Stick with Echo or Stihl. Both will do a great job for year. I have a straight shaft echo that I bought 4 years ago and it still runs like a champ.
Help me pick a gas trimmer
- Thread starter GemStater
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I think Tanaka is quite the underdog. I have the Tanaka blower and its fantastic, commercial 7 year warranty , powerful and not that expensive. Its also pretty quiet for a leaf blower.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hitachi-23-9-cc-170-mph-441-CFM-Hand-Held-Gas-Blower-RB24EAP/202825810
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hitachi-23-9-cc-170-mph-441-CFM-Hand-Held-Gas-Blower-RB24EAP/202825810
Tanaka Calunka. Leave that junk on the shelves. Go with a Stihl, and don't look back. Trust me. You can thank me later.
Originally Posted By: Joe_Power
Go get a Stihl. Trust me. Don't waste your time with all the other garbage out there. It might cost a few bucks more, but in the long run, it will be worth it. You can thank me later.
This. I had an Echo straight trimmer. Engine was always difficult to start. I didn't care for the ergonomics. I weht with Stihl. I also have a Stihl leafblower and a chainsaw. All made in theU.S.
Go get a Stihl. Trust me. Don't waste your time with all the other garbage out there. It might cost a few bucks more, but in the long run, it will be worth it. You can thank me later.
This. I had an Echo straight trimmer. Engine was always difficult to start. I didn't care for the ergonomics. I weht with Stihl. I also have a Stihl leafblower and a chainsaw. All made in theU.S.
I am not going to be brand specific, because I think all of them will serve you well, even the cheaper ones. What is important is you run your oil no less than 32:1 and run it hard. Two strokes like to be run hard. Don't baby it and let it smoke. I had that philosophy with my curved shaft 25 cc Craftsman that I bought in 1993 and its cut a lot of grass and weeds. New shaft, new head, but still original engine and carb. Run em hard and rich, I ve had long life on all my two strokes doing that.
I have a Stihl curved shaft (bought in 2003 I think) that has been flawless. It's the one for tall people I think model #46.
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Thanks for all the responses everyone. This is helpful since I really like to research my purchases to hopefully get better value-per-dollar.
I have local sales and service with Stihl and Echo so I think I have it narrowed down to three options.
Again, the application is a small yard at my residence.
Pros & Cons
Option 1) Stihl FS 38 - http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs38/
Pros
- Attractively priced at $129.95
- Larger 27.2cc engine - Powerful
- Same engine and shaft as higher priced FS 40 C-E model
- Light weight (9.3 Lbs.)
- Limited Lifetime warranty on drive shaft
- Limited Lifetime warranty on clutch
Cons
- Larger engine - consumes more fuel?
- 2 year limited warranty on materials and workmanship upgraded to 4 years when I buy $18 dollars of STIHL HP Ultra Oil
- Mixed reviews on cutting head
Option 2) Stihl FS 40 C-E - http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs40ce/
Pros
- Easy2Start™ technology
- Larger 27.2cc engine - Powerful
- Cleaner than EPA and/or CARB exhaust emission standards
- (Special) Receive a free 1/2 lb. spool of Quiet Line™ $13.95 value
- Limited Lifetime warranty on drive shaft
- Limited Lifetime warranty on clutch
Cons
- Higher price at $159.95
- Larger 27.2cc engine - consumes more fuel?
- Easy2Start™ technology; sounds gimmicky, I mean, will the Stihl FS 38 without Easy2Start™ feature be a hard starting POS?
- I don't live in California, should I pay extra for the CARB rating?
- 2 year limited warranty on materials and workmanship upgraded to 4 years when I buy $18 dollars of STIHL HP Ultra Oil
- Mixed reviews on cutting head
Option 3) Echo GT-225 - http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Trimmers/GT-225
Pros
- Attractive purchase price $149.99 on sale
- Smaller 21.2cc engine - better fuel economy versus Stihl engines?
