did consumer reports ever rank weed wackers?

[aic]

can't find it.

 

[DainBramaged]

Just use scissors.

 

[Jeff7181]

Get one with no less than 4 HP 😉

 

[aic]

any update on whether they ranked them or someone else ranked them?

 

[Squisher]

12/2004


1 Husqvarna 326LX
$330 11.5 24.5 cc ? ?
2 Cub Cadet CC 2000 Note: Discontinued.
170 9.5 25 cc ?
3 Troy-Bilt Trimmer Plus TB25CS
CR Best Buy
130 13 31 cc ?
4 Stihl Easy 2 Start FS 55RC
185 11.5 27 cc ? ?
5 Echo SRM-210i
240 12 21.2 cc ? ?
6 Echo GT-200R
170 10 21.2 cc ?
7 Stihl Easy 2 Start FS 45 C
150 10 27 cc ?
8 John Deere T105C LE
200 10 19.8 cc ?
9 Stihl Pro Series FS-75 Note: Discontinued.
220 11 25.4 cc ?
10 Toro 51930A
140 11 25 cc ?
11 Ryobi 775r EZ Trimmer Plus
140 13 31 cc ? ?
12 Homelite Trim ?n Edge UT 20779
CR Best Buy
80 10 25 cc ?
13 Husqvarna 325CX E-tech Note: Discontinued.
200 10.5 24.5 cc ?
14 Stihl Easy 2 Start FS 46C
185 9 27 cc ?
15 Craftsman 79612
200 16 34 cc ? ?
16 Ryobi 875r Trimmer Plus
180 13 26.2 cc ? ?
17 Stihl FS 110 RX
370 13.5 31.4 cc ? ?
18 Craftsman 79154
110 12 25 cc
19 Bolens BL100 CR Best Buy
75 10 31 cc ?
20 Weed Eater Max SST MX550
100 12.5 25 cc ? ?
21 Ryobi 700r
100 10.5 31 cc ?
22 Craftsman 79158
140 14 32 cc ? ?
23 Troy-Bilt Trimmer Plus TB475SS
195 13.5 26.2 cc ? ?
24 Honda HHT25SLTA
310 13 25 cc ? ?
25 Weed Eater Featherlite FL20
70 9.5 20 cc
26 Weed Eater Featherlite Xtreme FX26
80 9.5 25 cc ?

 

[arcas]

If you're looking for a weedwacker/brushcutter, I'd recommend you stay away from the consumer class gear (Stihl FS55 and below, Echo SRM210, Weedeater brand, etc). FWIW, here are my recommendations in no particular order:

- Stihl FS-80/85 or FS110
- Husq 322 or 326L
- Echo SRM-260S (the "S" model has the solid steel shaft. you'll need this if you ever want to attach a saw blade)
- Shindaiwa T260, T270 or T272

Any of these models will stand up to commercial use and will last the average homeowner a long, long time. In addition, most of these are blade-capable (except for the Stihl FS "Extreme" models...these have a lightweight flexible shaft that can't be used with a blade).

If you're not afraid to work on small engines, you can find these used at great prices. I picked up an FS85 for about $130. $25 in parts to fix the carburetor and throttle cable and it's good to go.

 

[Ornery]

Yeah, what arcas said. Don't rely on CR for things like this. Ask people who know! That would be landscapers. Hell, you don't even have to ask. Just look at what they're carrying on their trailers. 9 times out of 10, it will be Echo or Stihl. They cost more up front, but will last as long as several homeowner grade units.