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Weed Eater/Trimmer Recommendations

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12 Oz. Epilogue

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We just bought a new house, and I'm realizing with more fence area and a creek to trim around that we need a proper string trimmer. It is really only me using it, and I'm not necessarily looking for a multi-tool since certain tools are best as stand alone options.

There are a ton of brands out there, so what do the people of The Paddock recommend for a medium sized lot? Stihl, Honda, Echo, RedMax, Husqavarna, or other? 2-stroke or 4-stroke? What do you like and what do you hate?
 
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UKGrad93

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I would stay away from the low priced Troy Bilt trimmers sold at Lowes. I've got one that is going on 13 years, but I've replaced the bottom part of the shaft twice. It works just well enough to keep be from throwing it away. The gas tank leaks like a sieve.

Maybe I'll replace it next year.
 
funKYcat75

funKYcat75

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Apr 10, 2008
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Mashburned said:
You could get a yard* goat.
Click to expand...
*field

 
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8

80 Proof

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Jan 3, 2003
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I'm pretty loyal to Stihl when it comes to 2 stroke, but Husqvarna and Echo are pretty nice as well. We don't have a Red Max dealer in Lexington but I've heard good things about them.
 
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kyboy1998_rivals34276

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UKGrad93 said:
I would stay away from the low priced Troy Bilt trimmers sold at Lowes. I've got one that is going on 13 years, but I've replaced the bottom part of the shaft twice. It works just well enough to keep be from throwing it away. The gas tank leaks like a sieve.

Maybe I'll replace it next year.
Click to expand...
13 years out of a cheap weedeater from Lowes isn't much of an endorsement against it. That's a decent bit of time and the two problems you listed are pretty negligible.
 
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wildcatadam6

wildcatadam6

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Mar 28, 2005
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Don't get a Ryobi. Biggest piece of **** I've ever purchased. Worked flawless for about two weeks, then had so many problems. Held it by the the end and swung the body into a brick wall once. That was the most satisfying thing I ever did with it.
 
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KyFaninNC

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Echo, Stihl, Husqvarna in that order.

Use a good oil to mix, and a good gas additive for all the ethanol, helps save your plastic gas lines, and bubble primer.
 
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KyCatFan_rivals45723

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I used to pretty much use maverick1's solution when I had to deal with the yard. One application a year and you are done with it. No weed eater necessary.

Now if I had a vegetable garden I wouldn't use chemicals around it. I just used this stuff around the house, fence, driveway, shed, etc.
 
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BlueRaider22

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Sep 24, 2003
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weused2luvhim2 said:
Love my straight shaft Stihl with the easy start.
Click to expand...

We had Stihl's on the farm growing up. (Chainsaws too) They never fail and are still running after decades of hard use. When I purchased my own home I bought a Stihl but I made a mistake. I bought a bent shaft. It makes it considerably shorter and it really bothers my back to use it.
 
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12 Oz. Epilogue

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Sep 26, 2007
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Sounds like I should go with a Stihl FS70 or FS90. Other research has yielded some opinions that the late model Echo/Shindaiwa carburetors have issues that were not present five years ago. Looking for something I can get at least five years of service with no issues, so that is concerning.

Was hoping someone could weigh in on the Honda trimmers since I'm a big fan of their small engines in other items, but Stihl has a great reputation. Went to the local RedMax dealer yesterday and I could not get a single person to answer some questions for me. I know I'm not a fleet, but I worry about service with people like that. Thanks for all the replies so far.
 
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KentuckyStout

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12 Oz. Epilogue said:
Sounds like I should go with a Stihl FS70 or FS90.
Click to expand...

FS90 is a bit overkill if you are just using it for weekly maintenance around the house, but that's what makes it so awesome. I've always run Stihl - used them commercially and then stayed with Stihl for residential. I've got a backpack blower, 2 trimmers, an edger, and hedge trimmers.

Run fresh, ethanol free gas in them and go with the higher grade oil that comes in the silver bottle. Stihls are great but they get a little bitchy if the fuel and air mix is not just right and cheap gas will screw up your fuel lines.
 
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mashburned

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Where you get ethanol free gas?

And if you add additives instead, do you do that every time you fill up the trimmer?
 
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DSmith21

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Mar 27, 2012
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For tough weed problems...



Be sure to wear a bio hazard suit when you spray.

 
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Tinker Dan

Tinker Dan

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Jan 31, 2006
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In the mid 90's I needed a new weed whacker..... Went to Lowe's or one of those type of places and started asking questions, you guessed it - No Clue from the salesperson.

Went to a family owned commercial type place, they answered all my questions without a problem.

Chose a Sthil that was about $100 more than the standard "Lowe's" offering.

Designed motor life - 1600 hours compared to 75 hours
Way easier to change the pull cord
Worked at a much higher rpm therefore the smaller engine size
Ease of maintenance, if you choose to do it yourself
On and on.

I Sthil have that sucker.... :)

As the guy told me, "if you have a townhome sized yard, the cheap big box type will do you fine. But, anything else go with a better one."

The only thing that I did not like was the fact that the much higher rpm would make my hands feel tingly after doing the whole yard.

No matter what you decide to buy, I recommend going to a commercial or family owned type business that can answer your questions and provide service on your tool. That alone is worth the money to me.
 
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KentuckyStout

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Mashburned said:
Where you get ethanol free gas?

And if you add additives instead, do you do that every time you fill up the trimmer?
Click to expand...

Key Oil Company in E-town? (dang-it Mash, no one said this was going to be easy) Or you can run Stihl OK with 10% ethanol but over time (years if you mix properly) it will probably gum up your fuel lines and jack up your carb.

I premix for the year with fuel stabilizer, Stihl oil and gas.

Stihl also sells an ethanol-free fuel mix but I've never tried it http://www.stihlusa.com/information/articles/gasoline-guidelines-outdoor-power-equipment/
 
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Bluetick2100

Well-known member
Apr 15, 2007
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Stihl, 13 years chain saw, blower and trimmer with little to no problems from any of them.
 
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mashburned

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Ok, thanks. What you're saying makes a lot of sense. I just bought my first trimmer last year and know squat. I want it to last me as long as possible, so I'll do what you said.
 
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12 Oz. Epilogue

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Sep 26, 2007
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Ended up going to a local dealer and they loaned me a RedMax BCZ260TS to demo after going over exactly what I would be doing. Comparable to the Stihl FS90 or 100. It does have the ability to switch out for a steel trimmer instead of the wire, which is nice for a portion of my property and another I will be trimming occasionally. I'm going to give it a couple of weeks and see how I like it. I know they are pretty well thought of commercially, but they aren't as readily available as the Stihl. I'll give it some time and report back.
 
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