What type of trimmer should one buy?

[harperservices]

I am buying a couple of trimmers ASAP.
The John Deere XT140SB or the Echo PAS 260 series.

What do you use for $400 bucks?

[65hoss]

I run only Stihl FS85's. Been using them for a long time with many hours on them. Great power. I get them for about $275 each.

[KirbysLawn]

Originally posted by harperservices
What do you use for $400 bucks?

Shindaiwa T260, fast and had little vibrations.

[sheppard]

They are lighter, less expensive and chsnging the trimmer head is a breeze!

Cordially,
Sheppard

[AGG Lawn Maintenance]

I've been a big Red Max fan for years. They are light and are work horses day in and out. Plus we have about 5 or 6 dealers in my area so parts are not a problem. This year was the first year I brought an Echo trimmer. I'm not to sure of the model #. You can dethach the shaft about half way up and put on hedge trimmers,edger etc.
I think this is going to be my new best friend. I also brought the hedge trimmer attachment and love it. I don't have to get on ladders too much any more. The attachment in itself has paid for the whole trimmer. :D
Travis

[nathanlee79]

Can't go wrong with the Shindaiwa T-270. I've ran two of them for a couple of years. Lots of power. I use the Stihl heads though, they are easier to change line out. Red-Max is also a nice trimmer. These can be pricy, but well worth it. Its to bad we have to pay retail for this kind of stuff.

[Tvov]

I use Echo equipment. Have one lightweight trimmer just for grass trimming, and a heavier/stronger SB (split-boom) model with some attachments for grass trimming, hedge trimming, brush cutting, etc.

I have found that having the lightest-weight model just for grass trimming, with one or more heavier duty models for all the other stuff works well. Plus, the heavy ones are backup if something happens to the lightweight.

I used the Shindaiwa models for years, and liked them. We switched to Echo to keep our small equipment similar, because we use and like Echo backpack blowers.

[Scraper]

I currently run Tanaka hand held products exclusively.

[awm]

at your age u can probably handle whatever.but if back or joints are a problem,id sure check an see how comfortable it feels.
most trimmers, especially commercial, if maintained properly will last an perform well , if used for what they were designed for.
dont try to cut bamboo w a lite trimmer. likewise no need for a heavy brush cutter type for house trimming.later now

[CS Lawns]

I use the Red Max model # BC225 love it! Light weight & starts everytime! Cost $329.00 ea

Went thru 2 JD units, 1 was like the Echo able to add edger, trimmer etc. lasted 2 months, the other was a straight shaft it lasted 4 months. Loud grinding noise came screaming out of them when you took your finger off the trigger. Was told by JD dealer the gears, bearing blew. Personaly I think they are junk.

Thats why I wont try out the Echo unit that has add ons, was told they do not work well. Just to pricy for me to try.

[kerr lawn]

shindaiwa
first to start and last to quit
t-260's running 4 years strong with going on 5
i love them

[Double D]

Kawasaki KBL26

[GLS]

Sheppard:Husqvarna!
They are lighter, less expensive and chsnging the trimmer head is a breeze!
Do you have any experience with the 322L? I thought it was very light, and looked well built. I can get it for $260. I don't have any experience with husky, so would you recommend this trimmer?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Likestomow]

Ryan --- call Russo Power Equipment in Chicago (800) 367-8776. I bought a 325L a few weeks ago for $255.00 and it only cost me about $10 for shipping.

Harperservices --- Russo also sells the Echo PAS260 for $255.00. Between the two you mentioned, the Echo would be my choice.

[Cutter1]

I have 6 shindaiwa t-270's. I love them!!! I have the universal bump ends on them, easy to change and can interchange between all the trimmers. I bought a redmax 2500 strato charged. Its nice, for a mini weedeater!!! You want power and durability, the t270 is the machine for you. Cost $400. Well worth the money, I have one thats 7 years old. I also ran the stihl fs120, I think thats the number??? That was nice, low vibration and power like the 270.

[sheppard]

Dear ORyanO,

That's the model I have. Have had limited trouble w/t. Has plenty of power, very light and handles the Titanium trim line very well. The heads are easy to change and the manner in which you rethread the trim line is simple and safe- it also handles the very thin trim line as well!

Your price sounds good.

Cordially,
Sheppard

[kerrigan]

Shindaiwa t-270 I have been using them for over 10 years and they have never let me down. I may get a 260 just because of the price.

[Stinky]

shin T270 - have 4 and i would trade anything i own but them. cant go wrong

[Mowman]

:)
Husky 322L. This will be my 3rd season with it and no problems. It weighs only 8.4lbs. and has plenty of power. Straight shaft with solid shaft instead of a cable. I paid $279.00 + tax for it.
I would buy another one.

Mowman

[C4chris70]

I run Stihl FS85's for the most part. I Recently purchased an Echo 2400 at an equipment show for a great price, but it doesn't stack up very well when I compare it to the Stihls. The Stihls are a little heavier, but I think the performance offsets the added weight.

