Less common brands of trimmers/blowers - Vandermolen, Maruyama, Dolmar, etc?

[Triplex]

I was just curious about this - it seems most people use either RedMax, Shindaiwa, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, or Tanaka trimmers and backpack blowers. Once in a while I see obscure brands like Dolmar, Vandermolen, Maruyama, Makita, Kawasaki, Solo, etc. Any diamonds in the rough out there that we should know about?

I worked on a golf course that had a John Deere backpack blower that held up for a pretty long time. Big company, but very minor presence in 2-stroke equipment.

[DLAWNS]

I was just curious about this - it seems most people use either RedMax, Shindaiwa, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, or Tanaka trimmers and backpack blowers. Once in a while I see obscure brands like Dolmar, Vandermolen, Maruyama, Makita, Kawasaki, Solo, etc. Any diamonds in the rough out there that we should know about?

I worked on a golf course that had a John Deere backpack blower that held up for a pretty long time. Big company, but very minor presence in 2-stroke equipment.

Kawasaki handhelds and blowers are pretty nice. I had a string trimmer, edger, and blower when I had a small lawn company down in Florida. If I didn't have Redmax equipment, I think I would purchase a Kawasaki setup.

[Southernlandscape343]

I've had great luck with my Husqvarna BT125. I'm looking at getting another BT but something a little stronger.

[RonAyersMotorsports]

Stick with the big name stuff. There's a reason why STIHL, Echo, and the other big name competitors are the names you keep hearing about. Service and dependability. They are the leaders in this industry and will continue to do so when the other small names are dead and gone.

[Triplex]

Kawasaki handhelds and blowers are pretty nice. I had a string trimmer, edger, and blower when I had a small lawn company down in Florida. If I didn't have Redmax equipment, I think I would purchase a Kawasaki setup.

I've seen you speak well of Kawasaki products in other threads too. Did you have trouble finding a dealer that carried them when you moved back north?

[Triplex]

Stick with the big name stuff. There's a reason why STIHL, Echo, and the other big name competitors are the names you keep hearing about. Service and dependability. They are the leaders in this industry and will continue to do so when the other small names are dead and gone.

The big guys definitely got where they are by doing just that. I'm curious if there might be some niche markets that the little guys have an advantage in, say backpack blowers used by stadium crews instead of landscapers or some other special situation for using the products.

[MONTE]

Dolmar backpacks are making a presence in this area! I think that will continue to spread as more become aware of there new design!

[Midstate Lawncare]

Stick with the big name stuff. There's a reason why STIHL, Echo, and the other big name competitors are the names you keep hearing about. Service and dependability. They are the leaders in this industry and will continue to do so when the other small names are dead and gone.

What? try a murayama 26 cc trimmer and you will never want anything else, light and powerful. I have used everything from kawasaki to stihl and shindiawa to dolmar and murayama is the best of the best... they just don't advertise like echo and stihl. It is a little pricey though, but well worth it. I worked for a guy for a couple of years and ued a murayama 32 cc and that thing was awesome... a little heavy but kicked a$$. It is now 9 years old and is still used every day.

[DLAWNS]

I've seen you speak well of Kawasaki products in other threads too. Did you have trouble finding a dealer that carried them when you moved back north?

Sorry, I didn't noticed this sooner. I don't know if this is still true, but Lesco used to carry them, so they had them at my local Lesco store. I'm not going to lie to ya, I prefer Redmax over everything, but the Kawis that I used were very good as well. When I moved to Florida, there were no Redmax dealers in my area, so I tried the Kawasaki stuff and liked it, but I have to admit that when I moved back north I went back to Redmax. I still love my Kawasaki hedge trimmers and use them often. Actually, my wife wants her own pair, so that she can trim the shrubs at the house.

[KAG]

Wacker concrete saws - Good saws

[Fife Lawn&Lane]

Anyone use a Honda trimmer? Whats your opinion of them?

