Buying a new String Trimmer

[BigCahuna]

I have a 4 cycle craftsman trimmer that works perfect for my needs. It's about 5 years old, and I trim 4 lawns worth of houses with it, and my only complaint is the line feeder messes up every now and then. I've tried a battery powered trimmer before and they don't seem to have enough power to go thru heavy weeds and grass for my liking. Plus the cost of batteries is ridiculous. I thinking about going with a wire cutting head, and ditching the line. I Guess if you only have small areas to weed wack, and battery one might be all you need. If you do alot of trimming gas powered is the only way to go. Look at any lawn mowing company and what their go to machines are. They cant stop working to charge batteries every 3 yards.,,,

 

[FZ1]

I have a Green Works 80V trimmer and really don't like it at all. It is heavy, cumbersome, and does not have a lot of power. I am thinking about giving it away to a neighbor as in F-R-E-E.

I Know I saw on Project Farm, he tried a bunch of them and settled on Milwalkee being the best trimmer as of about yesterday. Last year it was not the best. Obviously, I would need to see what the exact model he purchased is, etc.

Other than that, I have a corded Black and Decker curved shaft. It is not a great piece of equipment.

You gotta look at the specs and see the weight of each trimmer. What about an edger? You don't have to carry it.

 

[Pablo]

I have a Green Works 80V trimmer and really don't like it at all. It is heavy, cumbersome, and does not have a lot of power. I am thinking about giving it away to a neighbor as in F-R-E-E.

I Know I saw on Project Farm, he tried a bunch of them and settled on Milwalkee being the best trimmer as of about yesterday. Last year it was not the best. Obviously, I would need to see what the exact model he purchased is, etc.

Other than that, I have a corded Black and Decker curved shaft. It is not a great piece of equipment.

What model Greenworks? This surprises me. I can get the heavy part with the largest battery but not so bad with a standard battery. But ours is quite powerful. Can’t use it near woven wire fences as it will maul the fence and rips right through saplings.

 

[skyactiv]

Ryobi has a 10 amp corded straight shaft trimmer that accepts their gas powered attachments. Probably 10X better than a B&D trimmer.
I wouldn't have anything to do with gas in a residential neighborhood.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...tric-String-Trimmer-RY41135/302657561#overlay

 

[dja4260]

I want to buy a new string trimmer and ultimately want some recommendations for what to get.

I am in the buy once / cry once crowd, so let's make this a good one. I want a major brand like Sthil, Echo, Red Max, Husqvarna etc.

In short, I am just a homeowner, but I want to buy a very high quality machine that if I were to use it daily for a commercial landscaping company that it would just keep going trouble-free.

I want features but no silly Internet connectivity garbage. I also want simplicity. As for size, I want something middle of the road in CCs, so not a 21 CC... not a 30 CC. I want something that I can put attachments on it to trim hedges and bushes etc.

I also want super reliable easy to start. All in the budget is around $800, but it needs to string trim AND have at least one other attachment.


What do I buy?

I JUST went through this. I went with a ECHO 2620T. I've used it twice and it's delivered on all my wants/needs. My experience with Sawsuppliers.com has also been stellar. While a brief period of ownership, I'm confident that it will serve me for the next decade.

https://www.sawsuppliers.com/collections/trimmers

https://www.echo-usa.com/pro-attachment-series/pas-2620

 

[FowVay]

I simply can't imagine any electric string trimmer that spins 0.080" string being adequate for any sort of yard work. If you have a need for a string trimmer then get something that will do the job. Eighty thousandths might catch a fish but it certainly isn't going last long while spinning against grass, weeds, and fence material. Ninety-two thousandths is a minimum for the lawns I maintain and even then I eat it up quickly if I don't keep the string off of the concrete and out of the chainlink fences.

0.080".... pfffft.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’d recommend the Stihl FS56RC. It’s homeowner grade but the very top of the line homeowner right before the professional line starts. Best weed eater I’ve ever used. I’ve had mine going on 3 seasons now and I’ll never buy anything else but Stihl now. I’ve also used Echo with success too but the Stihl is definitely a good choice as well. We tried a Milwaukee battery trimmer and it was awfully underpowered and the head that came with it sucked so returned that and got Stihl.