[Brandon Wymelenberg]

Shindaiwa t-260s are the best, all we have at work, keep working for a long time, also strong enough for brushcutting but not that expensive

[sweatdog20]

you have got to go with the shindaiwa 230, I got 6 of them, i have hd one for 5 years and it still runs great they also make a bigger one for big trimming jobs its the t-27 you have to try the shindaiwa

[joed]

I started using a Honda trimmer with the mini 4 stroke engine on it last year. Yes it is heavier than a 2 stroke but you get used to the weight. I like this unit a lot. It is well-balanced, powerful and uses a lot less fuel than a 2 stroke. Oil changes are a breeze too.

[BigJim]

Just inherited a Husky 322 with my new franchise area,trimmed 1 lawn and took it down to my mower shop and traded it for another Homelite VersaTool with a tap out string feed,couldn't stand trimming walking backwards and the husky was as heavy as a sheep.The Homelite is very light,the head spins the opposite way to a husky and doesnt cover you with grass and stones,and I find them very reliable and $300 cheaper than a husky here.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

The Echo 260 is not bad, but it is costly to keep replacing the clutch shoes in it.

I switched to Red Max BCZ2500 and man you can tell a huge difference with it.

[lamblawnscaping]

I know many people have already said this, but for the money you can't beat at Shindiawa T-270. They are monsters. One thing that I do recommend is having them decarboned at least once a year, and make sure the shaft and gearbox are greased. Often times you will not be running a trimmer at full speed and this causes carbon build up. One thing about the T-270's, they are a little heavy, but once you get used to the weight, it's no problem.

[Ground Master]

Long time echo user......3- 2100's (yup-bought em at the depot-----3 years use is common), 1-2501----heavy duty for those jobs nobody wants, srm2400 which has been runing 3 plus years now.....also have 2 redmax's ......have to say those are great machines too.

We keep 3 trimmers on each trailer, so they tend to last longer (crew is just 2 guys)

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Weedeater Featherlite's are great!!! No maintenance required. Just discard in trash when they tear up and go buy another one. Only $89 at Wally World. Have been able to exchange one for a new one if they torn up within 3 months of purchase. They only weigh 8 pounds!!!

LAWNS AND MOWER

[kerr lawn]

i love my shindaiwa's one that 3 years old, 1 2 yrs old, and 1 that is 1. Grease the bearings every so often, depends on use. Change out heads when they wear out and off you go to make more money. Keep spare parts in the truck.
they only 300. i can't see spending 100 every year or less for something that has no power, when i can get at least 3 yrs out of one. I don't have to worry about on jobs if the thing is gonna hold up. If eventually the thing every does die then i got 2 more to get the job done. It is almost like the thing loves to be beaten up.
Plus with the brushcutter, the thing will cut anything down.
peace
bryan

[Gtotoy]

REDMAX trimmers and edger's all the way, well worth there weight in gold.

[luv of green]

have to agree the shindaiwa t230 is bad azz these things love abuse and the power is second to none these machines are also affordable around 249.00 the brushcutter attachment makes some landscaping a breeze just another opinion josh

[GLS]

Just inherited a Husky 322 with my new franchise area,trimmed 1 lawn and took it down to my mower shop and traded it for another Homelite VersaTool with a tap out string feed,couldn't stand trimming walking backwards and the husky was as heavy as a sheep.The Homelite is very light,the head spins the opposite way to a husky and doesnt cover you with grass and stones,and I find them very reliable and $300 cheaper than a husky here.
So which way does the head spin on the husky, clockwise or counter-clockwise?
I have a homelite versatool w/25cc...It worked ok at first, but the head is loose and I can't tighten it. Also, it has little power with the edger attatchment.
The husky is supposed to only weigh like 8.4 lbs. and I was holding it in the store...compared to the homelite I thought it was about the same.
Does anyone else have comments on the husky 322L?

Thanks,
Ryan

[65hoss]

Slingblade

[landman]

Shidawia T-230 Trimmers, get the job done, not to expensive. We just ordered 12 of them, we'll pick um up next week with the rest of our preseason order. Our guys use them everyday, 10 hrs a day, 5 to 6 days a week. We get about 1 season out of them then use them for parts and then scrap the rest. The Strato charged trimmer is ok but you have to have a seperate gas/oil mix for them.

[Mowman]

I own a Husky 322L. Bought it in spring of 2000. I've use it for 2 full seasons with no problems. It's lightweight and has plenty of power. It only weighs 8.4 lbs. It's power to weight ratio is just fine. I'd buy another one without thinking about it.

Mowman

[RidgeCon]

We have 8 XT 140's and i understand that some people have had problems with them, but we use them on an army base and the guys run them 5 days a week 8 hours a day every day. We have had them for three years and only replaced mufflers. Maybe we have had exceptional luck with them but to each his or her own.

Spring and cuttin.....is a coming:blob4: