Need help selecting a gas powered trimmer (Weedeater)

[Shockwave]

Looking for a gas powered trimmer. Wont spend over a 100 bucks. So far I've found 2 different ones.

Lowes - Bolen 31cc curved shaft trimmer - 75 bucks

Home Depot - Homelight 25cc curved chaft trimmer - 69 bucks

So, which do you guys think? Bolen or Homelight? Or is there another brand I should look at?

Thanks

 

[NutBucket]

Straight shaft. I hate the curved ones.

And yes, that's what she said

 

[chrisms]

I'll eat some weed.

 

[Sluggo]

I bought a Stihl, cheap (about 120) consumer model a few years back. It seems virtually indestructible. Always starts, will cut through about anything. I take it to work on occasion, and we cut some really hefty weeds, it seems to take it with no problems. Still quiet and light enough to use around the house with no complaints.

They do say to a buy a straight shaft if you can, less stress on whatever cable type thingy is inside.

 

[Shockwave]

Interesting about the shaft type. Maybe I'll go straight instead. Heck, maybe I can *finally* find a shaft type the wife likes.......

 

[Evadman]

I know it is more than you want to spend, but get the Ryobi or another with the quicklink feature to attach other attachments. I spent $120 on mine with a straight shaft, and I would never change it. I needed to trim some braches, on goes a trimming attachment. Till? no prob, on goes a tiller attachment.

If youa re dead set on those 2, do not get the Homelight. We had TONS of those come back because they would not start after 20 hours of use. They wore out that quick. Their lifespan is definately short. Can't say that Bolen is better or worse, only that the Homelight 25cc'ers sucked!

 

[Eli]

Stihl makes good engines.

You want to avoid half-crank engines, like most cheap models are going to have.

If you do go cheap, make sure you use a high quality synthetic 2-cycle oil, NOT an el-cheapo "TCW-III certified" oil. Your pathetically underengineered engine will thank you.

 

[thedarkwolf]

While on the subject is there attachment or type of string that works better then the starndard stuff around chain link fences?

 

[dartworth]

I have the Bolen from Lowes...does the job, nothing fancy...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
While on the subject is there attachment or type of string that works better then the starndard stuff around chain link fences?

Not really. Just get a thicker line. Shrug. You can only get blade-attachments if you have a higher end trimmer(or most straight-shafts, I believe) that doesen't use a drive cable. But those aren't going to be good around metal objects.

You could always try this and let us know how it goes. A chainlink fence is about as hard on trimmer line as you can get.

 

[Mean MrMustard]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Looking for a gas powered trimmer. Wont spend over a 100 bucks.

You'll get what you pay for.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: ELP

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Looking for a gas powered trimmer. Wont spend over a 100 bucks.

You'll get what you pay for.

Yep..

Expect a cheap half-shaft engine to last about 3-400 hours of use. Maybe 600 if you take very good care of it, use a high quality synthetic and try not to bog it too much. So depending on how long you use it, that could be quite a few seasons.. or not very many.

A commercial quality trimmer engine(full counterweighted crankshaft, roller bearings, two-ring piston, etc)will last 2000+ hours.

 

[shady123]

scissors is ok

 

[Shockwave]

How much are Stihls.... I like their chainsaws, if there trimmers are in the same line......
I guess my bidget of 100 was because I dont need anything fancy. Dont need a mondo large engine, dont need attachments. I just need something that spins some string to cut grass.
But if those sub 100 dollar units are really that sh1tty I could go for a higher end model I guess

 

[Squisher]

Stihls or Echo.

I've gone through too many cheap lawn and garden tools.

 

[Eli]

I'm doing some research for you, will report back in a bit.

 

[T2T III]

I know it is more than you want to spend, but get the Ryobi or another with the quicklink feature to attach other attachments. I spent $120 on mine with a straight shaft, and I would never change it. I needed to trim some braches, on goes a trimming attachment. Till? no prob, on goes a tiller attachment.

Fortunately, John Deere, Snapper and many others feature the quick-link system, too. My old Ryobi (after 9 years) died a slow death last year. Home Depot wasn't carrying Ryobi last year, so I picked up a Snapper from Wal-Mart for under $100. I think it's much easier to start and use than my old Ryobi.

Also, it looks like the model that Sears sells which has the quick-link feature is made by Snapper as the switches, engine, etc. all look the same to me. Sears should run sales off and on for the trimmer with approx. $10 off the price on sale. Sale price should be approx. $90.

 

[Eli]

The Toro model 51930 1HP trimmer for 139$ at the Home Depot has a full crank engine, and a 2 year warranty. Pretty good.

Could be the one of the best bang for the buck trimmers.

It looks like you're gong to spend at least 170 for a higher quality unit.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: Eli
I'm doing some research for you, will report back in a bit.

Appreciate it! I'm kinda tied up doing some DS3 H2H testing right now....