string trimmer recommendation

[Vdubchaos]

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

Probably because it wouldn't hold a candle to stuff found on this side of the pond.

Grass cutting in Europe and US is like comparing sizes of Pluto and Juniper.



Also, if Bosch is ANYTHING like they are with their Automotive products, I would stay FAR FAR FAR away from them.

 

[highland145]

Heh, juniper.

 

[slag]

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.

I have a decent sized back yard, but my sons mow a few lawns in the neighborhood and its more convenience to just have a gasoline powered one.

 

[HeXen]

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

Nowadays 4 cycle trimmers are a lot better than they used to be. Notice there are a lot more on the market. They are not quite as heavy and have more power now but they are still a bit heavier than typical 2 cycles. Personally I never noticed, I just like the convenience of it and with the tree trimmer attachment it's plenty powerful.

Most industry professionals would agree that 4-cycle engines are the future of string trimmers.

http://bestweedeaters.com/buying-4-stroke-weed-eater

 

[JM Aggie08]

I picked up a 2-stroke Troy Bilt about 7 months ago, and it has worked pretty well. Got a replacement head for it, as I hate the spool-style heads.

I'll probably upgrade to a nice Echo sometime soon.

 

[slag]

I picked up a 2-stroke Troy Bilt about 7 months ago, and it has worked pretty well. Got a replacement head for it, as I hate the spool-style heads.

I'll probably upgrade to a nice Echo sometime soon.

The Kawasaki primer bulbs have been back ordered twice now. I think I'll just go pick up the echo at home depot. Not sure if I want the straight shaft of curved shaft. I'm honestly not sure why straight shaft are preferred when the curved shaft models are lighter and curve down perfectly to the grass.

 

[NutBucket]

I think the straight shaft is more robust. I know the manufacturers don't recommend brush cutters on curved shafts models.

 

[slag]

I picked it up this morning at home depot. Of course, now its raining and I don't want to get drenched. It will pass soon and I'll try it out though.

 

[slag]

Well it works great. Easy to start, very powerful, and weighted good as well. Glad i got it.

 

[NoCreativity]

Well it works great. Easy to start, very powerful, and weighted good as well. Glad i got it.

Curved or straight?

 

[JM Aggie08]

My current Troy Bilt is a gooseneck, and I somewhat regret that. It absolutely kills my back to trim/edge both the front and backyard (6'8 tall).

 

[highland145]

My current Troy Bilt is a gooseneck, and I somewhat regret that. It absolutely kills my back to trim/edge both the front and backyard (6'8 tall).

And I was bitching being 6'1". I'd hire some south of the border gentlemen if I were you.

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, I think at 6'8" you're just hosed period!

 

[slag]

Curved or straight?

I picked up the straight shaft trimmer.

 

[mindless1]

FYI, even if you can't get part XYZ for a carb, you could just get the entire carb for ~ $40 or less which includes everything but the air filter housing (and possibly a gasket or two on both sides of it which can be cut from bulk material if not found online).

Some are set up a little different in how many hoses go to the fuel tank so keep that in mind but basically it just needs to support that engine's cylinder displacement. The best way to start is look up what make and model carb it used (probably Walbro, carb itself may have decipherable model # on it) and if you can't find that, what functionally equivalent carb models are out there today.

Searching for the F18 carb I got hits like the following $19:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carburetor-Carb-for-Shindaiwa-C230-F230-LE230-PB230-/181442479455

Modern 2 cycle equipment is set to run so lean and with E10 fuel, many people esp. contractors feel it's worthwhile to just get a replacement carb to have it lying around so when it's time for the inevitable carb rebuild, they can just swap the new carb in and then decide later whether to buy ~$15 worth of rebuild parts including primer bulb or just toss it out.

 

[Ban Bot]

I used my 40V Ryobi trimmer that supports "Expand-it" last night as a pole saw (10" bar, $99). Cut 15 branches between 2" and 6" and it only used 25% of the battery. So far happy with the unit. Light and isn't loud. Obviously not as awesome as a high end Echo but for my needs it works well.

