recent weed eater buyers-- i need one

[Cujet]

Echo SRM-2620. Lightweight, speed feed head, reliable, and 5 year warranty.

That's what I have, it's downright impressive! I also have the smaller 210 (21cc engine) . The larger one is considerably more powerful. Honestly, it's like the old days, when power tools were rip-snorting monsters and not smogged out non responsive slugs.

 

[wpod]

I would say some thing from an ope store would probably be better than something from a big box store. I have a 22 year old Husky weed wacker that for the first 11 years did 3 acres of weed wacking on the side of a hill for fire protection. as well as lawn duty at home and doing 2 rentals when vacant. I bought it in 2000 and is still runs good .

 

[97prizm]

looking at weed eaters (straigh shaft-no attachment) and can't decide. considering stihl, echo, husqvarna, EGO, or really anything. my concern is many recent reviews of these seems to indicate a recent decline in quality-(have a 40 yr old stihl saw) --so, i'd like to hear from people who have purchase a weed eater within the last year or 2 and their feedback. or do i just go the "disposable" route and get a $150 or less trimmer. any help would be appreciated

Don't go the disposable route, I purchased a Bolens and it never ran right. Plus with it sitting on the shelf at Lowe's I didn't realize how top heavy it would be with a full tank of gas. I purchased a Stihl FS-38 4 years ago on clearance at the end of the season for $40 off. I went to an authorized Stihl dealer, and never looked back. It cuts and runs amazing.

 

[jeepman3071]

I would say some thing from an ope store would probably be better than something from a big box store. I have a 22 year old Husky weed wacker that for the first 11 years did 3 acres of weed wacking on the side of a hill for fire protection. as well as lawn duty at home and doing 2 rentals when vacant. I bought it in 2000 and is still runs good .

Yes and no. It's really brand and model dependent. Some of the models sold at the big box stores are also the same ones sold at the power equipment dealers, the only difference being the price or service you receive. It's best to do research before buying.

 

[JW IN VA]

Yes and no. It's really brand and model dependent. Some of the models sold at the big box stores are also the same ones sold at the power equipment dealers, the only difference being the price or service you receive. It's best to do research before buying.

When I bought my Echo, it was actually ten dollars cheaper from a servicing dealer here. Granted mine was a display model but it was still "new".

 

[Pablo]

GreenworksPro 80V (the 60/40V models are junk)

Laugh if you want, but I now have a Stihl FS-45 that now just sits unused. No point. The 80 volt unit is better. I've had it over a year now and have used it INTENSELY. I can just drop in a fresh charged battery and keep whacking until I am exhausted.............never gone through spools of line before. Property is now caught up.

I even have one aftermarket battery that is at least as good as OEM,

No fuel mixing, yanking, spark plugs, etc...........I was skeptical. But it works.

 

[#18FAN]

GreenworksPro 80V (the 60/40V models are junk)

Laugh if you want, but I now have a Stihl FS-45 that now just sits unused. No point. The 80 volt unit is better. I've had it over a year now and have used it INTENSELY. I can just drop in a fresh charged battery and keep whacking until I am exhausted.............never gone through spools of line before. Property is now caught up.

I even have one aftermarket battery that is at least as good as OEM,

No fuel mixing, yanking, spark plugs, etc...........I was skeptical. But it works.

Do you use .105 line with it??

 

[Pablo]

Do you use .105 line with it??

No. 0.080". Is .105" an OP requirement?

 

[#18FAN]

No. 0.080". Is .105" an OP requirement?

Nope just curious what you were turning on it.

 

[UncleDave]

No. 0.080". Is .105" an OP requirement?

.08 gets wiped out quick working a fence line or wall - and insn't great on overgrowth.

 

[Pablo]

.08 gets wiped out quick working a fence line or wall - and ins'nt great on overgrowth.

That's true. I wonder if I can go larger.

 

[UncleDave]

That's true. I wonder if I can go larger.

Try 095 first its a good compromise.

105 is harder to swing and if you are borderline on RPM as it sits 105 might be too slow.

 

[#18FAN]

Try 095 first its a good compromise.

105 is harder to swing and if you are borderline on RPM as it sits 105 might be too slow.

I agree 100% I’d like to hear how it turns the .095 .105 is a total different game and most homeowners trimmer won’t turn it effectively.

 

[Pablo]

Try 095 first its a good compromise.

105 is harder to swing and if you are borderline on RPM as it sits 105 might be too slow.

No need for different spool?

I'm loving the idea so far!!

 

[#18FAN]

No need for different spool?

I'm loving the idea so far!!

.095 you might not.

 

[92saturnsl2]

No need for different spool?

I'm loving the idea so far!!

Most trimmer heads in my experience accept .105, even the generic Speed-feed clone I bought off E-bay.

As far as string line goes, I err on the side of smaller is better. I've found 0.080 to be the best all around use for me and I have plenty of chain-link to cover.

The .080 will go through more string doing something like a chain-link fence line or heavy/tall growth, but it throws a lot less dirt and debris in your face (and at other things) when you miss the mark, and is less damaging to the stuff that you don't want to trim that you hit on accident, or when you're in a hurry. It's also far more effective on normal grass / trimming needs IMO and gives a cleaner cut. I even use 0.065 from time to time in areas that aren't heavy where I need to be careful.

.105 is like the Bazooka cannon for normal trimming. The only purpose it serves for me, is when I have to clear out overgrown fields with heavy stems / light brush, but you have to have a machine big enough to keep it spinning at high speed. I don't see the purpose in a small residential / suburban / city lot setting unless you are a glutton for punishment.

.095 is a good compromise if you have a single trimmer that needs to be a one-size-fits all.

 

[UncleDave]

No need for different spool?

I'm loving the idea so far!!

Prob not.

 

[Pablo]

I have a lot of good .080 string. Will try a small spool of .095 soon.

 

[XB_Fan]

looking at weed eaters (straigh shaft-no attachment) and can't decide. considering stihl, echo, husqvarna, EGO, or really anything. my concern is many recent reviews of these seems to indicate a recent decline in quality-(have a 40 yr old stihl saw) --so, i'd like to hear from people who have purchase a weed eater within the last year or 2 and their feedback. or do i just go the "disposable" route and get a $150 or less trimmer. any help would be appreciated

Kobalt 24Max weed eater I have punches above its weight. Plenty of power, easy to string, runs a long time. Hardly any vibration.

 

[#18FAN]

Most trimmer heads in my experience accept .105, even the generic Speed-feed clone I bought off E-bay.

As far as string line goes, I err on the side of smaller is better. I've found 0.080 to be the best all around use for me and I have plenty of chain-link to cover.

The .080 will go through more string doing something like a chain-link fence line or heavy/tall growth, but it throws a lot less dirt and debris in your face (and at other things) when you miss the mark, and is less damaging to the stuff that you don't want to trim that you hit on accident, or when you're in a hurry. It's also far more effective on normal grass / trimming needs IMO and gives a cleaner cut. I even use 0.065 from time to time in areas that aren't heavy where I need to be careful.

.105 is like the Bazooka cannon for normal trimming. The only purpose it serves for me, is when I have to clear out overgrown fields with heavy stems / light brush, but you have to have a machine big enough to keep it spinning at high speed. I don't see the purpose in a small residential / suburban / city lot setting unless you are a glutton for punishment.

.095 is a good compromise if you have a single trimmer that needs to be a one-size-fits all.

This is all I run now around the house or tearing up heavy brush. Pro tip take the shield off unless safety item.
Ya need some power to turn that kind of line the FS 240 delivers it's 40cc engine sound more like a saw in your hand than a trimmer