trimmer question what to get

[epc]

I need to purchase a new trimmer. I have both redmax and shindaiwa dealers close to my house. I have narrowed the search between the redmax 225bl and the shindaiwa t260. If any one has used or has any input which one is better for the money please let me know.

thank you

[Eric ELM]

We tried both brands back in 1994 and ended up buying Shindaiwa trimmers. They have held up great.

We have a Shin blower and a Red Max, both are great.

[EJK2352]

A friend of mine and I both have Redmax BC2300DL trimmers and they have been excellent. He has the hedge trimmer attachment
for these trimmers and it's great for trimming those tall shrubs. I also own a Redmax back pack blower and a Redmax hedge trimmer. I also own a Redmax hedge trimmer & a Redmax back pack blower. I highly recommend Redmax equipment. :) ;) :) ED

[LoneStarLawn]

All our two-cycle equipment is Shindaiwa, including the T260. Have not had any problems with Shindaiwa and plan on sticking with them in the future.

[Hoosier Mower]

I'd highly consider the Echo commercial trimmers also, we have 5 of them and they are awsome!!

[eslawns]

I will be replacing some of my 2 cycle stuff next year. I may try the Husqvarna 325L, but am leaning toward the Redmax. I got a Redmax BP blower last year and it's been great.

[JimLewis]

I must agree with LoneStar. Shindaiwa is the Shizzle! Been using them for years.

Although I question whether it's worth the extra few bucks to get the T260. We have all T230s and we work them HARD. I've never had a need for anything stronger. The T230s as strong and reliable as heck.

[Shady Brook]

I've only had my used T230 for a day and a half, but would have to agree with you based on yesterday's performance!
Jay

[syzer]

We have the t-270...awesome machine outpowers all the other trimmers we had. Almost got a second theother day but iw ant to take a closer look at the kawasaki units. They have one awesome handgrip which would be a lot easier on my guys for the long days at the complex.

[Martino]

I, too, think Shindaiwa (and other companies) makes a very good trimmer. Many of you have probably bought these because of the weights specified in the literature, but how many of you have ever weighed them and compared this figure with the weight listed in the brochures? Do it sometime and then, just for kicks, start removing handles, shields, heads etc. to see how far you have to go to get to the "advertised weight." Many companies do this with their equipment and the reason they do is because they are never called on it. Always check fine print in the brochures and don't take their word for it! :angry:

[LoneStarLawn]

Originally posted by Martino
I, too, think Shindaiwa (and other companies) makes a very good trimmer. Many of you have probably bought these because of the weights specified in the literature, but how many of you have ever weighed them and compared this figure with the weight listed in the brochures? Do it sometime and then, just for kicks, start removing handles, shields, heads etc. to see how far you have to go to get to the "advertised weight." Many companies do this with their equipment and the reason they do is because they are never called on it. Always check fine print in the brochures and don't take their word for it! :angry:

Shindaiwa states specifically "dry weight, less attachment" they never state "total weight".

I hope people know that when they buy it...really not fine print when it is stated right in front of you.

[syzer]

We just purchased the kawasaki unit that is equivalent to the shidaiwa t230. I like the handgrip 1000 times better and it seems lighter but that could be my imagination. I will report back when i get some use on it. I know the grip is much more comfortable in the shirt time i have used it.

[lawnboy82]

I have used the redmax machines, and also use the shindiawa machines. I feel that they are both of equal quality. However the prices are much different. I would say that a price difference of about $100 will be there. They are both great brands. I have had a T230 now for a couple of years and love it. Have had a redmax blower now for 5 years and love it to death, and it gives me no problems at all.

[dhicks]

All of my hand equipment is Shindaiwa including pole saws, hedge trimmers, stick edger, and other. Shindaiwa is good stuff.

[guntruck]

I agree with dhicks, however we did veer off some today and bought the kawi trimmer (same power as t230 from shin). Seems to be real light and has good power. The main reason we bought it was for comfort, we have some days when our guys are holding and trimming all day long, it can make or break you.

[hustlers]

Echo srm2100
$200.00
Great trimmers-get a couple

[Martino]

Originally posted by LoneStarLawn


Shindaiwa states specifically "dry weight, less attachment" they never state "total weight".

