Need a new weedwacker!
- Thread starter lawman1909
- Start date
- Status
Had 2 srm-225's that went up in a year.
Originally Posted By: lawman1909
So, can anyone recommend a good weedwacker from Stihl that would last? I mow 3 lawns total and would love to stay under the $350 dollar range. Plus I need a straight-shaft. Any suggestions on model and what kind of 2-stroke oil to use?
Get a Shindaiwa in that price range and you will never go back to Stihl except to purchase their excellent Ultra full synthetic 2 cycle oil.
So, can anyone recommend a good weedwacker from Stihl that would last? I mow 3 lawns total and would love to stay under the $350 dollar range. Plus I need a straight-shaft. Any suggestions on model and what kind of 2-stroke oil to use?
Get a Shindaiwa in that price range and you will never go back to Stihl except to purchase their excellent Ultra full synthetic 2 cycle oil.
I have a shindiawa now and I like it. I have a stihl blower and its awesome. I think when its time for a new one ill go stihl. I use amsoil sabre oil and am pleased with it I guess. Nothing I have smokes so.....
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Buy whatever, including the cheapest Walmart Murray ones, for $69.99. Use run your oil no less than 32:1. Take off the engine side and and lube the shaft once a year(not a major job) 4 bolts. Mine is still going and I run the snot out of it. I refuse to pay for a Stihl or Echo. Its up to you, but your buying the name.
Epic posting fail.
I resent that you think you have to spend 250-300 to have a quality product. The truth be told, more of the fact is not the weed trimmers for $70 at Sears and Walmart, are not of good quality as its more the people who buy them. When someone purchases a Stihl or Echo and pay a high price, they tend to take that device as a investment and take better care of it than the average consumer who buys the weed trimmer at Walmart or Sears. It gives the item a bad name. Truth is, I doubt many of these weed trimmers are cared for and when they do break, usually something small, the owner chucks it and buys another , where a Stihl/Echo owner buys a replacement part and keeps going, hence the I have had my Stihl, 10 years theory. I have had my Craftsman for over 21 years, in that 21 years, I replaced the bump bottom, on the string unit, the air filter once and I just replaced the flex shaft, which only cost $13. try to buy a Stihl flex shaft or anything for $13. Taken care of, drain the gas off season and maintain it. Given the care, a Stihl or Echo is given, it will last as long. I would put my $70 Craftsman up against any Stihl or Echo. I have experience with Stihl, they are over priced and so are the parts and the newer ones are even worse. they don't even sell individual parts anymore, but rather parts kits of the whole assembly to make more money. To say and believe you have to buy a Stihl or Echo, is about the same mind set that a Mercedes and BMW will far outlast a Ford or Chevy. It tends to be more the owner than the machine. Stihl oil is a joke too, while I am at it.
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Buy whatever, including the cheapest Walmart Murray ones, for $69.99. Use run your oil no less than 32:1. Take off the engine side and and lube the shaft once a year(not a major job) 4 bolts. Mine is still going and I run the snot out of it. I refuse to pay for a Stihl or Echo. Its up to you, but your buying the name.
Epic posting fail.
I resent that you think you have to spend 250-300 to have a quality product. The truth be told, more of the fact is not the weed trimmers for $70 at Sears and Walmart, are not of good quality as its more the people who buy them. When someone purchases a Stihl or Echo and pay a high price, they tend to take that device as a investment and take better care of it than the average consumer who buys the weed trimmer at Walmart or Sears. It gives the item a bad name. Truth is, I doubt many of these weed trimmers are cared for and when they do break, usually something small, the owner chucks it and buys another , where a Stihl/Echo owner buys a replacement part and keeps going, hence the I have had my Stihl, 10 years theory. I have had my Craftsman for over 21 years, in that 21 years, I replaced the bump bottom, on the string unit, the air filter once and I just replaced the flex shaft, which only cost $13. try to buy a Stihl flex shaft or anything for $13. Taken care of, drain the gas off season and maintain it. Given the care, a Stihl or Echo is given, it will last as long. I would put my $70 Craftsman up against any Stihl or Echo. I have experience with Stihl, they are over priced and so are the parts and the newer ones are even worse. they don't even sell individual parts anymore, but rather parts kits of the whole assembly to make more money. To say and believe you have to buy a Stihl or Echo, is about the same mind set that a Mercedes and BMW will far outlast a Ford or Chevy. It tends to be more the owner than the machine. Stihl oil is a joke too, while I am at it.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Stihl.
