String Trimmer

**Hoover** · 06-03-2008, 12:22 AM

There are many good trimmers out there. I currently own a Homelite trimmer, which is doing a fine job for my needs. Stihl is another good brand, they are more expensive, but they do hold up well. I used to own one. I can't think of any brand that is bad. One thing to remember, is buy one that has good aftermarket support. You will have to find replacement parts down the road.

**Pappy** · 06-03-2008, 04:39 AM

I went with an Echo about 3 years ago, mainly because of their optioinal head design. Instead of a spool that gets tangled, the head takes pieces of line that are feed into the head and held by spring clips.

To me, the only hassle with 2 cycle is having to keep an extra gas can for mixed fuel.

**gjat** · 06-03-2008, 05:09 AM

I can't stand two cycle trimmers and blowers. They're noisy, smelly, troublesome, polluting, high maintenance... You have to have special gas mixed for them, another gas tank to keep in the garage, and another trip to the gas station. They suck if they don't start. I hate hearing them early in the morning. They're bad for your own hearing. They're just bad karma, dude.

I've had a small & cheap electric Weed-Eater for about 25 years, and it just won't die. I bought a slightly bigger one at a garage sale for $5 a few years ago because I just know the little one can't last forever, though it seems like it will. Here in Florida you use these almost year round. I've worn out a few spools, but so far, I've been able to replace them. If I had to go out and buy one tomorrow, I'd buy an electric Weed-Eater. Yeah, it's sometimes annoying to pull out the extension cord, but in the big scheme, I don't want the hassle of screwing around with the gas ones.

And what's wrong with a broom? It takes me 10 minutes of QUIET sweeping of my drive and walkways. I thought we needed exercise and are supposed to conserve energy?

**JimD** · 06-03-2008, 05:44 AM

I depends on the size of your yard. For a small place or small trimming job, a rechargable or electric may be a good option. I have too much trimming for that, however (I would need about a 300 ft. cord or a bunch of batteries).

I use a weedeater 2 cycle that is 5 or more years old. It has a single strand cutting line which makes it much easier to replace. I just wind more on (several times a year). It advances itself. I have Bermudia and it works well to edge against the street. With Centepede, the predominant grass around where I live, it would not work well as an edger but with the Bermuda it is fine. I do not like the long straight edgers, I prefer the shorter handled one. I could never find a comfortable position with the long one I had.

2 cycles are very practical for small engines that do not run constantly. They are cheaper to make and do the job. I have an old boat motor made in the 60s, 2 cycle, and it worked fine last time I had a little boat for it to push. I also have an old McCulloh chain saw that I bought reconditioned over 20 years ago that cut down a pretty big tree earlier this year. When you get a bad 2 cycle, one that does not want to run, they can be a major pain but most of the ones I have had worked well.

Jim

**BadeMillsap** · 06-03-2008, 07:54 AM

4 cycle for me ...

I live in the Texas hill country where we have more rocks than trees and we have lottsa trees (scrub oaks and cedar mostly) ... anyway ... over the past 25 years of living here I've "used up" a number of 2 cycle string trimmer ... everything from Toro, Shindawa to the truely crappy cheapies ... finally a couple of years ago I decided I'd had enough of the 2 cycle heart ache and bought what at the time was top of the line 4 cycle Craftsman from Sears ... it is an older version of this one http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=Line+Trimmers

It is in my opinion well worth the money I paid and does a great job ... I use .15 heavy duty string ... no bounce head, you cut the string into 18" lengths and manually insert them into the head ... but since it is pretty heavy string it lasts a good long time even where I'm "trimming sharp rocks" along with cedar tree saplings and heavy duty weeds ... it has PLENTY of torque and starts easy. No mixing of fuel/oil of course.

(The reviews of the current model on the Sears link above are mixed ... but opinions are like noses ... everyone has one and most people thinks yours looks funny)

It's a LITTLE on the heavy side .. but then it's made for heavy work ...

It gets MY thumbs up ...

**MikeMcCoy** · 06-03-2008, 08:03 AM

Did you by any chance read the first review? I don't have a 4 cycle trimmer but I'm assuming thy don't mix oil with the gas??? I'm in need of a new trimmer so this thread is timely.

His/her review -

"I bought this trimmer few days ago. It came with a bottle of 40:1 engine oil which I mixed with 1 gal of regular gasoline. I primed the bulb10 times and sure enough there was visible fuel mix in the bulb. I pulled more than 50 times ( I lost count after 50) before it would start. After stopping it to refuel, the trimmer wouldn't start.

