newbie here need help picking a trimmer

[The Intimidator]

hey fellas I am looking for some advice on trimmers right now I have a older fs-85 that is going to need from 150-200$ worth of parts now I know what you guy's are thinking go and buy a new one the problem is the 80-85 series stihl trimmers are still selling from between 450-500$ up here. I have been considering buying a new trimmer though and would like you're guys thoughts on the subject.

option one is I can fix my old trimmer up and see if it last's me threw the season. cost to me between 150-200$

option two Buy a new stihl fs-85 I have got one quote for 420$+ tax I figure I can get it for 440$ out the door cost to me around 450$ plus I will have a parts trimmer here with alot of good parts still on it

option number three is buy one of the honda trimmers hht25sltc is the model number It has the 25cc 4 stroke engine straight shaft and I can pick it up for 380$ I retails at 490$ but I get it at cost.

My dealer says the honda is pretty good and she has not had many Major issues with them besides guy's tearing them up bye running the crap out of them and not servicing them. I keep excellent care of my equipment as It is far to valuable to tear up. I am really stuck on what to do here lol any suggestions for me I would really like to stick with one of these two trimmers as I have not heard of most of the other's you guy's run I associate echo with crap as everything I have seen with the name on it has lead to a quick death it was not pro grade stuff but it still leaves the image in you're mind. The other's you guy's will likely recommend I have never heard of or seen I get great service at my stihl/honda dealer and I would rather keep my business their because I know after the fact I will have quick friendly service should something come up thanks Dave in Ontario

edit.... seems I should have posted this in the general section below or in the equipment forum if this is a problem could some won please move it thanks Dave

[Grits]

What about the Stihl FS90R for $300 ? (U.S. dollars)

[ed2hess]

I have not heard of most of the other's you guy's run I associate echo with crap as everything I have seen with the name on it has lead to a quick death it was not pro grade stuff but it still leaves the image in you're mind. Dave
You are wrong about Echo....you need to learn to repair these trimmers it is NOT hard. In particular Echo is very very easy to work on and most of the parts are cheap. The Stihl is a good unit what is wrong with the one you have?

[The Intimidator]

here is a linky to the problems I am having with the stihl http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=171517 I consider myself pretty good with repairing these things I have spent a summer working on outboards did a co-op with my mechanic working on everything from lil British cars to civics up to 1 ton trucks. I have alot of knowledge working with engines and their components and I am comfortable tearing into one to repair it.

I agree though that all the echo products that I have used witnessed being used or have try'd to repair were the consumer crap. I have honestly never seen one running for more then a month with out having some sort of trouble while I am sure the pro models are built alot better seeing all the broken and poor performing echo consumer grade products makes me feel like I cant trust the company and the fact they produce this crap for the masses really makes me want to spend my money on a company that makes a reliable product across it's product range, from lil electric trimmers to home owner grade gassers to the pro grade model that will serve you day after day

I don't think the fs90 is available in canada I think we jump from the fs80/85 to the 4-mix 110 and up I know we have the fs55 but I hear that is not the best trimmer out there although I will rarely use a brush blade and most of my trimming is light duty thanks

[metro36]

You are very wrong about echo. I have an echo trimmer that is over 7 years old and runs perfect.I have only done minor repairs on it. Echo equipment is pro grade. There stuff is very tough and can take a beating or two.

[Potchkins]

get another Sthil, weather it be a:
FS 80R you can reuse the solid shaft from your fs85
or a FS 110R

[SILVERSTREAK INC]

echo ms260's all the way....plenty of power, really light and super easy to fix and maintain. Brickman uses all of them and manage to get 3 years out of them before retireing....and figure each one is being used 8 solid hours a day 6 days a week 7 months out of the year....figure it out and thats 4000 hours of use!! and 90% still run fine when they are retired, i know because i lots of times, buy the retired ech weedwackers and pb650 blowers... i tried sthil for awhile they sound like dirtbikes haha but the only downside is they are heavy....very good machine though, and if you do have a sthil already its good to be able to swap parts later like the last poster said. i stick with echo for weedwackers and blowers but for my saws its sthil definately. by far the best saw out there and ive owned them 20 years now since the o34 style came out.

