String trimmers/weed eaters

[mechanicx]

I sort of always felt that weed eaters are more trouble than they are worth with the string wearing out. I just got a new trimmer. It is the a Poulan from Walmart and the best one they had running about $110.

The trimmer actually runs very good and starts easy without needing much choke or many pulls.

It's 33cc 2-stroke, has a straight shaft and a fixed line. The line is like .115" thick and comes in short section and is replaced as it wears out. Which is quite often. I went through about 2 or 3 lines in a few minutes trimming around some things. But from using some other peoples' trimmers that have a spool and the spool never feeding right and the thinner line I though the heavier fixed line would be less trounble. Not really sure.

I also looked at the trimmers at Lowe's and they were more expensive, but didn't particularly seem to be better quality. They had the brands Troybuilt (which I don't think much of) and Husqavarna who I believe makes Poulan. They also has several 4-strrokes. The little ad poster said, "Quieter, more fuel efficient, no mixing oil, cleaner..". I can believe all that, but even claimed more power and lighter. I'm not sure I buy that.

What's others' opinion on fixed line vs. spool, straight shaft vs curved, 2-stroke vs 4-stroke, etc?

 

[Audi Junkie]

I just bought a Weedeater 25cc 2C from Sears for $69. The spool is a pain, but you have to get used to not slaming it against brick or fencing.

 

[OilNerd]

Spool, curved shaft, 2-cycle are my preferences. I hear a lot people have problems with Poulan Weedeaters here. I guess I'm just lucky. I have the 25cc Featherlite curved-shaft model, dual line.

I'm definitely a spool guy. (Just wound-up another 12 feet up today). Mine winds up easily and has a spare spool on the shaft, in case you get caught in a pinch.

Mine also starts really easily. I only prime 3x, instead of the prescribed 6x. (Too much flooding at 6x, in my experience.)

 

[hate2work]

My opinion is that you're shopping at the wrong stores. Find a Stihl dealer, ask for help.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I just bought a Weedeater 25cc 2C from Sears for $69. The spool is a pain, but you have to get used to not slaming it against brick or fencing.


See that's the problem with weed eaters I think. Where I have to trim is always up against a fence or wall or some hard object and the string just gets ate up.

 

[mechanicx]

Does the spool keep feeding the line out as it wears or do you have to stop and untangle and feed the line out? I always end up with a tangle mess with the spools, but I never used weed eaters much and maybe I wasn't doing something right or working with good equipment.

Why the preference for curved shaft? I don't know with being a shaft drive which if either is better, but the straight shaft looked more solid IMO and lets you stands further back from flying debris lol.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

My opinion is that you're shopping at the wrong stores. Find a Stihl dealer, ask for help.


I knew someone would say that

. While I generally agree with getting quality from an OPE dealer, the thing is I was on the fence about buying a trimmer in the first place. And I didn't even get the cheapest one by far. I just didn't see paying $200-300 for something I'm not sure I want or will use much. Besides the real issue is the nature of the annoying dissapearing string. This Walmart Poulan works fine, so far anyway. Unless a Stihl has some property that makes a fixed line last longer or better yet has a feed spool that always self feeds good, I wouldn't really have a reason for getting one.

 

[JTK]

I had a Troy-Bilt 4-stroke that used the pre-cut sections of line for the trimmer head. It was a disaster for me. I packed it back in the box, returned it to BLowes and swapped it out for a slightly more expensive Husqvarna 2-stroke with a bump-feed spool. I love the Husqvarna, I just need to figure out how to get past the tamper proof carb adjustments. It's too lean and runs finnicky.

Joel

 

[mechanicx]

So the Bump feed spool self feeds good or what? Was it the 4-stroke or the fixed line that bugged you the most?Hmm I wonder if the bump feed Poulans at Walmart work good. I could exchange this fixed line for it.
This fixed line needs changed a lot. I got a 2-stroke to play around with mixing the oil. 2-stroke is all they had at Walmart anyway. I can't imagine a 4-stroke in a weed eater.

 

[beanoil]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: hate2work

My opinion is that you're shopping at the wrong stores. Find a Stihl dealer, ask for help.


I knew someone would say that

. While I generally agree with getting quality from an OPE dealer, the thing is I was on the fence about buying a trimmer in the first place. And I didn't even get the cheapest one by far. I just didn't see paying $200-300 for something I'm not sure I want or will use much. Besides the real issue is the nature of the annoying dissapearing string. This Walmart Poulan works fine, so far anyway. Unless a Stihl has some property that makes a fixed line last longer or better yet has a feed spool that always self feeds good, I wouldn't really have a reason for getting one.