- i-30 Starting System reduces starting effort by 30%
- 5 year limited warranty on materials and workmanship
- Lifetime warranty on electronic ignition module, flexible drive cables, SRM solid drive shafts, and TC tines (parts only)
- ECHO’s Rapid Loader String Head carries a lifetime warranty on the line locking system, parts only
- Greater fuel capacity over the Stihl options - Echo has 14.9oz. versus 11.5(FS40CE) and 11.2(FS38)
Cons
- Smaller 21.2cc engine - less powerful than Stihl engines
- i-30 Starting System, another marketing gimmick?
- Mixed reviews on ECHO’s Rapid Loader String Head
Unless I'm missing something, it appears the Echo is a greater value over the Stihl options here. One thing that makes me nervous of the Echo option is the Rapid Loader String Head. Any of you have experience with this head? - Video: http://www.echo-usa.com/Videos/How-To-Videos/Load-a-Rapid-Loader™
I have local sales and service with Stihl and Echo so I think I have it narrowed down to three options.
Again, the application is a small yard at my residence.
Pros & Cons
Option 1) Stihl FS 38 - http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs38/
Pros
- Attractively priced at $129.95
- Larger 27.2cc engine - Powerful
- Same engine and shaft as higher priced FS 40 C-E model
- Light weight (9.3 Lbs.)
- Limited Lifetime warranty on drive shaft
- Limited Lifetime warranty on clutch
Cons
- Larger engine - consumes more fuel?
- 2 year limited warranty on materials and workmanship upgraded to 4 years when I buy $18 dollars of STIHL HP Ultra Oil
- Mixed reviews on cutting head
Option 2) Stihl FS 40 C-E - http://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/homeowner-trimmers/fs40ce/
Pros
- Easy2Start™ technology
- Larger 27.2cc engine - Powerful
- Cleaner than EPA and/or CARB exhaust emission standards
- (Special) Receive a free 1/2 lb. spool of Quiet Line™ $13.95 value
- Limited Lifetime warranty on drive shaft
- Limited Lifetime warranty on clutch
Cons
- Higher price at $159.95
- Larger 27.2cc engine - consumes more fuel?
- Easy2Start™ technology; sounds gimmicky, I mean, will the Stihl FS 38 without Easy2Start™ feature be a hard starting POS?
- I don't live in California, should I pay extra for the CARB rating?
- 2 year limited warranty on materials and workmanship upgraded to 4 years when I buy $18 dollars of STIHL HP Ultra Oil
- Mixed reviews on cutting head
Option 3) Echo GT-225 - http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Trimmers/GT-225
Pros
- Attractive purchase price $149.99 on sale
- Smaller 21.2cc engine - better fuel economy versus Stihl engines?
- i-30 Starting System reduces starting effort by 30%
- 5 year limited warranty on materials and workmanship
- Lifetime warranty on electronic ignition module, flexible drive cables, SRM solid drive shafts, and TC tines (parts only)
- ECHO’s Rapid Loader String Head carries a lifetime warranty on the line locking system, parts only
- Greater fuel capacity over the Stihl options - Echo has 14.9oz. versus 11.5(FS40CE) and 11.2(FS38)
Cons
- Smaller 21.2cc engine - less powerful than Stihl engines
- i-30 Starting System, another marketing gimmick?
- Mixed reviews on ECHO’s Rapid Loader String Head
Unless I'm missing something, it appears the Echo is a greater value over the Stihl options here. One thing that makes me nervous of the Echo option is the Rapid Loader String Head. Any of you have experience with this head? - Video: http://www.echo-usa.com/Videos/How-To-Videos/Load-a-Rapid-Loader™
The Echo i-30 starting system is nice. You can get a glimpse of it in this video. As he pulls the rope, you can see that there's little resistance for the first 12" or so, then his pull slows as resistance quickly builds, then, as he pulls through the resistance, the engine quickly spins over at a speed faster than the rope is being pulled. Sort of a reverse gear reduction to give you more pull speed on the crankshaft. You may have to rewind that section a few times, but if you study the pull speed closely, you should be able to see this.
