String Trimmer Recommendation

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tom slick

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May 26, 2003
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Central Coast, Calif.
I have about 1 acre of grassy hillsides that I need to cut and I don't think my battery powered B&D trimmer is up to the task. I've been eyeballing a Husqvarna 224L trimmer with a 25cc Honda engine. Honda also makes their own trimmer with the same engine and I am also a fan of Stihl.

Anyone have a Husky or Honda 4 stroke trimmer? Any other recommendations? I have dealers in the area for just about any brand.
 
My dad has a gas powered Weedeater Featherlite that`s almost 20 years old that still starts on the first pull.
 
I have a husquvarna 2-stroke trimmer. It really is great, super-powerful, starts first pull even after sitting for months, very fuel efficient.

Not sure if their 4 stroke variant from Honda will be as good. I like 2 stroke for this kind of stuff personally.
 
echo. I got one that I used for 7 years doing 15-20 yards per week. Never had a problem with it other than needing a new primer bulb and one carb adjustment. Then one day day it wouldn't make full power when turned upside down. Probably just needs a rebuild kit on the carburetor but I figured I had gotten my moneys worth.
 
I am partial to Echo. My parents have a large embankment that has been cut yearly plus acres of property to trim. I would be concerned about how well you can balance the trimmer and how heavy it is. I found the straight shaft Echo allowed me to trim 4 or more hours with less fatigue. I did have a 4-cylinder Ryobi trimmer. It was a little heavy due to the motor.

The advantage of the 4-cycle engine is you get to change the oil.
smile.gif
The Ryobi I had was quiet with less exhaust smell, but the engine was hard to start.
 
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
echo. I got one that I used for 7 years doing 15-20 yards per week. Never had a problem with it other than needing a new primer bulb and one carb adjustment. Then one day day it wouldn't make full power when turned upside down. Probably just needs a rebuild kit on the carburetor but I figured I had gotten my moneys worth.


I bought my Echo in 2000 for $100. It was a return at Home Depot. Replaced the primer bulb a year ago. Installed one tune up kit (spark plug, air filter, fuel filter). It was a low maintenance tool.
 
Echo. Starts and runs great. Even when I forget to winterize it properly. Same with wonderful echo leaf blower and chain saw. Personally I get mine at a local family run hope dealer.
 
Husquavarna gets my vote. Have seven of them at work, three at various other places. None have ever given much trouble.

Echo earns the number two spot. Don't see many of them in the scrap pile at the landfill.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I have a husquvarna 2-stroke trimmer. It really is great, super-powerful, starts first pull even after sitting for months, very fuel efficient.

Not sure if their 4 stroke variant from Honda will be as good. I like 2 stroke for this kind of stuff personally.


I own the 4 stroke version. It is surprising. Light, starts like any other honda, has a LOT more power than the same-cc ryobi 4-cycle that went to the curb. Quality machine, happy with it.
 
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Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Stihl.
Never had much more then common service items on them.
Lifetime warranty on some parts like the magneto I think?


I've got a Stihl and it's been a great trimmer. Rarely do I ever put the blade attachment on it though.
 
Your going to cut an acre with a string trimmer? You might want to look into the DR lineup or something similar.
 
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I would be concerned about how well you can balance the trimmer and how heavy it is. I found the straight shaft Echo allowed me to trim 4 or more hours with less fatigue.

+1
With as much trimming as you will be doing, don't buy a trimmer with a 4-cycle engine, it will be too heavy.
You need to get something that is a more of a commercial grade product if you want to get more than a couple of years use out of it. Buy a 2-cycle engine straight shaft Shindaiwa or Echo. The Shindaiwa has a solid steel drive shaft and will vibrate less than the Echo. Less vibration = less fatigue.
 
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Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
echo. I got one that I used for 7 years doing 15-20 yards per week. Never had a problem with it other than needing a new primer bulb and one carb adjustment. Then one day day it wouldn't make full power when turned upside down. Probably just needs a rebuild kit on the carburetor but I figured I had gotten my moneys worth.






Yup, me too. My Echo has been excellent, and quite reasonable to buy too.
 
Thank you for the replies. I know that Echo, Husqvarna, Stihl, Tanaka, Honda, Maruyama... all make good stuff, but they also could make stinkers. I'll look at shaft compositions.

Surprisingly the 4 stroke only weighs less than 1 lb more than the equivalent 2 stroke. I like 2 strokes, but the tiny Honda engine is interesting.

It's an acre of light grass. Much of it I could cut with my push mower but the hillsides are steep enough that it slides around so I have to fight with it too much.
 
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