I cant say that an OPE dealer is any better. I bought an Echo trimmer. Rather expensive, straight shaft, bump head. It was horrible. Hard to start, even after a couple of return visits to the dealer. Very poor string extention when bumped. Hard to wind string, with the top half going one way, and the bottom going the other. Noisy, and a lot of power was lost through the centrifugal clutch. Finally gave up, bought a Sears cheapy straight shaft. Works fine, starts on 2 pulls, and the head gives string on demand with no issues. Now it's not a Stihl, but Echo is supposed to be comparable. Unless Stihl has some magical power that will trim the weeds by itself, I'll buy a new cheapy every 5 years and call it good.

 

[mechanicx]

This heavy fixed string trimmer will cut thick vines and small branches, but I'm starting to think now maybe I should exchange it for a bump-feed.

 

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Does the spool keep feeding the line out as it wears or do you have to stop and untangle and feed the line out? I always end up with a tangle mess with the spools, but I never used weed eaters much and maybe I wasn't doing something right or working with good equipment.

Why the preference for curved shaft? I don't know with being a shaft drive which if either is better, but the straight shaft looked more solid IMO and lets you stands further back from flying debris lol.


I have the bump-head spool release. While operating, you bump the head on the ground, and more line comes out. If you release too much, the built-in cutter on the guard will take it out in a few turns.

Too avoid tangling issues, when winding, wind the spool tightly and keep tension on the line, right up to when you drop it in the outside housing. It takes a little practice, but you'll get used to it.

I like the curved shaft, because I'm closer to the trim. (Great for edge work) I do suspect that a straight shaft would be more solid, though.

 

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
This heavy fixed string trimmer will cut thick vines and small branches, but I'm starting to think now maybe I should exchange it for a bump-feed.


I use my Weedeater on weeds and tall grass. For the nastier stuff, like wild grape vines and scrub brush, I use a Bolens 31cc straight-shaft trimmer with a Shakespeare heavy-duty brush cutting head.

 

[Panzerman]

I like two stroke, curved shaft and spool head. I have a Craftsman, I have had for over 16 years and it still runs like a top. Dont be afraid to hold that two stroke wide open, you will break less string, than idleing around with it and two strokes like to be run hard. idling, loads them up with carbon. Its been working for me. I saw the Poulans, and they look nice, when my old girl dies, I will probably buy the Poulan, you bought or a Echo, I really like the Echo and have heard nothing but good about them. I think Stihls are way overpriced and they have really cheapened them up in the last couple years, you are simply paying for the name now.

 

[mechanicx]

Yeah this trimmer that I have accepts attachments, so I guess the heavy string for cutting vines isn't really necessary anyway. Although, some of these vines are growing on the basement block of the house, so I don't think I can use a non-string attacment on that.

I saw some bump-feed trimmers, curved shaft and that accept attachments. I'm thinking I'll exchange for one of them.

 

[mechanicx]

I had been running it WOT and was wondering if maybe that was eating up the string, but maybe not. I got some ear muffs so no problem with opening up the throttle.

Seems like no one here likes the fixed string or the straight shaft style much. Or is it most just like the lower priced models that tend to be curved shaft and bump-feed lol? I think I'll check out the bump-feeds and see what Sears has.

 

[rjacket]

I think I've seen somewhere that you can get an attachment of a permanent blade. I use mine for lawn edging so didn't need it, but it may be better for you.

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I had been running it WOT and was wondering if maybe that was eating up the string, but maybe not. I got some ear muffs so no problem with opening up the throttle.

Seems like no one here likes the fixed string or the straight shaft style much. Or is it most just like the lower priced models that tend to be curved shaft and bump-feed lol? I think I'll check out the bump-feeds and see what Sears has.


I have a straight string head on my Echo and a wound string head on my Stihl. I'll take the straight string over the wound string any day. I buy a roll of the heavy square line and pre-cut a pile of pieces to use in the straight string head.

 

[Hermann]

6 years ago the GF bought a very basic Weed Eater Gas . I think she paid $69. This thing has sat with gas in it every winter and never fails to start after 3 primes and 3 pulls on half choke. In six years it may have burned 3 tanks of gas. Its easy to use and the bump line feed works great. Sometimes cheap is OK.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I had been running it WOT and was wondering if maybe that was eating up the string, but maybe not. I got some ear muffs so no problem with opening up the throttle.

Seems like no one here likes the fixed string or the straight shaft style much. Or is it most just like the lower priced models that tend to be curved shaft and bump-feed lol? I think I'll check out the bump-feeds and see what Sears has.


I have a straight string head on my Echo and a wound string head on my Stihl. I'll take the straight string over the wound string any day. I buy a roll of the heavy square line and pre-cut a pile of pieces to use in the straight string head.

+1 I think most pro users stick with a straight string setup, no extended downtime dealing with a potential birds nest and with good line and some practice, one piece may last a tank of gas.
I guess if you've got a $69 trimmer then spending $20 on a good roll of line seems silly, and if you've got an average suburban lot then getting a good trimmer seems silly too.