Weed eaters?

[elamb]

I was wondering everyones opinion on trimmers. I was looking at Stihl, Husqavarna, and Echo. I need something to put a blade on to use around the farm. Are all 3 of these brands durable? I appreciate any info!



Eric

 

[RT66DOC]

I agree with Dl5 - Stihl. We have an Echo - great little motor but the line feed sux bigtime. All of the lawncare guys and the county around here use Echos. Maybe they know more about the line feed than I do but I spend more time pulling on the line than whacking. Honda makes a 4-cycle that gets good reviews.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I let my wife use my Stihl back in September. She wanted to know why she had been using her 'Weedeater' brand up until then.



Only problem I've experienced with the Stihl is the ability it has to cut something down before you can let off the trigger and move it out of the way.



The nylon blades are a joke around my place. Too many rocks that can eat the blades right off. I wouldn't dare use a steel blade.

 

[Rman]

again, Stihl. My dad has had the same one for about 15 years, runs like a champ.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I use a Stihl FS200 with handlebars and the suspender type backstrap. At 2. 2HP, the suspenders balance the load on the back. I had carb trouble from day one. The dealer replaced the carb out of warrenty, part free, labor not. Been fine ever since. I use the Stihl plastic head with three replaceable plastic blades. The blades last pretty long if you don't hit stones.



Being on my third plastic head, I guess you could say I have used this machine a lot. It has the guts to cut through heavy growth.



I can't say about the Honda 4 cycle but I had a Ryobi 4 cycle that while okay around the postage stamp yard, would not "cut it" for farm duty.

 

[KWeber]

I bought a Husqvarna 325rx approx two summers ago. It is the smallest model that has (had) handlebars and a proper harness.

My only complaint is that it's a little small read: underpowered for me in the thick grass. The benefit is that my g/f is able to use it.



Buy the biggest model you can afford, especially if you are going to use the blades regularly.



I don't have anything against Stihl products, I just don't get along with the local dealer.

 

[TSpecht]

(Last spring) I just bought a Stihl FS250 with the handle bars. Most of the time I've used just the string, and it's impressive in it's own right with the string, but throw the blade on there and it becomes a beast capable of destroying anything in it's path short of trees (and with the right blade, the circular saw looking one, you can cut small trees)...



I've not had it long enough to determine longevity, but it's first year it lasted just fine. I suspect it'll be getting plenty more abuse this year...

 

[sanyata]

Stihl is definately the way to go. I burned up two other whackers before I got the Stihl. The thing I learned is that the 4 cycle ones need the oil for cooling and if you don't top it off every time you fill it up, it'll burn up. The Stihl with 50:1 oil to gas fires right up all the time, usually within 2-3 strokes. I do 1. 25 acres two to three times a year and no problem.

I've got a bad back and got the handlebar type in hopes it would make my posture correct and lessen the back pain. I took the handle bars off after one day of use! If you're wacking any kind of slope or off angle areas the handlebars limit your ability to do so without becoming a contortionist. I'd recommend going with the little hand bar that allows you to rotate the wacker to any angle you want to... . just my . 02.

Doug

 

[Boomer II]

I've got a Stihl with the metal blade and it rocks. Forgot the model number, but it does have the handlebars, smallest model of that line I think. I've had a Stihl chain saw for close to 30 years that still runs like a champ.

 

[elamb]

Thanks for the replies, everybody. Looks like most have had good luck with the stihl. Keep'em common!



Eric

 

[IC Smoke]

I use nothing but STIHL! 088 (60"bar) down to the 017 now known as the 170. BR400 blower, Hold on it will push you back when you pull the trigger!!! FS85 bike handle & FS110 bike handle with the "broom sweep" attachment off the Kombi system (took the shaft off and just used the gear box) you will never rake again!!! I also use it to cut small trees with the cut off blade and it's SLICK!!!



If its orange Ive got it! Stihl/Kubota! cant beat em!



green=junk

husky=good for a show room model



Dad tried to show me up with his new lightweight honda 4stroke... . too bad he steals mine now!



