I've had mostly good and a bit of bad experiences with most all of the brands. Stihl, Echo, Dolmar (Robin), Shindawa, Partner, Husky and probably several more. My suggestion is buy a commercial grade unit and you're chances of getting good service from it are a lot higher. They all have issues eventually, but that's part of the package with OPE. My brush cutter is an old Stihl FS200 that has WAY more power that you can use most of the time for brush cutting... gotta tinker with it from time to time, but the fact that it doesn't get used often enough is the biggest problem with it.
Weed trimmer brand
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IMO Maruyama manufactures the best straight shaft trimmers, but finding a near-by dealer that sells them will be difficult. I have a Maruyama that is 25 years old and all that I have had to do to it is replace a primer bulb and air filter element. Next on the list IMO would be Shindaiwa, which is basically an Echo (because Echo owns them) with a solid steel drive shaft. If you are going to use a blade, a solid drive shaft is more desirable. Echo uses a flexible wire drive shaft on all of their lower-end straight shaft trimmers, which is fine for using a string head but less desirable when using a blade, so if you are going to go with an Echo make sure you get one that has an "S" on the end of the model number so you get a solid shaft. BTW, there isn't anything wrong with Stihl trimmers.
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With a 300 budget, I assume you had been in the residential models of stihl?
I would look for a used commercial grade unit of your brand choice. I'm just a homeowner but I have 10 acres to take care of, all my stuff is Stihl and I've had great service from all of it, but I buy the commercial grade units.
I would look for a used commercial grade unit of your brand choice. I'm just a homeowner but I have 10 acres to take care of, all my stuff is Stihl and I've had great service from all of it, but I buy the commercial grade units.
As a homeowner, I only buy the lower end commercial products, I started with Stihl, two reasons, the dealer is closest to my house, and the time I went into the dealer that carries Echo, I was ignored. I make sure to use ethanol free gas and the highest grade two cycle oil I can find.
1.) Maruyama
2.) Echo
3.) Dealer only Husqvarna
Maruyama hands down is the absolute best. Back in the late 90's or early 2000's huqvarna rebranded these and called them the 125R shown in this photo:
This is built like a tank and had I known I could have scored a used one cheap, I would have never purchased my new echo. I got a pair of them with and they run like new,.
2.) Echo
3.) Dealer only Husqvarna
Maruyama hands down is the absolute best. Back in the late 90's or early 2000's huqvarna rebranded these and called them the 125R shown in this photo:
This is built like a tank and had I known I could have scored a used one cheap, I would have never purchased my new echo. I got a pair of them with and they run like new,.
Also STIHL is not a consideration as their service parts are too difficult to obtain at a good value. That is the only gripe. A coil that would cost $29 for an echo would be $89 / $99 for a stihl.
Is that an MS260c? I was told by the dealer that mine was Robin powered. It has been an excellent runner though it has a little too much vibration for comfort and parts are getting hard to find.
I bought my Echo SRM-210 in 2001 and it's still going strong. Other than rebuilding the carburetor a couple of years ago, absolutely no problems.
Indeed after having a few conversations with some helpful sales ppl, I am beginning to gather that - for example- the Husg 128 is not the best choice for a blade.
right... until a few days ago... i didnt even know the name Shindaiwa... and since more than a few ppl here are talking about Shindaiwa, well i gathering that it is a reputable brand.
again after a few conversations.. -looks like something like the Echo SRM-225 will not be the best choice for a blade.
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interestingly, Husq 128 series is now a 129 -one dealer [ not a box store ] is offering a me 129rj with a blade incl. for 329.00
another dealer is enticing me to a 525L for 349.00 plus a blade and a blade kit is required.... i was under the impression the you could just swap out the line head and install the blade...
I may go and see the Shindaiwa dealer this week..
another dealer is enticing me to a 525L for 349.00 plus a blade and a blade kit is required.... i was under the impression the you could just swap out the line head and install the blade...
I may go and see the Shindaiwa dealer this week..