I'm sure Stihl's system is similar in operation. The engines without this are "harder to start" in the sense that the starter recoil has no ability to "wind up" and increase the spin speed on the crankshaft. You have to pull faster on the rope to get the same "spin speed" on the crankshaft. Hard to explain, but it really does work.
Echo's engines have always been smaller, but they sure work well. My PAS-225 has the same 21.2cc engine as the GT-225, and I trim with it and edge with it with the stick edger attachment. Edging puts far more load on the engine than trimming does, and the 21.2cc engine still handles it with ease.
I personally don't care for the Rapid Loading-type head. I prefer bump heads. I have the Speed-Feed head on mine.
http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Accessories/Trimmer-Heads
My old Echo trimmer had the ECHOmatic head on it, and I didn't care for it. It was an older style where you had to take the head cover off to reload it. The Speed-Feed is very easy to load (you don't have to disassemble it) and works great.
I'm sure Stihl's system is similar in operation. The engines without this are "harder to start" in the sense that the starter recoil has no ability to "wind up" and increase the spin speed on the crankshaft. You have to pull faster on the rope to get the same "spin speed" on the crankshaft. Hard to explain, but it really does work.
Echo's engines have always been smaller, but they sure work well. My PAS-225 has the same 21.2cc engine as the GT-225, and I trim with it and edge with it with the stick edger attachment. Edging puts far more load on the engine than trimming does, and the 21.2cc engine still handles it with ease.
I personally don't care for the Rapid Loading-type head. I prefer bump heads. I have the Speed-Feed head on mine.
http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Accessories/Trimmer-Heads
My old Echo trimmer had the ECHOmatic head on it, and I didn't care for it. It was an older style where you had to take the head cover off to reload it. The Speed-Feed is very easy to load (you don't have to disassemble it) and works great.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
The Echo i-30 starting system is nice. You can get a glimpse of it in this video. As he pulls the rope, you can see that there's little resistance for the first 12" or so, then his pull slows as resistance quickly builds, then, as he pulls through the resistance, the engine quickly spins over at a speed faster than the rope is being pulled. Sort of a reverse gear reduction to give you more pull speed on the crankshaft. You may have to rewind that section a few times, but if you study the pull speed closely, you should be able to see this.
I'm sure Stihl's system is similar in operation. The engines without this are "harder to start" in the sense that the starter recoil has no ability to "wind up" and increase the spin speed on the crankshaft. You have to pull faster on the rope to get the same "spin speed" on the crankshaft. Hard to explain, but it really does work.
Echo's engines have always been smaller, but they sure work well. My PAS-225 has the same 21.2cc engine as the GT-225, and I trim with it and edge with it with the stick edger attachment. Edging puts far more load on the engine than trimming does, and the 21.2cc engine still handles it with ease.
I personally don't care for the Rapid Loading-type head. I prefer bump heads. I have the Speed-Feed head on mine.
http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Accessories/Trimmer-Heads
My old Echo trimmer had the ECHOmatic head on it, and I didn't care for it. It was an older style where you had to take the head cover off to reload it. The Speed-Feed is very easy to load (you don't have to disassemble it) and works great.
Thanks for the info Jason,
So I guess if the Rapid-Load head doesn't end up working out for my application, I'd end up investing $30 in the Speed-Feed head. That brings down the value-per-dollar a bit. Still the Echo standard warranty coverage seems hard to pass up. Question: Echo lists a TC Tine as covered for life. What's a TC tine?
The Echo i-30 starting system is nice. You can get a glimpse of it in this video. As he pulls the rope, you can see that there's little resistance for the first 12" or so, then his pull slows as resistance quickly builds, then, as he pulls through the resistance, the engine quickly spins over at a speed faster than the rope is being pulled. Sort of a reverse gear reduction to give you more pull speed on the crankshaft. You may have to rewind that section a few times, but if you study the pull speed closely, you should be able to see this.
