String Trimmer Stalling?

[SR77]

I just purchased a Troy-Bilt 2-cycle string trimmer from Lowes a few weeks ago and have now used it 2 times. It seems to run ok when using normally, but when i flip it upside down to edge my sidewalk it stalls with a minute or two. Its brand new, but I have checked the airfilter, spark plug wich are fine and the right fuel mixture is used. I think I have narrowed it down to the Fuel pick tube(filter)in the gas tank. What do you guys think? It is at the bottom an if i flip it over I can't see how it would continue to pickup gas. I thought these trimmers where designed to run in all positions? Has any else had this problem with their trimmer(any brand) and did you have to modify the tube in the gas tank somehow to always get gas. What did you do the fix the problem? Don't want to have to continue to top off the tank everytime i want to flip it over to edge. If there is not solution to this, I have 2 more weeks to decide it I want to return it. thanks for all the help

 

[80caprice]

Fuel tank on top? That should be the ryobi engine. I would think you would use it sideways to edge? Not upside down... I have tried mine (well its the clutched brushcutter model with the 31cc ryobi engine) in almost all the positions and it runs fine. Its either the fuel line is too stiff or short.

 

[Gilitar]

I have a cheapo Bolens that I got from Lowes. I have had no problem with it stalling while turning it sideways. Sounds like you may have a bad one?

 

[80caprice]

Forgot to ask, did you get the one that accepts attachments? If so.... they should sell a edger for it I think.

 

[04SpecV]

Why would you need it totally upside down to edge *checks his trimmer*
Why would it work upsidedown??????????

 

[SR77]

thanks for the replys. Yes the tank is on the top, spark plug on the bottom. The fuel line looks fine, no clogs, not stiff or to short, extends all the way to the button on the tank with the filter on the end. When I flip it over to edge the fuel is at the other end of the tank unless its full. I have to flip it in order to get a good edge, have done it this way as far as i can remember. My dads 15 year old Craftsman runs fine upside down when edging, so it can't be what i am doing. The head is not straight if I just turn it to the side. Also, yes this does have the option for attachments, but its just easier for me to use the line head to edge, have been doing it for years. Any other opinons, tips are appreciated, have to make a decision if I am taking it back or not. By the way, my buddy has the Ryobi trimmer from Home Depot and says he uses it in all positions too. Don't understand what is different with mine, if the fuel line is the same on all these machines, then how do they continue to get fuel while upside down and mine can't. thanks again for the help.

 

[80caprice]

The ryobi's after mtd got em, started using the homelite engine as well I beleive.... the other ones got the 31cc ryobi/IDC engine.... old but a OK design. Mine has the fuel line going to the deeper end of the tank, its curved down into it. Does your father have the same engine perhaps? If no, then theres no comparison.... plus some of the idc engines over the years had different style gas tanks. Other style tanks, the fuel line may be left to bob around in there, so they can run upside down as long as the fuel line can hit some gas. BUT they will run like yours if off to one side and almost empty.... being that the fuel line is off to one side of the tank usually. SO you are are edging with the trimmer running sideways? You could loosen the split boom (where they meet) and flip the end sideways... should have two more holes, one notch over... and its sideways, two over and its upside down.. without flipping the engine.

 

[ozzy1960]

I also had a Troy-Bilt trimmer that I bought at lowes in sept 2005. Ran fine the two times I used it. When I fired it up in the spring, it would run rough and stall every time I tried to get it to full RPM. I brought it back to lowes and they were really decent and let me exchange it on a husky. (Husky runs great!)

 

[SR77]

Thankd for the replys.

I will have to take a look at my dads Craftmans and see how that full line is. But, yes it does has the line running along the side down to the deepest part of the tank which is the reason why I don't think it is getting fuel when i edge with it. I guess I could cut the line so it kind of floats around in the middle. I didn't think of flipping just the boom either, I have to check to see it there are more holes. If these don't work, then i guess it is gonna have to go back and i will maybe have to spring for an Echo or something that should definittly work in all positions. Just don't understand how my buddys Ryobi works and this one doesn't, they look alot alike!!!