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I was going to suggest Stihl. My parents have had their commercial grade model for almost 20 years.
I think my model is the FS75. It’s their smallest commercial model. I’ve had it 2 years now and it’s great. Takes me anywhere from 1.5-2 hrs to get all my work done.
Not a fanboy. I have a Stihl blower that leaves something to be desired in comparison to the model my parents have. Been thinking about Husky.
*I will say Stihl seems to have the best support. My semi local Kubota dealer sells them as well as the very local JD dealer. The Husky dealer is semi local and the guy who owns the place also leaves something to be desired. (You have to catch him on a good day.)
I think my model is the FS75. It’s their smallest commercial model. I’ve had it 2 years now and it’s great. Takes me anywhere from 1.5-2 hrs to get all my work done.
Not a fanboy. I have a Stihl blower that leaves something to be desired in comparison to the model my parents have. Been thinking about Husky.
*I will say Stihl seems to have the best support. My semi local Kubota dealer sells them as well as the very local JD dealer. The Husky dealer is semi local and the guy who owns the place also leaves something to be desired. (You have to catch him on a good day.)
I too used to be an all Stihl man for trimmers, but my last FS-50C was a dud I purchased a new trimmer about 4 months after. I went with an Echo SRM-225 strait shaft and couldn't be happier. It ran me about $225 US. While on paper it's less powerful than the Stihl it feels it has a bit more power. I liked the Echo trimmer so much I bought an Echo blower to go with it. Happy with both purchases!
If you intend to use it a lot, but a professional grade version, rather than a homeowner version. There is often a big difference in the quality and lifespan of the equipment.
Stihl FS-38 is an occasional use homeowner model.
Echo, Maruyama, and Husqvarna all make quality products, just don't buy the homeowner grade.
Stihl FS-38 is an occasional use homeowner model.
Echo, Maruyama, and Husqvarna all make quality products, just don't buy the homeowner grade.
Agreed .. that FS38 was home use only, i am not exaggerating when i say i filled the tank twice for one season... always on E0 fuel.
I am realizing now i will need to go to the next grade for the blade attachment..
Maruyama -- nothing local here for me to look at
Maybe get to a Husq dealer on the week-end
Well, i had time this morning before the start of my word day, and paid a visit to a Echo/Shindaiwa dealer, which is conveniently close[-ish] to me..
Again, I hadn’t even heard of this brand until early this week…!
He showed me the M235 with detachable heads
Things I liked :
- easy string replacement [ easier than the Husq,,,]
- quick disconnect for blade swap
- 5 year warranty
- it has a garden tiller attachment> means more dollars …but that one is a keep wifey happy option.. LOL
Will try and compare apples to apples with my Husq dealer this week-end
J
Again, I hadn’t even heard of this brand until early this week…!
He showed me the M235 with detachable heads
Things I liked :
- easy string replacement [ easier than the Husq,,,]
- quick disconnect for blade swap
- 5 year warranty
- it has a garden tiller attachment> means more dollars …but that one is a keep wifey happy option.. LOL
Will try and compare apples to apples with my Husq dealer this week-end
J
Another Echo SRM-225 owner here. Had it for 8 1/2 years now and it's been absolutely flawless. Always starts within 3 pulls of the cord. Loading it with new string is also a fairly painless task. I run "90-rec" gas in it.
I was so impressed with the service I've gotten out of it, that I bought an Echo chainsaw with a 16 inch bar and it has given the same impressive performance as the trimmer.
I was so impressed with the service I've gotten out of it, that I bought an Echo chainsaw with a 16 inch bar and it has given the same impressive performance as the trimmer.
for use on the city property.. agreed... grass around fences, deck etc... no issues there....
but for my acre up north... 1/2 is lawn, gardens, flower beds, a little landscaping. The other half.. well. its wilderness, and the mile long road where the brush needs to be beatten back once if not twice a year. So I need something with a blade... batteries wont cut it.. no pun intended...
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