I'm sure Stihl's system is similar in operation. The engines without this are "harder to start" in the sense that the starter recoil has no ability to "wind up" and increase the spin speed on the crankshaft. You have to pull faster on the rope to get the same "spin speed" on the crankshaft. Hard to explain, but it really does work.
Echo's engines have always been smaller, but they sure work well. My PAS-225 has the same 21.2cc engine as the GT-225, and I trim with it and edge with it with the stick edger attachment. Edging puts far more load on the engine than trimming does, and the 21.2cc engine still handles it with ease.
I personally don't care for the Rapid Loading-type head. I prefer bump heads. I have the Speed-Feed head on mine.
http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Accessories/Trimmer-Heads
My old Echo trimmer had the ECHOmatic head on it, and I didn't care for it. It was an older style where you had to take the head cover off to reload it. The Speed-Feed is very easy to load (you don't have to disassemble it) and works great.
Thanks for the info Jason,
So I guess if the Rapid-Load head doesn't end up working out for my application, I'd end up investing $30 in the Speed-Feed head. That brings down the value-per-dollar a bit. Still the Echo standard warranty coverage seems hard to pass up. Question: Echo lists a TC Tine as covered for life. What's a TC tine?
Echo does manufacture a line of tillers with model numbers that start with TC, so it could be a generic warranty statement that the TC tiller tines are warranted for life.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Echo does manufacture a line of tillers with model numbers that start with TC, so it could be a generic warranty statement that the TC tiller tines are warranted for life.
Correct on the tiller tines.
I just met with my local Echo sales/service dealer for the first time. That was part of the litmus test. Would they be courteous and attentive to me and my needs. Answer, yes they were.
The manager personally owns a GT-225 for his home use. He says for trimming the yard, the curved shaft with the Rapid-Loader head will be a good fit for me. He personally likes the Rapid-Loader head. He said if I were mowing down lots of tall weeds, using a trimmer all day long for commercial use or needing to trim under and around pine trees, then I'd want the straight shaft.
Then I was inquiring about the warranty coverage. He said they are a full service shop and can handle all my warranty needs. He said though with Echo equipment they don't typically have to do any warranty work with the exception of carburetor issues related to ethanol content in the fuel. In my area we have a few fueling stations that carry ethanol-free premium fuel. He said as long as I buy and use the ethanol-free fuel I'll never have carburetor problems.
He also said they fuel up my new trimmer and test first before I pick it up. So, I'm thinking I have a clear winner and once I clear it with the wife, I'll be heading over to pick up my new Echo.
Echo does manufacture a line of tillers with model numbers that start with TC, so it could be a generic warranty statement that the TC tiller tines are warranted for life.
Correct on the tiller tines.
I just met with my local Echo sales/service dealer for the first time. That was part of the litmus test. Would they be courteous and attentive to me and my needs. Answer, yes they were.
The manager personally owns a GT-225 for his home use. He says for trimming the yard, the curved shaft with the Rapid-Loader head will be a good fit for me. He personally likes the Rapid-Loader head. He said if I were mowing down lots of tall weeds, using a trimmer all day long for commercial use or needing to trim under and around pine trees, then I'd want the straight shaft.
Then I was inquiring about the warranty coverage. He said they are a full service shop and can handle all my warranty needs. He said though with Echo equipment they don't typically have to do any warranty work with the exception of carburetor issues related to ethanol content in the fuel. In my area we have a few fueling stations that carry ethanol-free premium fuel. He said as long as I buy and use the ethanol-free fuel I'll never have carburetor problems.
He also said they fuel up my new trimmer and test first before I pick it up. So, I'm thinking I have a clear winner and once I clear it with the wife, I'll be heading over to pick up my new Echo.
That's what my local Echo dealer did when I bought my PAS-225. They took the box to the back while I was paying for it, they un-boxed it, fueled it up, made sure the idle was set right, then showed me all of its features. Not necessary, but a nice touch.