I hope people know that when they buy it...really not fine print when it is stated right in front of you.


Alan:
As previously stated, weigh them w/o attachment and then keep removing other peripherals to get to "advertised" weight. Doesn't sound like you have ever done this....you are making my point about putting your faith in published weights! Try it....you may get a real awakening. By the way, Shin is not the only one that does this.

[SCAPEASAURUSREX]

I have a Redmax 2300 line trimmer that is about 4 to 5 years old now, And it rocks... I have tried Echo and dont' like em.. Have a new one sitting and rotting... The Redmax has the best balance and has very little maybe even no vibration at all.. I cant' use anything else... I am slowly moving to all redmax equip.. I have the 2600 stick edger which pwers through areas that have 3" of lawn growing over the edge of walks like it wasn't there.. And there blowers have proven extremely reliable year after year...

[Sammy]

I have had real good service with my Stihls.:)

[linky]

I have been very happy with my Shin. t-230. Some times i could use more power though, so i may get the t-260 next year. I think i read on here that if you remove the spark arrester it will improve the power alot. Is this true? Does it make louder?

[Tony]

The BC225 Redmax weighs less than 10 lbs and has a 22.5 cc engine and it's the size of a T-230 Shindaiwa which also is a 22.5 cc engine . The Redmax will be a little lighter and have a bit more power but both units are the best trimmers on the market in this category. The T-260 is a 24.1 cc trimmer and it will be about 1 & 1/2 lbs heavier than the BC225 Redmax but it will have a little more power. For maintaining propertys a 22.5 cc will be fine but if you'll be cutting tall uncut growth you'll like the T-260 Shindaiwa. Tony

[WREBELMACHINE]

We live in a town where shindawia was once the trimmer of choice in this area. Now you can't find hardly any crew that uses them! The same is true for echo, stihl and husky. We are currently useing maryuama, Kawasaki, redmax and Just this year started useing robin. We have had good luck with all of them, but if I had my choice it would be a toss up between the Kawasaki kbl26 or the robin 253. However between the shindawa and the redmax I would go with the redmax because I have not seen a shindawa in use in the last couple of years!

[Double D]

If you have a Lesco in your town check out the Kawasaki line of trimmers. I have the smaller KBL23, and it kicks butt. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. The Redmax and Shin. trimmers are good from what I have read on the boards, so it comes down to which one feels best to you when you are using it.

[bruces]

I recently bought a Shindawa T230. I'm very happy with performance, power, etc, but am not too impressed with the trimmer head. My crappy homeowner class Ryobi is ten times easier to rewind, etc.

Wish Shin would come up with a little better head design.

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by bruces
My crappy homeowner class Ryobi is ten times easier to rewind, etc.

Wish Shin would come up with a little better head design.

If the bolt is the same size on the heads, you can probably switch them if they turn the same direction. If not, you can get adapter to switch most heads.

[Butchs Lawn]

Believe it or not I have been using crapsman:eek: never thought they would hold up.still going strong after 2 years&35 accounts. least they make some thing good.for the money 100 dollars.

[jeffex]

I have shindiawa t-230s and a Kawasaki kbl23a. Both are excellent . Kawasaki is noticably lighter and it saves on your back. I can use it 1 handed. Shindiawas are easier to start and I replaced the trimmer heads on all mine with sufix heads.

[BufalinoLand]

im running 2 Stihl FS 85s. I have the saw and hedge trimmer attachments and they are choice machines.

[syzer]

Now that we have ran the kawi for a couple of days I must say it is one awesome machine. Well powered for the weight (same power as the t230). The machine is extremely light. Very comfortable to hold and we love it.

The only gripe I have is the length I wish it was a little longer at times I catch myself bending down to get alot of grass. When I compared it to the length of my t270 I noticed its a couple inches shorter.

[kutnkru]

Before I purchased an Echo I would look into the Kawasaki's http://kawpower.com/

Of the two choices you have mentioned I would suggest the Shindaiwa's.

I hope that you have a good dealer network in either case.

Good luck!
Kris