[out4now]

I like Echos, Sthil makes great saws but when it comes to trimmers I always preferred the Echos. Having a parts trimmer sounds like a good idea though. If you've had good luck with Sthil then why change. Its really a lot of personal preference like Ford or Chevy etc. Most top name equipment is pretty good today.

[ed2hess]

here is a linky to the problems I am having with the stihl http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=171517 I consider myself pretty good with repairing these things I have spent a summer working on outboards did a co-op with my mechanic working on everything from lil British cars to civics up to 1 ton trucks. I have alot of knowledge working with engines and their components and I am comfortable tearing into one to repair it.

If you had bought an Echo instead of the Stihl you would definitely not have had the the unit torn all apart like you show in your picture. An echo problem can be easily determined and repaired. And you continue to be wrong about both the commericial and the customer level Echo units they are pretty darn solid units. Go buy another Stihl....maybe a 4mix it will be a lot easier to work on-NOT.

[The Intimidator]

wow what hostility :laugh:

I have acquired that trimmer used right now I have no money in it and about two hours of my time. The only reason I have it torn apart is to check the condition of the internals, so I could see if it would be worth spending mony on.

I believe the deere dealer sells echo I could go check and see what they have to offer. what are you're guy's opinion on the honda vs the stihl I have searched all over but I can't find many users who have used them and have reviewed them? the other reason why I picked those two trimmers was #1 my dealer is awsome and the service section is top notch, and I can get a great deal on both of those trimmers. I dont really care for the 4-mix engine It seems as if it is more complicated then it needs to be make it a 4 stroke and run straight gas or make it a two stoke and run a mix and dont have any valves why make a two stroke more complicated then it needs to be?

[Albery's Lawn & Tractor]

Echo all the way. Thats all I will ever use. Easy to work on (if they ever need it) I have 2 210's one is 5 years old and the other is about 7-8 and both start on just a few pulls. You can buy a brand new 210 from home depot or anywhere else for $200 why not buy two of them for the price of one sthil. Or try ebay, I just bought a 210 that is one year old for $80 and a PE-200 (stick edger) for $75 both just arrived and run perfect.

[sikagrass]

I have 5 echo trimmers. Two are bent shaft consumer models and that is all I use. They seem to last forever I just cant tear them up. One is 7 years old and thats my favorite. Have never tried another brand so cant advise on them. Easy to maintain once you get that screen out.Hearing echo is crap just makes me shake my head.Good luck with your choice

[greenerman]

I'm running a Honda, you won't be dissapointed. Only place you can buy an Echo here is Home Depot! All equipment suppliers carry Stihl,Honda Shindaiwa,Muruyama etc.

[gmcplowtruck]

go to lowes and buy a husqavarna it cost me A$329 and it has great power and it came with a brush blade that can be in stalled quikly very light and powerful had for 3 years its great i also have a jd and shindaiwa if you get the shindaiwa get the bigger one for power

[RedMax Man]

RedMax Bcz2600s ~ Great all around string trimmer. Has a Strato charged eng. and comes with shoulder strap if you ever get into brush cutting.

[4curbappeal]

Don't waste your time or money repairing the stihl! Put the $ you were going to spend to fix the stihl + $150 and get a trimmer that will last. Stihl, Kawi, Echo, Shindaiwa, Red Max whatever!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anything commercial!!

