Blower and trimmer purchase advice

[JHZR2]

Hi,

Within the next 6 months, Ill be buying a home. I dont know what home Ill be buying, but it will be a house with a yard, etc. Since I have time and $$$ now, I wish to get a few things that I dont have, that my parents dont have a duplicate of, and that I can buy and hold onto for a while...

Those two pieces of equipment that I want and will be purchasing are a blower-vac and a string trimmer ('weedwacker'). I know that Ill want these two items because in HS I ran a very small but very lucrative lawn care service, in which i did all the work. I had some cheapo home depot stuff, that doesnt work anymore, and I want new, top quality stuff. I know Ill use it, and so need to make choices and purchases.

We have had great success with echo stuff, so Im leaning towards that brand. Frankly, other than some ryan and crafstman stuff, I dont know much about anything else. So put reccomendations my way, but pardon my ignorance. Im looking to spend ~$200-$300 (with 200-250 being the preferred range) for each piece. Fuel economy is important, despite the limited use, as is noise and odor to some extent. I love using 2-cycle equipment, but would consider 4 as well... especially for a weedwacker.

One concern is that Id like the equipment to be made by the brand name... i.e. echo stuff is made by kiorritz echo, husqvarna stuff is made by them, etc. Id rather not buy because its a name, but it is really rebadged MTD or homelite, etc., etc. For what its worth.

OK, for a blower/vac, Im thinking Echo ES-210. Its available at home depot (though id look for an echo dealer first), and my parents have one, which they like. Echo makes an apparently more professional ES-230 version, but I dont know that I need the bigger engine, etc.

Any reccomendations for a blower-vac unit for me???

OK, for trimmers, I like the Echo SRM210, for much of the same reasons mentioned above. I can get it and line, oil, some parts, etc, at HD. It seems like a decent unit, rated highly by CR FWIW, etc. Ive heard that stihl makes good units, but am unsure what Id want... Same for husquvarna. Lowe's sells the 123 unit, which might be good, might not be. I dont need it to be too fancy or powerful, I need it to be a good unit, easily servicable, with a long lifetime and easy operation and starting. I ve seen the husquvarna 326LX rated well, but its a bit $$$. Actually, the 125C unit seems quite good, and sips fuel well... and might be an optimal unit to buy. Id still consider any really if they are a great unit. Ive also looked at the redmax stratocharged BCZ2400S unit, but dont knwo about prices as of now...same for shindaiwa (sp), which seems to have reasonable priced units, and kawasaki or honda for that matter...

I am a bit unknowledgable as to if I want a straight or curved shaft unit. Every unit weve ever had has been curved shaft, theyve worked great, and the shaft has never needed maintenance, etc. I dont know if a straight one would really be better than a curved one... so opinions would be great.

Also, while Im at it, whats the difference between a diaphragm and a rotary carburator?

Is an echo ES210 and SRM210 the best, quick choice.. in order to save on further typing?

Id appreciate all opinions and insight. Ive read all the previous posts, but just get somewhat confused and innondated with info. I think ive summed up my ideas well, and looking forward to other's suggestions.

Thanks very much!

JMH

[ January 04, 2006, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: JHZR2 ]

 

[dgreen]

I can vouch for the Echo SRM-210 trimmer and the ES-210 blower/vac, as I have both in my garage. Easy to start, easy to use, plenty of power, good price, parts are easy to come by, easy to service, easy to use.

I chose these units because of the beefy air filter when compared to a unit such as the homelite or toro. I bought from Home Depot because the local dealer was $20 higher on each, and because I had a 10% off coupon. These units also have a 2 year residential use warranty, 1 year for commercial.

The blower is quiet and powerful and I really like the metal blade for mulching leaves. It also has a throttle control feature that you can set and then run without having to keep the trigger depressed, at whatever RPM you choose. The fuel tanks are large and you get substantial run-time before refueling on the larger jobs. The only thing I don't like about the trimmer is the small guard. I end up wearing half of what I cut down. The Stihl I had before this kept me much cleaner. I also have the brush cuttung blade kit, but haven't used it yet.

I can't speak for commercial use, but these two units are excellent for my application - "serious" residential use. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[JHZR2]

well, mine will be or smaller esidential use, so it sounds like theyll suit me perfect!

Even if I dont get them at HD, the fact that they have apparently superior filtration, and service kits that can be bought at a major chain store availabe everywhere, as HD is, is a big benefit.

Thanks for the insight!

JMH

 

[Old Town]

Quote:
service kits that can be bought at a major chain store availabe everywhere, as HD is, is a big benefit.

I like that too. Here in the Dallas,TX Home Depot sells a repair kit for Echo trimmers that includes a spark plug, air filter and fuel filter all for $9.99!!! Try buying those items seperately and see what they cost!!! I like Echo. The new Kawasaki trimmers are rock solid and I would like to try one.

 

[Shady Brook]

Most any of the big names will make a product that will last a homeowner a very long time. I have a lawncare business and have had some problems with my Echo stuff of late. I will likely buy Remax or Shindaiwa. I have found the Shindi's to be outstanding. Stihl, Husky, Kawasaki, or Tanaka will also be good.

I would go straight shaft. They are much easier for trimming under trees and bushes as it has greater reach. A much better design in my opinion.

You may consider buying the unit at a small engine dealer. I don't know how HD's service is, but if it breaks under warrenty you may get better service from a small engine dealer.

Most companies make a blower vac as well. I have not found them to do either job very well when compared to other separate tools, but if your heart is set on one I am sure most of the units will be similar in quality.

If you have a big property you might find a more powerful bac pack blower will be superior for moving leaves and bush clippings. I don't vac as it fills so fast and will suck up things you don't want sucked. I blow things where I can vac or grind them with a mower. The Back Packs move so much more air then the small hand held's.

Good luck

 

[Scooby]

I'm a Stihl man myself, have had great luck with them and will stick with them.

I've got a Stihl 029 Farm Boss chain saw that has been great. I've also got a Stihl straight shaft trimmer that has been problem free. I got a Stihl blower this summer that has been great so far as well. The blower is a hand held model, can't remember the model number. My only regret is not buying a larger blower, probably a backpack model. I have a good bit of leaves in the fall, and the handheld blower makes it a long job.

Good luck, I'd stick with Stihl, Husky, Echo, or other name brands.

 

[TLAR640]

I own and strongly recommend a Husqvarna 123L trimmer and 125bt backpack blower. Despite being their low-end homeowner versions, they are light, plenty powerful and in your price range. I smile the entire time I use them! TLAR640