Originally Posted By: BHopkins
Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
Originally Posted By: BHopkins
First choice: Stihl FS-38
Second choice: Echo GT-225
Distant third choice: Husqvarna
Thanks to all who offered advice. It is appreciated as always.
Mama Bear and I are going to the local dealer and scooping up an FS-38 this afternoon.
Have a great Memorial Day there in the USA !
Bob
Good choice. If your local Stihl dealership is as good as the ones I have dealt with, you will be very pleased with the entire purchase experience. They will train you how to start the trimmer, and do a first start with you. This is part of the requirements to be a Stihl dealership.
One note of caution. Do Not use gas with ethanol in it. Do a search and find a local source for ethanol free gas. If you can't find ethanol free gas, use pre-mix until you can. This will be the best decision you make in caring for your 2 cycle power tools. When you are still using the same string trimmer 10 or 15 years from now, and it is still running like a champ, you will know you made the right decision in avoiding gas with ethanol.
I second what BHopkins said about using 100% gas. Go to pure-gas.org and find a local pure gas outlet if you haven't already. Not only is this the way to go for 2 cycle power equipment, but ALL your outdoor power equipment (2 cycle and 4 cycle). I have a Stihl FS-45 trimmer which I bought around 2007, still going strong after almost 10 seasons of use. I've done nothing to it other than change the spark plug and air filter. The primer bulb is cracked on it, so that makes it a little harder to start than when new, but that's not too bad. Not sure if the newer units use primer bulbs anymore...