string trimmer recommendation

[slag]

I need a new string trimmer. My Shindaiwa F18 has a broken primer bulb and its obsolete so its time to buy another trimmer. Sad that a dollar part makes an entire trimmer obsolete, but it is what it is.

So.. recommendations? I like 2 stroke over 4 stroke and want something light but powerful. I checked out home depot, walmart, and ACE and was not impressed with anything there, including the echo SRM-225. It just didn't feel good in my hands and was too heavy imho for a trimmer. I want to keep it around $200.00 if possible.

 

[waffleironhead]

Have you double checked to see if there is a newer part that replaces the old primer bulb?
Possibly this one?

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/primer-pump-p-505320.html
Edit: that one is definitly different.


Heading down the Internet rabbit hole. I have read somewhere that the Kawasaki td18 trimmer and the shindaiwa f18 use the same motor and carb. After looking for images of the bulbs side by side, they may indeed be the same.
http://www.oregonpartsdirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=3741
Does yours look like that?

 

[waffleironhead]

Double post

 

[shortylickens]

Sears will probably have better stuff than Walmart.

Menards is great but I dont think theres any down in Kansas.

 

[pcgeek11]

Go to a small engine repair shop. They can fix you up for a couple of bucks.

 

[slag]

Go to a small engine repair shop. They can fix you up for a couple of bucks.

I've called 3 in the area.. 2 said bring it in, they can match it. Neither could.

The Oregon part above looks a little different but it might be worth checking into.

 

[slag]

Sears will probably have better stuff than Walmart.

Menards is great but I dont think theres any down in Kansas.

WE have a menards in Topeka and one opening soon in Lawrence.

 

[highland145]

I've used a Husky for the past several years. It works. Same with the back pack blower.

 

[echo4747]

lightweight, extremely powerful,well built:

RedMax BCZ2460TS

 

[slag]

lightweight, extremely powerful,well built:

RedMax BCZ2460TS

Well out of my price range. I wouldn't spend that much on a lawn mower, let alone a small 2 stroke engine string trimmer.

 

[echo4747]

Well out of my price range. I wouldn't spend that much on a lawn mower, let alone a small 2 stroke engine string trimmer.

If you really insist on a new trimmer the RedMax BC280 ($250 although every once in a while on sale for $219) is also very good. As others have said: keep trying to find a primer bulb for your Shindaiwa. Shindaiwa makes excellent equipment

 

[slag]

Have you double checked to see if there is a newer part that replaces the old primer bulb?
Possibly this one?

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/primer-pump-p-505320.html
Edit: that one is definitly different.


Heading down the Internet rabbit hole. I have read somewhere that the Kawasaki td18 trimmer and the shindaiwa f18 use the same motor and carb. After looking for images of the bulbs side by side, they may indeed be the same.
http://www.oregonpartsdirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=3741
Does yours look like that?

You know, I just placed an order for 3 of them. I checked and they do look very similar, even to the point that if they aren't identical, they may be close enough to work. I really appreciate you checking this out. 3 different shops didn't know this and if it fixes my trimmer, I will be in your debt.

Thanks again,

Slag

 

[NutBucket]

My edger doesn't have a primer....what's the issue again?

 

[HeXen]

I got a 4 cycle Troy Bilt trimmer, no need to mix gas. A year later it still starts on the first pull. There's even a drill bit attachment so you can start it using your drill.

 

[slag]

My edger doesn't have a primer....what's the issue again?

Its more of a purge bulb. You pump it, then press a small lever and it cycles the fuel through the carb until it squirts out. Then choke it and it fires right up.

 

[NutBucket]

I know. I was only teasing. But it is interesting that for a while every mower I saw had a primer bulb...and now many don't. I guess that's due to gravity feed fuel system?

 

[NutBucket]

I got a 4 cycle Troy Bilt trimmer, no need to mix gas. A year later it still starts on the first pull. There's even a drill bit attachment so you can start it using your drill.

I've always gathered the general consensus was to skip the 4 stroke models. At any rate, is there a 4 stroke leaf blower on the market? Otherwise, what a waste of time

 

[3chordcharlie]

Echo 225 is my pick for a prosumer grade trimmer. But I see that you didn't like it. It's the only model in your price range.

I find echo and Stihl trimmers both lack 'smoothness' but not power.

Kawasaki makes light trimmers. They were my previous favorite, but had auto-choke issues on ~2008 or so models that drove me away. If those issues are sorted, the newer models may be excellent.

 

[Ken g6]

How much string trimming do you need to do? I have a battery-powered trimmer, which I think is pretty nice, but it only runs for 15 minutes at a time.

 

[Tsavo]

I've used a Husky for the past several years. It works. Same with the back pack blower.

They are the same thing as Poulan, but $100 or more expensive. Husqvarna Group owns the factories that make all the low-end stuff and rebrands it all the way up to Husqvarna. I looked at one Husqvarna last week and it was identical to a Poulan except for color. The Poulan was $100 less.

 

[Tsavo]

I bought a Stihl last week. It's one of the few brands left that's any good. Not to mention, a vastly better warranty than all the others, and local service centers all over the place.

It's a beast. Lots of power, and easy as hell to start.

 

[highland145]

They are the same thing as Poulan, but $100 or more expensive. Husqvarna Group owns the factories that make all the low-end stuff and rebrands it all the way up to Husqvarna. I looked at one Husqvarna last week and it was identical to a Poulan except for color. The Poulan was $100 less.

I was trying to remember what brand they were tied with. Google wasn't helping. I have a customers that does small engine repair and said that instead of making the poulans better, they are making the newer husky's worse with inferior parts. But mine are several years old. When they crap out, will probably look at Stihl.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I have 2 landscaper business owners on our street, they all use Echo.

I have Echo for 5+ years now, best piece of lawn equipment I've ever owned.

 

[shortylickens]

I've used a Husky for the past several years. It works. Same with the back pack blower.

Bosch makes really good lawn equipment, but its only available in Europe. I have no idea why.

 

[gbeirn]

I thought 4 stroke engines weren't good to use for a string trimmer application because the engine needs to be kept upright for proper lubrication, I guess they've fixed that now somehow?