 

[chexxers]

my single string Makita 18 V has been great for years using cheap generic batteries 18 V 6 AH or less, get their kit with charger, lots of variations!!! got my XRU02Z in 2022, same string + battery NO issues. i have several makta 18V tools, all solid!! used i hr per trim weekly in season.

 

[Propflux01]

I run an Echo 225. I've had mine for over ten years and it has never once given me an issue. I would buy one again if this one took a dump. You might look into the Echo 2620.

 

[MParr]

Echo! The End

 

[UncleDave]

I want to buy a new string trimmer and ultimately want some recommendations for what to get.

I am in the buy once / cry once crowd, so let's make this a good one. I want a major brand like Sthil, Echo, Red Max, Husqvarna etc.
All in the budget is around $800, but it needs to string trim AND have at least one other attachment.


What do I buy?

Stihl, Echo, Husky, or any other gasoline powerhead are all nice product, and between these the closest actual dealer/ OEM repair shop to you would be my own sway factor.

If you want to go to the top of the pyramid, and maybe challenge your budget (maybe not) take a look at Maruyama.

 

[sopususer]

I've owned both Echo SRM and Stihl trimmers. About 3 years ago I decided I wanted a heavier more robust trimmer. After a little research I settled on the Husqvarna 525LST. This machine is a beast. Nothing slows it down. Large clumps of crabgrass or high grass, thorns, thistles, you name it: it hits it full speed and doesn't even slow down. I've never had a better performing machine, regardless of brand.

 

[super20dan]

i own a lawn service business and dont recommend stihl products -echo best now

 

[Opelman]

Well that is two for Echo. How is the 4 Mix Stihl stuff?

Obviously there are extra parts being it is essentially a four stroke with valves that is oiled like a two stroke simply by using mixed fuel.

The 4mix Stihls are very fussy about their valve adjustment. In the real world about 50 hour intervals. Go Echo, you will be pleased and if you ever go battery, the attachments will interchange.

 

[Pablo]

I simply can't imagine any electric string trimmer that spins 0.080" string being adequate for any sort of yard work. If you have a need for a string trimmer then get something that will do the job. Eighty thousandths might catch a fish but it certainly isn't going last long while spinning against grass, weeds, and fence material. Ninety-two thousandths is a minimum for the lawns I maintain and even then I eat it up quickly if I don't keep the string off of the concrete and out of the chainlink fences.

0.080".... pfffft.

The 80V spins .095 and .105 string just fine but burns through the more expensive string just as fast

Why would lawn grass be hard on .080” string?

 

[Foreman04]

In agreement with a couple others previously, I’d seriously look at battery powered especially for your purpose. They can handle many attachments and nothing better than slapping on a battery and getting right to work.

 

[Cujet]

Echo SRM-2620T here. T cost more, spins slower, so more "T"orque. If doing it over, I'd get the regular 2620. Starts easy. Idles low and steady. Just like my 4 cycle equipment.

Cool, I had no idea that existed. I have the Echo PAS 2620 and quite simply, it's awesome. No lack of power what so ever. I have a few attachments, the hedge trimmer, blade cutter and weed whacker.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Well I have a Shindaiwa but it may not be a good example its only 30 years old. Still runs great.

 

[johnmyster]

I simply can't imagine any electric string trimmer that spins 0.080" string being adequate for any sort of yard work. If you have a need for a string trimmer then get something that will do the job. Eighty thousandths might catch a fish but it certainly isn't going last long while spinning against grass, weeds, and fence material. Ninety-two thousandths is a minimum for the lawns I maintain and even then I eat it up quickly if I don't keep the string off of the concrete and out of the chainlink fences.

0.080".... pfffft.

My newly acquired consumer grade Husqvarna 330ikl doesn't seem to mind 0.095 square string. I hesitated on stepping up to the 520/530 heads.

That said, I'm usually running the larger Bli300 batteries in it if I'm edging or tackling overgrowth.

 

[diesellover]

Echo srm 225! I'm unusually happy with mine at the price point. Works very well and super comfortable to use.