[osr001]

Windmill/Vandermolen with Kawasaki engines. 28cc trimmer that`s 15yrs. old, Hedge trimmer at 10yrs. and backpack 65cc at 8yrs. Never had a problem w/ them, and I do mean never!!. Just DO the maint. A bit pricey, but well worth it! I buy direct. Go to their website.

[IntegrityGuy]

I have a kawasaki and it runs great. i would not buy another one due to not many dealers. I would love to try one of handas new small 2 cycle engines.

[LawnTamer]

I used to run Maruayama trimmers. They are exceptionally light, and for the most part well built and comfy. They did have one thing I did not like. They all used a Wahlbro carburetor, which was fine except the throttle lever would break off the top, and the only way to replace it was to buy a new carb. (like $98) I ran several of these units and had every one of them do this at 1-2 yrs. Perhaps it has been redesigned. Last I heard, they were offering a 5 yr commercial warranty, so they would probably be worth trying.

[Stillwater]

I was just curious about this - it seems most people use either RedMax, Shindaiwa, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, or Tanaka trimmers and backpack blowers. Once in a while I see obscure brands like Dolmar, Vandermolen, Maruyama, Makita, Kawasaki, Solo, etc. Any diamonds in the rough out there that we should know about?

I worked on a golf course that had a John Deere backpack blower that held up for a pretty long time. Big company, but very minor presence in 2-stroke equipment.

I have some Dolmar concrete cutters and stihl concrete cutters, sthil by far has it all over Dolmar But the Dolmars are nice tools that is why I have some.

[RonAyersMotorsports]

Anyone use a Honda trimmer? Whats your opinion of them?

We sell both Honda and STIHL trimmers.

Honda's are very reliable, but there downfall is their weight.

[Fife Lawn&Lane]

Thank You Ron Ayers.

[Mike's LawnCare Landscape]

Anyone use a Honda trimmer? Whats your opinion of them?
I have one. I have had it 3 years now !!! Its heavy but its a brute. I don't trim with it any more, Just brush cutting and I got a stihl hedge trimmer head that I use on it.
Real nice trimmer but a slit heavy for every day mowing.

[jamesusandy]

I got a solo brush cutter/string trimmer off of ebay new. I needed to order a part and for a simple bolt that I could not find any where ended up costing me $18+. Their service department was terrible and as I found out it is very hard to find parts. I don't use it as much as my other trimmers so I don't know how well they last. It's pretty much a back up, back up trimmer for me. With the experience I have had with it I would steer clear because of the parts and service problems.

[Craig3]

We sell both Honda and STIHL trimmers.

Honda's are very reliable, but there downfall is their weight.

I agree. I bought a crappy Craftsman Pro w/ a briggs and it died on my so I replaced it w/ a Honda. I'd used one and liked its power (and the reliability of Honda engines) so thats what I went w/. I checked out Stihl but was less than impressed w/ the dealer. I told him to sell me on it and he had nothing. Honda dealer was great. Also bought the stick edger.

[Grass Happens]

Those Hondas are heavy!
I have a solo 121(?) I think. I like that trimmer a lot, it's just heavy. I ended up getting a husky 323 with a plugged spark arrester for free, and started using that due to its weight. For weekly trimming the husky is just fine, but if anything is overgrown, Ill go to the solo. You can order parts from Russo's online.

[KGR landscapeing]

Those Hondas are heavy!
I have a solo 121(?) I think. I like that trimmer a lot, it's just heavy. I ended up getting a husky 323 with a plugged spark arrester for free, and started using that due to its weight. For weekly trimming the husky is just fine, but if anything is overgrown, Ill go to the solo. You can order parts from Russo's online.

husky makes a step up from what u have with solid shafts

[green monster]

My only concern on the lesser known brands is getting the parts. I know a couple guys that seem to like the Dolmar products. It is not as though they won't buy anything else, because they do. But if the dealer quits handling the line, how far are you going to have to go to get parts and/or service?

