cheap junk. If they're still around. Had a string trimmer and a leaf blower. Both broke within 2-3 years.

WeedEater: More cheap junk. 2 seasons out a blower.

Husqvarna: Been very pleased with my blower, edger, and string trimmer. Considering replacing my pole chain saw with a Husq too, and possibly my mower too. If you get a Husq string trimmer, get the straight boom and NOT the one with a detachable head. If you get the detachable one, the head unit will have a clutch find I find intolerable for a string trimmer.

Toro: I've only owned a mower from them, so far. Underpowered, fickle.

Honda: Mower lasted 10 years, motor seized, not sure why. Yes, it had plenty of oil.

Most of all: Use NON-ETHANOL gas. I get it at the pump (at a premium price of course). At the end of the season, all unused gas gets poured into my Jeep, and I start fresh in the spring.

MC

 

[illinoisbrassman]

I worked in a mower shop for 2 years, the number one problem that we saw was old/bad gas in carburetors.

On the fuel front check your area to see if anyone sells gas without ethanol. Here it runs a little more than premium. If you can get it use that for all your small engine needs.

Regardless of using unethanoled or stabilized fuel. If you are going to use your trimmer/mower weekly you can get by with leaving the fuel in the tank. If you are not going to use it for a month, then drain the fuel out, or best bet is run it out of fuel. On you trimmer once it has run dry, then be sure to pump the bulb a few times to blow any residual out of the carb. Be absolutely sure to drain well at the end of the year.

If you are not opposed to a electric, Core trimmers are really good. They are about $100 more than a Echo, but there is no fuel to burn so you will make up the cost on the back end. These have a ton of Torque, and can go quite a while on a charge. These are not your black and decker/toro rechargeable. The shaft and lower end was designed by Echo. The Battery is in the top end and a Circuit board motor is in the lower. We never had a unhappy customer at the shop I worked at who purchased a Core trimmer people actually raved about how happy they were with them.

As far as brands to buy. Both Echo and Sthil are good brands. From a mechanic perspective a Echo is generally quicker and easier to work on, as the Carb is accessible without removing a bunch of covers. I also found Stihl more difficult to work on, as they tend to be a bit over designed.

IMO spend the extra few bucks for a straight shaft, your lower back will thank you. Try one out in the store, the curved shaft you seem to bend over a good bit more to use it, and the straight shaft gets under things much better.

For me I would talk to local lawn mowing services, see which brands they use, and how the service is. In my area most pros use Echo, In other areas its Sthil, For a pro it probably comes down to Service from the shop as they are much harder on equipment. Hopefully you wont ever need service, but in case you do you want to be going to the best place.

 

[motobrewer]

Stihl. I've had mine for years.

 

[cclhuzhou]

I only have light trimming to do so picked up a combo on sale a few years ago at home depot.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Well folks, based on your recommendations, I purchased the Echo SRM-225 from my local Home Depot. I really appreciated the time y'all took to help me with this issue. In particular, I liked the detailed info provided by illinoisbrassman I used the Echo today for the first time and it worked as advertised -- only had to bump feed once to finish my whole lawn -- yippie! Just as a matter of record, I will update this thread if I find any issues while using the trimmer. Thanks again!

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Well, my echo srm-225 has run fine for the 4 years since I first opened this thread. This summer, it began stalling every time I tried to pull the throttle. It was due for it's yearly maintenance anyway so I bought a complete kit that included the spark plug, filter as well as a new carburetor with fuel lines. Very easy replacement job, maybe 30 minutes to do it all. Well, sumabitch, it still stalls when I apply the throttle. I have adjusted the fuel screw and it seems to idle just fine. Before I take it to a repair service, does anyone have any other things I can try?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[passedpawn]

Well, my echo srm-225 has run fine for the 4 years since I first opened this thread. This summer, it began stalling every time I tried to pull the throttle. It was due for it's yearly maintenance anyway so I bought a complete kit that included the spark plug, filter as well as a new carburetor with fuel lines. Very easy replacement job, maybe 30 minutes to do it all. Well, sumabitch, it still stalls when I apply the throttle. I have adjusted the fuel screw and it seems to idle just fine. Before I take it to a repair service, does anyone have any other things I can try?

Thanks,
Steve

Replacing the carb was a good idea. They don't come ready to roll, some adjustment needed. When doing that, you need to set the idle screw (you did that), the the L and H on the carb. Hopefully those don't require a special tool (echo OEM carbs require this whacky spline socket that I guarantee is not in your toolbox).

It sure sounds like a simple High carb adjustment to me. Sounds like the carb is getting flooded when you hit the throttle.

 

[passedpawn]

Also, I suggest always using Sta-bil in your gas.

I've got the identical powerhead on my PAS-225. Plus a bunch of attachments for it. I use the crap out of this thing, still on original carb. Purrrrrrrrs.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Thanks! Been using that from day one.

Also, I suggest always using Sta-bil in your gas.

I've got the identical powerhead on my PAS-225. Plus a bunch of attachments for it. I use the crap out of this thing, still on original carb. Purrrrrrrrs.

View attachment 644554

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Replacing the carb was a good idea. They don't come ready to roll, some adjustment needed. When doing that, you need to set the idle screw (you did that), the the L and H on the carb. Hopefully those don't require a special tool (echo OEM carbs require this whacky spline socket that I guarantee is not in your toolbox).

It sure sounds like a simple High carb adjustment to me. Sounds like the carb is getting flooded when you hit the throttle.

Thanks, Mr. Pawn! I'll have look for that tool.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]Before I take it to a repair service, does anyone have any other things I can try?

fwiw, I had similar behavior that pretty much came out of nowhere which I eventually discovered was due to a big open crack in the flexible fuel line inside the tank that terminates in the "clunk" (that is supposed to always find the lowest spot in the tank regardless of orientation). A buck's worth of fuel line and that same Husky trimmer has been working strong for a couple of years now...

Cheers!

 

[passedpawn]

fwiw, I had similar behavior that pretty much came out of nowhere which I eventually discovered was due to a big open crack in the flexible fuel line inside the tank that terminates in the "clunk" (that is supposed to always find the lowest spot in the tank regardless of orientation). A buck's worth of fuel line and that same Husky trimmer has been working strong for a couple of years now...

Cheers!

Usually, carb kits come with the tubing, fuel filter, etc. He bought the kit, likely he replaced that fuel line.

 

[Bilsch]

Gotta like Husqvarna. They also make really good motorcycles, sewing machines and shotguns.

 

[6Tap]

Buy a shindaiwa string trimmer and you will be happy u did.
Sold at most commercial lawnmower stores. [emoji482]. Their hedgers work awesome too. Still using mine after 25 years.

View attachment 644619

 

[bfish]

Well, my echo srm-225 has run fine for the 4 years since I first opened this thread. This summer, it began stalling every time I tried to pull the throttle. ....

Try cleaning the spark arrester. It is the screen on the muffler outlet, they often clog with soot.

 

[Hophunter]

I have the echo. I treat it like crap. Never empty the fuel or use sta-bil and yet the damn thing has run like a champ for going on 8 yrs.
My mantis tiller on the other hand (which apparently has a similar carb) needed a replacement carb within 2-3 years after being treated similarly. Same problem OP had.
Not real helpful I know. Just sharing.

 

[Bilsch]

Try cleaning the spark arrester. It is the screen on the muffler outlet, they often clog with soot.

Then after you clean it, toss the screen in the trash.