Anyone use a 4 stroke weedwacker?

[Wayne M.]

I've been trying to decide if I should invest in the Ryobi 4 stroke weedwacker with the changeable atachments. the season is coming and I have to buy something, was wondering if anyone out there is using a 4 stroker and if not what is the hot ticket? I've been watching the Ryobi @ Home depot, I didn't want to buy until it would be used frequently in case of defects. I went back last weekend, and all Ryobi is gone! replaced by John Deere trimmers, they don't show a 4 stroke. Feedback is appreciated.


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'92 W250,3. 54,auto,reg cab, raven hi top cap, tach,boost,transtemp,pyro. 16cm housing.

 

[Bad340fish]

A four stroke weedwacker?? Does it have a transmision on it to get the needed RPM to wack weeds lol??? I have never heard of one of those. I do know Ryobi makes a good product and does have some cool attachments.
Clark

 

[illflem]

Wayne, you are talking about the ones on wheels I assume. If so I know two people who have them and love 'em. They are very light and easy to maneuver, easier than a lawn mower. We rigged one buddies with motorcycle brake cable instead of the nylon, killer machine !!! Ryobi makes some good stuff, I have a two stroke Ryobi sawzall, comes in handy away from power, always starts on the second pull, even after sitting for months.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Don't do it! I just sent my Ryobi 4 stroke to a farm equip auction for this weekend. I must be getting old because otherwise, it would be smashed on a rock someplace on my property.

I had some gift certificates for Home Depot via a work incentive. My Stihl trimmer which was purchased new sometime back in the seventies had finally died. Of the various models in stock, the Ryobi best fit my tall stature. I had a bad feeling about it, being I like high quality tools but hey, it was found money.

Well, this POS gutless wonder may work trimming a extra inch away from the sidewalk but that's it! Anything heavy, it would bog down and die.

My 6HP Troy Bilt walk behind trimmer also went to auction. That beast would cut. So, why sell it? My property is all hill. Try pushing one of those walk behind jobs up a hill once. Or, as I did, drag it up the hill and trim going down.

I have fifteen plus acres fenced off into nine different sections so there is a lot of trimming to do. Real soon now, I have to stop over at the one tractor shop and buy a new trimmer. What kind? What else but a new Stihl. By the time that one dies in twenty or so years, it will be time for me to pass the torch on anyway.

 

[R.E. Miller]

Wayne M.
I own my own landscaping business, and I can tell you a few things about trimmers #ad
The four-stroke idea is good for emmission standards, and whichever one that runs the Honda engine is supposed to run great. The interchangeable attachments is a nice idea, but in most cases with the four-strokes, they attach in the middle creating a weak place.

Once again, out on a limb, IMO, buy a Stihl trimmer like a FS-120 or if you want ISB power try a FS-200. You can change the attachments on these trimmers too; chainsaw, underwater cutter, adjustable hedge shears, brush cutter, etc. But the difference it that these attacments connect at the end of the shaft in a real secure manner that is fast too.

I have tried many different trimmers, last year I ran Shindaiwa, by mid-year I went out and bought two FS-120's happy ever since. I am biased though, I run a lot of Stihl equipment with awesome results #ad
Dependable: Never a question #ad


Hope this helps

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1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually 3. 5" straight pipe(thanks jardine!)
W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5"BD exhaust, 16cm^2 housing, DI pyro&boost
Russell

 

[dmurdock]

I have the ryobi 2 stroke (with the edger attachment gizmo) and have been using it for 5 years. 1st thing i've had to do to it this year is replace the spark plug (oh, and i've gone through a couple of the wire "bump stops").

-dm

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'01 Eth 3500 4x4, Amsoil air filter, AutoMeter boost & egt on pillar mount. See My Truck and also be sure to read What tools & methods to use for an easy 1st oil change!!!
"Be happy you don't get all the government you pay for. " -W. C. Fields

 

[JConley]

I have one of the Ryobi 4 strokes and I think it is great. A buddy of mine has one also, and I havent heard one complaint.

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98 QC 2500 2WD 12 Valve Automatic, 3. 54 Mag-Hytec transmission pan. DTT Valve Body. Wrap around black Grill Guard (BIG solid steel one. AFC controller adjusted, Mopar mud flaps, Camper package, 2001 Tow mirrors, Cat ran away, No Muff
My Mustang
My Ram
The Wrecking Crew web site for Junkyard Wars
Go Aggies!!!

 

[Matt S]

I had a 4-stoke from Harbor Freight (factory recon). It lasted about 3 or 4 years until it burned the clutch out. I now have a 2-stroke with a 'commercial' grade clutch for about 1 year. I don't see how a home owner could justify a Stihl for the money PLUS attachments. I would rather get a new one every couple of years and use my old attachments.

 

[Jim Guidry]

I have a 4-stroke Ryobi. Owned it for about 3 years. I love it! Mine will power through anything! Heavy sucker though. I only use it on the thick stuff. When it's light trimming, I use my 2-stroke Ryobi.

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'96 Regular Cab, 118k, SLT 2WD auto 3. 54, Vista topper, Pillar-mounted Autometer Boost/Pyro, transmission temp and oil pressure guages under dash, starwheel spun, stock plate and housing slid back to stock. Debombed to keep my transmission alive!

 

[Skydiver]

I borrowed a 4-stroke for about 2 weeks last summer. It ran great,did a good job,but it was heavy. I took it back.
I am on my second Echo. First one lasted 9 years. I think it is the 2500 series.
I have had the worst luck with the Poulan or weedeater(same thing). Carb problems out the kazoo. And I have never bought one. My neighbors call on me to get theirs started.
Pointers:
-Get the straight shaft Not the curved
-Mix your oil(if 2-cycle)properly,more oil in the gas is not better.
-Never leave gas in the carb more than 1 month. Run it all out,then choke it and it should run for another 10 to 20 seconds. The fuel ports are very small and will clog easily.
Happy trimming
Tim

 

[QRTRHRS]

I guess I must be the only person that did not like the Ryobi? Besides what I felt was a lack of power, it was not balanced very well either. Take your hands off and it would flop sideways. Take your hands off the Stihl I had and it would stay put. I wore out three of the Stihl heads that hold 3 blades. I cleaned the air filter and cleaned or changed the plug but never had the head off in all that time. Still think you get what you pay for.

 

[CMason]

The Honda GX-31 mini four stroke is a sweet little engine, starts on the first pull, sounds good,has about 1. 5hp and turns about 7000rpm. Honda has these on the small tillers and now on some weed eaters. I have one in a little pedal tractor that I built for my son that has been great. I think he has run about 20gl of VP fuel through it over the past year riding around the yard.

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks very much, fellas! I will go to Trimalawn (the expensive equipment store around here) and have a look at the Sthils and Hondas. Now I'm really undecided, time for more research. I don't like how the depot just dropped the whole Ryobi line!

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'92 W250,3. 54,auto,reg cab, raven hi top cap, tach,boost,transtemp,pyro. 16cm housing.

 

[Doug]

Wayne,
My Dad bought a Honda 4-stroke a couple of years ago. It starts with one or two pulls, runs great, and is easy on fuel. The model he has, comes with a "vest" type harness to support the weight, and is very comfortable to "wear"! I should know, as I have the honour of using it to take care of the thistles in the ditches of their VERY long lane way!
Doug