 

[HeXen]

Straight shaft makes my hands and forearms cramp up having to hold the back end higher while lowing the front to get the angle I need, or I just need a longer, curved handle so I can straighten out both my arms or something..

 

[mindless1]

^ On many it helps to adjust the position of the handle on the shaft or to wear a strap to support the weight around your neck and back. Even so, straight/curved/bicycle handlebar/backpack exist for different user preferences among other reasons.

 

[highland145]

Too bad you have to buy them to figure out what you like. Except for Aggie, he needs astroturf.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Commercial style straight shaft is superior in every way except weight and cost. It's not even close.

The shaft is longer, the machine can be balanced on your right forearm and elbow for better control, the reach is better, and normally the machine has more power and is built tougher.

The weight can be balanced with a shoulder strap if needed.

 

[mindless1]

Too bad you have to buy them to figure out what you like. Except for Aggie, he needs astroturf.

You can go to your local lawn & garden dealer to play with a few display models. Not run them, but at least check the balance, weight, general UI, how easy it is to get the line spool off (can vary greatly from your son being able to do it with his hands vs your needing a screwdriver to pry and getting muck all over your own hands doing it, lol).

I prefer straight shaft but it matters less than one with a commercial engine. Less vibration, easier starts, less picky about fuel quality or age, more power, easier to find parts, etc... even if some of the parts are obscenely priced like $30 for a 18" piece of throttle cable with a pot metal custom shaped pin on one end. I rolled my own but it probably won't last as long as the original.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I had a 4 stroke TroyBilt that was stolen a few years back. It was ok, but a 4 stroke weed eater motor just doesn't rev as high as the 2 stroke counterparts.

When I finally needed to buy a new one, I used AMEX rewards to get a Home Depot gift card... I had $100 and put it towards a 2 stroke Ryobi. It's on year 6 and still starts with no issues. My only gripe is reloading the string...but that's will all string trimmers. It's been solid for me...expect those things to last 2-3 years and don't sink too much money into them. Eventually, the fuel lines will gum up and it's easier to toss them than replace all the rubber/plastic parts.

I'm 6'4" and got a straight shaft because of it. I recommend getting one that can accept attachments too... I got a brush cutter and a hedge trimmer....the hedge trimmer is far better than the electric models.

 

[mindless1]

^ While you could toss it out, it's not a big deal to replace the carb (2-4 bolts, 5 minutes/$30) or 30 min./$10 rebuilding it... vs $100+ for anything decent as a replacement.

The fuel lines themselves usually last through several carb rebuilds unless your fuel is high ethanol and brittles them (or you leave fuel sitting in the lines through the winter storage months).

 

[Blanky]

When I finally needed to buy a new one, I used AMEX rewards to get a Home Depot gift card... I had $100 and put it towards a 2 stroke Ryobi. It's on year 6 and still starts with no issues. My only gripe is reloading the string...but that's will all string trimmers. It's been solid for me...expect those things to last 2-3 years and don't sink too much money into them. Eventually, the fuel lines will gum up and it's easier to toss them than replace all the rubber/plastic parts.

I'm entering year 10 this summer on a HomeLite brand trimmer I paid $70-80 for @ Homedepot. Changing the string is a headache (somewhat mitigated by using the super tough string so I need do it 1-2 times/year), but otherwise it's started up perfectly each year, and I've never replaced the spark plug. I do run it completely empty each fall.

 

[slag]

You can go to your local lawn & garden dealer to play with a few display models. Not run them, but at least check the balance, weight, general UI, how easy it is to get the line spool off (can vary greatly from your son being able to do it with his hands vs your needing a screwdriver to pry and getting muck all over your own hands doing it, lol).

I prefer straight shaft but it matters less than one with a commercial engine. Less vibration, easier starts, less picky about fuel quality or age, more power, easier to find parts, etc... even if some of the parts are obscenely priced like $30 for a 18" piece of throttle cable with a pot metal custom shaped pin on one end. I rolled my own but it probably won't last as long as the original.

My home depot had them all put together as well so you could just pull them off the rack and try them out. There was at least one of every model that was not tethered down so you could feel the balance and weight in your hands.