I need a weedeater! (weed trimmer, for you yankee doodles)

Post by **cmfireman** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:38 pm

So my yard is becoming overgrown with weeds in the normal places I can't take my lawnmower. Around the mailbox, agianst the house, down the fenceline, and the ditch at the road.

I need to so these things who's boss, but I'm not sure of the brand to choose before I go into battle.

I would like something that will accept attachments, such as an edger and maybe a little blower just to remove the grass clippings from my driveway.

I don't want to cheap out, because I understand that with outdoor appliances, you generally get what you pay for. My budget is around $200-$275 max. It will probably only be used once a week for 30 minutes, but I want it to last for years.

I'm thinking Husqvarna, but I assume the Lowes ones are big box crap. Maybe Stihl, Redmax or Echo. I also want it to be a 2-cycle as 4 strokes are too heavy.

Anybody have a weedeater that has lasted a few seasons? Good or bad experiences?

Post by **Mr1der** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 2:23 pm

Echo.

it's the one most of your pros use.

Stay away from anything MTD makes....

4 stroke is worthless and only there to appease hippies.

they lack the torque for really getting the thick stuff.

Post by **cmfireman** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:27 pm

I checked out the Huskey 128L today. Felt good, but I hear they use some plastic on parts that you don't want to be made of plastic.

Maybe off to Home Depot tomorrow to play with the Echo 210SRM.

Post by **MinisterofDOOM** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:56 pm

Mr1der wrote:4 stroke is worthless and only there to appease hippies.

they lack the torque for really getting the thick stuff.

Plus 4 cycle exhaust doesn't smell nearly as good as 2 cycle exhaust.

Post by **snwbrdr435** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:52 am

I have a husky and had an echo one and a stihl. They all got the s*** beat out of them when i had my own landscaping company a few years back. I did keep the husky though.

Post by **bobotech** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 7:35 am

http://www.shindaiwa.com/

I bought one at a yard sale in 97 for 75 dollars. I had it until 2 years ago when it no longer worked due to me leaving it outside in the winter and never taking care of it. I bought a new Shindaiwa for a little bit over 300 dollars and it has been rock solid reliable. Its another trimmer than the pros use.

Its so much overkill for my yard but I want to have it for the next 10-15 years.

Post by **cmfireman** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:56 am

Well, I was going with a professional brand like Husky or Echo, but I ran across a deal I couldn't pass up.

Went to the local flea market yesterday and found a new Craftsman 33cc straight shaft convertible (accepts attachments) for $80. This unit sells for $170 at Sears.

I tried it out on the spot. It started right up, and the string is much easier to change than a bump feed. Get to test it out on an 80 yard fence line today.

I ended up buying razor blades (Gillette Fusion blades are ridiculous!), 50 rds of 9mm ammo, 2 new mower blades, and a weedeater for $80 less than I would've originally spent on a weedeater alone.

Post by **srellim234** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:47 am

As the unproud owner of a Ryobi four stroke for the last 8 years or so, I have to reluctantly agree. I use the edger attachment around the lawn almost exclusively because it's been really poor as a string trimmer.

I'm shopping around for a new string trimmer, too. Are any of the electrics (chorded, not rechargeable) worth a darn?

Post by **r34 gtr** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:20 am

I used a straight shaft Husqvarna a lot over the summer and it was great. Started right up, and did its job really well. It also didn't tire out my arm like some others I have tried.

Post by **Q451990** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:01 pm

Has anyone tried the propane powered weed eaters? I saw this one at Home Depot back in the spring.

Expensive, and I'm not one to buy anything with the word "Eco" or "Green" in the name, but I love the idea of not having gummed up carbs. to deal with every couple of years. I suspect that problem will get even worse as fuel quality continues to decline.

You can read up on them at http://www.golehr.com - I think they have a Craftsman version as well.

Heath

Post by **MinisterofDOOM** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:07 pm

I bet they're gutless. Propane's a pretty low-energy fuel as far as internal combustion fuels go (about 25% less than gasoline by volume). Especially considering it'd have to be 4-stroke (can't exactly mix oil easily), I can't see them being anywhere near as powerful as gas models.

Post by **Looneybomber** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:01 am

I know you already made your purchase, but to anyone else who reads this thread, I vote for Stihl.

I used stihl trimmers at the golf course I worked at for 4yrs (worked there for 5, but they bought a stihl after my first year). There were some weeks I weedeated 40hrs. (lot of ditches, trees and pond banks). I even dropped it in a pond once. Ran like a champ. I probably averaged 10-15hrs/week/year

Later, my parents bought it and after 6-7 yrs of use, it still works great! (yeah I weedeat their yard)

It was the model prior to this one.http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/FS55R.html

Post by **numbnuts240** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:06 am

i'm using a troy-bilt curved shaft that accept attachments. i love it. i opted for the 4-stroke, but not because of emissions, but because i can't be bothered dealing with 2-cycle oil. i have 2 5-gallon jugs of gasoline for my lawn equipment, i like to be able to just tap into one source and not d!ck around with looking for my gallon of "pre-mix".

Post by **AZhitman** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:49 am

^ I'd trust the Messkin.

I have had terrible luck with trimmers... killed 3 gas Craftsmans in 4 years, a couple electrics, and finally gave up.

No more grass in our yard.

I need a weedeater! (weed trimmer, for you yankee doodles)

I need a weedeater! (weed trimmer, for you yankee doodles)

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Re: I need a weedeater! (cmfireman)

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