I choose to run Tru-Fuel in mine. My Echos (PAS-225 and ES-250) are the only 2-cycle machines that I use regularly, and I use fuel in such small quantity, that I prefer to use it straight out of the can. The biggest benefit in my opinion is its nice pink color (in 50:1 guise). It doesn't stain the white fuel tank brown/blue and it burns nice and crisp and clean. Both of my Echos were bought in the last two years, and the tanks still look like new due to the non-staining fuel.
Call me crazy, but I can't stand a translucent fuel tank that's been stained by an oily mess of mixed fuel.
I like my stuff to look like new and work like new!
I choose to run Tru-Fuel in mine. My Echos (PAS-225 and ES-250) are the only 2-cycle machines that I use regularly, and I use fuel in such small quantity, that I prefer to use it straight out of the can. The biggest benefit in my opinion is its nice pink color (in 50:1 guise). It doesn't stain the white fuel tank brown/blue and it burns nice and crisp and clean. Both of my Echos were bought in the last two years, and the tanks still look like new due to the non-staining fuel.
Call me crazy, but I can't stand a translucent fuel tank that's been stained by an oily mess of mixed fuel.
Done deal, here it is... Shiny!
I'll be using ethanol-free premium gasoline mixed with Amsoil Saber Professional smokeless 2-stroke oil mixed somewhere in the ball park of 80:1 to 100:1.
My brother owned/operated a lawn care business in which he used the Amsoil Saber at 100:1 mix ratio in his Stihl equipment. Having low smoke, low odor around customer homes was a plus for him. That equipment ran hard all day long during 100 degree plus summer days with never an engine problem to speak of. The Stihl dealer was asked about the Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio. His response was the full synthetic oils can run leaner mix ratios without sacrificing protection. The Shihl dealer also said it would NOT void the warranty using Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio.
My Echo dealer was a bit hesitant on running the lean ratio but was interested in the prospects of a smoke-less fully synthetic formula. I left him a 3.5oz bottle to try and discus with his mechanics.
Anyway, thanks again all. The grass is tall, got some work to do.
I'll be using ethanol-free premium gasoline mixed with Amsoil Saber Professional smokeless 2-stroke oil mixed somewhere in the ball park of 80:1 to 100:1.
My brother owned/operated a lawn care business in which he used the Amsoil Saber at 100:1 mix ratio in his Stihl equipment. Having low smoke, low odor around customer homes was a plus for him. That equipment ran hard all day long during 100 degree plus summer days with never an engine problem to speak of. The Stihl dealer was asked about the Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio. His response was the full synthetic oils can run leaner mix ratios without sacrificing protection. The Shihl dealer also said it would NOT void the warranty using Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio.
My Echo dealer was a bit hesitant on running the lean ratio but was interested in the prospects of a smoke-less fully synthetic formula. I left him a 3.5oz bottle to try and discus with his mechanics.
Anyway, thanks again all. The grass is tall, got some work to do.
Originally Posted By: GemStater
Done deal, here it is... Shiny!
I'll be using ethanol-free premium gasoline mixed with Amsoil Saber Professional smokeless 2-stroke oil mixed somewhere in the ball park of 80:1 to 100:1.
My brother owned/operated a lawn care business in which he used the Amsoil Saber at 100:1 mix ratio in his Stihl equipment. Having low smoke, low odor around customer homes was a plus for him. That equipment ran hard all day long during 100 degree plus summer days with never an engine problem to speak of. The Stihl dealer was asked about the Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio. His response was the full synthetic oils can run leaner mix ratios without sacrificing protection. The Shihl dealer also said it would NOT void the warranty using Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio.
My Echo dealer was a bit hesitant on running the lean ratio but was interested in the prospects of a smoke-less fully synthetic formula. I left him a 3.5oz bottle to try and discus with his mechanics.
Anyway, thanks again all. The grass is tall, got some work to do.
should do the trick. The comments about Stihl dealer I think are off the cuff and Stihl mfg would disagree greatly.