[The Intimidator]

well after reading alot on here and trying one out I bought a echo srm210 just under 300$ otd I must have got the company's mixed up this trimmer seem's to be very sturdy we'll see how it hold's up over the summer. My on and only complaint so far is the loop handle feel's rather flimsy although vibration free. I guess it is like going from a old pioneer saw to a stihl with all the anti vibe stuff you lose the solid feel but it is worth it :laugh:


Now for a quick question I am running the regular grade gasoline and stihl two stroke oil I noticed in the little book it say's to run mid grade or higher probably the same with my little 017? Will I get a noticeable difference between the two grades and is it worth it right now the regular gas is 1.07$ and the mid - high test is from 1.10-1.20 a liter :cry: I simply don't want to cause any undue harm to my stuff and will pay the premium for longer service life thanks

[GroundControlLawnCare]

here is a linky to the problems I am having with the stihl http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=171517 I consider myself pretty good with repairing these things I have spent a summer working on outboards did a co-op with my mechanic working on everything from lil British cars to civics up to 1 ton trucks. I have alot of knowledge working with engines and their components and I am comfortable tearing into one to repair it.

I agree though that all the echo products that I have used witnessed being used or have try'd to repair were the consumer crap. I have honestly never seen one running for more then a month with out having some sort of trouble while I am sure the pro models are built alot better seeing all the broken and poor performing echo consumer grade products makes me feel like I cant trust the company and the fact they produce this crap for the masses really makes me want to spend my money on a company that makes a reliable product across it's product range, from lil electric trimmers to home owner grade gassers to the pro grade model that will serve you day after day

I don't think the fs90 is available in canada I think we jump from the fs80/85 to the 4-mix 110 and up I know we have the fs55 but I hear that is not the best trimmer out there although I will rarely use a brush blade and most of my trimming is light duty thanks
DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF ECHO STUFF U USED BUT MINE IS GREAT. ONE OF MINE IS HOME OWNER GRADE PUT THROUGH HELL. RUNS LIKE NEW .ECHO , STIHL, GREAT STUFF, CAN'T GO WONG.

[The Intimidator]

^^^^^^^^^^I must have got the company's mixed up with echo and some other brand :rolleyes: I trust the combined wisdom of this place and if you guy's say the echo is good enough to run a couple years of regular duty. Then it should last me even longer as I am doing 10 lawns right now and hope to be up to 25 by the end of may, Just starting out I don't need the best of the best but in my opinion you can buy the item in question now in commercial trim or residential. You tend to get what you pay for if I spend 450$ on a trimmer and it lasts me for 5 years It works out to 90$ a year. Or I can spend 200$ on a residential trimmer hope it makes it threw the year without spinning a bearing or something else going wrong and it would work out to 200$ per year assuming it last's the year and not two. I feel the echo 210 is a fair medium between the stihl/honda or a residential trimmer ryobi/weedeater/whatever In power life expectancy and minimum downtime one thing I hate is equipment sitting not doing anything because when it is not doing what it is made for it is not making any money.

[Prestige-Lawncare]

How about a Stihl FS 100 RX for $330.

[The Intimidator]

How about a Stihl FS 100 RX for $330.


only problem with that is the American funds the same trimmer is on sale from 529$-499$ Canadian :realmad: hell the fs-80 is on sale for 399$ from 429 up here it is bloody crazy the price difference between a item bought in the states and the same item bought in Canada That was what got me into this pickle in the first place many people recommended stuff here and on a couple other sites and listed prices that were fair to them in american dollars and the same item is much more expensive here then there even after the exchange rates I would still save a hell of alot buying in the states then here :rolleyes:

[Prestige-Lawncare]

only problem with that is the American funds the same trimmer is on sale from 529$-499$ Canadian :realmad: hell the fs-80 is on sale for 399$ from 429 up here it is bloody crazy the price difference between a item bought in the states and the same item bought in Canada That was what got me into this pickle in the first place many people recommended stuff here and on a couple other sites and listed prices that were fair to them in american dollars and the same item is much more expensive here then there even after the exchange rates I would still save a hell of alot buying in the states then here :rolleyes:

Ahhh .... sorry, I failed to notice that you are in Ontario.

:waving: