Best String Trimmer

[hammersley]

I'm looking for the best string trimmer. I'm kinda leaning towards Stihl - but noticed that Honda now has two 4 stroke models that are very light - anybody seen one of these as yet??????

 

[Hammerhead]

The Stihl FS85 is what I use. I highly recommend it

 

[illflem]

I bought a Honda HHT25SLTA a couple months ago to replace an old Echo clunker at work. Already have a Stihl FS-80 which has been excellent. Mainly bought the Honda because it was on sale for almost $100 less than another FS-80 plus I have always been impressed with Honda quality. I've just run the Honda for a few minutes to see if it worked, no weeds to cut in these parts yet, but my initial impression was that it is about equal to the Stihl. Bought the optional double harness for both the Honda and Stihl, much better for the operator. The FS-80 has a bicycle type handle bar which I personally prefer, while the Honda is a loop type, which others prefer.

My only concern now is that the summer help is going to mix the different fuels, might have been better in that aspect to go with another 2 stroke. I'll color code the gas cans, but with some folks you never know...



Bought the Honda here- http://www.kimcolawnandgarden.com/honhht25slta.html

 

[bighammer]

Looks like the Honda 4 stroke might make a good model airplane engine.



(a bit more expensive than the Ryobi 2 stroke I used though)

 

[Steve G]

Like Hammerhead, I use Stihl FS85. It's the best I've owned!

 

[dseabaugh]

We have 3 Stihls. the littlests one ( for my wife) a middle size (for when I am tired) and the bigest one they make for when I want to get the job done no matter what I want to chop down. We have had Stihls for 20 years with No complaints except about the hoodlums that steal them from us causing me to have to buy a new one. None have ever had to be serviced or failed to start.

 

[parcher]

Stihl has a new engine, four stroke that uses pre-mix! I hav been to Stihl school on this engine (my friend owns a dealership) I am VERY impresses with how it works and how it's built, we tore them down in class. It's called the 4-Mix engine see it on Stihls' website http://www.stihlusa.com/news_fourmix.html

 

[QRTRHRS]

I had a Stilh for over 20 years that I finally had to give up on for lack of available parts anymore. Towards the end of that 20 years, I bought a Ryobi 4cycle on the advice of a friend who said he liked his. The Ryobi was one of the worst POS I ever bought. It was hard to start, would not stay running and had power only for the backyard user with no big stuff. I went back to Stihl with the FS200 I think it is. Handlebars, 2. 2 hp. I did have problems with it until the dealer replaced the carb. He felt there was a filing somewhere. Could never get it to idle consistenly. Once the carb was done, bingo, runs good. I trim fencelines mostly with this trimmer as needed. It may be every two weeks or once a month but it is usually for two long days, without much of a break.



I also tried one of those Troy Bilt walk behinds. Lots of guts but to much string changing. Tough on hills to drag it around too so I got rid of that. I like the Stilh head with the three plastic blades unless it's big stuff then I go to a circular blade.

 

[d90boy]

I have a Stihl as well it may be the FS85. It works well even though I haven't used it in a long time. Be sure to get one you can put saw blades on. The chipper tooth blade for them is great for clearing. Also get one with a straight shaft, not that bent shaft stuff.

 

[TowPro]

My dad and I both have the FS85. the only problem we have had is there is a boss on the carb that the idle screw hits against that breaks off (both trimers had this same problem). Only $14. 00 to fix.



I use mine for lawn work as well as clearing motorcycle trails through the woods for an Dirt Bike Enduro my club puts on every year. I guess I clear around 2-3 miles of 3' wide trail through the brush with it every year.



I have a loop handle so when I use the cutting blade I have a belt that goes around my waist that attaches to the trimmer so there is no way that blade can get near my body parts



I would buy one again when the time comes.

 

[bighammer]

I have the Stihl FS 74 and really like it too. The best blade for brush is the sort of 3 bladed star looking thing. You can run it for quite a long time then flip it over and run it on the other side. Just 6 edges to sharpen, then start all over again. It looks sort of harmless compared to the more agressive looking multi toothed saw blades, but it will run circles around them. In fact, I got rid of the other blades because I knew I would never use them again. Anything over 2 or 3 inches dia Id' rather use my saw on anyway.



