donbeezy
New member
I was curious and looked it up. 13.2lbs. looks like great reviews when it works but battery seems to be downfall. 6 month average
Best weed eater/string trimmer
- Thread starter donbeezy
- Start date
I was curious and looked it up. 13.2lbs. looks like great reviews when it works but battery seems to be downfall. 6 month average
Just to add some opinion/info.
Any serious weed eater has a straight shaft.
Definitely read and follow Stihl`s maintenance guidelines.
On brands, I admit I don`t know many of those mentioned. I can add... Stihl and Husqvarna. As far as chainsaws go. Those guys who use chain saws everyday. Work as Lumberjacks. They will pick up and use either of those two. No preference whatsoever. They are a little different in maintenance. One claims better because so and so on maintenance. Other claims so and so better. Bottom line is the guys who use them everyday don`t care. Either one is fine. And nothing else.
Any serious weed eater has a straight shaft.
Definitely read and follow Stihl`s maintenance guidelines.
On brands, I admit I don`t know many of those mentioned. I can add... Stihl and Husqvarna. As far as chainsaws go. Those guys who use chain saws everyday. Work as Lumberjacks. They will pick up and use either of those two. No preference whatsoever. They are a little different in maintenance. One claims better because so and so on maintenance. Other claims so and so better. Bottom line is the guys who use them everyday don`t care. Either one is fine. And nothing else.
GearHead_1
Long Time Member
Can`t say I concur with this assessment. I like most others have been taught that a straight shaft is the cat`s meow but in my day in, day out practical experience I prefer a curved shaft. I say this disclosing that I have both straight and curved shaft trimmers from each of 2 different manufacturers (Echo and Red Max). The curved shafts are a bit lighter and just easier for me to use. My curved shaft Red Max is a serious trimmer, it`s big brother straight shaft spends most of the time in the shed. My straight shafts have a slightly bigger engine but that also makes them slightly heavier. I`ve also seen plenty of the Big Box stores wanna be trimmers come with straight shafts while the engine uses a cantilever crank. The straight shaft doesn`t make these good trimmers.
There are circumstances where a straight shaft will get under things that a curved shaft can`t reach but I don`t have these obstacles in my yard these days. Neither is easier than the other as far as maintenance goes, though from brand to brand the recommended mix is different. These days I just use the make a gallon pre mix packets, I will say that Echo`s recommended mix seems to clog exhaust screens, it`s too rich. I found Yamaha to be the say way with their recommended mix of Yamalube R. I`m sure the manufacturer understands it`s easier to clean an exhaust screen than to repair a scored cylinder. Just sayin... you like what you like.
donbeezy
New member
does anyone know which way I should store my trimmer? i read the manual, it only said to dump the fuel back into container after every use. did not say which orientation i should store it. vertical? horizontal but upside down? or does it not matter?
Swanicyouth
New member
Ok I will.
The whole setup is like 13.2 lbs.
Honestly, I`m coming from an townhouse (never took care of grass) to a real house with an acre of land. I never used a weed eater before this.
But this thing seemed really powerful to me. Cut nasty weeds in my yard no problem. Doesn`t slow or bog down. Push the button - instant power.
It killed my wrists. But I think any weed eater would. I need to get a shoulder strap. You have to hold an "on button" in when you use it.
Yes the 80v battery works in other tools. There is a leaf blower (prolly gonna get this) and some other tools it works with. Yes, the battery alone is expensive - like $170. But it`s worth it not to have to mess with 2 cycle engines, fuel, and oil.
donbeezy
New member
ive used several cheap gas weed eaters (craftsman and walmart brands etc..) but never a professional brand name one like stihl.
going from that craftsman to a stihl is like using a PC7424 to a Rupes.
Swanicyouth
New member
Lolz. See my recent post. A PC can Stihl kick azz
GearHead_1
Long Time Member
On a 2-cycle engine (particularly one with an empty tank) it doesn`t matter. I don`t empty my tank from week to week during the season (I do over the winter) and typically hang my trimmer, engine down. Sometimes I just set it in the corner of the shed on the ground. I believe the ony real trouble you`d run into when storing is if the gas cap or the hose seal going into the tank actually leaked. I suspect you`d likely know if either of these conditions were present. A 4-cycle engine could be more particular as it has an oil sump and like a lawnmower tipped on it`s side (usually exhaust down) you could end up with oil in the cylinder. I suspect they would recommend engine up on a 4 stroke.
Stokdgs
dansautodetailing.com
It will be more stable if the engine is at the bottom and the trim head is at the top, when stored..