Arborist/Lawn care

Ian

 

[QRTRHRS]

I've got a bad back and got the handlebar type in hopes it would make my posture correct and lessen the back pain. I took the handle bars off after one day of use! If you're wacking any kind of slope or off angle areas the handlebars limit your ability to do so without becoming a contortionist. I'd recommend going with the little hand bar that allows you to rotate the wacker to any angle you want to... . just my . 02.

Doug

Did you try the harness? http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/shoulder_harness.html The first time I used mine with the handlebars, I thought the same thing. I ditched the standard sling and got the harness. When I run mine, it is usually for the whole day. In fact, I will run through a whole gallion of gas. That's a lot of trimming.

 

[TnLRacing]

I have the Echo Powerhead that uses the attatchment. 4 years and still going strong, doesn't give me a ounce of trouble.



http://www.echo-usa.com/prods_list.asp?Category=PROATTACH

 

[rkressg]

I have run an Stihl FS-85 underbrush clearing saw (weedwacker) for 8 years and absolutely no problems (it gets the crap kicked out of it). It has enough power to run a triagular blade, but barely enough to run a saw blade, but when you are cutting down trees over 5" trunk with a weedwacker, it is time to get out the chainsaw.



I would recomend any Stihl product that is made for commercial use, I do not know about their newer stuff for the consumer market. Also, get one with the bicycle handle bars and a strap.



I love all my chainsaws, almost no problems. As for all my lawn equipment (with exception to the lawnmower (lawn-boy) and head shears (echo), all my equipment is Stihl)

-Rich

 

[Dull Pain]

I'll keep my Shindiawa. Straight shaft w/handlebars. 18 years old, plenty of power, never fails to start. Use string, blades, and the nylon blades with stainless inserts. Put $60 in parts for it last May , carb overhaul. I keep 25 acres groomed with it. If everything I owned worked as well , and lasted as long as my trimmer I would be a happy man!



I'm sure Stihl is good too.

 

[mcoleman]

I've got a Shindiawa that I use for brush cutting and love it. Also have a ryobi 4 stroke for around the yard use and havn't had any problems with it either but I don't think it would do the work of the Shindiawa when it comes to cutting down trees and brush.

 

[MichaelWright]

elamb,



Shindaiwa.



We have one at my families driving range. It has been in continuos use since 1988. It is still going strong with just annual tune-ups, and this thing has been abused. You can cut a tree down with it, came with 2 saw blades. I bought one for the house too, and one of their chainsaws. Never had any problems with any of them. They are a few dollars more then the brands you mentioned, which we have an entire wall of at the range, all are toast. I haven't looked at any in a few years, and I am assuming they have kept their high quality standards, but you will not find any better weed eater out there.



Just my . 02



Mike

 

[DarrellB]

I wouldn't buy any of Stihl's new stuff, expecially their saws. At one time they made a nice product but here lately too many people I know have bought Stihl and not been happy. My good friend Richard bought a trimmer last year and it's had lots of problems. (carb is junk I guess) So much so that he bought a $200 Echo at Home Depot to use for his lawn care service since the Stihl is down so much. I own an older Stihl FS88 and it's a mean mother for a trimmer/brush cutter, but when it came time to buy a new saw I went else where. Just wasn't happy with some of the cheaper parts Stihl now uses on thier equipment. Some of their products are really heading over to the cheap side IMO.



If it's a trimmer you are looking for buy a strait shaft Echo, if it's a brush cutter go with a Shindaiwa or the Husky. Shindaiwa would be my first choice, only down side to them is they are on the heavy side. The Husky would be middle road, not as much $$$$ as the Shiny and a little more than the Echo, it's quallity is also middle road as well. Next would be Echo, they are light and have a lot of power for the size, and they have that new easy start feature that is super slick.



DB

 

[Koa Man]

I have been in the landscaping/tree service business for 20+ years and have a few thousand hours using brush cutters/line trimmers. I have owned Shindaiwa, Echo and Stihl. I like Shindaiwa brush cutters by far, but would not buy their chainsaws or blowers. I prefer Echo for blowers and hedge trimmers and Stihl for chainsaws.

 

[mcoleman]

What brushcutting blade do you guys recommend for the Shindaiwa? I have been using the 12 tooth Shindaiwa blade with the chainsaw teeth on it. Is there anything better available? I cut stuff in the 1 to 4 inch range with it on a regular basis clearing out some of the old pastures on my farm.