When you read through threads like this, you can't get away from Stihl.
An interesting link if you're bored:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/reviews/outdoor-tools/a-brief-history-of-the-chain-saw-13626055
Stihl.
When you read through threads like this, you can't get away from Stihl.
An interesting link if you're bored:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/reviews/outdoor-tools/a-brief-history-of-the-chain-saw-13626055
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
I resent that you think you have to spend 250-300 to have a quality product. The truth be told, more of the fact is not the weed trimmers for $70 at Sears and Walmart, are not of good quality as its more the people who buy them. When someone purchases a Stihl or Echo and pay a high price, they tend to take that device as a investment and take better care of it than the average consumer who buys the weed trimmer at Walmart or Sears. It gives the item a bad name. Truth is, I doubt many of these weed trimmers are cared for and when they do break, usually something small, the owner chucks it and buys another , where a Stihl/Echo owner buys a replacement part and keeps going, hence the I have had my Stihl, 10 years theory. I have had my Craftsman for over 21 years, in that 21 years, I replaced the bump bottom, on the string unit, the air filter once and I just replaced the flex shaft, which only cost $13. try to buy a Stihl flex shaft or anything for $13. Taken care of, drain the gas off season and maintain it. Given the care, a Stihl or Echo is given, it will last as long. I would put my $70 Craftsman up against any Stihl or Echo. I have experience with Stihl, they are over priced and so are the parts and the newer ones are even worse. they don't even sell individual parts anymore, but rather parts kits of the whole assembly to make more money. To say and believe you have to buy a Stihl or Echo, is about the same mind set that a Mercedes and BMW will far outlast a Ford or Chevy. It tends to be more the owner than the machine. Stihl oil is a joke too, while I am at it.
I had a Craftsman leaf blower that was piece of junk since day one. I treated it just as well as all my other equipment, always used the correct oil ratio, and it still lost compression in less than 5 years. My uncle has had similar experiences. He's lucky to get 2 years out of a Craftsman, and he takes excellent care of his equipment too. It wasn't long before I swore off cheap machines (particularly Craftsman). Despite my best efforts to maintain them, they don't last, and even when they did run, they were horrible to use. The Echos and Stihls not only last longer, but they start way easier, are more ergonomic, less fatiguing, and overall a pleasure to use compared to the cheap machines. 20 years ago, Craftsman may have been good (which is probably why you've had good luck with yours) but they've gone downhill. Buy a new Craftsman now, and you'll have a very different experience.
I resent that you think you have to spend 250-300 to have a quality product. The truth be told, more of the fact is not the weed trimmers for $70 at Sears and Walmart, are not of good quality as its more the people who buy them. When someone purchases a Stihl or Echo and pay a high price, they tend to take that device as a investment and take better care of it than the average consumer who buys the weed trimmer at Walmart or Sears. It gives the item a bad name. Truth is, I doubt many of these weed trimmers are cared for and when they do break, usually something small, the owner chucks it and buys another , where a Stihl/Echo owner buys a replacement part and keeps going, hence the I have had my Stihl, 10 years theory. I have had my Craftsman for over 21 years, in that 21 years, I replaced the bump bottom, on the string unit, the air filter once and I just replaced the flex shaft, which only cost $13. try to buy a Stihl flex shaft or anything for $13. Taken care of, drain the gas off season and maintain it. Given the care, a Stihl or Echo is given, it will last as long. I would put my $70 Craftsman up against any Stihl or Echo. I have experience with Stihl, they are over priced and so are the parts and the newer ones are even worse. they don't even sell individual parts anymore, but rather parts kits of the whole assembly to make more money. To say and believe you have to buy a Stihl or Echo, is about the same mind set that a Mercedes and BMW will far outlast a Ford or Chevy. It tends to be more the owner than the machine. Stihl oil is a joke too, while I am at it.
