New Echo SRM 225

[Tdbo]

Got involved in the thread about the Weed Eater Featherlite maintenance and I commented about needing a straight shaft trimmer.
This created deep thought and deep thought cost me $200.
Went out this morning and bought a new Echo SRM 225 trimmer. Nice piece, 5 year consumer warranty, and was on sale besides.
It whooped up on the weeds as well as whooping up on me. That sucker is pretty heavy. However, I cleared out some areas that had not been cleared out in years.
When I bought it, I knew that the Featherlite would still be my primary trimmer. I had planned on buying the Sears special today for $120. However, after looking at the Craftsman and the dismal reviews on line, I decided to step up and spend the extra $80 in the name of quality.
Great trimmer. I guess I'm just glad I don't have to use it five days/week.

 

[65convertible]

I sold Sears products for many years and watched their decline in the last 10 years. Certainly not what they used to be. Could be because they have really been in the survival mode for quite awhile.

I will say that I have a Featherlite and it is without a doubt the best Weedeater for the money spent that I have ever owned.

 

[justinf89]

I just bought the same model last week with a 10% coupon and have to say i love it. I upgraded from a 24v craftsman that was no good the day i bought it. I definitely recommend the echo brand. It edges the driveway and around the fence. I mainly use it for sidewalk and driveway edging so my shoulder takes the weight. It will wear your arms out if you use it too much though.

 

[123Saab]

Echo is good stuff usually, I have a blower/leaf vac shredder that works great.

 

[Turk]

I got an Echo 3 years ago - absolutely love it. Lots of extra power.

Now, I got their backpack leafblower and have the same, great experience.

 

[badger05]

I bought the same model last year. Haven't had a problem with it and am overall pleased with it. It has more power than I need, which is a good thing.

I don't have a probelm with its weight since I only use it about once a week for 20 minutes. Hopefully it lasts a long time for both of us!

 

[clarklawnscape]

echo is/was good, but they have cheapened up, just as stihl and husqvarna too. if you want a great trimmer today, try a red max(yes owned by husqvarna, but still a red max) or a kawasaki, or even a shindawa (now owned by echo)

 

[01rangerxl]

Congrats on the new trimmer Tdbo!

Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
echo is/was good, but they have cheapened up, just as stihl and husqvarna too. if you want a great trimmer today, try a red max(yes owned by husqvarna, but still a red max) or a kawasaki, or even a shindawa (now owned by echo)


Echo isn't quite what they used to be, but they are still a major step up in quality and engineering over the throw aways. Parts availability and tech info is excellent too, and they are good about warranty work. When PB250 blowers had carb issues they were replacing the carbs left and right without BSing customers. They will also replace the entire piece of equipment if there is an internal engine failure under warranty. Considering you can buy one at Home Depot, they could be a whole lot worse.

Hitachi/Tanaka is also good and not absurdly priced, but harder to find in stores and with less accessible tech info and parts.

Dolmar/Makita are excellent, but they have a price tag to match and are not sold everywhere.

 

[clarklawnscape]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Congrats on the new trimmer Tdbo!

Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
echo is/was good, but they have cheapened up, just as stihl and husqvarna too. if you want a great trimmer today, try a red max(yes owned by husqvarna, but still a red max) or a kawasaki, or even a shindawa (now owned by echo)


Echo isn't quite what they used to be, but they are still a major step up in quality and engineering over the throw aways. Parts availability and tech info is excellent too, and they are good about warranty work. When PB250 blowers had carb issues they were replacing the carbs left and right without BSing customers. They will also replace the entire piece of equipment if there is an internal engine failure under warranty. Considering you can buy one at Home Depot, they could be a whole lot worse.

Hitachi/Tanaka is also good and not absurdly priced, but harder to find in stores and with less accessible tech info and parts.

Dolmar/Makita are excellent, but they have a price tag to match and are not sold everywhere.

dolmar is not worth bringing home these days

 

[01rangerxl]

Really? I've never used one of their trimmers, just the concrete saws. I've seen a couple dead Makita saws, but not due to manufacturing defects, always idiot operators.

 

[clarklawnscape]

old school dolmars (sachs dolmars) were great. but they have been flushed like many, reason being, their claim to fame was light weight, and that was made possible by losing weight/quality everywhere else

 

[01rangerxl]

That's too bad. I guess I haven't run into quality problems on the concrete saws because at about $900 a piece they better work. People will only pay so much for a trimmer or chainsaw though.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I have an older Echo GT-200R and it's a great little trimmer. I love that Kioritz engine...tons of power at idle or full speed. It revs quick and gets the job done...reasonbly light as well.

I'd have no problems buying anything with an Echo power head on it.

 

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
echo is/was good, but they have cheapened up, just as stihl and husqvarna too. if you want a great trimmer today, try a red max(yes owned by husqvarna, but still a red max) or a kawasaki, or even a shindawa (now owned by echo)


At $349. for a Redmax, I'd say that it ought to be better. Given the fact that it will probably be used 3-4x a year in a homeowner setting, I would say that my selection was overkill for the application.
Given that it has a five year warranty and I purchased it from a dealer (not Homer), I'm not concerned about the service that I will receive from the unit. It will be used to primarily trim under 3 30' Blue Spruces and a couple of other places that I couldn't get my curved shaft Featherlite under.
The rest of the time, I'll use my Featherlite. Much less cumbersome and it doesn't kill my back to haul it around. This purchase was for a specific application. See no need to hammer 8 penny nails with a 16 pound sledge.

 

[clarklawnscape]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
People will only pay so much for a trimmer or chainsaw though.

As well as numerous other things, then they cry when they have issues.

 

[clarklawnscape]

Originally Posted By: Tdbo


Given that it has a five year warranty and I purchased it from a dealer (not Homer), I'm not concerned about the service that I will receive from the unit.The rest of the time, I'll use my Featherlite. Much less cumbersome and it doesn't kill my back to haul it around. This purchase was for a specific application. See no need to hammer 8 penny nails with a 16 pound sledge.

My hats off to you for buying from a dealer, its the same price as home cheapo and they provide service as you obviously realize in your thought process. I didnt realize you were only trimming around 3 trees. And if you think a srm 225 kills your back, try packing around a shindawa t282 weighing in at right around 15 pounds with fuel. There are numerous reasons why i wont buy a curved shaft trimmer, but the one of most common sense (to a homeowner) is my height. Im not knocking on echo here, and given your app, it should last forever with some commonsence (dont buy 87 octane, an opinion that i sware by in 2 strokes)

 

[tig1]

My Echo weed wacker is at least 10 yrs old and is a very good machine. Finally had to replace the primer blub, but that is nothing. Still has the original plug. I use Amsoil Saber oil.

 

[steve20]

C'mon dude--ther HAS to be a Mobil oil out there somewher that you can use for the trimmer---