Done deal, here it is... Shiny!
I'll be using ethanol-free premium gasoline mixed with Amsoil Saber Professional smokeless 2-stroke oil mixed somewhere in the ball park of 80:1 to 100:1.
My brother owned/operated a lawn care business in which he used the Amsoil Saber at 100:1 mix ratio in his Stihl equipment. Having low smoke, low odor around customer homes was a plus for him. That equipment ran hard all day long during 100 degree plus summer days with never an engine problem to speak of. The Stihl dealer was asked about the Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio. His response was the full synthetic oils can run leaner mix ratios without sacrificing protection. The Shihl dealer also said it would NOT void the warranty using Amsoil at the 100:1 ratio.
My Echo dealer was a bit hesitant on running the lean ratio but was interested in the prospects of a smoke-less fully synthetic formula. I left him a 3.5oz bottle to try and discus with his mechanics.
Anyway, thanks again all. The grass is tall, got some work to do.
should do the trick. The comments about Stihl dealer I think are off the cuff and Stihl mfg would disagree greatly.
Originally Posted By: dave123
should do the trick. The comments about Stihl dealer I think are off the cuff and Stihl mfg would disagree greatly.
Of course any mfg who sells their own brand of lubes would disagree, greatly.
And then there's the reality that many mfg lubes are mediocre and overpriced. The Stihl dealer was likely aware of this. He's yet to replace a destroyed engine at least in any of machines my brother owns.
Then in the case of my Echo dealer today, he tried to convince me that using non-Echo branded mix oil would void my warranty. So I pulled out my new owners manual and showed him it wasn't the case. Think he learned something new today.
should do the trick. The comments about Stihl dealer I think are off the cuff and Stihl mfg would disagree greatly.
Of course any mfg who sells their own brand of lubes would disagree, greatly.
And then there's the reality that many mfg lubes are mediocre and overpriced. The Stihl dealer was likely aware of this. He's yet to replace a destroyed engine at least in any of machines my brother owns.
Then in the case of my Echo dealer today, he tried to convince me that using non-Echo branded mix oil would void my warranty. So I pulled out my new owners manual and showed him it wasn't the case. Think he learned something new today.
At 100:1 -- how many ounces per gallon?
or better yet, how many ounces per 2.5 gallons?
or better yet, how many ounces per 2.5 gallons?
Congratulations on your new trimmer.
With respect to the Stihl Easy2Start system. I don't know that I would buy it again. It is easy to start, but has a very short pull. The cord on mine has broken twice, the first time they blamed it on a "bad batch of cords" and the second time they blamed it on my starting technique.
Also the FS38 and FS40, though the engine is the same displacement the HP differs. The Easy2Start models typically have the low emission engine which appears to use stratified 2 stroke. If you look at these two trimmers I believe you will find the plug on one is straight and one is angled. So at least the head is not the same.
I do like my Stihl (It is a KM56 RC-E) and it is fuel efficient and quiet, has plenty of power for my use.
Anyway, just in case someone else runs across this in the future.
With respect to the Stihl Easy2Start system. I don't know that I would buy it again. It is easy to start, but has a very short pull. The cord on mine has broken twice, the first time they blamed it on a "bad batch of cords" and the second time they blamed it on my starting technique.
Also the FS38 and FS40, though the engine is the same displacement the HP differs. The Easy2Start models typically have the low emission engine which appears to use stratified 2 stroke. If you look at these two trimmers I believe you will find the plug on one is straight and one is angled. So at least the head is not the same.
I do like my Stihl (It is a KM56 RC-E) and it is fuel efficient and quiet, has plenty of power for my use.
Anyway, just in case someone else runs across this in the future.
Seems plenty of people don't seem to understand that sometimes you just need the $99 special that trims the grass. Will it die in 3-4 years, maybe. Could it last 10 years, maybe with proper care.
But cash is cash.
But cash is cash.
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