I had a Craftsman leaf blower that was piece of junk since day one. I treated it just as well as all my other equipment, always used the correct oil ratio, and it still lost compression in less than 5 years. My uncle has had similar experiences. He's lucky to get 2 years out of a Craftsman, and he takes excellent care of his equipment too. It wasn't long before I swore off cheap machines (particularly Craftsman). Despite my best efforts to maintain them, they don't last, and even when they did run, they were horrible to use. The Echos and Stihls not only last longer, but they start way easier, are more ergonomic, less fatiguing, and overall a pleasure to use compared to the cheap machines. 20 years ago, Craftsman may have been good (which is probably why you've had good luck with yours) but they've gone downhill. Buy a new Craftsman now, and you'll have a very different experience.
I would buy, regardless of price, the following order:
1. Husqvarna
2. Stihl
3.?
You may not be able to run them down in a lifetime with 45 mins a week.
I have a 1979 Husqvarna 140R heavy duty wood whacker that started its life in commercial forestry for two years and after that farm duty at home including heavy grass trimming, brush up to 3 inch diameter, still going stronger and starting easier than the cheapo curve trimmer at the town house. Only repairs: Membranes, filter, blade nuts and vibration spring.
See if I can find a picture of it somewhere.
I think that current Husqvarnas are just as good.
1. Husqvarna
2. Stihl
3.?
You may not be able to run them down in a lifetime with 45 mins a week.
I have a 1979 Husqvarna 140R heavy duty wood whacker that started its life in commercial forestry for two years and after that farm duty at home including heavy grass trimming, brush up to 3 inch diameter, still going stronger and starting easier than the cheapo curve trimmer at the town house. Only repairs: Membranes, filter, blade nuts and vibration spring.
See if I can find a picture of it somewhere.
I think that current Husqvarnas are just as good.
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Buy whatever, including the cheapest Walmart Murray ones, for $69.99. Use run your oil no less than 32:1. Take off the engine side and and lube the shaft once a year(not a major job) 4 bolts. Mine is still going and I run the snot out of it. I refuse to pay for a Stihl or Echo. Its up to you, but your buying the name.
Epic posting fail.
I resent that you think you have to spend 250-300 to have a quality product. The truth be told, more of the fact is not the weed trimmers for $70 at Sears and Walmart, are not of good quality as its more the people who buy them. When someone purchases a Stihl or Echo and pay a high price, they tend to take that device as a investment and take better care of it than the average consumer who buys the weed trimmer at Walmart or Sears. It gives the item a bad name. Truth is, I doubt many of these weed trimmers are cared for and when they do break, usually something small, the owner chucks it and buys another , where a Stihl/Echo owner buys a replacement part and keeps going, hence the I have had my Stihl, 10 years theory. I have had my Craftsman for over 21 years, in that 21 years, I replaced the bump bottom, on the string unit, the air filter once and I just replaced the flex shaft, which only cost $13. try to buy a Stihl flex shaft or anything for $13. Taken care of, drain the gas off season and maintain it. Given the care, a Stihl or Echo is given, it will last as long. I would put my $70 Craftsman up against any Stihl or Echo. I have experience with Stihl, they are over priced and so are the parts and the newer ones are even worse. they don't even sell individual parts anymore, but rather parts kits of the whole assembly to make more money. To say and believe you have to buy a Stihl or Echo, is about the same mind set that a Mercedes and BMW will far outlast a Ford or Chevy. It tends to be more the owner than the machine. Stihl oil is a joke too, while I am at it.