I do what Gearhead_1 does - hang it from the trim head side or set it in a corner with that orientation, so it doesn`t fall over..
I have an Echo and use Stihl Synthetic oil/gas mixture for years and never drain it out.. If you use good gas - 89-Octane at least, it will last for years in my experience..
Dan F
I do what Gearhead_1 does - hang it from the trim head side or set it in a corner with that orientation, so it doesn`t fall over..
I have an Echo and use Stihl Synthetic oil/gas mixture for years and never drain it out.. If you use good gas - 89-Octane at least, it will last for years in my experience..
Dan F
Accumulator
Well-known member
I pay virtually no attention to how I store mine, other than trying to *not* store it filler-cap-down, though I`m sure that`s happened plenty of times too.
Mine runs fine on 87 octane and isn`t picky about what 2-stoke oil I use.
Mine runs fine on 87 octane and isn`t picky about what 2-stoke oil I use.
Angus
AspiringProductSpecialist
I store my Stihl trimmer by hanging it vertically w/ the engine side up on a Fast Track power tool holder:
Amazon.com: Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage Storage System Power Tool Hook, 1784460: Home & Kitchen
Don`t worry if you don`t have a Fast Track rail system, you can use screws to mount the holder directly into a wall.
Re: dumping out the fuel between sessions - as long as you add fuel stabilizer and run the highest octane available you`ll be fine.
Dan is totally right about Stihl Synthetic oil/gas pre-mix fuel. Great ethanol free stuff but pricey. I usually save it for the end of the season to run every last trace of ethanol out.
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cajunfirehawk
New member
Another vote for Echo and Red Max trimmers, have and used both, current is redmax.
Nizmo
New member
I just took mine out of my Stihl; might annoy the neighbors some, lol. I used to use Benol Racing Castor oil as my lube of choice, I had plenty left from my Nitro RC days. It worked very well, but the carbon deposits were too much. Went back to the pre-mix.
I went into my local small engine shop. This guy sells chainsaws, lawnmowers, weed eaters, trimmers. Just everything. He deals in the best. On weed eaters.... He said that Stihl and Husqvarna haven`t figured out quite how to build a good weed eater yet. He highly recommends Echo. Said they are much better. 5 year warranty. Last far longer than anything else out there.
donbeezy
New member
thread is a little old but since it got bumped. I`ll give an update.
stihl I picked up has been perfect since I`ve purchased it. probably used it 6 or 7 times by now. starts up easy. very nice power. had a solid week of rain and had to trim through some tall weeds and it was smooth as butter.
I had the guy put a fixed head trimmer on it (I believe it was a echo head), best decision ever. simply slide the line in and it locks in place. once your ready to replace the line, keep pushing the line through and pull out at the other end
stihl I picked up has been perfect since I`ve purchased it. probably used it 6 or 7 times by now. starts up easy. very nice power. had a solid week of rain and had to trim through some tall weeds and it was smooth as butter.
I had the guy put a fixed head trimmer on it (I believe it was a echo head), best decision ever. simply slide the line in and it locks in place. once your ready to replace the line, keep pushing the line through and pull out at the other end
GearHead_1
Long Time Member
Don, you gave me a chuckle not because of your choice in heads but because I saw first hand issues related to these heads within the past week. First I mean no offense in telling this. I don`t like the head that you speak of but my preference doesn`t mean beans. You like what you like and there is no accounting for taste. My father was in the small engine repair business for many years and always said he`d sell those heads to those too inept to wind the spool on a bump head.
A dirty bump head can cause problems, be very frustrating if not down right intimidating. I`ve seen people buy new trimmers for the sake of a dirty head. They need to be cleaned regularly in order for the clutch to work as designed. To each their own. Interestingly enough I fixed an Echo trimmer for the neighbor last Thursday. It had a bad diaphragm in the carb., he said it hadn`t ran since he put it away 2 years ago with the tank full. The diaphragm was not soft but brittle, they just don`t run well this way. It ran great when fixed but had the head that you`re talking about. I put a couple of new twines in the head when I gave it back. He came back over a couple of days later when he had a chance to use it and asked if I had some of those strands for the head of his trimmer. He was surprised when I handed him 5 ft. of .90 twine and a pair of side cut pliers.
My other neighbor who lives right next door to him also had a new Echo trimmer that he said he couldn`t use. He saw me bringing the first neighbors trimmer back and asked me to check his. He said when you bumped the head the twine would retract. His Echo had a spool on it that would clutch in either direction, depending upon orientation and sure enough if you put the spool in upside down it would retract. Both neighbors are now happily using their trimmers. Thought I`d share as this was recent.