I use ECHO for my hand held because it has given me the least trouble and they seem to out last everybody else's stuff. Also, it amazes me how my dealer almost always has the parts in stock and how interchangeable the parts are between the different tools. Last, I know there are many other ECHO dealers in my area, so if something were to happen with my dealer, I will be ok.

[4b landscape]

maruyama hedge trimmers and string trimmers are great products!! the backpack blower is the same as kawasaki..ok imo!!

[mowerdude777]

Go with the big names

[mowzilla]

i had a muryama bc260 edger that is the best one i ever used. but can't get parts too old even though my dealer sells them. they are that good. if mury had a dealer net like shinny, i'd run murys in a heartbeat. lasted 17 yrs. i am and have been veeerrrryyyy impressed with shindaiwa not only as a product, but as a company.

[rudeboy3]

the absolute best trimmer/blower/hedge trimmers are two little gem companies from So Cal called TMC and Astron. Biggest presence by far in the LA area and are very reliable, both use kawi engines.

[Stillwater]

the absolute best trimmer/blower/hedge trimmers are two little gem companies from So Cal called TMC and Astron. Biggest presence by far in the LA area and are very reliable, both use kawi engines.

I always thought they were rather unremarkable spec wise....

[Stillwater]

I was just curious about this - it seems most people use either RedMax, Shindaiwa, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, or Tanaka trimmers and backpack blowers. Once in a while I see obscure brands like Dolmar, Vandermolen, Maruyama, Makita, Kawasaki, Solo, etc. Any diamonds in the rough out there that we should know about?

I worked on a golf course that had a John Deere backpack blower that held up for a pretty long time. Big company, but very minor presence in 2-stroke equipment.


I have some Dolmar wetsaws for hardscape their build quality is good but I use my Stihl TS800's for their superior cutting depth and better engineering. The Dolmars just sit around but they are still dam good wetsaws

[corey4671]

MY everride dealer carries Dolmar and Mauryama. I have a Mauryama hedge trimmer and I love it! Light weight and starts easily. As a matter of fact I had bought a brand new Stihl hedge trimmer and had all sorts of problems out of it. Sold it for half of what I paid for it and bought the Muryama

[demhustler]

we had few Solo trimmers (25cc) - did not liked it -got read of them eventually

[RonAyersMotorsports]

These threads are all old. Demhustler. Be sure to check thread start dates and recent posts. Maybe old issues. Check for new threads and topics. TTYL

[Triplex]

These threads are all old. Demhustler. Be sure to check thread start dates and recent posts. Maybe old issues. Check for new threads and topics. TTYL

I wish more people would read old threads! That way we wouldn't have a new shouting match every week about which company makes the best trimmers!

[rob7233]

The Maruyama equipment is full tilt, heavy duty, commercial equipment. If you have crews that are rough on equipment then Maruyama would be a good choice. As far as a stick hedge trimmer, Maruyama have the heaviest duty almost indestructible gearboxes out of all made. I've own and used them and they are bad azzed. However, I don't care for the design of their edgers. Nothing like the finish or control of Shindaiwa.

As I understand it, Maruyama will be making a new comeback in the US, after already signing up some new distributors. The warranties are the best in the business. In the past, the company has been bought and sold and getting parts in a timely manner could be a problem. Most likely IMHO, Maruyama probably have the best built engines out of all of the 1st & 2nd tier brands.

I am a Shindaiwa fan but a friend of mine turned me on to Kawasaki but I'd stick to the KGT & KBL trimmers and not the KTR in their lineup. Now some have said that the EPA is killing the performance of the new "B" version. I have a couple of the KBL27a's and they have a great power to weight ratio and will tackle anything that a Shindaiwa T27 or a T270 will do. The Kawasaki hand held hedge trimmers feel a lot like Echo but I don't know how the price would compare.