I agree with Panzerman. Proper maintenance it the key for any OPE regardless of $$$$ I have worked on many of the cheaper brand trimmers that usually just needed a tune up. Several older Homelites that ran just fine after a tune up.
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Buy whatever, including the cheapest Walmart Murray ones, for $69.99. Use run your oil no less than 32:1. Take off the engine side and and lube the shaft once a year(not a major job) 4 bolts. Mine is still going and I run the snot out of it. I refuse to pay for a Stihl or Echo. Its up to you, but your buying the name.
Epic posting fail.
I resent that you think you have to spend 250-300 to have a quality product. The truth be told, more of the fact is not the weed trimmers for $70 at Sears and Walmart, are not of good quality as its more the people who buy them. When someone purchases a Stihl or Echo and pay a high price, they tend to take that device as a investment and take better care of it than the average consumer who buys the weed trimmer at Walmart or Sears. It gives the item a bad name. Truth is, I doubt many of these weed trimmers are cared for and when they do break, usually something small, the owner chucks it and buys another , where a Stihl/Echo owner buys a replacement part and keeps going, hence the I have had my Stihl, 10 years theory. I have had my Craftsman for over 21 years, in that 21 years, I replaced the bump bottom, on the string unit, the air filter once and I just replaced the flex shaft, which only cost $13. try to buy a Stihl flex shaft or anything for $13. Taken care of, drain the gas off season and maintain it. Given the care, a Stihl or Echo is given, it will last as long. I would put my $70 Craftsman up against any Stihl or Echo. I have experience with Stihl, they are over priced and so are the parts and the newer ones are even worse. they don't even sell individual parts anymore, but rather parts kits of the whole assembly to make more money. To say and believe you have to buy a Stihl or Echo, is about the same mind set that a Mercedes and BMW will far outlast a Ford or Chevy. It tends to be more the owner than the machine. Stihl oil is a joke too, while I am at it.
I agree with Panzerman. Proper maintenance it the key for any OPE regardless of $$$$ I have worked on many of the cheaper brand trimmers that usually just needed a tune up. Several older Homelites that ran just fine after a tune up.
Last edited:
If you buy a Walmart trimmer your statistically more likely to get junk, vs a brand name that has a interest in customer base (particularly commerical enviornments). Walmart (aka) MTD trimmers are residential throw-aways. Will they last longer if maintained, sure, but bottom line is they are marketed and DESIGNED to be throw-aways.
We are a throw-away society, and I hate throw-away stuff. I refuse to support that and thus I buy quality products. Are you saving more money intially than me on a weed trimmer, absolutely. Are you statistically more likley to get a junk trimmer or have annoying problems, absolutely.
By the way, my Kawasaki is a true commerical grade engine (ball bearings, chrome cylinder,etc). It will last longer than your MTD by its engineering design alone. Apples/oranges debate. Oh, and years down the road I will still be able to sell my Kawasaki for more than your MTD new.
We are a throw-away society, and I hate throw-away stuff. I refuse to support that and thus I buy quality products. Are you saving more money intially than me on a weed trimmer, absolutely. Are you statistically more likley to get a junk trimmer or have annoying problems, absolutely.
By the way, my Kawasaki is a true commerical grade engine (ball bearings, chrome cylinder,etc). It will last longer than your MTD by its engineering design alone. Apples/oranges debate. Oh, and years down the road I will still be able to sell my Kawasaki for more than your MTD new.
My Stihl is at least 25 years old. It was a hand-me-down from my father. It's never had it's carb cleaned/rebuilt, but I think it needs it. It hasn't been running the best the past couple of seasons, when it's hot. I keep thinking I'll need to replace it, but it always starts/runs fine the following Spring. We'll see what this year brings. A carb rebuild looks pretty tedious, and I wouldn't want to pay someone to do it.
- Status
Similar threads