Stokdgs
dansautodetailing.com
Amigo-Gearhead-O-Uno !
Absolutely hilarious stories of the Nefarious Echo Bump Head !!! I never knew it could resort to such crazy deeds !
Only Echo Bump Head to Advance Lines Head, here for decades, and they absolutely rock..
Never had one break..
Never had one fail..
Just have to know when its on the last long piece of line, use it all up, then stop and rewind new line..
Good for months - even longer if you never touch concrete sidewalks with it...
Dan F
Absolutely hilarious stories of the Nefarious Echo Bump Head !!!
I never knew it could resort to such crazy deeds ! Only Echo Bump Head to Advance Lines Head, here for decades, and they absolutely rock..
Never had one break..
Never had one fail..
Just have to know when its on the last long piece of line, use it all up, then stop and rewind new line..
Good for months - even longer if you never touch concrete sidewalks with it...
Dan F
donbeezy
New member
Don, you gave me a chuckle not because of your choice in heads but because I saw first hand issues related to these heads within the past week. First I mean no offense in telling this. I don`t like the head that you speak of but my preference doesn`t mean beans. You like what you like and there is no accounting for taste. My father was in the small engine repair business for many years and always said he`d sell those heads to those too inept to wind the spool on a bump head.
Interestingly enough I fixed an Echo trimmer for the neighbor last Thursday. It had a bad diaphragm in the carb., he said it hadn`t ran since he put it away 2 years ago with the tank full. The diaphragm was not soft but brittle, they just don`t run well this way. It ran great when fixed but had the head that you`re talking about. I put a couple of new twines in the head when I gave it back. He came back over a couple of days later when he had a chance to use it and asked if I had some of those strands for the head of his trimmer. He was surprised when I handed him 5 ft. of .90 twine and a pair of side cut pliers.
My other neighbor who lives right next door to him also had a new Echo trimmer that he said he couldn`t use. He saw me bringing the first neighbors trimmer back and asked me to check his. He said when you bumped the head the twine would retract. His Echo had a spool on it that would clutch in either direction, depending upon orientation and sure enough if you put the spool in upside down it would retract. Both neighbors are now happily using their trimmers. Thought I`d share as this was recent.
I haven`t messed with a bump head since I was 15 but I have horrible flashbacks when I see one. I`ve fought those things for 30 mins in the blistering sun before I could get them working right. never again will I operate a bump head trimmer lol.
I use .105 "xtra quiet" that I had from my sears trimmer. I never realized how quiet it was until I used it with the stihl. I normally cut 4 pieces of string and put them in my pocket as I`m trimming the yard.
GearHead_1
Long Time Member
It`s the same for me, Dan. I cut down a long block wall and a long concrete wall. I`d be forever changing strings if I didn`t use a bump head. I cut about an acre weekly and cut down all sides and walls within the yards each cut. I wind a bump head and know it`s good for 3 weeks of cutting. I always check the head before starting but it will usually give up on me the 4th week. I can run it until it`s out or just make the change before it`s gone but doesn`t take long to wind. Dad buys the twine in commercial spools and has lots on hand.Amigo-Gearhead-O-Uno !
Absolutely hilarious stories of the Nefarious Echo Bump Head !!!
Only Echo Bump Head to Advance Lines Head, here for decades, and they absolutely rock..
Never had one break..
Never had one fail..
Just have to know when its on the last long piece of line, use it all up, then stop and rewind new line..
Good for months - even longer if you never touch concrete sidewalks with it...
Dan F
When people have problems with their bump heads I`ll always throw them in a bucket and let them soak for a couple of hours and then clean with a brush. 80% of the time this will give them another couple of seasons. Of course there is nothing you can do to save a head where the plastic is wonn through. A new head depending upon brand is about $20. Echo heads fit the majority of the consumer grade trimmers and I have a couple of new ones laying around. Commercial heads for Red Max, Echo and a couple others are larger and cost more but seem to last forever.
I like the idea of using heavy twine but when it comes to the blades on the shrouds a heavy line can be hard on them. More of an issue with a bump head. I`ve been using a brand recently that is kind of braided, two colored, .90 thick twine. I`d have to check on the brand but it lasts very well. I also have some of the really heavy stuff that goes on the big wheeled DR trimmers. I think it is a .250 string, it`s way to heavy for a standard trimmer.
nothingface5384
New member
Milwaukee willl have a fuel 18 cordless out soon