Only problem with the machine was it started running sort of badly. (low power, stalling) I tried to adjust the mixture, but it would go bad again real quickly. It turned out to be a restriction in the muffler. There is a baffle plate in the middle of the muffler that was nearly plugged up. Removed the plate, and all the power is back. A bit noisier though. Sort of like having a straight-piped brush cutter.

 

[Fireman]

Another vote for the Stihl FS 85, I love mine. Echo also makes a pretty good trimmer.



Fireman

 

[bmoeller]

My dad used to work at a christian campground ('88-'97) and we used 3 different Echo trimmers. They lasted about 3-4 yrs each, but they got ALOT of use, almost every day during the season. Each one was better than the last. Had no complaints on the last 2. Started easy and plenty of power most of the time. I would recomend them if the new ones are still as good.

 

[Koa Man]

Being in the tree and landscape business for 20 years, I have used Stihl, Echo and Shindaiwa chainsaws, blowers and line trimmers. IMHO, Stihl has the best chainsaws, Echo the best blowers and Shindaiwa the best line trimmers. I have not used Honda line trimmers, but I do have Honda commercial mowers, which are real good. If I could not have a Shindaiwa line trimmer, then I would get a Stihl. All of the above manufacturers have the quick change attachment models and that is the one I would get. For raking leaves and clearing a variety of different kinds of debris, a power broom attachment is great.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Slightly off topic but while I have your ear...

After considering different options, I am going to buy a Stilh hedge trimmer to maintain the fence rows that boarder my riding trails and right of ways.



This saw will be almost exclusively be cutting briars. Although I am tall, I need to consider a trimmer with a good reach. This saw would sit more often than not but when I use it, it would be for a day or two, all day. I need moxie but money is a concern.



I got a $40 coupon just burning to be cashed in. Anyone have a model recomendation?

 

[TowPro]

I bought a Jonsered Chain saw over the Stihl, and have never regretted it.



This is my 2nd Jonsered. The first one was 25 years old when the dealer gave me $200. 00 trade in on a $350. 00 saw. I could not afford to pass it up.

Originally posted by Koa Man

Being in the tree and landscape business for 20 years, I have used Stihl, Echo and Shindaiwa chainsaws, blowers and line trimmers. IMHO, Stihl has the best chainsaws.

 

[dflack]

Honda owner checking in

I've got the Honda - bought it for quality and 4 cycle. As I recall there were two models, I bought the larger that came with saw and a rough trimmer blade which I haven't even tried because they look dangerous/risky to me. Also came with a harness if I'm going to be working for a longer period, but again haven't used that more than to try it out. Of course its been trouble free and reliable, but it has the same underengineered "bump" line feed system as most trimmers, I don't know about the Stihl, but I'd be curious to know if anybody has come up with a more reliable system for the stupid line.

 

[Elite1]

I am a landscape contractor, In my opinion the best is Maruyama. I also like their blowers. I do like Stihls chain saws though. You won't find them at hardware stores or home depot, you'll have to go to a lawn mower shop. Ask the repair mechanics there which ones last the longest... http://www.maruyama-us.com/products/Trimmers.cfm

 

[Un-Hemi]

I have the smaller Honda trimmer and really like it overall. It's quiet and dependable. Runs in any attitude. Only takes a minute to warm up. The harness is comfortable when I use it. Usually I just use the shoulder strap unless I'm doing a marathon trimming session.



The manual line feed is a pain, but functional and teaches one to take care of the line by not trying to trim concrete or wire. I'd like to try a bump feeder though.

 

[smartineau]

another vote for the Stihl FS85. I have had it for about 5 years not one problem. I use to have a Ryobi it took about 6 hours to do all the weed eating with the Stihl I'm done in about 3 hours.



The maintenance guy at works swears buy the Shindaiwa (spelling) but they were difficult to find parts 5-years ago, so I bought the Stihl.



steve