**docrowan** · 06-03-2008, 08:11 AM

I have a fairly small yard, about 180 X 120 or so, but I also keep up my mother-in-law's yard, which is about the same size. My father-in-law gave me his old gas powered walk behind edger that I use about once a year on MIL's driveway. I had an old corded Weedeater for trimming, but I got tired of hauling the cord around for both yards and began considering a gas powered. I didn't want a two cycle at all and wasn't keen on having yet another four cycle gas engine to maintain.

Black & Decker opened up a factory outlet near me, so I went with one of their factory reconditioned 18V cordless trimmers. It came with two batteries and works well for trimming, but not so good for heavy edging. One of the things I really like about it is it has an automatic string advance. Not only does this keep me from having to bounce it so often, but I've found I use less string. I've yet to have to reload the string spool. I went back and bought the 18V flashlight and 18V cordless blower, which also came with two batteries. Now that I have the five batteries, the whole system works pretty good. After filling up my gas cans for my two lawn mowers and shelling out 12 bucks just to cut grass, I'm pleased that I went with the cordless.

**pelligrini** · 06-03-2008, 08:57 AM

I haven't used a 4-cycle; I was really eyeballing the Craftsman that Bade Millsap linked to last summer.

I've been using the Ryobi trimmer with the interchangeable tools for a couple decades now. Just last month I bought my third engine assembly from Home depot. I'm not too sure about the new design; I've only used it once. I really like the different tools I can use, especially the blower/vac attachment. The blade edger is nice too. I never got around to picking up the tiller attachment, and I don't really need a snow blower in TX.

I prefer the curved neck trimmer to the straight one. I've used both, but I like the balance of the curved one. It's also easier for me to get a level cut. Adding cutting line is easy, you don't have to take it apart. Both lines feed from the outside.

**crokett** · 06-03-2008, 09:00 AM

I have a 2 cycle trimmer. I don't mind mixing gas - it takes the same ration as my chainsaw and leaf blower. I wear muffs so noise is not a factor. Mine is a Ryobi that I've had for 8 years. It might take 1 or 2 extra pulls to start it now. The only thing I don't like is the bump style head and winding string on. I tried switching the head out but the bolt that holds it on is non-standard.

My 2-cyle is smaller and lighter than a 4 cycle plus I can tip it sideways or upside down for edging, etc and it still runs. Can't do that with a 4 cycle.

**BadeMillsap** · 06-03-2008, 11:43 AM

Uhhh ... mixing gas/oil not so much on 4 cycle ...

... that person obviously didn't understand the difference between 2 and 4 cycle engines ... of course ... you would THINK (though not expect) that if bought from an actual brick/mortar store someone might have mentioned that to the buyer ... oh well ....

As far edging (crokett) ... I tilt mine all the time with no problem

... when I REALLY want to edge like a long sidewalk .. I just attach the actual "edger with a blade" that was a part of an old and now trashed 2 cycle Ryobi (as pelligrini mentions) ... and same thing if I need to trim up some small tree limbs I attach the "chain saw" attachment I bought for that same ryobi ... all works just fine on the 4 cycle Craftsman. (in fact if I were hung up on WANTING a bump feed I could use the old ryobi's head for that as well .. but I prefer the much thicker string I can use with the Craftsman).

An odd thing ... the 4 cycle Craftsman didn't come with a shoulder "harness" ... seems like an obvious thing to need with the heavier 4 cycle engine ... and again ... spare parts from trimmers past saved the day ...

Bade

**pelligrini** · 06-03-2008, 11:50 AM

Well darn, I didn't know my Ryobi devices would have hooked up to that craftsman. I certainly would have gone with it then.

**ironhat** · 06-03-2008, 03:16 PM

From a completely different aspect of trimmers, if you have a back problem

look for a unit with handlebars that are perpendicular to the driveshaft. This squares the operator to the work and removes the torque created by the stance required by many of these units. If the trigger on the Craftsman was only up on the handlebars it would be great. As it is it's the same posture with a new, albeit neat, new handle design. My old Weedeater has the throttle, throttle set button and a kill switch on the right side. I'm gonna be a sad pup when this unit goes belly-up. It's probably 15 years old so it's likely that it's on borrowed time.

JAT

**dlminehart** · 06-03-2008, 07:31 PM

HD has the new 18V Ryobi, that works with the One+ batteries, for $40. Not as powerful as my corded electric one, but certainly good enough for the touchup work I do around the yard. And it's light, converts to an edger, and needs no gas, oil, or cord.

**gerti** · 06-03-2008, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by dlminehart

HD has the new 18V Ryobi, that works with the One+ batteries, for $40. Not as powerful as my corded electric one, but certainly good enough for the touchup work I do around the yard. And it's light, converts to an edger, and needs no gas, oil, or cord.

I agree, love mine! Gave my stinky trimmer away.

String Trimmer

String Trimmer

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